UPside of Life: Satisfying your sweet tooth

No one is ever going to be able to say that Yoopers don't enjoy some amazing eats.

While the Upper Peninsula may not have a slew of four-star restaurants dotting the landscape or Food Network chefs cooking up a frenzy, there is no shortage of tasty treats for foodies to enjoy.

The first things that tend to pop to mind when food and the U.P. are brought up together are items such as the pasty or Vollwerth's Sausage. But what about something a little more rich and a bit more decadent? How about something to satisfy those sweet cravings?

You don't have to look far to find something to eat that will hit a home run with your sweet tooth.

One of the first things you'll discover when coming to the Upper Peninsula via the Lower Peninsula is that Mackinac Island is known for a lot more than having no motorized vehicles and being home to the amazing Grand Hotel. Mackinac Island is also the place to find some of the best fudge in the country.

There is a lot of history to fudge on Mackinac Island, but it's well known that you can basically get off the ferry and throw a rock and hit a fudge shop. The list of those making the tasty treat is too long to list here, but there are a few that truly stand out.

First and foremost, there's Murdick's Fudge. They've been making fudge and peanut brittle with the same recipe since the late 1800s and they've pretty much perfected the art. And you can't forget Ryba's when discussing Mackinac Island's specialty. Ryba's has four shops on the island and have windows where onlookers can watch the treat being made. And, of course, there's Joann's Fudge, which has 30 impressive flavors to choose from that range from traditional flavors such as chocolate walnut all the way to Kahlua.

But Mackinac Island isn't the only place to get fudge in the Upper Peninsula--or other sweet treats, for that matter.

In Marquette, Doncker's has long specialized in hand-made fudge. They offer up several different flavors and each batch is personally inspected by head chocolatier Shane Baker, who trained each of the employees who make the fudge. In addition to creamy fudge, Doncker's offers up a large variety of candy and even an old-fashioned soda fountain.

If you're still looking for more chocolate treats, then stop by Sayklly's, based in Escanaba. This chocolate maker has been a U.P. success story since 1906 when its founder, Lebanese immigrant Joseph Sayklly, opened up shop. Since then, the company has grown to offer a slew of decadent treats. One U.P.-proud offering is the Yooper Bar, which is a chocolate bar with the shape of the Upper Peninsula molded onto it. It's a tasty way to enjoy the peninsula, that's for certain.

Beyond typical candies, you can find some amazing treats just by driving the highways of the U.P. In Negaunee, try some "almost-world-famous cheesecake" at the Midtown Bakery & Cafe, or continue driving north and stop in L'Anse for some great sweet rolls and cinnamon rolls at the Hilltop Family Restaurant. For something that registers as very unique, head all the way up to Eagle Harbor on the Keweenaw Peninsula and stop at Jampot, a store run by the Society of St. John monks--complete with brown hooded robes--who specialize in making amazingly tasty jams and baked goods.

It really doesn't matter what town you're in or where your destination in the U.P. might be, it's a darn safe bet that if you keep your eyes peeled and are willing to make a detour and a pit stop, you're going to find a shop that will satisfy even the most demanding sweet tooth.

Sam Eggleston is the managing editor of the U.P. Second Wave and a full-time freelance writer. He was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula. He can be reached via email.