The Underground Cheesecake Company

No matter the season, this place is pleasin'!

PLEASE NOTE that the Cheesecake factory has moved into Building 50 at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons and has vastly expanded their options! Check them out! The building in the above photo is now inhabited by Spanglish.

Brace yourselves, this one is pure indulgence! Welcome to the Underground Cheesecake Company in Traverse City!

This little joint sits behind the old state hospital (otherwise known as the Grand Traverse Commons). If I'm not mistaken, the building that this dessert lover's heaven occupies is the former laundry facility for the hospital. As you may have noticed, this is not the first eatery that I have featured from the grounds of the Grand Traverse Commons, nor will it be the last. If you are coming to Traverse City, you need to spend a few hours exploring (and eating) here!



The selection of sweets can be overwhelming at first. No worries, you'll recover.

Anyway, now that we have that tid-bit out of the way, let's get to the food!

I'll begin by saying that this is an excellent little lunch stop, of that there is no doubt. They do some excellent sandwiches, ranging in price from $7-$9 (try the vegetarian roasted butternut squash and balsamic onion grilled cheese. Whoa!), a couple of very nice salads, and a small choice of yummy soups whipped up daily. So, yes, lunch can be had here, along with some refreshing drinks and lunch sides (chips, etc.).

But, who are we kidding here? We all know why you're about to wander through these doors. Let's talk cheesecake, shall we?

A small dining area offers you the option to eat in at the Underground Cheesecake Company.

As stated, the Underground Cheesecake Company is a sweet lover's delight. Single serving desserts are priced as follows: brownies - $3.50; cookies - .90-$2.25; cheesecake - $4.25; scones - $3.50. They also have many miscellaneous items available daily, be sure to check that out!

If you're in the market for some gourmet brownies, you're in luck! The always featured flavors are Decadent Double Fudge, Turtle, Creme de Menthe, Peanut Butter and German Chocolate. More flavors may be featured on a day by day basis. If you're looking for a 1/4 sheet of brownies, that'll cost you $35.

Specialty cakes and desserts is the next section that may be of interest to the sugar starved diner. These selections may or may not be available for single serving purchase, one never knows what specific items will be up for single serving grabs. Whole cake/specialty dessert prices range from $20-$37. Favorites of this rather large section include the Black Bottom Cake, Strawberry Torte, Chocolate Raspberry Torte, Fresh Fruit Tart, Pumpkin Cake Roll and the Red Velvet Cake Roll. If you're feeling like a "regular" cake, that can be had as well, just let them know what you're looking for.

Crystalized Ginger. Wowza.

Now, to the cheesey meat of this blog. Cheesecakes are the stars of the show here. If you're throwing a beach party, a boat gathering, a park suare, or a porch gathering, one of these cakes will certainly liven up your event and leave your guests in awe!

Cheesecakes are priced as follows: 9" - $32 (12-16 servings); 6" - $21 (4-6 servings); 12" - $65 (30-35 servings).

Highlights of the HUGE cheesecake menu include the Amaretto Cream, the Caramelized Bourbon Snap, the Chocolate Hazelnut Truffle, the Chocolate Malt, the Cookies and Cream, the Dutch Apple Crumb, the English Toffee Crunch, the Lemon Drop, the Madagascar Vanilla Bean, the Orange Sherbert, the Pomegranate Splash, the Pralines and Cream, the Real Key Lime, the Red Velvet, the Strawberries and Cream, the Vanilla Cappuccino and the White Chocolate Raspberry Swirl.

And that's only a few of the many selections available!

Something for the hiking trail (located just outside of the Underground Cheesecake Company's door)?

How would the Underground Cheesecake Company fit into a lovely Traverse City afternoon? Quite easily. For me, I'll snag a late lunch downtown, hit these folks up for some amazing dessert, then stroll next door and sup the wine at Left Foot Charley! Sounds like a perfect afternoon to me!

(All photos by Brooks Vanderbush)

Dockside Party Store

Northern Michigan has become a veritable art project, thanks the most colorful of all seasons - Fall.

