Iron Pig Smokehouse

This weekend, my wife and I had the pleasure of having dinner at the Iron Pig Smokehouse in Gaylord Michigan. I don’t normally do restaurant reviews on my blog or podcast, but I’m going to make an exception for this little piece of freedom just an hour from my house.  It’s just a short one.  You really need to go check it out for yourself if you are within striking distance of Gaylord.

First off, the story:

The Iron Pig is a funky little bar/restaurant in the small town of Gaylord Michigan which is is about half way between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron in the Northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan along I-75.  They made the local news (and maybe more) for their refusal to close down when the Governor and later the health department and liquor control commission ordered that inside dining not be allowed during the lockdowns in 2020 and early 2021. They were fined and their Liquor license suspended (which is proudly displayed on their bar).

They feel it’s a badge of honor.  Check out their site here:  https://theironpigsmokehouse.com/  They have t-shirts and other cool “gear” on the site all to support their cause and show your support. They also have copies of their legal documents from all the ‘trouble’ they have been in over the last year and a half.  Their motto is “Risk it for the Brisket!”

The Food:

I’m a lover of Texas-style bbq.  I love brisket and I love Mac and Cheese.  Let me tell you right now that their Brisket Mac and Cheese is the best I’ve ever had. I will make it point to drive an hour to get more several times over this summer for sure.  Everything we saw in there looked great and the people (both customers and staff) were top notch! My wife got the brisket platter. It was enough food for 2 meals at least.  (I enjoyed the leftovers for lunch today).

It was just great to get a little bit of “normal”.  It’s sad that freedom feels strange here in the USA.  We are adults and it was just nice to go to a place that treated us as such. I would highly recommend this place to anyone wanting great bbq with a side of freedom!

Put this address in your GPS and head on up!  143 W Main St, Gaylord, Michigan 49735

They are open 7am to 9pm 7 days a week.  Maybe you will see me in there (face and all) eating some good Mac and Cheese!