Naubinway Restaurants

See also: Epoufette, Seney, Blaney Park & Curtis.

Tucked back off the highway at the edge of town, Shirley's the place to go if you want to see where the locals hang.

The only bar in town, Shirley's is now owned by Gino and Ellen Farone, who used to own the Hog Island Country Store.) They run the bar with the same good-hearted, retro panache. Hamburgers and toasted cheese sandwiches are the main menu items. There's a grassy area with horseshoe pits and a pavilion out back. There's also a wood dance floor, and live music around six times a year. Often it's bluegrass.

Turn south at the blinker light in Naubinway, go 3 blocks. Bar is on the water. Open daily, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Sun from noon. Wheelchair-accessible. Children welcome until 9 p.m. Full bar.

Anchor Inn
(906) 477-1120
This airy coffeehouse/gift shop/deli with its refinished wood floor is something
completely different for Naubinway—kind of a California look, not northwoods rustic. There are lots of tables and chairs, and WiFi internet. Regional paintings hang on the walls. Open shelves display carefully chosen regional books and gifts. The deli offers sandwiches, salads, and soups. The Reuben panini ($5.75) is by far the favorite. Many kinds of coffee drinks and smoothies, plus hot chocolate, are available. (A large cappuccino is $2.80.) Air-conditioned.
Co-owner Maria Brouwer, now a Californian, spent summers as a girl at the nearby Hiawatha Resort. Then she was activities director. Now that she and her husband, Don, have time, they decided to give back to the community they love so much. Their daughter Leah moved to Michigan to manage the business. The building used to be a bowling alley/pool hall. Look for the history display.

W-11623 U.S. 2. In the log building with the big front porch. Open year-round. Summer hours: 10-4 Thurs-Mon.

Cap'n Carl's
(906) 477-1055
In this family restaurant, the family includes commercial fishermen based right here in Naubinway. It's no surprise that fresh whitefish dominates the menu: whitefish chowder, a whitefish sandwich ($5 with potato chips), and a 5-piece whitefish dinner ($11) with choice of potato and salad or slaw. No smoking. No alcohol. No credit cards.

On U.S. 2 in "downtown" Naubinway, two doors west of the gas station. Open daily 8 a.m.-8 p.m. After Labor Day to sometime in May, open Mon-Wed 8-3, Thurs-Sat 8-8. Closed in Dec, possibly Jan. Call. No alcohol. Handicap access: call.

Pizza Pronto

It may look like it's closed, but this simple spot, popular among Hiawatha Club people and others, is open half the year. Moreover, it serves 4 soups, subs, and a salad bar in addition to superior pizzas made with fresh dough, homemade sauce, and fresh-grated cheese. Upgrades are ongoing. 2012 will be the 24th year for Hubert and Velma Chaffin and family. WiFi. No credit cards. ATM across the street.

11688 U.S. 2, across from "downtown" Naubinway. Open between Mother's Day and Halloween, daily 3-10 p.m.

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NAUBINWAY
POINTS OF INTEREST

GarLyn Zoo. A good travel break, this woodsy small zoo lets visitors see bears, wolves, cougars, and more, and feed some animals ... more

Big Knob and Crow Lake Pathways/ Lake Superior State Forest. Interesting short pathways, one along a dune ridge to a view of Crow Lake, another to the top of a dune overlooking Knob Lake ... more

Marsh Lake Pathway & Big Knob beach. On state forest land, a 1.5 mile path to lakeside sand dunes continues to interdunal ponds. Good birding in 3 seasons. ... more

Scott Point. The closest point in the region to Lower Michigan, this is a good spot to see the Squaw Island lighthouse and Beaver Island ... more

Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum. With a colorful array of over 80 sleds, the dramatic evolution of these powerful, fast machines is nicely illustrated ... more

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