Up North Lodge in Gwinn serves up reliably good food

Editor's Note: This was originally posted on the blog Small Town Girl, Foodie World, which is written locally and offers up reviews on places to eat both here in the U.P. and farther afield.

The history on how the Up North Lodge got created is new to me, since I have always known it as the Up North Lodge and nothing else.

In the early 1960s the Gimeses used to run a hot dog and cocoa shop through a place called The Red Horse Ranch. In 1973 they expanded and built a bigger building that included 13 hotel rooms, restaurant and tavern. In 1998 it was purchased by the Searles and renamed The Up North Lodge.

Although a fire in 2005 ruined the structure of the building, within a year they rebuilt and opened back up in 2006 with a new location right on County Road 557. 

Their menu consists of what I like to call "classic comforts." All of the usual favorites, such as steaks, sandwiches, pasta, burgers and fish, can be found on the menu. They have a few choices that are unexpected, such as the Crab Stuffed Ravioli, Parmesan Crusted Cod and the Guacamole Bacon Burger. But what they are mainly known for is their "almost" world famous BBQ ribs. 
 
For dinner, I ordered the grilled chicken breast with dill seasoning, and a side of pasta. The chicken was perfectly cooked, seasoned, and looked amazing right down to the grill marks. The side pasta had butter, Parmesan cheese and herbs. It was a great complement to the chicken. I also happened to capture a few pictures of what other people ordered, including the ribs (which I have had before, and they are some of the best in the U.P.!). (For the full blog with more photos, go here.)

If nothing else, come here to try the ribs (if not a Bloody Mary that comes with half of a burger, onion rings, pickle, etc. on top). Although the menu hardly changes, the food is always worth it, and the staff always makes you feel at home.