The foliage is on fire here in Northern Michigan. That's right, it is that time of year where folks from all over the state, nation and world (literally, not joking here) pile into their cars and traverse the veritable oil painting that is the Grand Traverse Region. Fall has arrived, in other words, and people are taking to the road.

This showcase holds some of the very best Fall roadtrip food in all of Traverse City!

Now, when I take to the road with family and friends, not just any old lunch break will do. Despite my childhood roadtrip nostalgia being firmly and irrevocably attached to the Golden Arches, I am simply not a fan of the fast food option being the only go-to for roadtrippin' fare. But, I'm also not a fan of pulling myself out of some amazing location, discovered whilst simply following some random road, just to locate some eatery somewhere that will do. Oh no. It is for that reason that I choose to hit the road with some supremely amazing fare stowed safely within the big red cooler resting on the third row of seats. And, when it comes to the perfect fall roadtrip in Traverse City, the Dockside Party Store is one of the best accompaniments that I have yet found. 

My go-to, everytime, the BLT wrap.

For me, there's nothing like pulling up on some remote beach or following some obscure two-track into the Fall explosion that is the woods these days, parking, snagging one of Dockside's BLT wraps and just kicking back and enjoying the sounds and sights that nature has to offer. That first bacon filled bite, combined with the crisp Fall air, the sound of crunching leaves and the feel of utter stillness envelopes one completely. It is a supremely satisfying affair!

Don't neglect the dessert section of the homemade offerings' case.

Now, if you're not much for bacon, have no fear. These guys have something for everyone. Let's cover some of the highlights right now, shall we?

Jerky. One of the many reasons folks love Dockside. These guys cater too!

To begin with, this joint is a hunter's paradise. They offer some amazing homemade jerky. This stuff is beyond delicious and an awesome source of energy for that huge hike, drive or hunt you're about to embark upon.

They also serve up some yummy pizza slices.

But, the highlight of this place has always been the wraps and sandwiches available.

As I said a few times, the BLT wrap is simply divine, dah-ling. But, it's not the only thing these guys do right.

Mainstays at Dockside include the Cherry Chicken Wrap, the regular Chicken Wrap, the Chicken Cordon Bleu Wrap, the Turkey and Swiss Wrap, the Turkey and Cheddar Wrap, the Asian Chicken Wrap, the Veggie Roll-Up, the Greek Gyro Pita and some excellent sub and sandwich choices, including an outstanding egg salad offering. 

From local Traverse City wines - pictured here - to the more familiar offerings, Dockside has a grand selection of vino.

If you're plotting a Fall trip that includes a pit stop the likes of which I described earlier, a sort of Fall picnic, or maybe an overnight excursion to that most iconic of Fall dwellings - the cabin in the woods or on the lake - have no fear! Dockside offers an ample supply wines, both local and non, fine and just-fine.

The beer room, nicely chilled, filled to brusting with a grand selection of craft brews.

Along with the wine, Dockside also brings it quite well in the beer department, devoting an entire room (cooled quite well) to single bottles of brew.

And, as this is a "party store" after all, Dockside offers every accoutrement necessary for that wrap, sandwich or slice you've picked out, including some grand local chips, the usual plethora of party store fare and some delicious homemade dessert options.

From the familiar to the not so familiar, Dockside in Traverse City has the perfect side or drink for you!

Fall is, without a doubt, my favorite time of year. And it is places like Dockside that make Fall so very epic for me. So many towns suffer from a lack of amazing prepared food. So many folks must hit the road with subpar offerings tucked into their gullets. Not here in Traverse City.

When the leaves change and the weekends are dominated by the ultimate roadtrip, for me, there's no place better to begin this ultimate celebration of the season than at a place like Dockside!

(All photos by Brooks Vanderbush)

Frenchies



Near the corner of Randolph and Division in Traverse City is one of this town's best kept secrets!

Many folks spend their lives looking for that perfect spot. Someplace to go unwind, meet up with your very best friends or that special someone or just bask in the gloriousness that "solo" can bring, all while sipping on the very best chai you will ever have!

