Looking for a restaurant where the portions match your appetite?
Michigan’s humble eateries are serving up jaw-dropping plates you won’t forget.
So loosen that belt, grab a doggy bag (or ten), and let’s embark on a gut-busting journey through the Great Lakes State’s most portion-prolific eateries!
1. The Bomber Restaurant (Ypsilanti)
Fasten your seatbelts, folks, because The Bomber Restaurant is about to take you on a culinary flight of fancy.
This Ypsilanti institution, with its aviation-themed decor and portions that could feed an entire flight crew, is not for the faint of heart (or small of stomach).
The exterior, adorned with a bold yellow sign and airplane motif, hints at the larger-than-life experience waiting inside.
But nothing can truly prepare you for the sheer magnitude of their signature dish: the Bomber Breakfast.
This behemoth of a meal features enough eggs, bacon, and pancakes to make you wonder if they’ve mistaken you for a family of four.
And let’s not forget about their burgers, which are less “hand-held” and more “arm-wrestle-worthy.”
2. Clarkston Union Bar & Kitchen (Clarkston)
Housed in a former church, Clarkston Union Bar & Kitchen takes the concept of “food worship” to a whole new level.
The towering steeple outside might make you think you’re in for a spiritual experience, and trust me, once you taste their mac and cheese, you’ll be singing hallelujahs.
This isn’t your average mac and cheese, oh no.
This is the Union Mac & Cheese.
And after one bite, you’ll be ready to canonize whoever came up with this cheesy masterpiece.
Tthis gooey, crusty, perfectly balanced comfort food is what dreams are made of.
But don’t let the mac and cheese overshadow their other offerings.
The Union’s menu is a testament to the power of comfort food done right, with portions that’ll make you wonder if they’ve misunderstood the concept of individual servings.
3. Krzysiak’s House Restaurant (Bay City)
If you’ve ever wanted to experience what it’s like to be fed by a Polish grandmother who thinks you’re far too skinny, Krzysiak’s House Restaurant in Bay City is your chance.
This family-owned establishment has been stuffing locals and tourists alike since 1979, and they show no signs of slowing down.
The exterior, with its distinctive red roof and homey feel, gives you a hint of the warmth waiting inside.
But nothing can prepare you for the sheer volume of pierogi, golabki, and kielbasa that’s about to come your way.
It’s the kind of dish that makes you wonder if they’ve accidentally given you the family-style portion meant for a table of eight.
But no, that mountain of potato pancakes, stuffed cabbage, and smoked sausage is all for you.
Better start practicing your “Dziekuje” (that’s “thank you” in Polish) because you’ll be saying it a lot.
4. Beltline Bar (Grand Rapids)
The Beltline Bar in Grand Rapids is the kind of place that makes you question everything you thought you knew about Mexican food.
Specifically, it makes you question whether enchiladas are supposed to be the size of your forearm.
Spoiler alert: at Beltline Bar, they are.
This unassuming eatery, with its cheery exterior and cactus sign, has been serving up what they claim to be “Michigan’s Original Wet Burrito” since 1953.
And let me tell you, this isn’t just any burrito.
This is a burrito that requires a structural engineer to figure out how it doesn’t collapse under its own weight.
Smothered in a sea of sauce and cheese, these burritos are less “handheld meal” and more “knife-and-fork adventure.”
5. Schuler’s Restaurant & Pub (Marshall)
Schuler’s Restaurant & Pub in Marshall is the kind of place that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
Not just because of its historic building or the fact that it’s been around since 1909, but because the portions hearken back to a time when people apparently had much bigger appetites.
Or maybe just bigger pants.
The exterior, with its charming white facade and old-world charm, gives you a hint of the experience waiting inside.
But nothing can prepare you for the sheer magnitude of their prime rib.
This isn’t just a cut of meat; it’s a slab of beef so massive it could double as a doorstop.
Related: This Massive Antique Shop in Michigan is a Labyrinth of Priceless Vintage Treasures
Related: Explore Michigan’s Massive 80-Acre Flea Market, a Treasure Trove with Over 800 Merchants
Related: This 2-Story Antique Shop in Michigan is a Wonderland of Vintage Collectibles and Art
And let’s not forget about their famous cheese spread.
