Dig into Hearty Burgers & Gigantic Pretzels at Timber Charlie’s in Newberry Michigan
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Do you love gigantic meals? Do you love food that’s as big as your head? Food so big that it’s falling off the plate when it reaches your table? If the answer to all those questions is a resounding “Yes,” you need to add Timber Charlie’s to your Michigan bucket list right away.
Located in the heart of the Eastern Upper Peninsula in Newberry, Timber Charlie’s is a must-visit destination any time of day; known for gut-busting meals that leave customers full and happy — including a monstrous pretzel that gets customers talking.
Timber Charlie’s — located at 110 Newberry Avenue in Newberry — has been a staple for over three decades. Constructed as a saloon and boarding house in 1899 across from a train depot, the building has a rich history. Over time, it became a popular boarding spot for loggers who stopped over before returning to camp.
It later endured as a bar for many years, but officially became Timber Charlie’s in 1989 when it opened under the ownership of Charlie Autterson. It’s currently owned by Newberry residents Angie and Rob Doughty and is still a local staple with rustic charm and good eats.
Food Fit For Kings
From the moment customers sit down and open Timber Charlie’s menu, they’re inundated with mouthwatering options — some of which are as big as your head!
Chief among these mammoth options is the Giant Yooper Pretzel — a twisted loop of bread that’s as big as its name suggests and is served with freshly made craft beer cheese and house seasoning.
It’s the perfect shareable and popular pick despite a list that includes authentic Wisconsin cheese curds, French fried pickles, mozzarella sticks, poppers, and mushrooms.
…the [highlight] for my husband and I was the giant pretzel “the big yooper” that came with house made beer cheese for dipping. Hands down the best soft pretzel I have ever had! Whether it was the fish platter, chicken tenders or “baby ox” burger amongst the many options we had all the food was delicious.
– Emily via Google
But the deliciousness and the huge portions don’t stop there. Customers who aren’t full from the pretzel can dig into towering, tasty meals that would make Paul Bunyan blush.
At the top of the list is Timber Charlie’s signature burger blend: a mix of brisket, chuck, and short rib that creates an awesome eating experience.
The flavor comes through in options like the Baby Ox (an over-one-pound burger with fixings), the classic cheeseburger, the Mushroom Bacon Swiss burger, and the Ghost of Larson Burger (topped with BBQ house, ghost chili cheese, bacon, tomato, mayo, and held together with Texas toothpicks).
Timber Charlie’s has plenty more options to satisfy every appetite. Hungry customers can dig into full racks of St. Louis-style and BBQ ribs, a generous platter of smoked pork nachos, basket meals, the Fish Platter (perch, whitefish, and sides), hand-cut steaks, and even pasties.
“This place was really cool on the inside. There are lots of things to look at, and it has a really nice bar. The food came out quickly. Our server was very polite and was on top of keeping our drinks refilled. Food was very good my whitefish dinner was one of the best I’ve had so far. The sides were amazing. Pickle fries were top notch. We will be back to try other [menu] items and some of the drinks as we come through this area often.”
– Shaun via Google
After customers have enjoyed their meals, they can check out TC’s gift shop, which offers chocolates, gifts, and apparel.
Explore More of Newberry and the Surrounding Area
Before (or after) a meal at Timber Charlie’s, Michiganders and out-of-towners alike can explore more of Newberry and the scenic Eastern Upper Peninsula.
Oswald Bear Ranch
Newberry is known as the Moose Capital of Michigan because there have been more moose sightings in Luce County than anywhere else in Michigan.
But if you don’t see a moose during your travels, you can see plenty of black bears at Oswald’s Bear Ranch. This hidden gem allows visitors to view majestic black bears in their natural habitat. It’s a favorite among visitors and is home to more than 40 black bears that have been rescued from unsafe environments.
Tahquamenon Logging Museum
The Tahquamenon Logging Museum pays homage to the lumberjacks of Michigan and is one of many unique museums in the Great Lakes State.
The museum is situated a mile north of Newberry along the Tahquamenon River and offers a glimpse into lumberjack life with original lumberjack buildings, equipment, photos, and artifacts. Guests can also enjoy an authentic lumberjack breakfast at the Authentic Cookshack, which serves homemade meals cooked over a wood-fired stove.
Anderson’s Twin Lakes Tree Farm
If you’re looking for a real Christmas tree during the holiday season, Anderson’s Twin Lakes Tree Farm is one of the few Christmas tree farms in the Upper Peninsula to find one. Families can choose from a variety of evergreens (and reserve trees in advance) to find the perfect one for Christmas.
Crisp Point Lighthouse
Newberry is also close to one of the most remote lighthouses on Lake Superior and in the entire Upper Peninsula — Crisp Point Lighthouse.
For visitors who can get to this remote location, the journey is worth it. Self-guided tours are available seasonally and the lighthouse grounds are usually open from May through October.
Tahquamenon Falls
Some of the most majestic waterfalls in Michigan are tucked away in the wilderness, just a half hour from Newberry at Tahquamenon Falls State Park.
Visitors can enjoy views of the Upper Falls and Lower Falls, each of which offers a distinct experience. The Upper Falls is the larger, more famous waterfall, but both falls are breathtaking and can be reached on paths that are less than a mile long.
Satisfy Your Appetite at Timber Charlie’s
Whether you’re a longtime customer or a first-time visitor, Timber Charlie’s in Newberry has something for every type of appetite. From the Giant Yooper Pretzel and full racks of ribs to the special burger blend and the hearty Baby Ox burger, the mouthwatering grub at Timber Charlie’s is so good it may just become your new favorite UP spot to grab a bite!