Garden Peninsula Restaurants

D&J's on the Bay
(906) 644-2482
This friendly, unprepossessing restaurant and community bar (quite lively some nights) sits up so you can see Big Bay de Noc out the west window. In the evening, when you order a deep-fried whitefish sandwich or the all-you-can-eat Friday fish fry, The fish as fresh as it can be because the Big Bay de Noc Fishery is a mile away. Portions of perch or walleye are also part of the fish fry.
   Wednesday-night card nights, "lots of booze," video games, pool (leagues are Mon & Thurs), special-occasion bands in summer—expect a lively place. Breakfast is served. There are lots of morning coffee-drinkers. Homemade soups and chili are always available. Fries are hand-cut.
   Fresh-ground meat for bacon-cheese, mushroom and other burgers comes from the butcher in the Mini Mart down the road. There are a full salad bar Friday and Saturday nights, Indian fry bread, hand-dipped shrimp for dinner. Homemade apple pie is "the signature dessert."

Rosie's at Tylene's
(906) 644-7155
After four years of standing empty, this roadside diner (next to Tylene's Motel on U.S. 2) is again a busy area gathering place in spring, summer, and fall. Rosie's is known for its fried whitefish, caught by Garden fishermen. The Friday-night fish fry is currently $10.25, Saturday's 16 oz. prime rib $16.25 (it's said to be "awesome"), both with salad bar. Leftover prime rib shows up in French dip and Philly cheese sandwiches. Lots of things are done fresh: hamburger ground by the local butcher, pasties, homemade bread at breakfast and lunch. Puffy Indian fry bread, in the dinner bread basket, is very popular. Five pieces can be ordered separately. Unusual omelets are a breakfast hit. Lunches (including whitefish sandwiches) are from $5 to $7, dinners $10 and under. Lots of specials mean variety for regulars. Rosie Pichette has cooked for many area places: her own Rosie's bar/restaurant in Garden, the casino, a golf course. Her daughter, Laura Jensen, co-owner and jack-of-all trades, begged her mother to cook in her new venture.

Sherry's Port Bar & Family Restaurant
(906) 644-2545
A mile south of Fayette State Park, Sherry's covers a lot of bases: ice cream shop, family restaurant, breakfast gathering place, and bar. The nautical theme (lighthouses, seagulls, ships) is everywhere. The garden room is away from the bar. A fried whitefish basket with fries and slaw is $11 at lunch. Friday fish fry (all-you-can eat whitefish plus salad bar) is $12 from April thru November, 4-9 p.m., to 10 in summer. Dinners (BBQ chicken, ribs, goulash, more) are mostly under $13. 1/2 mile walk to park campground.

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