John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

What's a Pasty?

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of MLive spent a week in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan searching for things to do, eat and see. Whether the style is Cornish (without carrots) or Finnish (with carrots), the pasty is intrinsically connected to the history of UP mining. An easy to transport, one dish meal for the men who were too busy to come home for lunch. Always hearty, a great way to use up leftovers, and easy to warm up over a mining shovel, the pasty is THE food of the UP.

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

Ketchup? Gravy? Hot Sauce? Butter?

It's "ketchup or nothing" seemed to be the overwhelming response from Yoopers. Most places offer gravy because tourists ask for it all the time. But that's the quickest way to identify yourself as a "troll."

John and Amy love a little heat, so hot sauce or jalapeno ketchup was a nice addition when they could find it.

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

The UP's Tastiest Pasties

Here is a list of 13 pasties you must try on your next visit to the Upper Peninsula!

If we missed your favorite, please let us know. Leave us a comment or email Amy at asherma2@mlive.com or John at gonzo@mlive.com. Amy and John hope to return to sample more!

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

No. 13 - Kaleva Cafe, Hancock

Address: 234 Quincy St, Hancock, MI 49930

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

Behind the Scenes: Kaleva

Kaleva Cafe originally opened as a saloon in the late 1800s. It was named after the national epic Finnish poem "Kalevala." Current owners Frank and Sandra Beauchamp have owned the cafe since 2006.

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

The Pasty at Kaleva

Finnish in style, and includes beef, pork, potatoes, rutabagas, onions and carrots. When you enter the Keweenaw, you are deep into the UP, and no gravy is offered with any pasty. Only a troll would get gravy, up here it’s ketchup as a side. Or coleslaw, which you get at the Kaleva, which you get with your $6, “two cup” pasty.

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

No. 12 - Dobber's Pasties, Escanaba

Address: 827 N. Lincoln Rd., Escanaba, MI 49829

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

Behind the Scenes: Dobber's

Dobber's Pasties has been around since 1975, and has locations in both Escanaba and Iron Mountain.

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

The Pasty at Dobber's

They make 6 different pasty varieties, including the classic beef, veggie, chicken, pizza, breakfast, and a ham and cheese one. Dobber's, like many other places, refers to the pastie as UP soul food. The pasty is Cornish style (no carrots). Cost is $4.80.

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

No. 11 - The Hut Inn, Kearsarge (Calumet)

Address: 58540 Wolverine St, Calumet, MI 49913

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

Behind the Scenes: The Hut

A restaurant built to honor the UP's mining history, The Hut features low ceilings covered with wood shingles, curved arches, three wishing wells, and an outdoor pond and rainbow lit waterfall that you can gaze upon while you enjoy dinner.

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

The Pasty at The Hut

Pasty Central, which shares the building with The Hut, provides the pasties. It's a big Finnish style one, and you can get it ala carte or as a meal with choice of soup, salad or fries. Our server recommended a pat of butter on the top, which Amy said just moistened the whole thing up to a new level of "pastie-ness." Pasty Central was named best pasty in a USA Today reader poll earlier this year.

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

No. 10 - Hiawatha's Pasties, Naubinway

Address: 11644 U.S. 2, Naubinway, MI 49762

Hours: 11:00 am - 7:00 pm Tuesday-Sunday

Phone: (906) 477-1148

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Amy Sherman/MLive

Behind the Scenes: Hiawatha

A former Legislative aide in Lansing, Sam Reck moved to the U.P. to start this new venture. He took over the business on May 31. He has kept longtime fans -- and the locals -- happy by not changing the recipe, and by staying community focused. The longtime favorite also offers fudge, salt water taffy and other candies.

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

The Pasty at Hiawatha

A recipe that has remained virtually unchanged for 30 years, new owner Sam Reck said: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." His 12 oz. pasties are made fresh every day; the originals include beef and pork, as well as diced potatoes, carrots, onions and rutabaga. $5.25 each.

His pasties are USDA certified. He also self-distributes his fudge, and pasties in the region. He also sells frozen pasties: Breakfast ($3.50 for 8 oz.), Chicken and Veggies ($4.50 for 12 oz.)

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

No. 9 - The Pasty Oven, Quinnesec

Address: 7279 US-2, Quinnesec, MI 49876

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

Behind the Scenes: Pasty Oven

The Pasty Oven is one of the largest producers in the UP, making over 800,000 a year at their production site, and shipping across the country. At their storefront, Cindy can help you choose between the classic, chicken, pizza, or veggie. She also makes a mean coconut cream pie.

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

The Pasty at the Pasty Oven

Cornish style, no carrots, with rutabaga. Ground beef, onions, salt and pepper complete the dish, encased in a flaky crust. At almost one pound, it's a complete meal. And just so you know, a typical pasty can have on average around 800 calories.

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

No. 8 - Antonio's Pizza, Pasta and Pasties, Iron Mountain

Address: 407 S Stephenson Ave, Iron Mountain, MI 49801

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

Behind the Scenes: Antonio's

Order them with Rutabagas or without. Most people order them without. "Bagas" are not a "thing" among locals. Pasties are $5.30. The pizza looked good! We'll have to try it on the next visit.

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

The Pasty at Antonio's

With no seating at Antonio's, Amy and John went to The Millie Hill Bat Cave to see if they could find any bats. (They did not.) The Pasty was fantastic: Diced rutabaga, potatoes and beef. No carrots. Very flavorful. And worth the visit.

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

No. 7 - Lehto's Pasties, St. Ignace

Opened seasonally; through deer hunting season. Ships year around, except for July and August. Opened since 1947.

