Dining

Your best bet for dining in the area is probably a steak or some brats cooked on the grill on your deck. If you feel you must leave the resort for food, however, we can make some recommendations.

Mt. Pleasant is a good place for moderate-priced and high-end dining in the area. Mountain Town Steak House (and brew pub) offers steaks and chops served with a variety of home-brewed beers and ales. The lo-mein is great at China Garden and many people swear by the Brass Cafe downtown for lunch and dinner. Try Stan's for no-nonsense soup and sandwiches.

Houghton Lake is now home to a new dining option that bills itself as a Louisiana-style steak and seafood restaurant. Many of the entries are blackened or seasoned with cajun spices. Coyles is famous for its all-you-can-eat buffet menu; their breads and salad bar are especially good.

Gladwin's new conference center contains the area's newest eatery. Sunday brunches are excellent and Monday night is all-you-can-eat pasta. All the dishes we've tried have been very good to excellent. If you like fish, try the walleye specials at Robin's.

Local takeout restaurants include Little Caesar's and Buccilli's for pizza, Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonald's and Burger King. You may also order anything on the Remedy menu to go. If you venture down to Clare, you'll find every major fast food chain as well as a variety of family restaurants: Big Boy, Ponderosa, Subway, Wendy's, Arby's, and more.

The newly remodeled Surrey House Restaurant and Saloon here in Harrison is under new ownership and developing a new menu. Dress is casual. If you like a cold one with lunch or dinner, try McFarland's Tavern or the Budd Lake Bar. Both offer good food at reasonable prices.