Key Ingredients Michigan Foodways

Trivia: Agriculture | Trivia: Business | Trivia: Restaurants

Here is a selection of trivia about selected Michigan restaurants. This is not an exhaustive list, but rather a presentation of some interesting facts about the restaurants as a part of Michigan foodways. If you would like to provide more information to add to this list, please e-mail us!

Roma Cafe in Detroit is the city's oldest restaurant, since 1890.

In Michigan, there are more than 22,000 Michigan food service establishments. The food service industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, employing more than 421,000 people. In 2005, restaurants created more than $11.8 billion in total annual sales, ninth highest in the United States (Michigan Restaurant Association).

Joe's Gizzard City (Potterville): Open since 1960, Joe's Gizzard City sells deep-fried chicken gizzards, dipped in special batter, by the dozen. It has been so popular, they now have an annual Gizzard Fest

National Coney Island (Roseville): Roseville-based National Coney Island sells about 1.5 million hot dogs annually (Detroit Free Press, Sept. 1, 2006).

Roma Cafe in Detroit is the oldest restaurant in the city of Detroit, since 1890.

The Tea Room Restaurant (Mackinac Island) is in Michigan's oldest building at the Officers Stone Quarters. It dates to 1780.

Zehnder's (Frankenmuth) is the second largest independent restaurant in the U.S., and America's largest family restaurant. Zehnder's serves about a million diners a year. During the year, Zehnder's guests will consume 840,000 pounds of chicken; 628,000 pounds of cabbage; 110,000 pounds of vegetables and 26,000 pounds of coffee.

Key Ingredients Michigan Foodways
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