Address: 1983 US-2, St Ignace, MI 49781

Hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily



Phone: (906) 643-8542

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

Behind the Scenes: Lehto's

Lehto's Pasties was started in 1947 by Mr. Lehto after he served in WWII and was honorably discharged from the army in 1946. It is one of the Original Famous Pasty Shops located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Lehto's is still family owned and operated to this very day by John and Katherine, along with niece Laurie and her husband Bill Walker. Bill carries on the tradition and keeps the recipe the same.

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

The Pasty at Lehto's

It's a simple recipe: ground beef, potatoes, rutabaga, onions and seasoning. The rutabaga is shredded; everything else sliced. A flaky crust. $6. Gravy is available for $2. Ketchup is free.

Online orders at http://www.lehtospasties.com/

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

No. 6 - Connie's Kitchen, Calumet

Address: 56901 S 6th St #9, Calumet, MI 49913

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Behnd the Scenes: Connie's

Fininsh style with carrots and diced vegetables. According to Toni Sidle, manager, the diced vegetables are key to a good pasty. "They make everything taste better" she said.

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

The Pasty at Connie's

The 1-pound pasty sells for $4.49.

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

No. 5 - Roy's Pasties & Bakery, Houghton

Address: 305 W Lakeshore Dr, Houghton, MI 49931

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

Behind the Scenes: Roy's

The husband and wife team of Trisia and Roy Narhi make a winning combination. He bakes. She organizes the business. We were impressed with variety of pasties, as well as the baked goods coming out of the kitchen. The menu includes homemade soups, pastries, sandwiches, artisan breads, great coffee selection, kids menu and even cronuts. Oh, and what a great view of Portage Lake Lift Bridge, which joins Houghton and Hancock.

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

The Pasty at Roy's

Roy's makes a traditional Finnish style pasty, which includes carrots. They try to use local products when possible in all their baked goods. They offer 9 different kinds of pasties at Roy's. (Gonzo loved the Pasty with a Kick, which includes hot sauce and jalapenos-made fresh Tuesdays and Wednesdays.) Traditional Pasties come small (12 oz.) and large (16 oz.)

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

No. 4 - Muldoons Pasties & Gifts, Munising

Address: 1246 M-28, Munising, MI 49862

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

Behind the Scenes: Muldoons

We arrived early in the morning, and the crew was busy making the hearty, 1-pound pasties. Muldoons is located near Pictured Rocks, which means they gets 60-70 customers after each boat cruise. Owners Peggy Sue Crommel and Donna Grahovac purchased the business 6 years ago and recently opened a second location in downtown Munising. Oh, kids will love the huge Sasquatch statue outside. In 2014, a team from Animal Planet used Muldoons pasties to bait Bigfoot in an episode. (No, they did not catch Bigfoot. Surprise.)

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

The Pasty at Muldoons

A Finnish-style pasty with carrots, we loved the crust, the balance of ingredients and overall flavor. We watched them dice the potatoes and blend all the ingredients as they were going into the oven. Try some of their dessert/fruit pasties, too. In the fall, make sure to ask for their popular pumpkin pasties made with local ingredients.

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

No. 3 - Jean Kay's Pasties & Subs, Marquette

Address: 1635 Presque Isle Ave, Marquette, MI 49855

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

Behind the Scenes: Jean Kay's

Owner Brian Harsch sold the restaurant, but then re-purchased it because he wanted to make sure his mother's pasty recipe stayed true to the original. He didn't want the quality to suffer.

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

The Pasty at Jean Kay's

The traditional Cornish pasty is filled with chopped flank steak instead of ground beef, which makes it a little different. Very flavorful. It melts in your mouth as you taste all of the fresh ingredients, including the thin crust to hold it all in. Oh, try Jean Kay's signature Kickin' Pasty sauce! (Again, no gravy.)

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

No. 2 - Lawry's Pasty Shop, Marquette

Address: 2164 US-41, Marquette, MI 49855

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

Behind the Scenes: Lawry's

Lawry's Pasty Shop has been open for 70 years, and continues to make the same old fashioned traditional recipe (no carrots) created by owner Pete Lawry's grandmother. His brother owns the original shop, located in Ishpeming.

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

The Pasty at Lawry's

The traditional pasty comes in two sizes: small (12 oz.-$5.19) and large (16 oz.-$5.99). They add a little parsley to the mix. The potatoes are Julienne, which gives the pasty a different texture. Gonzo loved the jalapeno ketchup on the table.

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

No. 1 - Toni's Country Kitchen, Laurium (Calumet)

Address: 79 3rd St, Calumet, MI 49913

Phone: (906) 337-0611

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

The Pasty at Toni's

At Toni's they make a Cornish style pasty, and thin slice the potatoes instead of dicing them. It's very different and so, so good. Everything kind of melts together. They are one pound, $4.50, served with coleslaw, and never gravy. Cash or check only, please. Eric makes between 400-500 a day in the summer.

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

Behind the Scenes: Toni's

Owner Eric Frimodig has been at it since 1982. And he loves it! It's not uncommon for him to keep the door open after closing to offer to go pasties. He's a season ticket holder of his beloved Green Bay Packers. (Lions fans will forgive him -- the pasties are that good!)

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Behind the Scenes: Amy and Gonzo break it down

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

What to do, eat and see in the UP? All 46 stops!

Here is a link that will take you to all of our stops.

120 hours is not enough time in the UP, but 46 stops later, we love it even more

Here John and Amy make a plaque presentation to Famer's Legendary Food and Spirits at Pine Mountain Resort in Iron Mountain. It was No. 6 on their search for Michigan's Best Bloody Mary.

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Brockway Mountain Drive image used with permission from Instagram user garyrennisphoto

Couresty of Gary Rennis Photo

UP Marvels You Must See

Emily Bingham of MLive recently put together this awesome list:

25 Upper Peninsula marvels everyone should see

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