12 Michigan Pasties So Good They’ll Make You Forget Burgers Exist

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has a food tradition that’s been warming bellies since the 1800s, the pasty. These hearty hand pies stuffed with meat, potatoes, and veggies were originally made for miners who needed a filling meal they could eat underground.

Today, pasty shops across Michigan serve up these delicious pockets of comfort that just might make you rethink your burger obsession.

1. Lehto’s Pasties (St Ignace)

Since 1947, Lehto’s has been cranking out pasties that locals swear by with almost religious devotion. The crust here flakes like nobody’s business, and the filling is packed with chunks of beef so tender you’ll wonder if they’re using some kind of magic.

Every pasty gets hand-crimped with care, giving each one that rustic, homemade look. Travelers crossing the Mackinac Bridge make this their mandatory pit stop, and honestly, who can blame them when the gravy is this good?

2. Lawry’s Pasty Shop (Ishpeming)

Walk into Lawry’s and you’ll smell butter, beef, and history all mixed together in the most wonderful way. This Ishpeming institution has been perfecting their recipe for decades, using rutabaga that adds just the right amount of sweetness to balance the savory meat.

Their secret? They don’t skimp on the butter in that crust, making it rich and golden every single time. Grab a few to go because one pasty is never enough here.

3. The Hut Inn (Calumet)

Tucked away in Calumet, The Hut Inn serves pasties that taste like your Finnish grandmother made them—if your grandmother happened to be an amazing cook. The dough has that perfect thickness that doesn’t fall apart when you bite in but isn’t too thick either.

What really sets this place apart is their commitment to using local ingredients whenever possible. Their pasties come piping hot with steam rolling out when you break them open, revealing layers of perfectly seasoned goodness inside.

4. Jen’s Kitchen (Calumet)

Jen’s Kitchen proves that good things really do come in small packages—and we’re talking about both the cozy restaurant and their perfectly portioned pasties. Each one is stuffed so full that the seams practically burst with potatoes, carrots, and beef.

The atmosphere here feels like eating at a friend’s house, which makes the food taste even better somehow. Regulars rave about the seasoning, which has just enough pepper to give your taste buds a gentle wake-up call without overwhelming everything else.

5. Toni’s Country Kitchen (Laurium)

Toni’s doesn’t mess around when it comes to portion sizes—their pasties are absolutely massive and worth every penny. The crust strikes that elusive balance between crispy and tender, and the filling ratio is spot-on with generous chunks of meat throughout.

Located in charming Laurium, this spot attracts everyone from snowmobilers to tourists looking for authentic Yooper cuisine. Come hungry because finishing one of these bad boys is basically an Olympic sport, but oh what a delicious challenge it is.

6. Joe’s Pasty Shop (Ironwood)

Joe’s has been a western UP landmark since forever, and their pasties taste exactly like tradition should—comforting, filling, and utterly satisfying. They use a recipe that’s been passed down through generations, and you can absolutely taste that legacy in every bite.

The vegetables stay firm instead of turning to mush, which shows real skill in the baking process. Whether you eat yours with ketchup or gravy (a hotly debated topic around here), Joe’s provides the perfect canvas for your pasty preferences.

7. Pasty Corner (Iron River)

Right on the corner as the name suggests, this Iron River gem serves pasties that’ll warm you up on even the coldest UP winter day. Their beef is always tender, never gristly, which is unfortunately rare in the pasty world.

What makes Pasty Corner special is their willingness to experiment with different variations while still respecting the traditional recipe. Try their breakfast pasty if you’re feeling adventurous—it’s stuffed with eggs, cheese, and sausage that’ll fuel you through lunchtime and beyond.

8. Yooper Pasty Company (Sault Ste. Marie)

With a name that proudly declares its Upper Peninsula heritage, Yooper Pasty Company delivers exactly what you’d hope for—authentic, no-nonsense pasties made right. Their crust has that satisfying crunch on the outside while staying soft inside, creating perfect textural harmony.

Located in Sault Ste. Marie, they’re perfectly positioned to feed hungry tourists visiting the Soo Locks. The meat-to-vegetable ratio is generous, and they don’t hold back on the seasoning, making each pasty burst with flavor that lingers pleasantly.

9. Mackinaw Pastie & Cookie Co. (Mackinaw City)

Strategically located where tourists flock, Mackinaw Pastie & Cookie Co. could coast on location alone—but they don’t. Their pasties are legitimately delicious, with a buttery crust that practically melts on your tongue.

The filling stays hot for ages thanks to their expert baking technique, perfect for eating while strolling the waterfront. Bonus points for their cookies, which make an excellent dessert after you’ve demolished your pasty. This place understands that vacation calories absolutely don’t count, especially when they taste this good.

10. The Pasty Oven (Quinnesec)

Don’t let Quinnesec’s small size fool you—The Pasty Oven is doing big things with this humble hand pie. They bake everything fresh daily, and you can tell immediately because the aroma hits you before you even walk through the door.

Their vegetables are cut into perfect little cubes that cook evenly throughout, showing attention to detail that separates good pasties from great ones. Locals know to call ahead during peak times because these beauties sell out fast, leaving disappointed latecomers dreaming about what could have been.

11. Cousin Jenny’s Cornish Pasties (Traverse City)

Bringing authentic Cornish tradition to northern Michigan, Cousin Jenny’s takes their pasties seriously with recipes that honor the original mining heritage. Each one gets crimped on the side the traditional way, not on top like some imposters dare to do.

Located in Traverse City, they’re proof that excellent pasties aren’t exclusive to the UP. The seasoning here leans traditional with simple salt and pepper letting the quality ingredients shine through. Their commitment to authenticity means no shortcuts, no substitutions, just honest-to-goodness pasty perfection.

12. Suomi Home Bakery & Restaurant (Houghton)

Suomi brings Finnish flair to the pasty game, and boy does it work beautifully. Their bakery fills the whole block with the smell of fresh-baked goodness, drawing people in like a delicious magnet.

The crust here has that distinctive flakiness that only comes from proper butter and technique, not shortcuts or margarine. Houghton locals treat this place like a sacred institution, and visitors quickly understand why after their first bite. Pair your pasty with their homemade soup for a combo that’ll stick to your ribs in the best possible way.