As a mom on vacation, not only are you worried about having enough things for your family to do, but you also need some locations for your family to eat. Mackinaw is one of our yearly staple trips that we take with our in laws. This list below is a great guide to follow with possible locations for amazing food throughout the Mackinaw City area.
Gang plank – #1 choice from this mama!
The food at this Restaurant was fun and had an amazing vibe. They offered high chairs and boosters and since it was a smaller setting it was less overwhelming for kids to take in ( especially for the kids that dont go out to eat often like my kids). This location would also be amazing for date nights or older families as well. There menu had a little bit for everyone including some interesting options like Gator bites ( which were delicious by the way, this mama was not expecting that, but we were on vacation so I had to give it a try). The waitress was very kind even though they were running short staffed as most places in the area were, but she was friendly and fun and paid special attention to the kiddos which they loved.
Pro: Environment, fun food, affordable, fish bowl drinks
Con: small restaurant so could possibly have a wait ( however you have awesome views while you wait and they text you when your table is ready)
The Dixie Saloon
My husband and I ended up using this as a date night location while my in laws watched the kids, and I am quite happy that we did it that way. From the outside this building looks like a beautiful wood family restaurant and at first glance even when you get inside you can be impressed by the architecture. However, upon getting seated we started reading what everyone had written on the walls, tables, chairs and were a little less impressed. I’m not sure what happened and why they started allowing everyone to write on the walls and pillars with permeant marker, but it looks like it started with signatures and with todays crazy world we saw a lot of political, cuss words and overall unkind and unwarranted phrases. For two drinks, appetizer and one meal we left paying $60 which we felt was a little steep, but it was good food.
Pro: Good Food, good entertainment as they had hired a singer the night we were there.
Con: Expensive, Environment was not something I enjoyed because of some of the things that were written throughout the walls, tables, chairs, and everything got a little more explicit for my liking in the bathroom. so overall not kid friendly if the kids can read or understand certain images.
Scalawags
Scalawags is a really good restaurant if you like fresh fish. My husband usually gets the Perch basket and father in law gets the White fish basket. This location is a must stop for the hubby every year. However, for myself and if you have a family that only half likes fish like ours, there is a subway down the street that we usually stop at to get me my sandwich! that being said my husband is in love with Scalawags, so if your a fish fan, this is your stop!
Pro: Location, Quick, tastes great.
Con: serving size, not much seating.
Weinerlicious
Weinerlicious was new to Mackinaw City a couple years ago and we have went almost every year. This location is right next to the bridge and easy to spot with the giant hot dog on its roof.
Pro: Fun varieties of the hot dog to try with different toppings.
Con: Only hot dogs on the menu ( which although makes sense, doesn’t always appeal to the whole family)
Mamma Mias
Mamma Mias is a great option for pizza and History lovers. The upstairs has a movie area and Historical artifacts and Items scattered throughout the upstairs and the entire walls of the resteraunt. The movie showcases the Mackinaw Bridge and how the bridge was built and historical facts involving the process. After making your order at the counter feel free to browse around upstairs while you wait for your order. This pizza is also delicious which is always a plus !
Pro: Good Food, History
Con: N/A
B.C Pizza
B.C pizza is another alternate option and perk is that they deliver. We did opt to pick it up but we could have it delivered right to the campground we were staying at. They have Small, Medium, Large, and Sarge. The sarge was impressively huge and fed all of us perfectly. So if you have a big family and dont want to get them all in the car, make sure to get your Sarge pizza delivered. Its also had online ordering as well which is always a perk in my opinion.
Pro: Size and Delivery
Con: N/A
Dairy Queen
Dairy queen was our Nightly routine with making sure we could get ice cream each day! Its easy access made it easy to quick zip in line to get ice cream and then were able to park close to be able to take that ice cream down to the bridge which was about a mile away.
Pro: Location, Quick
Con: No Mint Chocolate Chip haha
Nonna Lisa’s
Nonna Lisa’s is a great Italian Restaurant that has amazing food and service! It has an impressive menu and it is kid friendly and has high chair options for the kiddos. The Resteraunt does have different taxidermy items surrounding the dining area which is fun for the kiddos to look at and see! We had fun making quiet animal noises before the meal came!
Pro: Delicious food!
Con: Little pricy if your taking the whole family and don’t just want their pizza.