Foodies in the know are raving about a culinary destination you probably never thought of. After all, the Mitten State has more of a reputation as a destination for those who love the outdoors, old-school soul music and cars. However, Michigan restaurants are showing that the gourmet eateries of New York and California are not the only places in America where you'll find dishes that will tantalize your taste buds.
The Midwestern state of Michigan lies in the Great Lakes region. Two peninsulas form its surface area and it's the lower one of these that inspired the nickname, the Mitten State, because of its distinctive shape. Lansing is the capital but by far the largest city here is Detroit. Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor are important cities too.
With its lakes and fertile soils, the Mitten State is a prime agricultural region. The variety of crops grown here is astounding, with cherries, berries, apples, beans and beets just some of them. Fish is plentiful in the waterways and livestock farming is an important industry too. Pork products, poultry and dairy are among the most popular animal products produced here.
The people from Michigan are a diverse lot. Most Michiganders are of European descent, usually of German, English, Scottish, Irish, Scandinavian, Dutch, Italian or Polish stock. There are important Hispanic and African American communities too and the state also has sizable populations of Hmong, Japanese or Middle Eastern descent.
Where there is ethnic diversity, a wide variety of dishes follows. For example, immigrants from Cornwall brought the Cornish pasty to the Upper Peninsula, where it is a local specialty. The Italians and Germans brought the know-how for making wine and beer. Combine all these traditions with an abundance of produce and you have the recipe for fantastic cuisine. The ubiquitous cherry has even found its way into the chicken salads made here. For a heavenly sweet and creamy indulgence, try the fudge they make on Mackinac Island.
The harvest seasons for the different products are the perfect excuse for food festivals. Not a month goes by without a mushroom, asparagus, cherry, strawberry or other festival somewhere in the state. Moreover, the local cuisine is celebrated with restaurant weeks in cities like Detroit and Ann Arbor.
Currently, foodies are flocking to the delights of Traverse City. However, don't forget about Detroit as a gourmet paradise. Just in downtown Detroit alone there are over 130 restaurants. If ethnic food is your thing, try the Polish Hamtramck neighborhood or explore the eateries of Greektown, among others. Don't forget about local fast food either. Detroit has its own take on the deep-dish pizza and if you're craving a hot dog, you simply have to try the Coney Island.
The one problem with a gourmet paradise is that there is so much choice that you may not know where to start. One way to get introduced to the delights of the Mitten State is to take a food tour. Otherwise, simply check the suggestions on food websites, consult the local listings, ask Michiganders for recommendations or follow the kitchen smells as you stroll along the sidewalks.
The Midwestern state of Michigan lies in the Great Lakes region. Two peninsulas form its surface area and it's the lower one of these that inspired the nickname, the Mitten State, because of its distinctive shape. Lansing is the capital but by far the largest city here is Detroit. Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor are important cities too.
With its lakes and fertile soils, the Mitten State is a prime agricultural region. The variety of crops grown here is astounding, with cherries, berries, apples, beans and beets just some of them. Fish is plentiful in the waterways and livestock farming is an important industry too. Pork products, poultry and dairy are among the most popular animal products produced here.
The people from Michigan are a diverse lot. Most Michiganders are of European descent, usually of German, English, Scottish, Irish, Scandinavian, Dutch, Italian or Polish stock. There are important Hispanic and African American communities too and the state also has sizable populations of Hmong, Japanese or Middle Eastern descent.
Where there is ethnic diversity, a wide variety of dishes follows. For example, immigrants from Cornwall brought the Cornish pasty to the Upper Peninsula, where it is a local specialty. The Italians and Germans brought the know-how for making wine and beer. Combine all these traditions with an abundance of produce and you have the recipe for fantastic cuisine. The ubiquitous cherry has even found its way into the chicken salads made here. For a heavenly sweet and creamy indulgence, try the fudge they make on Mackinac Island.
The harvest seasons for the different products are the perfect excuse for food festivals. Not a month goes by without a mushroom, asparagus, cherry, strawberry or other festival somewhere in the state. Moreover, the local cuisine is celebrated with restaurant weeks in cities like Detroit and Ann Arbor.
Currently, foodies are flocking to the delights of Traverse City. However, don't forget about Detroit as a gourmet paradise. Just in downtown Detroit alone there are over 130 restaurants. If ethnic food is your thing, try the Polish Hamtramck neighborhood or explore the eateries of Greektown, among others. Don't forget about local fast food either. Detroit has its own take on the deep-dish pizza and if you're craving a hot dog, you simply have to try the Coney Island.
The one problem with a gourmet paradise is that there is so much choice that you may not know where to start. One way to get introduced to the delights of the Mitten State is to take a food tour. Otherwise, simply check the suggestions on food websites, consult the local listings, ask Michiganders for recommendations or follow the kitchen smells as you stroll along the sidewalks.
