Things to do in the U.P.: Michigan House

Editor's Note: Things to Do in the U.P. blogger Jesse Land writes about the Michigan House Cafe & Brewery in Calumet recently in this blog post, which we're resharing here. It's one of our favorite places to stop for a burger and a local craft beer in the Keweenaw, too.

A step into the Michigan House Café & Brewery in Calumet is a step back in time.

A gorgeous 19th century mural covers the ceiling above the bar, the bar itself looks as though it’s been there for over a century (and in fact, it has) and just about every other detail has kept its original charm, back from when Joseph Bosch of Bosch Brewing built the place in 1905, when the Keweenaw was flush with money and thirsty miners.

I’d actually never set foot in Calumet until a trip to Copper Harbor this spring brought my wife and I through the area. And am I glad we stopped at this place.

I could go on for pages about all the cool architecture, great little businesses and other fun stuff we discovered in Calumet (and I will, in other blog posts), but for now let’s focus on the Michigan House.

I’ve been here twice so far to date, and the current owners and staff have been super friendly both times. I’ve tried all the beer they had available and I liked them all. Though if you’re not a fan of craft beer they have a full bar in addition to a good list of popular beers.

The food was surprisingly awesome. After seeing how well the building has been kept up I expected the food to be decent. I didn’t’ expect it to be so mouthwateringly good that I sometimes get the urge to drive two and a half hours to Calumet just for a burger.

I’ve had both The “Gipp Burger” (named after George Gipp (aka “The Gipper”) who grew up a few blocks away in Laurium, and the “Kalua Pig Sandwich.” Both were excellent, but I think the Gipp Burger is my go to at the Michigan House.

Friends and family I’ve dined with here have had everything from their spinach and artichoke dip to the Cedar Planked Trout. Accolades from everyone, I tell you. And for my vegetarian readers, they offer a walnut burger as a substitute for any of their regular burgers.

Go for the history, stay for the food and beer, and come back because everyone there is just so damn nice.

For complete information on the Michigan House Cafe & Brewery, go see Land's original blog post here.