One of the Best Restaurants in Michigan

     I love to put in a word for the unsung restaurants in Michigan who will never be visited by the snobby critiques of fancy food magazines or the preppy tv personalities.  The best restaurants are the ones that can feed a hungry average Joe for a reasonable price (reasonable being $5).  Northern Forest Cafe is perhaps one of the best kept secrets on the Sunrise Coast of Michigan.  Located on US 23 in Standish, Michigan and 1-2 miles from the highway, it is easily accessible to those on their northern voyage.
     It's cafe designation does not do it justice.  It's more like a diner atmosphere.  The inside is decorated with various northern themes and has a homey, low-key, comfortable atmosphere that puts you at ease.  With less than 15 tables, and most of those meant to seat 2 people, the room fills up fast for a Sunday lunch.  With the small space, you won't get lost in the crowd.
     Now for the important part--the food.  Their breakfast is like diner cuisine but their hot hamburger and hot turkey sandwiches are SECOND TO NONE.  I am not exaggerating when I say that their hot hamburger is about 1/3-1/2 pound in size on 2 super thick pieces of soft bread.  With stuffing and mashed potatoes covered by a thick layer of beef gravy, this is a great bargain at $5.29.  The roast turkey is the same but with a good helping of turkey and a slathering of turkey gravy.  Forget the Turkey Roost restaurant down the road, Northern Forest does it right.  If you go home hungry, you must have only ordered a beverage.
     So support the local economy and order at this cafe. It's open until 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.  Take out is also available.