More than 12,000 people voted in MyNorth’s 2020 Red Hot Best competition, and if you were one of them, you saw we’ve changed it up. After more than a decade of sharing the winners in each category for Northern Michigan as a whole, we decided to dig into 11 different regions and discover the best in each unique area. So, without further ado, here are voters’ picks for best businesses, people and places in Cadillac.
Want to see the winners from other regions, too? Click here for Above the Bridge, Charlevoix, Gaylord & Grayling, Leelanau, Ludington, Mackinac Island, Manistee & Benzie, Marquette, Petoskey & Harbor and Traverse City.
Bank or Financial Institution (Branch)
1. 4Front Credit Union
Five years after two Nothern Michigan home-town credit unions joined forces to offer even better service, Cadillac is lovin’ up its branch!
2. Chemical Bank
3. Wexford Community Credit Union
Bar to Hear Live Music
1. Coyote Crossing Resort
A new outdoor stage last summer cemented Coyote Crossing’s reputation as the place to hear live music. Enjoy a roster of well-known regional talent as well as Open Mic nights.
2. Curly’s Sports Pub
3. The Pines Sports Bar & Bowling Center
Beach for Sunset
1. Mitchell State Park
Sit on the Lake Mitchell side of this verdant park that is connected by a canal to Lake Cadillac and you are facing due west. Ahhhhh …
2. Keith McKellop Walkway
3. Kenwood Beach
Bloody Mary (Place)
1. Clam Lake Beer Co.
Build your own (from 30 different condiments) Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. That’ll start your week off right.
2. Timbers Restaurant
3. The Cadillac Grill
Breakfast Spot
1. After 26 Depot Cafe
Set on the edge of Cadillac Commons with a beautiful new outdoor patio—enjoy breakfast and lunch here, and appreciate its mission to employ adults with disabilities.Â
2. Burke’s Waterfront Restaurant
3. 13th Street Market & Restaurant
Campground (RV and/or Tent)
1. Mitchell State Park
Two lakes (Mitchell and Cadillac), more than 200 sites, cabins, beaches, boat launches. Why go home?
2. Northern Exposure Campground, Mesick
3. Camp Cadillac
Chicken Wings (Place)
1. Clam Lake Beer Co.
All the flavors you need to make a glorious mess: traditional, cherry BBQ, buffalo and sweet chili.
2. Primos BBQ
3. Lakeside Charlies
Farmstand
1. Walraven’s Market & Butcher Shop
This butcher shop/farm market/grocery store/flower greenhouse has been making shopping a recreational activity in Cadillac since 1963.
2. Fagerman Family Farms
3. Benson Dairy
Favorite Nonprofit (In Region)
1. Oasis Family Resource Center
Sheltering victims of physical and sexual abuse in Wexford and Missaukee counties since 1984. Bless them.
2. Cadillac Area Community Foundation
3. Gopherwood Concerts
Fish Fry
1. Timbers Restaurant
Serving the Cadillac area since 1991, this restaurant keeps it classic—lightly breaded and deep-fried whitefish with housemade coleslaw.Â
2. Lakeside Charlies
3. Evergreen Resort
Gallery to Buy and Browse Local Art
1. Brinks Art & Frame Shop
The sketch of owner Gregg Brinks on his website dressed as a superhero is because he does a super job of custom framing prints and original pieces. Since 1979.
2. Painting and Vine
Happy Hour
1. Clam Lake Beer Co.
They call it the $5 before 5 Happiness Hour. Seven days a week. Good for craft beer, wine, cocktails and a yummy appetizer menu. Makes us happy just writing about it.
2. Curly’s Bar & Grill
3. The Cadillac Grill
Hardware and Building Supply Store
1. Family Farm & Home
Everything for people who live on a farm. Or wish they did!
2. Cadillac Cut Stone
3. Builder’s First Source
Hotel, Inn or Resort
1. Coyote Crossing Resort
Recipe for surviving 2020: Tuck yourself away in one of Coyote Crossing’s Northwoods cabins—just steps away from their fun bar and restaurant.
