Pretty Awesome Pasties: Who Ranks Best? Who Ranks Next?
As Michiganders, we’re fortunate to have what some folks have designated as our delicious “State Meal,” the pasty. We’re pleased that Awesome Mitten readers have enjoyed the Pretty Awesome Pasty series thus far. We have plans to continue traveling the state in search of Michigan’s best pasties, but in the meantime we thought we would review our pasty-testing progress! Catch the overall introduction to the series here.
As noted in the introduction, the pasty is Michigan’s iconic and delectable “pot pie without the pot“, considered “an identifying cultural mark that gives Michigan, especially the Upper Peninsula, its own identity.” Since the series was launched in late 2012, we’ve embarked upon a gastronomic tour of both peninsulas, applying our proprietary Key Pasty Indicator (KPI) scorings to each offering.
The KPI ranking takes into consideration the following metrics:
- Crust to filling ratio
- Filling consistency/flavor
- Value
- Flake-o-meter
- Overall savory index
Scores So Far
As a recap, a review the scorings so far shows Hiawatha’s pasties (hailing from the U.P. community of Naubinway) in the lead. Here are the KPI scores for all reviewed pasties.
- 1st place: Hiawatha Pasties (Naubinway, Michigan) scored a whopping 9.6
- 2nd place: Weldon’s Pasties (Livonia, Michigan) scored a respectable 9.0
- 3rd Place: Uncle Peters Pasties (Clarkston, Michigan) scored an overall 8.6 KPI.
- 4th Place: Our Place Pasties (Lincoln, Michigan) ranked a solid 8.0 KPI
- 5th Place: Pasty Central (Kearsarge, Michigan) scored an overall KPI of 7.5
Where To Next?
We’re hoping Awesome Mitten readers suggest tips for our team to find the best pasty to score – perhaps it will topple the Hiawatha first place ranking of 9.6!
Know of a terrific pasty that might emerge as the highest ranking? Include your suggestions in the comments.
If you need some ideas, check out this previous Awesome Mitten post entitled “Michigan Cuisine: Enter the Pasty.”
We’re looking forward to your suggestions!
–Beth Baerman & Julie Rogier, Contributing Writers
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Barb’s Pasties in Clawson, the Almont Bakery, and I’m not sure if they make their own or not but Cunningham’s in Mackinaw City.
Good suggestions. Thanks!
Mr. Foisie’s Pasties in Cadillac Michigan. So delicious and closest to my mom’s!
Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll be sure to stop there next time I go through Cadillac!
Jean Kay’s in Marquette. Many people swear this is the best.
I think I’ve had them. I couldn’t remember the name of the shop in Marquette where we bought pasties and took them out to Presque Isle park for a picnic. Yummy!
Cousin Jenny’s Traverse City!!!
These are good!
Lehto’s Pasties, St Ignace!
Lehto’s Pasties! The original is 6m west of St. Ignace on 2, and there’s now a location in Traverse City on W. Front St!
Thanks. We’ll check out Lehto’s.
WHY NO TONYS!?
We’ll give them a try! Where are they located?
Marquee Marque Pasties!!
Maria, where is this located?
King Arthur’s on Hill Rd in Grand Blanc!
Not sure if anyone has mentioned Peppy’s Pizza on the corner of Livernois and Square Lake in Troy. They have great pasties there plus cream cakes. Web site: http://peppyspizza.com/index.html
Jean Kay’s in Marquette! Absolutely delicious and the best service.
Krupp’s in Toivola. I’ve had lots of pasties, but these are hands down the best. We camp right down the road from here and, if my wife would let me, I would eat their pasties for every meal. Perfect crust.
Ya got Jean kays in iron mountain to ya know. And hey how about dobbers there pretty swell. And the pasty corner in good ol iron river they make a mean past . Pasty nuggets too
I can’t believe no one has suggested the Michigan Pasty & Cookie Company in Mackinaw City. I’ve had theirs as well as the current #2 in Livonia and I think the pasties from Mackinaw City are far superior!!!
Sorry, I just realized I made an error with the name of this business. It’s the Mackinaw Pastie & Cookie Co. located at: 514 S Huron Ave, Mackinaw City, MI 49701