Hardgate
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Food History: Polish Immigrants Bring Passion for Paczki to Michigan
Michigan is big on paczki because we have a thriving population of Polish immigrants who migrated here near the turn of the 20th Century.
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Smoked whitefish: Michigan’s oldest dish is a Northern Michigan staple
Though perhaps not as well known as pasties, smoked fish is a staple of Michigan cuisine in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.
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The history of the pasty: A yooper delicacy—with or without Rutabagas
Cuisine of the Upper Peninsula is synonymous with the pasty. But where did all begin? England.
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The history of Vernors — and the Boston Cooler
If you’re like many Michiganders, when you get sick, you reach for the Vernors as a home remedy for just about every ailment. Perhaps, then, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that America’s oldest surviving ginger ale was the creation of Michigan’s first licensed pharmacist.
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The History of Frankenmuth Chicken
Frankenmuth is perhaps best known as Michigan’s Christmas wonderland, but its culinary and historical heritage carry some stronger German roots.
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Coney Dogs: Pure Michigan or European import?
Though often called the Detroit-style hot dog, the coney dog didn’t really come from Detroit.
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Feeling saucy: The history of Mario Lelli’s Zip Sauce
His special sauce took on its own legendary status. Today, Zip Sauce is available in over 4,500 retail stores.
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Gouda stuff: The history of Pinconning Cheese
Hold your charcuterie boards. Did you know Michigan has a cheese capital?
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The history behind Michigan’s famous double-baked rye bread
Jewish delis in Detroit are the country’s culinary underdogs. What makes them stand out? The bread.
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The history of Faygo is more cakey than we knew
In the first installment of our Michigan Moments: Food series, we’re hunting down the history of Faygo Pop. Did you know it started with cake?

























