The story of the Rusty Pelican actually begins in Illinois, where Northern Michigan native Cassie Meredith was living at the time. Since she wasn’t from the area, she looked for a fun side job that would allow her to meet people and ultimately settled on a job at the Galena Cellars tasting room.
Today, a few of these taverns still exist, serving food and drink in the same spirit they did a century ago. Trains, cars, and improved roads opened travel to more people and new restaurants quickly followed. There are many Michigan restaurants well-rooted in the past and worth the drive; here’s a sampling to get started on a historic restaurant tour around the state.
The Terrace Inn and 1911 Restaurant Chicken Valentino recipe
The Terrace Inn and 1911 Restaurant, Petoskey MI
