Local flavor Foodies know that the best thing about travel is sampling local cuisine, and no visit to Sault Ste. Marie is complete without a taste of these local staples.

Fudge

The varieties are seemingly endless: chocolate, chocolate walnut, rocky road, maple nut, peanut butter, vanilla, chocolate mint, and on and on. We have two words for you: variety pack. Sampling is the order of the day when you visit a Sault Ste. Marie fudge shop and there’s no good reason to leave with only one flavor.  Homemade daily at several locations across from the Soo Locks, fudge isn’t the only thing on the menu at most of our fudge shops, where saltwater taffy, homemade candies, and ice cream can also be found. No visit to Northern Michigan is complete with this sweet treat.

Say it with me…”past-ees”…and you will avoid the inevitable embarrassment of confusing this Upper Peninsula staple with another, similarly-named item. A pasty dinner is a history lesson on your fork, brought to the Upper Peninsula by the Cornish immigrants who found them to be a convenient lunch while working in the 19th century iron and copper mines. Pasties are a combination of ground beef, potatoes, onions and rutabagas encased in a flaky crust and baked to perfection. Whether you enjoy yours smothered in gravy, covered in ketchup, or au naturel, the pasty is a pleasing rite of passage for any self-respecting visitor seeking full, cultural immersion.

Lake Superior Whitefish

It doesn’t get any fresher or tastier than Lake Superior Whitefish. Broiled, pan fried, deep fried, or smoked – the choice is yours. This mild, flaky fish can be found in most area restaurants and is reasonably priced for fish that were swimming in the deepest, cleanest lake only hours before landing on your plate. Local grocers and fisheries also sell Whitefish, so after you’ve sampled the local fare, try your hand at home.

Dining Options in Sault Sainte Marie also include a number of ethnic restaurants (Italian, Greek, Mexican, Chinese, Thai) as well as a little slice of Americana known as the Drive-In, where patrons sit in their vehicles and are served the tastiest burgers by carhops. Several restaurants offer extensive buffets and American fare suitable for all palates can be found at any number of eateries throughout the community. One thing is for certain – you won’t go home hungry from your next trip to the Soo!