Our food & drinks editor, Tim Tebeau, tucks into the pantheon of great pizza pies found in bakeries, brewpubs and foodie outposts across Northern Michigan.
Market 22
497 East Harbor Highway, Maple City, 231.228.6422
Snow-dusted hardwoods, a serene frozen lake—the environs at Market 22 are all North, but legit Motor City flavor lives in the square crisp-edged pizzas that slide from their oven by the dozens. Launched in late 2013 after a stylish renovation, Market 22 has staked its name on sublime Detroit-style deep dish, two-handed sandwiches stacked with housemade meats and a retail selection of craft brews, local vino and mitten-made grocery items.
Swankly rustic four-top tables built from reclaimed pallets offer guests the chance to sit and chow a signature pizza like Market 22’s D-Town Deluxe piled with primo pepperoni, sausage, shrooms, onions and bell pepper. Detroit style dictates that the thick, airy square crust is first dosed with toppings, then cheese and topped with sauce, a texturally titillating config that allows the pie to caramelize along the edges.
If you’re seeking sustenance between bread, check out Market 22’s Big New Yorker a delicious mash-up of deli classics where toasted rye bookends a tower of house-made corned beef, pastrami, kraut, slaw and Thousand Island.
Pleasanton Bakery
811 Cottageview Drive, Traverse City, 231.941.1964
The wood-fired inferno at Pleasanton kicks out crispy crusts painted with pesto, pine nuts and Parmigiano or béchamel, rosemary ham and confit fingerling potatoes.
Filling Station
642 Railroad Place, Traverse City, 231.946.8168
Get filled with a delicious duality of craft brews and wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas like the Burlington Northern, with roasted garlic, pear, prosciutto, brie and a balsamic drizzle.
Lake Street Market
306 South Lake Street, Boyne City, 231.582.4450
The Lake Street crew has an enthusiastic cult following for their thin basil and asiago crusts, San Marzano sauce and signature pies such as Save As: premium Molinari pepperoni with feta, roasted garlic, pepperoncini and olive tapenade.
Vivio’s Northwoods InnÂ
4531 South Straits Highway, Indian River, 231.238.9471
Chow down amidst checkered tablecloths and vintage taxidermy at the North’s bustling old school red sauce joint. Crusts are loaded with garlicky housemade sauce, sausage and fresh veggies.