Legend has it that if you listen closely, you can hear the collective loosening of belts across Marshall whenever a new batch is made.
It’s the kind of appetizer that could easily be a meal in itself, but that doesn’t stop the good folks at Schuler’s from following it up with entrees that could feed a small village.
6. Tony’s I-75 Restaurant (Birch Run)
Tony’s I-75 Restaurant in Birch Run is the kind of place that makes you wonder if they’ve misunderstood the concept of individual portions.
Or maybe they just really, really like you and want to make sure you never go hungry again.
Ever.
From the outside, Tony’s looks like your typical roadside diner.
But step inside, and you’ll find yourself in a world where bacon is measured by the pound, not the strip.
Their BLT doesn’t just come with bacon; it comes with a full pound of it.
It’s less of a sandwich and more of a meat fortress with some token vegetables.
7. Polish Village Cafe (Hamtramck)
Nestled in the heart of Hamtramck, the Polish Village Cafe is a testament to the enduring power of hearty, stick-to-your-ribs Polish cuisine.
This basement eatery might not look like much from the outside, but don’t let its humble appearance fool you.
Inside, it’s a veritable wonderland of pierogi, kielbasa, and portions that would make a sumo wrestler break out in a cold sweat.
The decor is charmingly no-frills, with wood paneling that hasn’t changed since the Carter administration.
But you’re not here for the ambiance.
You’re here for the golabki (stuffed cabbage) that’s roughly the size of a football, and the potato pancakes that could double as manhole covers.
Their combination plate is less of a meal and more of a dare.
It’s the kind of dish that makes you wonder if they’ve accidentally given you the entire day’s production instead of a single order.
But no, that mountain of Polish delicacies is all for you.
Better start practicing your “Na zdrowie!” (that’s “Cheers!” in Polish) because you’ll need all the liquid courage you can get to tackle this feast.
8. Zingerman’s Delicatessen (Ann Arbor)
Zingerman’s Delicatessen in Ann Arbor is the kind of place that makes you question everything you thought you knew about sandwiches.
Mainly, whether they’re supposed to require two hands, a fork, and possibly a small crane to eat.
From the outside, Zingerman’s looks like a quaint little deli.
But step inside, and you’ll find yourself in a wonderland of meats, cheeses, and breads stacked higher than a University of Michigan linebacker.
Their sandwiches aren’t just big; they’re architectural marvels that defy the laws of physics and possibly a few local building codes.
Take their famous Reuben, for instance.
This isn’t just a sandwich; it’s a skyscraper of corned beef, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese that requires a degree in engineering to eat without making a mess.
And don’t even get me started on their pastrami.
It’s piled so high, you’ll need to unhinge your jaw like a snake to take a bite.
9. Joe’s Gizzard City (Potterville)
Joe’s Gizzard City in Potterville is the kind of place that makes you wonder if you’ve accidentally stumbled into some sort of parallel universe where chicken gizzards are currency and portion control is a foreign concept.
From the outside, with its unassuming facade and quirky signage, you might think it’s just another roadside diner.
But step inside, and you’ll find yourself in a world where gizzards reign supreme and everything is fried to golden perfection.
Their signature dish, the gizzards, comes in portions that could easily feed a small army.
We’re talking buckets, people.
Actual buckets of gizzards.
It’s the kind of meal that makes you question your life choices, but in the best possible way.
But don’t let the gizzards overshadow their other offerings.
Their burgers are so big they should come with their own zip code, and their onion rings are less like rings and more like life preservers.
It’s the kind of place where the phrase “I’ll just have a light snack” goes to die.
10. The Fly Trap (Ferndale)
Last but certainly not least, we have The Fly Trap in Ferndale.
Don’t let the name fool you – this isn’t a place for insects unless those insects have the appetite of a blue whale.
From the outside, with its bright green exterior and funky signage, The Fly Trap looks like it could be the set of a quirky indie film.
But step inside, and you’ll find yourself in a world where breakfast knows no bounds and portion sizes are more of a dare than a serving suggestion.
It’s less of a meal and more of a life event, the kind of thing you tell your grandkids about years later.
So there you have it, folks – ten of Michigan’s most outrageously portioned eateries.
Remember, calories don’t count when you’re on a culinary adventure.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go buy some bigger pants.