Spruce
Spruce, MI · Food & Drink
WBKB 11
John Boy's Restaurant faces months-long closure after devastating fire
ALPENA, Mich. (WBKB) — A beloved local restaurant on Chisholm Street faces a lengthy road to recovery after a devastating fire left extensive damage throughout the interior of John Boy's Restaurant. ServiceMaster restoration crews are currently working to restore the landmark eatery, with operations manager Chris Loesch leading the effort. The restoration team is gutting the interior, removing items lost to fire contamination and repairing damaged walls. "We're hard at work gutting the interior—throwing out items lost to fire contamination and filling in damaged walls," Loesch said. "A major focus is also being placed on ridding the building of the persistent smell of smoke." While the building's shell remains intact, the damage inside is extensive. The restoration process will require significant time and resources to return the restaurant to operating condition. Loesch said John Boy's is expected to remain closed for another six to eight months while the restoration process continues. COPYRIGHT 2026 BY WBKB 11. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
everafterinthewoods.com
This Hippie-Themed Restaurant In Michigan Will Transport You Straight To The 1970s
Driving into Alpena feels like a mission to find the soul of the sunrise side, and every local I talked to pointed toward the same modest, hand-painted spot before I could even finish asking for a recommendation. Stepping up to the counter feels like joining a secret club where the...
northernexpress.com
CRAVE’s Family Style Night
When it’s time to load up on Italian-inspired goodness for the whole family, head to CRAVE Pasta Pizza Pub in Gaylord. All day on Mondays, they offer their Family Style Night, an all-you-can-eat extravaganza perfect for filling up on carbs (and salad!). First, you choose one pasta dish: mac and cheese (optional chicken or bacon), spaghetti with marinara (optional meatballs) or penne with parmesan cream sauce, red pepper, spinach, and mushrooms. Then pick between a garden salad and a classic Caesar. And finally, be sure to save room for breadsticks! Ages two and under eat free; kids ages 3-12 are $8; and ages 13 and up are $20. Trust us: No one is walking away from this meal still hungry! Stop in on Mondays at 148 W Main St. in Gaylord, or peruse the rest of the menu at cravegaylord.com.
everafterinthewoods.com
This Alpena Michigan Waterfront Restaurant Serves Great Lakes Scenery With A Seafood-First Menu
There is a specific kind of magic that happens when the rugged spirit of Lake Huron meets the vibrant, spice-kissed soul of a Mexican kitchen. At Pompeyo’s Mexican Grill in Alpena, Thunder Bay doesn’t just sit outside the window, it sets the tempo for the entire meal. While...
The Grand Rapids Press
Crêpe Diem: Seize these really thin pancakes today
ALPENA, MI – A food shack with a sense of humor and a build-your-own crepe menu is now open in this Up North town. Crêpe Diem opened on Christmas Eve in Downtown Alpena offering breakfast and lunch, sweet and savory crepes. The name plays on the Latin saying...
9&10 News
Chef Phil Gorny returns home to elevate Gaylord’s dining scene
GAYLORD — Phil Gorny, a chef who began his career at age 14, has returned to Northern Michigan to unveil a new menu at Michaywé Tavern Inn The Woods featuring unique comfort food options. Before moving back home, Gorny honed his skills as an executive chef at a...
everafterinthewoods.com
This Michigan Roadside Diner Serves Up Nostalgia With Every Plate
Tucked away in Atlanta, Michigan, Susan’s Roadside Diner has been dishing out comfort and classic American fare since its doors first swung open. This charming spot captures everything people love about the golden age of diners, from hearty homemade breakfasts to friendly faces that greet you like family. Whether...
Up North Voice
Flannel & Pearls: Sip in Style!
HALE- Join the Annual Flannel-n-Pearls Tea Party on Thurs., Oct. 16 from 1 –3 p.m. at the Plainfield Resource Center, 200 N. Washington, Hale. Hosted by the Friends of the Library – Plainfield Township Library, the event features a flower arranging craft by Kim Kocher, a silent auction, and specialty teas, sweet treats, and savory eats. Bring your own teacup and saucer, wear your best flannel and prettiest pearls, and enjoy an afternoon of fun in memory of FOL President Mary Taube.
northernexpress.com
Some Things Change, but These Restaurants Stay the Same
Three local establishments that have been around the block (and back again) There are a lot of grand old restaurants in northern Michigan. (Looking at you, Sleder’s Family Tavern, aka the state’s oldest continuously operated restaurant, having opened way back in 1882.) When we started thinking about eateries...