9 Michigan Pasties That Taste Like Up North

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is famous for its pasties – savory meat and vegetable hand pies that miners carried for lunch. These hearty pastries have deep roots in the region’s mining history and Finnish heritage. Today, these delicious pockets of comfort food can be found throughout Michigan, bringing the taste of ‘Up North’ to hungry travelers and locals alike.

1. Lehto’s Pasties in St. Ignace

Family-owned since 1947, Lehto’s creates pasties with a distinctly flaky crust that locals swear by. Their traditional recipe hasn’t changed in generations, featuring ground beef, potatoes, onions, and rutabaga. No frills, just authentic UP flavor that keeps cars stopping on US-2.

2. Muldoon’s Pasties in Munising

Tucked away near Pictured Rocks, Muldoon’s serves what many consider the perfect ratio of meat to vegetables. Their crust achieves that elusive balance; sturdy enough to hold together yet tender to the bite.

3. Jean Kay’s Pasties in Marquette

Northern Michigan University students have been fueling study sessions with Jean Kay’s pasties for decades. What makes them special? The slightly peppery kick in every bite. Their pasties come wrapped in white paper, creating that nostalgic moment of unwrapping a warm, aromatic treasure.

4. Lawry’s Pasty Shop in Ishpeming

Mining heritage runs deep at Lawry’s, where pasties have fed iron workers since 1946. The distinctive crimped edge forms a handle miners could hold with dirty hands. Watch through the kitchen window as bakers crimp each pasty by hand, preserving techniques passed through generations.

5. Roy’s Pasties in Houghton

College students at Michigan Tech brave winter snowbanks for Roy’s distinctive pasties with their signature gravy. Unlike traditional ketchup-dippers, Roy’s embraces the gravy side of the great pasty debate. Their buttery crust holds a generous filling that keeps Copper Country residents coming back for generations.

6. Toni’s Country Kitchen in Laurium

Copper miners’ descendants flock to this unassuming diner where pasties are made the old-country way. The Finnish influence shines through in Toni’s perfectly seasoned rutabaga chunks. Grab one to-go and head to nearby Calumet for a picnic with history as these pasties taste exactly like great-grandma’s recipe.

7. Pasty Oven in Quinnesec

Road-trippers heading north make the Pasty Oven their essential first stop. Their unique claim to fame? The perfect salt level that makes every ingredient sing. The modest roadside building might not look impressive, but locals know it houses pasty perfection that’s worth the detour.

8. Suomi Home Bakery in Houghton

Finnish grandmothers would approve of Suomi’s authentic approach to pasty-making. The secret lies in their hand-cut vegetables; never uniform, just like homemade. Each morning, locals line up before opening, knowing that when they’re gone, they’re gone. The cardamom pulla bread makes a perfect dessert companion.

9. Dobber’s Pasties in Escanaba

Yoopers debate endlessly about the best pasty, but Dobber’s consistently makes everyone’s top five. Their signature move? A sprinkle of herbs in the crust that elevates the entire experience. The Delta County favorite serves them piping hot, wrapped in foil; perfect for warming cold hands during deer season.