Ever wondered what it’s like to dine surrounded by a forest’s worth of antlers?
Welcome to The Antlers, where your meal comes with a side of wilderness wonder.
Nestled in the heart of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, The Antlers is not your average eatery.
It’s a place where the decor could easily outshine the food, but miraculously, it doesn’t.
This family dining establishment is a feast for the eyes as much as it is for the stomach.
As you approach the building, you’re greeted by a stone facade that looks like it was plucked straight out of a rustic hunting lodge.
The sign out front proudly proclaims, “When in doubt, margarita it out” – a philosophy I can certainly get behind.
It’s as if the restaurant is saying, “Come on in, the antlers are fine!”
And boy, are there antlers.
Step inside, and you’ll find yourself in what can only be described as a taxidermist’s fever dream.
The ceiling is adorned with more antlers than you can shake a stick at – though I wouldn’t recommend shaking anything in here, lest you knock yourself out with a falling rack.
It’s like walking into a forest where all the trees decided to grow indoors and upside down.
The walls are a testament to the rich hunting culture of the Upper Peninsula, covered in mounted heads of various woodland creatures.
It’s enough to make you wonder if you’ve stumbled into some sort of cervine afterlife.
But fear not, vegetarians – the menu caters to all, even if the decor doesn’t.
Speaking of the menu, it’s a delightful mix of hearty American classics and local specialties.
The Fresh Cut Ribeye Steak catches the eye immediately, promising a char-grilled experience that might just make you forget you’re surrounded by enough antlers to outfit Santa’s entire sleigh team.
For those looking for a lighter option, the Green Goddess Salad offers a refreshing counterpoint to the rustic surroundings.
It’s like finding a clearing in a dense forest, but instead of trees, you’re surrounded by antlers. Did I mention there are a lot of antlers?
The Breakfast Burger is a monument to morning indulgence, featuring a quarter-pound patty on a biscuit, topped with bacon, cheese, and an egg.
It’s smothered in country gravy, because why not start your day with a food coma?
But the real star of the show might just be the Cape Cod Poutine.
It’s a culinary mashup that screams “identity crisis” but in the most delicious way possible.
Hand-cut fries tossed with cheese curds and chowder, then topped with beer-battered cod – it’s like the Atlantic Ocean and a Canadian pub had a baby, and that baby grew up to be delicious.
The Fresh Catch option, a cornmeal breaded grouper, reminds you that yes, you are indeed near water, even if the decor suggests you’re in the depths of a forest.
As you peruse the menu, you can’t help but feel like you’re on a culinary scavenger hunt.
Will you find the elusive perfect bite amidst this woodland wonderland?
The answer, my friends, is a resounding yes.
The food at The Antlers is surprisingly sophisticated for a place that looks like it could double as a set for a hunting-themed horror movie.
Each dish is prepared with care, proving that you can indeed judge a book by its cover – as long as that book is a menu and that cover is adorned with a cartoon moose.
The bar area is a sight to behold, with its wooden structure and red bar stools providing a pop of color amidst the brown and beige of the antlers and wood paneling.
It’s the kind of place where you half expect to see a lumberjack ordering a cosmo.
The bartenders here are wizards with a shaker, conjuring up cocktails that would make even the most stoic moose crack a smile.
Their margaritas, in particular, are legendary – perhaps that’s why they’re the go-to solution for doubt, as per the sign outside.
As you sip your drink, you can’t help but play a mental game of “I Spy” with all the decorations.
Is that a fish mounted next to a deer? Yes, yes it is.
Does that stuffed bear look like it’s judging your drink choice? Absolutely.
Is that a raccoon wearing a tiny sombrero? Okay, I made that last one up, but would you really be surprised?
The Antlers isn’t just a restaurant; it’s an experience.
It’s the kind of place where every visit reveals something new, be it a hidden gem on the menu or a piece of decor you somehow missed despite its size and, well, antler-ness.
