Guides Spotlight Hidden Regional Food Destinations

Michigan’s lesser-known destinations offer a mix of small-town charm and neighborhood food worth a detour. Chelsea, west of Ann Arbor, draws visitors with its historic downtown clock tower and its connection to Jiffy Mix, made by the Chelsea Milling Company. In the Upper Peninsula, roadside pasty shops such as Lehto’s in St. Ignace and Gram’s in Escanaba are celebrated for traditional, hearty versions of the regional staple. Around Detroit, family-run barbecue joints and neighborhood delis offer another kind of local discovery, from smoked ribs at Nunn’s Bar-B-Que II to Italian-inspired sandwiches at Detroit’s Il Rocco. Together, these spots highlight the character and food traditions found beyond Michigan’s best-known tourist stops.