Tucked Away on Michigan’s Sunrise Coast: A Tiny Cafe with Giant Cinnamon Rolls
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Tucked away in Northeast Michigan along the Lake Huron shoreline is a small cafe with gigantic, dinner plate-sized cinnamon rolls that are the perfect remedy for a sweet tooth.
Since 1980, Connie’s Cafe has been a breakfast mainstay in the village of Ossineke, just south of Alpena, on US-23; a cozy place where the company of friends and strangers alike makes guests feel like they’re sitting down to a meal at home.
With a delicious menu that includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, a scenic Garden of Dreams outside, and of course, the jumbo cinnamon rolls, Connie’s is a perfect place to stop for a meal any time of day.
A Sunrise Side Staple
The history of Connie’s dates back to 1980 when owner Connie Stephan opened the “Ice Cream Express,” an ice cream parlor that became well known in the community.
Within a few years, Connie expanded her offerings to include a full menu and “from scratch” bread and jumbo cinnamon rolls. By 1989, the eatery — located at 11585 US-23 in Ossineke — became known as “Connie’s Cafe,” a place that became as well known for its sweet treats as its Friday Night Fish Fry.
For over four decades, Connie’s has been a community favorite — a Sunday morning tradition after church for longtime customers and a pleasant surprise for out-of-town visitors.
Great UP North spot to grab breakfast! The grilled cinnamon roll with pecans is huge and yummy! The Friday night fish fry is good too! They also have a beautiful garden in honor of those that have struggled with breast cancer. The restaurant serves delicious homemade food served with a smile in a clean and pleasant atmosphere! Get there early if you don’t want to wait on the weekend mornings!
– Shelli via Google
A Sinfully Sweet Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and guests who love sweet treats for breakfast will be in heaven at Connie’s.
The house specialty is Connie’s jumbo grilled cinnamon roll — a roll so pretty you can lose yourself in its decadent icing, and so big you can easily split it with everyone at your table. It’s so big that it fits an entire to-go container and is said to be as big as a customer’s face!
They also come topped with pecans for about 50 cents more than the regular iced roll.
These aren’t just your regular, run-of-the-mill cinnamon rolls either. Connie’s splits a fresh roll in half horizontally, grills it in butter, sticks the halves back together, and then covers them in sweet icing. It’s little wonder that Connie’s parking lot fills quickly on the weekends and the cinnamon rolls go quickly.
Stop here anytime for a meal it is worth the trip. We stopped in for breakfast. They had homemade bread and jam with the meal. We picked up 3 of the giant cinnamon rolls for the road they are excellent and made fresh daily.
Great place for breakfast and lunch and the staff here was very friendly. When [you’re] done check out the beautiful garden right outside the building. This is a must stop for a meal by Alpena!
– Aaron via Google
But if you’re not in the mood for a cinnamon roll, Connie’s has you covered with plenty more options. Customers can dig into plates of jumbo pancakes, a strawberry jam-topped stack of waffles, a heaping Village Deluxe plate, Julie’s Triple Decker Breakfast Club sandwich, and giant, mouthwatering skillets with homemade toast.
So whatever you’re in the mood for, Connie’s has plenty to satisfy every appetite. Don’t sleep on the lunch and dinner options either. Connie’s offers house-made soups, classic sandwiches, burgers, and more to keep customers full and happy.
NOTE: Keep an eye on Connie’s Facebook page for updates on daily and weekly specials.
Don’t forget to stop by Connie’s bakery inside where customers can stock up on homemade breads, old-fashioned pies, homemade cookies and cinammon rolls (in case you didn’t order one with your meal).
A Place For Remembrance and Reflection
Connie’s Cafe’s Garden of Dreams outside the beloved eatery is not only beautiful, it holds a special significance for owner Connie Stephan.
After being diagnosed with Central Nervous System Lymphoma in 2009, she found gardening to be therapeutic as she battled the disease. She’s now been cancer-free for many years.
The garden was founded in 2011 thanks to the help of friends and family. A magnificent suncatcher — with 1,200 pieces of glass — was added to the garden in 2013. The garden offers visitors a place to remember all those affected by cancer and remains a peaceful spot for many regulars who come to enjoy a meal.
In addition to the garden, Connie has led the Connie’s Angels Relay for Life team since 2011 — a group of dedicated employees, customers, friends, and family members who raise money during the Alpena County Relay for Life event. The team is routinely one of the event’s top fundraising teams and has also raised thousands of dollars for a local cancer support organization.
Explore More of Northeast Michigan
Located less than 10 miles from Alpena, Connie’s Cafe is a perfect stop before exploring more of Michigan’s Sunrise Side.
Before you leave Ossineke, go explore Dinosaur Gardens, which is just up the road from Connie’s if you’re headed toward Alpena. As one of Michigan’s favorite dinosaur-themed attractions, visitors can explore more than two dozen life-sized dinosaur statues, enjoy a round of putt-putt golf, and dig for fossils.
Ossineke is also home to one of several Paul Bunyan statues in Michigan. A 25-foot statue of Paul and a 10-foot statue of his trusty blue ox Babe have stood just south of the village since 2006.
Driving through Birdsong Bay on the way to Alpena, visitors will pass the 45th Parallel — the sign for it (which is on the passenger’s side) is a popular photo op for out-of-town travelers.
RELATED: Follow the 45th Parallel across Northern Michigan for a fun day trip adventure!
Upon arriving in Alpena, the possibilities for fun are endless in this all-season destination. From scenic beaches along Lake Huron and cozy family restaurants to shipwreck tours and educational exhibits at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, Alpena and the surrounding area have plenty to keep travelers entertained.
RELATED: Check out these amazing places to stay in Alpena.
Treat Yourself to an Unforgettable Breakfast at Connie’s Cafe
If you’re craving sweets and you want a cinnamon roll big enough to dunk in your coffee cup, Connie’s Cafe in Ossineke, Michigan is a can’t-miss spot for a hearty breakfast. From the towering cinnamon rolls and piping hot breakfast skillets to jumbo pancakes and tasty omelets, Connie’s leaves every guest feeling happy and full as they travel through Northeast Michigan.