Curtis Restaurants

See also: Germfask, Seney, Newberry.
Arranged from south (Curtis) to north.

PIZZA STOP in Curtis
(906) 586-6622
Fresh, made-on-the premises sauce and dough account for the excellent reputation of Pizza Stop pizzas ($4 to $19.75). Subs, served warm, are also very popular. The owners do all the cooking themselves. Seats 21. Soft-serve ice cream in summer.

17162 Main near H-33 at the east end of downtown Curtis. Open Mon-Thurs 4p.m.-10, Fri-Sun noon-10. Wheelchair ramp, small restrooms. No alcohol.

TONY'S WHITEFISH INN
906-586-6606
When the construction business in Traverse City tanked, Tony and Karen Rouch decided they'd do better following Tony's lifelong avocation, cooking. They put new energy in this old bar-restaurant, right on Little Manistique Lake, starting with building an eye-catching 7' x 11' fireplace. Now it's known for outstanding pizza; a good, affordable Mexican menu ($8 for a wet burrito); and weekend specials like ribs, mussels, and bacon-wrapped scallops—with nothing over $17 on the menu. Perch, walleye, and bluegill are the biggest sellers, Tony says. There's a huge dance floor. Every Thursday in summer there's dancing to country music with a live band; twice a month other bands play. Most tables have lake views. There's a 250' dock for guests who arrive by boat. Tony expects to construct a 40' x 60' deck so guests can enjoy the view even more.

17293 Main in "downtown" Curtis, about 1/3 mile west of H-33. Kitchen open daily year-round noon to 9 p.m., to 10 Fri & Sat. Wheelchair-accessible.

CHAMBERLIN'S OLE FOREST INN
(800) 292-0440; (906) 586-6000
Chamberlin's is known for ample portions of food that's often very good, served in a gorgeous setting. The big, comfortable old hotel was moved from its original site next to Curtis's train station to a wooded bluff overlooking Big Manistique Lake. Sunsets over the lake, framed by large trees, are enjoyed from the dining room and wrap-around porch, where cocktails, appetizers, and desserts are served. (You can have dessert without dinner.) There's also a bar with satellite TV and a lobby with a big stone fireplace. Dinner favorites are planked whitefish ($19), slow-roasted prime rib ($24), and lake perch when available. Dinners include a fresh-baked bread basket, potato, and soup or an often-praised crispy, fresh salad. Many weekends there's easy-listening entertainment. Sandwiches, meal-size salads, and homemade soups are served at lunch and, in the off-season, in the evening, too. The bed-and-breakfast guest rooms are upstairs. Bud Chamberlin came upon the abandoned resort while out snowmobiling and decided to restore it. Snowmobilers are the primary winter clientele. Reservations requested; in summer, there's excess demand.

On the south shore of Big Manistique Lake, on H-33 one mile north of Curtis. H-33 connects U.S. 2 (8 miles south of the inn) with M-28, about 9 miles north. Kitchen open from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. all year, except closed in April. Restaurant is handicap accessible. Full bar.

HELMER HOUSE
(906) 586-3865
The Helmer House restaurant reopened in 2004 to good reviews. The menu has something for everyone, from pasties to steaks. New owners Tuffy and Jodee Burton and their daughter Holly have done a lot of work to the restaurant and upstairs guest rooms for the bed and breakfast. (See Lodgings.) Everything is now air-conditioned. The smoke-free dining room occupies a large, enclosed front porch overlooking Big Manistique Lake. (Smokers are served in the bar.) Jodie is especially proud of their lightly battered fried whitefish, their steaks ($13 for a sirloin, $19 for ribeye), and their fettucine Alfredo. Whitefish and perch can also be grilled. Entrées come with salad, fresh vegetable, potato, and bread basket with cinnamon bread. The sandwich and salad menu is served any time. A burger ($6) comes with homemade fries. Prices are from January 2005. In winter, guests enjoy watching deer gathered when food is put out by the pond. Thanks to a newly acquired liquor license, restaurant guests can now enjoy beer or wine with their meals. A children's menu is available.
The building was once a mission, a summer hotel, and a stop for the stagecoach between Curtis and Seney. The grandson of the second postmaster-innkeeper revived the place, turning the abandoned house into a restaurant and bed and breakfast.

2747 CR 33 in Helmer, 6 miles south of M-28 at McMillan and 6 miles north of Curtis. From M-77 at Germfask, take H-44 east to Helmer. Open daily year-round, weekdays from 4 to 9 p.m., weekends from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wheelchair access: two steps. Family-friendly. Full bar

TRIANGLE RESTAURANT (MCMILLAN)
(906) 293-8469
Good service and good basic food recommend The Triangle, on M-28 2 miles east of McMillan and 7 miles west of Newberry. The full menu appeals to travelers and locals alike: breakfast all day, homemade pies and pasties, and fried baskets ($8) and sandwiches served any time. Daily lunch plates (mostly $8 and less, served for supper, too) may be beef stew, spaghetti, or cook's choice. Whitefish dinners ($13) are served any time. Fridays bring the all-you-can-eat fish specials: currently pollock, perch ($14), and whitefish. All come with soup and salad bar, starting at noon.

On M-28 where it curves and intersects with Manistique Lake Road 2 miles east of McMillan. (906) 293-8469. Open daily 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Handicap accessible. No alcohol.

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