Insider Guide: Mark Ammel

Mark Ammel was born and raised in Escanaba, and after spending a few years away at school is now the sole proprietor of Bobaloons, an eclectic lunch café that serves a variety of different items from Chicago-style street food (hot dogs and Italian beef) to Mediterranean cuisine. He is also an active member of the community, serving as Chairman of the Harbor Advisory Committee, the William Bonifas Fine Arts Center Board of Directors, the local brewers’ club, as well as being an active member of the community theatre organization and the Escanaba City Band.

When Mark isn’t at his own restaurant, he likes to grab a burger at Smitty’s Grill (located at the back of Catmando's Lounge) – he recommends their special Big John Burger. Catmando's is a popular bar with the locals, as is the Ludington Grill (which is located right down town and has casual dining and a nice bar). Ernie’s Irish Pub attracts all the young people in the area. In the summer time, Mark keeps Bobaloons open late on Friday nights and has live music every week.

Hereford and Hops Steakhouse & Brewpub is another popular restaurant and brewery. “There’s a good craft beer drinking crowd here which is pretty nice,” Mark says. The brewers’ club he works with puts on an annual Oktoberfest party, which they call “Uptoberfest,” that draws in huge crowds and gets breweries from all over the state of Michigan.

Other popular annual events include the Waterfront Arts Festival, the Maritime Festival, and the long-standing Krusin Klassics car show and swap meet. They have a huge fireworks display for the 4^th of July. In Ludington Park there is a free concert with the Escanaba City Band every Wednesday and every Monday the park has free rock concerts. “Ludington Park is one of the biggest things we have,” Mark says. “It’s huge and beautiful, and also has the water and marina.”
 
Escanaba may be a remote town in Michigan’s upper peninsula, but with such fantastic outdoor recreation and small town charm that is also exactly its appeal. “It’s clean, it’s quiet, and there’s room for new ideas and energy and growth.”