We've started an informal "Friday Fish Fry Search" for our area, which is basically Gwinn, Michigan. Not too much in the area, but I think we'll start expanding next summer
Crossroads has some legit competition!
The Throttle Bar&Grill: We've mostly been going here because the waitstaff has kinda won us over with kindness. Not that the fish isn't up to par, because it IS. We've had the baked whitefish, fried perch, and fried pollock. Last year, the fried pollock was trash so we shied away, BUT, we had some worthy intel that they changed the pollock, and it was actually good again. The other fish options are truly good, but the fried pollock is the only AYCE option on the menu. When we tried it before, it was thin, and far overcooked - dry, crappy. After we got word of the change, we went back and it was really good. Apparently, several customers complained about it. It had been good before, then changed to trash, now it's back to good again. Meal comes with a dinner roll, slaw, tater choice, and choice of fish. Their tartar sauce is a touch on the spicy side, but they use sweet relish, so I'm not a fan. Fried pollock is the only AYCE option, but the other fish choices have been solid. The Throttle is attached to Brown's Grocery Store, which is a tiny, tiny, place that offers a few homemade specialties, and fresh steaks/meats. They normally have a few homemade local specialties on offer, like pasties, potato sausage, porketta, and more. Just remember that it's TINY. If you go, don't expect some full service grocer. It's really more of a convenience/booze store, that happens to have a deli counter with some cool stuff.
https://www.thethrottleup.com/index.htmlHappy Hour:
VERY solid, not as good of a bargain as Crossroads' Lake Trout, or the AYCE Pollock at The Throttle, but still very good. It's a bit of a brighter bar&grill spot compared to the others - it's surprisingly nice and bright inside, and they even have a little outdoor seating. We've only been once and really enjoyed it, but The Throttle and Crossroads, all in all, were better values. I wouldn't hesitate to get the fried cod or perch at Happy Hour though. It's not expensive by any means, and it was good, too. We're actually going back to try it again this evening. No website to share, sorry.
Happy Hour Bar
5 E Stephenson Ave, Gwinn, MI 49841
For a Bar&Grill in the area, even though it's a bit of a hike from us, I'd say we are bigger fans of Crossroads than all of the others. We are far closer to The Up North Lodge, but it's gotten more expensive, more crowded, and frankly, it's noticeably just not as good as it used to be. There's not a lot to choose from in these parts, so when we go out for a meal, it's worth it to drive right by some of the closer places, and hit Crossroads.
http://crossroads906.com/
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