Independent Restaurants on the Vacation Road

Tags Restaurant

On my vacation this summer going to lower and upper Michigan, my family and I made a concentrated effort to make sure we were dining in independent locally owned restaurants. I have to say I it made our vacation awesome. We stopped at Chili John’s in Green Bay, WI. I had eaten there when I was 11 or so, and it was awesome. Then we had the best broasted chicken at the local pub in Cedar River, MI in the upper penninsula. Met a fabulous man that goes by Big Dan who was bartending. He spoke with emotion about the manhattan. Didn’t even know that I was obsessed with the drink, he just started offering up his own conversation. I have a new friend. Then we went to the Miller brewing plant for a tour in Milwaukee. It was fun, then we went Crazy Water restaurant on the south side of Milwaukee. Awesome food, and the coolest space ever. You must check it out if you are in that area, they also gave perfect directions to the Brewers game. I still wore my Cubs hat! Then we went to Chicago wanted to get some hot dogs. Had one delicious dog and one horrible one. But the great dog made up for the horrible one. Of course had lots of brats and cheese curds at my family’s house in Lower Michigan, Bridgman. Went to some fun wineries and was pleasantly suprised by some of the wines. Picked up a case of blueberries, that was a great snack on the road. Then we went to Lynns paradise cafe in Louisville. That was the first time my husband had a hot brown or derby pie. The manager probably couldn’t have been nicer. Even though my son wishes we could just drive where we’re “supposed” to go, we would have missed out on all of those wonderful people and experiences rushing to get someplace. Next time you go on vacation, map it out and see what cool restaurants are along the way. Ask your friends if they know anyplace you should try. I got lots of great suggestions and it was worth getting more than a 100 feet off of the interstate.

Cheers

By Kim Totzke on July 20, 2007