Most Springport residents are aware of the Hotel Tavern, the town’s one-and-only bar. Located at 119 E. Main Street in Springport, Michigan, the tavern is situated across the street from Chubby’s Cafe; however, the bar remains a staple for local dining.
I spent the day in Springport today and realized I hadn’t planned a lunch. The cafe is currently closed on Mondays and it isn’t the right season for the Dairy Kreme, so the Hotel was an easy choice. I haven’t ordered food from there in a couple of years, at least, but heard they came under new ownership since the last time, so I was curious.
While the bar is known for its handmade pizza and Friday fish fry, their menu features various dishes ranging from comfort food to quick bites. The appetizer menu consists of unique items, such as fried green beans, fried gizzards, and beer-battered fries. Soups and salads are available, ranging from taco and chef salads to chili and soups of the day. Don’t forget to ask about dessert specials, as they often serve up homemade classics such as pineapple upside-down cake, German chocolate cake, and pies.
After a half-hour of deliberating between the Monday goulash special and some other menu items, I settled on the steak hoagie. This version consists of grilled steak, onions, and mushrooms loaded on a hoagie bun, topped with cheese and pepper rings. The meal includes chips and a pickle for eight bucks. Or, you can swap out the chips for fries. I upgraded to fries as I was curious if they were as good as I remember them.
Upon receiving my food in the to-go container, the first order of business was to check and see if the bun was soggy. Quite often, menu items served on bread or buns will turn mushy- in part due to the contents sitting on the bread and also from the moist heat trapped in the container. Some restaurants lightly toast their buns, which can help with sogginess, but is not necessarily failproof.
This particular hoagie bun held its consistency nicely. The bun appeared to have been lightly toasted; however, it maintained a fresh bun’s appeal. This hearty sandwich was mouth-watering – the contents were clearly fresh, the entirety was hot, and the proportion was plenty. I had zero complaints. As for the fries – they were just as I remembered, with a perfectly crisp exterior and a softer interior. With a dash of salt and a dollop of ketchup, these are easily my favorite fries in the area.
Whenever I order a steak hoagie, I have difficulty not comparing it to Jackson’s Southside Deli. They have the best, in my opinion. This time, though, I was pleasantly surprised at the Hotel Tavern’s take on this comforting dish. The number one spot in my book (for the hoagie) just might be theirs.
Besides the food, the Hotel Tavern’s staff was pleasant and their service prompt. My order was ready when I arrived to pick it up, and was still hot when I sat down to eat it minutes later. The welcoming customer service, hometown atmosphere, and delicious eats at the Hotel Tavern make for a great little pit stop heading through town.
Christine MacIntyre Freelance 