Frankenmuth is a town where eating is a main activity, and the menu is more varied than the chicken dinner reputation suggests. The core is German-American comfort food in generous portions, but around it you will find bakeries, cheese counters, fudge makers, a brewery and casual cafes. Planning your meals around the town rhythm means you eat well without spending your whole trip in a restaurant queue.
The family-style chicken dinner
The headline experience is a seated meal of soup, salad, fried chicken and shared sides, with refills until you tap out. Zehnders and the Bavarian Inn Restaurant are the two famous names, and both serve this format. Expect mashed potatoes, gravy, buttered noodles, stuffing, vegetables, cranberry relish and bread, followed by dessert. Ask about alternatives such as ham or fish if you do not eat chicken. Reservations are recommended for groups and weekends, and early dinners or weekday lunches are the easiest.
German classics
For a change, order from the Bavarian Inn regular menu, which includes schnitzel, sausages, sauerbraten, spaetzle, potato pancakes and red cabbage. The Frankenmuth Brewery also serves pub fare such as pretzels, burgers and sausage plates, with German-style lagers and wheat beers. Pairing a lager with a pretzel and beer cheese makes a satisfying light meal after a long day of walking. If you enjoy beer, ask about seasonal pours and sampler flights.
Cheese, sausage and samples
The Cheese Haus near the river is a favorite stop for tasting. Free samples of cheeses, spreads and sausages let you build a picnic or take home gifts. Bring a small cooler in the car, because dairy and meat do not enjoy a warm trunk. Many shops also sell mustards, jams, honey and maple syrup, which travel well and make easy souvenirs. Ask staff for recommendations and pairings, since they know their products well.
Sweets and bakeries
Fudge counters in the shopping district make small batches in view of customers, and the smell alone draws crowds. Bakeries sell pastries, cookies, bread and seasonal treats, from apple strudel to holiday stollen. A midmorning coffee and pastry is a civilized way to bridge the gap between breakfast and a late chicken lunch. If you have a sweet tooth, set a budget and pace yourself, as the options are endless and the portions generous.
Budgeting and timing
A family-style dinner is a fixed price per person, with reduced prices for children, and it can be good value because it includes soup, salad, sides and dessert. To save money, share one big meal and eat lighter at the other times, or choose lunch over dinner. Breakfast at your hotel, especially one that includes it, reduces costs. Snacks from the cheese store make cheap picnic lunches. Check current prices and hours with each venue before you go.
Special diets
The chicken dinner format is not ideal for every diet, but staff can often help. Vegetarians may find the sides and salads sufficient, and some kitchens can prepare alternatives with notice. Gluten-free and dairy-free needs are best discussed in advance by phone. The brewery and regular restaurants offer more flexible menus. Cafes and bakeries may have limited options, so bring snacks if your needs are strict.
Putting it together
A sample food day: coffee and pastry at a bakery, a stroll through the shops with cheese samples, a late-afternoon chicken dinner, a walk across the covered bridge and a pint at the brewery. It is a lot of food, but spread across a day it feels like a series of small pleasures. Add a second day for the other restaurant, and you will understand why people drive across the state for dinner.
Drinks and extras
Beyond beer, the region offers Michigan wines, ciders and soft drinks, and the bakeries and cafes serve coffee and hot chocolate. Some restaurants pour local craft beers alongside the German-style lagers, and seasonal drinks appear around the festivals. If you are traveling with children, kid-friendly drinks and desserts are easy to find. Remember that tipping at family-style restaurants is customary, and large groups may have gratuity added. Finally, take a few minutes to walk between meals. Frankenmuth is small enough that a brisk stroll along the river or across the bridge makes the next course far more enjoyable than another hour on a chair.