A CULINARY TOURIST'S GUIDE TO THE LAKE MICHIGAN SHORE'S BEST PIES
Pizza. Quite possibly the perfect food, yes? Whether a tasty little square or big indulgent slice, pizza can make even the most utilitarian meal feel celebratory. After years on the road managing tours and producing cultural events, we’ve savored the most renowned pies in the country. To this day, we find new discoveries, including here at home along the Lake Michigan shore. Find your favorite among these stellar pizzerias exploring the creative possibilities inherent to the form.
Patellie’s
Window shopping at Patellie’s takes us back to tasty Lower East Side Manhattan dollar slices—those big, quarter-pie pieces poised for immediate gratification. The difference here, aside from the significantly chiller vibe of Three Oaks, is co-owner Pat & Ellie Mullins’ commitment to sourcing premium hyper-local ingredients, meaning an infinitely more delicious pie. All the classics, plus Pat’s weekly creations like housemade pork shawarma, cherry tomatoes, yellow onion, giardiniera, ricotta salata, and garlic sauce. (Incredible.) Hot tip! Preorder early—ideally right when they open— to guarantee your 16″ pies are ready when you want them. (Three Oaks)
Emma Hearth & Market
Masters of their craft, Emma’s bustling wood-fire oven turns out an impressive number of pizza styles packed with savory, caramelized flavor. All are expertly crafted and totally worthy, but the flagship thin Roman and thick Al Taglio styles remain favorites. If you’re up for it, order one of each—Satan’s Kiss and Seasonal Italian Greens are our go-to’s. The menu leans heavily toward fresh, traditional Italian profiles with herbs, San Marzano tomatoes, and Calabrian chilis grown nearby on the market’s farm. Paired with a bottle of wine and a summer breeze on the beach or Emma’s charming sideyard, you might forget you’re in Michigan. (We recommend preorders here, too.). (Bridgman)
Brewster’s
Tucked away on a side street in the heart of downtown New Buffalo, Brewster’s serves delicious, hand-tossed sourdough pizzas. The New Yorker, a rich, savory/salty combination of fontina, provolone, and mozzarella with crushed tomato sauce, and the Betty White, a delectable union of creamy ricotta, garlic confit, and hot honey, are stand-outs. Best enjoyed inside by the cozy fireplace or out on Brewster’s lush garden patio. (New Buffalo)
Haymarket Taproom
A lakeshore outpost for the long-established Chicago brewer, Haymarket delights with its beer and pizza. In their take on this perennially popular combination, they went wood-fired and intentionally craft brew-focused in the kitchen. Think BBQ pulled pork, spicy elote, or a roasted garlic artichoke pie on a thin crust with just the right amount of char. Bring a crew and try them all! Tucked under a canopy of string lights adjacent to a large wooded greenspace, their outdoor patio is great for families and bigger groups. (Bridgman)
Villa Nova Pizzeria
Craving an old-school Chicago tavern-style pie? Villa Nova’s your spot. Thin, crispy, sweet, and herbaceous, it hits all the nostalgic marks right down to the tasty Italian sausage. Served in the classic party cut (fun to say and fun to eat!), the pizza here is perfect any time of day. But it’s particularly enjoyable as a late-night delivery when you realize that your well-earned beach day just breezed through dinnertime. (New Buffalo)
Staymaker
Let’s head in the other direction and talk Detroit-style pizza. Journeyman Distillery’s restaurant Staymaker offers a small selection of the satisfying deep pan pies. The uniquely flavorful, crispy-chewy crust is made with Journeyman’s locally-grown Featherbone Bourbon mash bill. Try Detroit Meets Italy pizza—delightful with roasted garlic puree, fresh tomatoes, arugula, and pesto—paired with a Black Hearts Gin Negroni for full effect. (Three Oaks)
words Penny Duff + Michael Slaboch
images Gabrielle Sukich, Brewster’s, Haymarket, Villa Nova, Staymaker
Oct 9, 2024
After delighting fans with delicious food and extraordinary music events as The Storehouse, Penny Duff and Michael Slaboch opened Out There in August 2024, a wine bar and shop in Sawyer’s iconic Shell service station. Together with Out There co-founder Molly Kobelt, they created a modern, welcoming space for low-key revelry — wine and oysters, fresh seasonal meals, and signature live and vinyl music programming.