Those poor folks often step into their graves having never patronated such a place. Not this guy, nor the many other lucky people who have discovered Frenchies of Traverse City.

Here there be great chai!

Frenchies Famous, as it is known, is owned by Frenchie and his wife. He doesn't like using an apostrophe in "Frenchies" because he likes freaking out the word weirdos. Thus is the personality of the joint; slightly askew, but wonderfully so!

Frenchies of Traverse City is quintessentially French....but in Traverse City. Awesome.

For me and my lovely Lisa, there is simply nothing better than the short walk down to Frenchies, grabbing a spot outside along the sidewalk on Randolph Street, sipping on the aforementioned supremely amazing chai and watching the weekend roll by.

This board holds the magic at Frenchies.

Stepping into Frenchies is akin to stepping into old world Paris. The quarters are cramped, yet comfortable, the table next to you (if there is one) will hear everything that you say and vice-a-versa. The clutter is intense, but only serves to add to the unique charm and persona of the establishment. And Frenchie himself, well, he's completely approachable and gives off an aire of a rather hip guy who has found his niche in life and completely adores it.

A small indoor space and a few tables outside make up this small Traverse City restaurant.

Now, enough with atmosphere and emotion. Onto the important stuff!  The menu!

Be sure to check out the specials scrawled in colored chalk just to your right as you walk in. Something tantalizing is almost always sloughing off dust upon that board!

Frenchies main offerings start with a plethora of hot and cold drink options. As mentioned more than once, one can not go wrong with the golden heaven in a cup otherwise known as chai. Frenchie also whips up a mean caramel latte, mocha, cappuccino, hot coco and so on. These selections are also available iced, perfect for your Traverse City beach excursion!

Cold drinks include fresh squeezed OJ for the breakfast crowd, zap (a sparkling, caramel, iced espresso) and a good selection of Northwoods Sodas.

Drink prices range from $2.25-$4.50.

DO NOT MISS THE DAILY DESSERT SPECIALS. Sorry about yelling, but, for real; Don't.

The food at this little bit of TC is some of the best around! DO NOT come to Traverse City and neglect Frenchies food!

For those of you who, like myself and my fiance, enjoy a perfect breakfast out, Frenchies is the place for you! Frenchies is home to some of the most amazing omelets available anywhere and the freshly made crepe could quite possibly be much better than anything found on the streets or in the restaurants of France herself! Sound a bit too adventurous for your palate? Well, shame on you and try the breakfast sandwich, amazing.

For lunch and early dinner, Frenchies brings a whole new definition to the term "gourmet sandwich." Personally, I have never had a creation as divine as the Rapid River Farms Hanger Steak sandwich. It consists of a four or eight ounce hanger steak, grilled onions, cheese toast and pepper cream. Quite simply the perfect sandwich. My mouth is watering right now. The things I put myself through to write this blog. Goodness!

Other sandwiches include an outstanding pastrami, a delicious gyro, a vegetarian that is quite delightful and two chicken sandwiches that are certain to please, one consisting of black pepper chicken, daikon, carrot and cucumber. Yum. As a matter of fact, yum to the whole damn menu!!

The magic that happens in Frenchies Famous kitchen will blow your taste buds away. Guaranteed.

Frenchies location on Randolph is perfect for Traverse City summertime fun! Wandering to the beach? Hit up Frenchies! It's only a block from TC's most popular beaches. Scoping out the Cherry Festival? Forget the artery clogging carnie fare, stop by Frenchies! Most of you will be walking by Frenchies anyway! Heading down to the Open Space for a bit of Traverse City Film Festival action? Grab something to go from Frenchies! There are few other restaurants in Traverse City as perfectly formed to the TC lifestyle as this one is! And while you're at it, pop into Tilley's party store next door for a little immersion into the underground of Traverse City! Hint: it involves a lot of disc golf, yo!

Enjoy!

(All photos by Brooks Vanderbush)