If there’s one thing that all Michiganders have in common, it’s our love for fantastic food. Luckily for us, the Great Lakes State is home to countless delicious dishes – ranging from the ultra-savory to the insanely sweet. Lifelong Michiganders will certainly have fond memories of these nine classic dishes.
- Detroit-style pizza
Flickr/Bill Walsh There’s just something extra-delicious about a square pizza. Don’t ask us why, but we’ll always be partial to the mouthwatering flavors of a Detroit-style pie and its perfectly crispy corners. Top it with cheese, tasty sauce, and all the fixings, and our taste buds will immediately be in heaven.
- Pasties
Flickr/yooperann If you’ve ever ventured into Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, there’s a solid chance that you’ve enjoyed the delights of a freshly made pasty. Whether you prefer beef, chicken, or vegetarian options, there’s something so perfectly Michigan about enjoying one of these savory favorites.
- Mackinac Island fudge
Flickr/Rebecca Chatfield Every Michigander’s sweet tooth jumps into high gear in the presence of Mackinac Island fudge, which might just be the most delicious fudge in the world. There’s nothing better than indulging in a slice or two of this creamy delight, which is best purchased directly from one of our favorite Mackinac Island shops.
- Coney dogs
Flickr/jdolenga Detroit is the proud home of coney dogs, and we Michiganders certainly won’t let you forget it! We can’t get enough of these classic dogs, which never fail to hit the spot when hunger strikes. If there’s one rule every Michigander follows, it’s that ketchup should never even come close to a coney dog.
- Cherries, cherries, and more cherries
Flickr/Wendy Piersall We love cherries so much that we even host an annual festival devoted to this tasty fruit in Traverse City. From cherry pie to chocolate-covered cherries to cherry jam, there’s a cherry-based product from the Great Lakes State to satisfy each and every resident. Does it get much sweeter than this?
- Vernors floats
Flickr/Sabrina S. You can keep your root beer floats: we Michiganders are partial to Vernors floats! Yes, we often use this classic ginger ale brand as a stomach remedy, but we also enjoy it for leisure from time to time. There’s nothing better on a hot summer day than sipping on a foamy float made with Vernors and ice cream.
- Great Lakes whitefish
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM Our proximity to the beautiful Great Lakes means that we have unbeatable access to some of the country’s tastiest seafood - or should we call it “lakefood?” Whether we’re enjoying a fresh order of fish and chips, downing a whitefish sandwich, or attending a fish fry, we’re always eager to celebrate this beloved Michigan dish.
- Superman and Blue Moon ice cream
Flickr/Carl Lender Every Michigander has fond childhood memories of indulging in Superman and Blue Moon ice cream. Non-Midwesterners might not grasp the appeal of these flavors, but we fully understand the magic of being treated to a scoop or two after a long summer day at one of our many beaches. Our mouths are watering just thinking about these creamy, colorful delights!
- Paczki
Flickr/streamishmc Here in Michigan, we take Paczki Day very seriously. Whether you’re lining up at a local bakery in Hamtramck or stopping in to buy a dozen at Meijer, these mouthwatering pastries are a fixture for Michiganders young and old. Try as we might, we can never seem to eat just one at a time.
What do you think, Michiganders? Are there any other delicious dishes that should have been included on our list of classic Great Lakes State eats? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Flickr/Bill Walsh
There’s just something extra-delicious about a square pizza. Don’t ask us why, but we’ll always be partial to the mouthwatering flavors of a Detroit-style pie and its perfectly crispy corners. Top it with cheese, tasty sauce, and all the fixings, and our taste buds will immediately be in heaven.
Flickr/yooperann
If you’ve ever ventured into Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, there’s a solid chance that you’ve enjoyed the delights of a freshly made pasty. Whether you prefer beef, chicken, or vegetarian options, there’s something so perfectly Michigan about enjoying one of these savory favorites.
Flickr/Rebecca Chatfield
Every Michigander’s sweet tooth jumps into high gear in the presence of Mackinac Island fudge, which might just be the most delicious fudge in the world. There’s nothing better than indulging in a slice or two of this creamy delight, which is best purchased directly from one of our favorite Mackinac Island shops.
Flickr/jdolenga
Detroit is the proud home of coney dogs, and we Michiganders certainly won’t let you forget it! We can’t get enough of these classic dogs, which never fail to hit the spot when hunger strikes. If there’s one rule every Michigander follows, it’s that ketchup should never even come close to a coney dog.
Flickr/Wendy Piersall
We love cherries so much that we even host an annual festival devoted to this tasty fruit in Traverse City. From cherry pie to chocolate-covered cherries to cherry jam, there’s a cherry-based product from the Great Lakes State to satisfy each and every resident. Does it get much sweeter than this?
Flickr/Sabrina S.
You can keep your root beer floats: we Michiganders are partial to Vernors floats! Yes, we often use this classic ginger ale brand as a stomach remedy, but we also enjoy it for leisure from time to time. There’s nothing better on a hot summer day than sipping on a foamy float made with Vernors and ice cream.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Our proximity to the beautiful Great Lakes means that we have unbeatable access to some of the country’s tastiest seafood - or should we call it “lakefood?” Whether we’re enjoying a fresh order of fish and chips, downing a whitefish sandwich, or attending a fish fry, we’re always eager to celebrate this beloved Michigan dish.
Flickr/Carl Lender
Every Michigander has fond childhood memories of indulging in Superman and Blue Moon ice cream. Non-Midwesterners might not grasp the appeal of these flavors, but we fully understand the magic of being treated to a scoop or two after a long summer day at one of our many beaches. Our mouths are watering just thinking about these creamy, colorful delights!
Flickr/streamishmc
Here in Michigan, we take Paczki Day very seriously. Whether you’re lining up at a local bakery in Hamtramck or stopping in to buy a dozen at Meijer, these mouthwatering pastries are a fixture for Michiganders young and old. Try as we might, we can never seem to eat just one at a time.
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