Happy Monday my loves! Is it rainy and dreary where you’re at too? (If it is, be sure to check out my post from last week on my Rainy Day Essentials.) I feel like I’m going to be wearing my Hunters A LOT these next few weeks. (Seriously, it’s going to rain every day until the weekend!) However, I refuse to let the rain keep me from getting out and exploring. And you shouldn’t let it either.
Spring is the most underrated time of year, in my opinion. Most people don’t really appreciate the Spring, because they’re just WAY too excited that Summer is just around the corner. But the Spring is literally the perfect time to get out there and explore around you… especially if you live in the Mitten State.
Every Spring, the weather starts to warm up, and the locals come out of hibernation. You’ll see all the small Northern Michigan towns bustling with the people that live there, prepping for the inevitable crowds of people that are just a mere 8 weeks away. (Tourist seasons starts Memorial Day weekend in our neck of the woods.) What does this prep consist of? Opening up shops, selling last year’s stuff on MAJOR discount and meeting with friends at the local restaurants.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. The absolute best times of the year to visit these picturesque little towns is the off season. And the place I’m about to talk about today is no exception.
All the way at the very tip top of the Leelanau Peninsula (Michigan’s pinky!) you’ll find the picturesque village of Northport. A town that absolutely comes to life in the summer. You’ll find hundreds of boats in the marina, tourists wandering from shop to shop and lines of people out the doors of the local restaurants.
The restaurant with the longest line? The Garage Bar & Grill.
Nestled between shops on Waukazoo street, you’ll find The Garage. A small blue building that doesn’t look like much from the outside. But don’t let this fool you. This is one of the best places to get food on the entire peninsula.
If you visit in the Spring, you won’t have to fight for a seat, or wait for hours to get a taste of their tasty BBQ. The place is TINY. Like 7 tables and a bar tiny. (There is more seating on the patio in the summertime!) The walls are decked out in hats and specials boards, and there is no lack of “garage themed” decor.
The taps are bursting to the brim with Michigan Brews and while the menu isn’t huge, I can pinky promise you that you won’t find a bad thing on it. (Y’all. I ate brussel sprouts while we were there. I hate brussel sprouts. And I honestly couldn’t believe how delicious they were!)
My parents and I headed up to The Garage a few weeks ago. While a few locals sat around the bar, we pretty much had the place to ourselves. Our waitress was awesome. (Picture Happy Quinn all you Scorpion fans… just with a little bit friendlier personality!) As soon as we sat down, she came over to chat with us about the menu, grab our drink orders and answer any of our questions.
This is where the hard part came… having to decide what to order. I wanted EVERYTHING. Seriously. Everything on that dang menu sounded so good. And the specials sounded pretty amazing too! After some serious contemplation, I decided on the 420 Burger. OH. EM. GEE. LOOK AT THIS THING!
It’s a ⅓ pound burger patty topped with cheese, dill slices, pulled pork, bacon, bbq sauce and two freakin’ onion rings. The most extra burger… am I right? And guys. It was so good!
My mom ordered to pulled pork sliders, which were also delicious.
But the real star of our table was my dad’s chicken wings. They are smoked and they are insanely good! Next time, I’ll be ordering the wings as my entree. My dad also had the brussel sprouts, on a recommendation from one of his friends, and they did not disappoint either. I hate brussel sprouts, but these were delicious!
We left with our belly’s full, and So. Many. Leftovers. (You get massive portion sizes.)
To call this little hometown bar anything other than a gem is insane. The food is good, the drinks are great, and the atmosphere is perfect. So what are you waiting for? Book a trip to Northport this Spring!
PS… As I’m sitting here writing this, I’m munching on some Hiker’s Mix from Cherry Republic, and I’m finding myself seriously missing the sweet little streets of Northern Michigan. And the lake. And my family. I’m thinking it’s time to plan another trip Up North…
Have a wonderful Monday my loves. I’m pumped because Trev and I are grilling tonight and watching a little DWTS. I’m back tomorrow with the second installment in my DC travel series! Be sure to come back!
Xx.
Savannah
Savannah Said It 
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