The staff here are as warm and welcoming as a campfire on a chilly Michigan night.
They navigate the maze of mounted wildlife with the grace of seasoned forest rangers, delivering plates of steaming comfort food with a smile.
They’re always ready with a recommendation or a fun fact about the decor – did you know that moose shed and regrow their antlers every year? Neither did I, but now we both do, thanks to the friendly server at table six.
The clientele at The Antlers is as diverse as the wildlife represented on its walls.
You’ll see families out for a fun dinner, couples on quirky dates, and locals who’ve made this their regular haunt.
It’s the kind of place where a suit-clad businessman and a camouflage-wearing hunter can sit side by side at the bar, bonding over the excellent food and the sheer absurdity of their surroundings.
One of the most charming aspects of The Antlers is its sense of community.
It’s clear that this isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a local institution.
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The walls aren’t just adorned with antlers and taxidermy; they’re also home to photos and memorabilia that tell the story of Sault Ste. Marie and its people.
It’s like dining inside a living, breathing (and eating) time capsule of the area.
As you enjoy your meal, you can’t help but feel a part of something bigger – a shared experience that connects you to everyone else who’s ever dined under the watchful eyes of the mounted moose head.
The Antlers also serves as a sort of unofficial welcome center for Sault Ste. Marie.
Tourists often find themselves here, drawn in by the unique exterior and staying for the food and atmosphere.
It’s not uncommon to overhear conversations where locals are giving visitors tips on the best spots to see in town, or sharing stories about the area’s history.
In a way, The Antlers is like a microcosm of the Upper Peninsula itself – rugged, a little wild, full of character, and surprisingly sophisticated in its own unique way.
As the day turns to evening, The Antlers takes on a different character.
The soft glow of the lights reflects off the polished antlers, creating a warm, almost magical atmosphere.
It’s like being in a fairy tale, if that fairy tale was written by someone with a particular fondness for venison and taxidermy.
The dinner crowd brings a lively energy to the place, with the clinking of glasses and the hum of conversation creating a soundtrack as rich and varied as the decor.
It’s at this time that you might find yourself lingering over dessert, not quite ready to leave this wonderland of wood and wildlife.
Speaking of dessert, The Antlers doesn’t disappoint in the sweet department either.
Their dessert menu is like a sugar-coated ode to comfort food, featuring classics that your grandmother would approve of, assuming your grandmother was cool with dining under a canopy of antlers.
The homemade pies are a particular highlight, with flavors that change seasonally.
In the fall, you might find yourself face-to-face with a slice of apple pie that could make even the most stoic hunter weep with joy.
As you savor that last bite of pie, you can’t help but reflect on the unique experience that is dining at The Antlers.
It’s more than just a meal; it’s a journey through the culture and character of the Upper Peninsula, served up with a side of quirkiness and a generous helping of charm.
You leave with a full stomach, a camera roll full of antler photos, and a newfound appreciation for taxidermy as a decorative art form.
The Antlers is the kind of place that sticks with you long after you’ve left.
You’ll find yourself thinking about it at random moments – while stuck in traffic, during a boring meeting, or when you encounter any moose-related media.
It becomes a benchmark for unique dining experiences, the story you tell when someone asks if you’ve ever been anywhere interesting.
“Have I ever!” you’ll say, launching into a tale of antlers and appetizers, of wildlife and wild times.
For more information about this unique dining experience, be sure to visit The Antlers’ website and Facebook page.
And when you’re ready to embark on your own antler-filled adventure, use this map to guide your way to this woodland wonderland of culinary delights.
Where: 804 E Portage Ave, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
The Antlers isn’t just a restaurant – it’s a destination, a conversation piece, and a testament to the fact that sometimes, the best experiences come in the most unexpected packages.
So next time you’re in Sault Ste. Marie, take a walk on the wild side and dine among the antlers.
Your taste buds (and your Instagram feed) will thank you.