2. Evergreen Resort
3. Lake Cadillac Resort
Inland Lake
1. Lake Mitchell
This 2,500-acre lake embodies all the best of Northwoods’ living—great camping, fishing, hiking and boating—right in Cadillac’s side yard.
2. Lake Cadillac
Photo by Lydia Mejia
Mitchell State Park
Interior Furnishings
1. VanDrie Home Furnishings
The beloved purveyor of comfy, styling furniture and appliances in the Cadillac area since 1953.
Local Insurance Agent (Name, Agency)
1. Shelby Henry, State Farm Insurance Agent
Hardworking and community-involved from the VFW to the chamber. Depend on her!
2. John Benson, State Farm Insurance Agent, Cadillac
Local Pizza
1. Clam Lake Beer Co.
House-made dough and sauce, baked up in their brick oven. Toppings range from the standards to the creative. Chicken & dill? Sausage & goat cheese? Brussels sprouts? Oh yay! Â
2. G & D Pizza & Party Store
3. Pizza Plus
Local Realtor (Name, Realty)
1. Michelle Maidens, Real Estate One
Communication, check; honesty, check; service, check; passion, triple-check!
2. Mike McGuire, Coldwell Banker Schmidt
3. Sara Hoffman, Five Star Realty
Mountain Biking Trail
1. Cadillac Pathway Trailhead
Do a mile or 11. Stay to the flats or find some hills. Take it slow or fast. This multi-use recreational trail that runs through beautiful state forest land is a win.
2. Huron Manistee National Forests
3. Mitchell State Park
Outdoor Gear Store
1. McLain Cycle & Fitness
Cadillac loves its bike trails—no wonder they love McClain Cycle & Fitness. Tip: Check out their Trade-Up Program for Kids.Â
2. Sun N’ Snow, Cadillac
Outdoor Running Trail
1. Mitchell State Park
Run with the deer, beaver and muskrat on the park’s 2.25-mile Cadillac Heritage Trail.
2. City Park, Cadillac
Party Store
1. G & D Pizza & Party Store
Beer, wine, groceries, baked goods, sandwiches and $1 slices of pepperoni pizza since 1984. Need we say more?
2. Thirsty’s Elmrest Party Store
3. Lake Cadillac Party Store
Place to Get Your Annuals and Perennials
1. Walraven’s Market
Pick up some fresh-butchered pork chops when you get your petunias. Love this place!
2. Bruce Helsel’s Tree Farm and Garden Center
3. Grahek’s Greenery
Place to Take an Instagram Photo
1. Huron Manistee National Forest
With its nearly one million acres, pretty inland lakes and the Manistee River running through it, you’ll get your shot.
2. Clam Lake Beer Co.
3. Cadillac Commons – City Park
Restaurant for a Special Occasion
1. Timbers Restaurant
Nothing says special dinner out like their hand-cut, slow-roasted prime rib.
2. Clam Lake Beer Co.
3. Hermann’s European Cafe
Sport Gear Rental Company
1. McLain Cycle & Fitness
Rent everything you need—from wheels to helmet—to take off on the miles of trails in and around Cadillac.
2. Wilderness Canoe Trips
3. Pilgrim Village Fishing Shop
Spot to Bird Watch
1. Huron Manistee National Forest
More than 400 known bird species including the endangered Kirtland’s Warbler—bring your binocs.
2. Mitchell State Park
Summer Festival or Event
1. Cadillac Festival of the Arts
For 52 years this festival has been filling the lakeside Cadillac Commons with fine art, artisans, food vendors and local music.
2. Cadillac Lakes Cruise & Car Show
3. Cadillac Craft Beer Festival
Wedding Venue
1. Caberfae Peaks
Gorgeous outdoor and indoor ceremony sites coupled with a reception area that can hold 500 or a more intimate one that seats 100. Caberfae Peaks has your nuptials covered.
2. Fox Hill Event Center
3. Cherry Grove Event Center