Fat Belly Deli & Creamery
20751 8 Mile RoadMy Saturday work day on Mackinac Island was a little less hectic than Friday. We still had a lot to do but we were done by 4:00 PM and I was able to get packed up and down to the ferry docks to get on the 4:30 PM ferry back to the mainland.
I was heading home after a 10 hour work day. I could have stayed another night but I don’t see the point on staying in Mackinaw City just to get up and drive the next morning. I’d rather make the drive at night, sleep in my own bed, and sleep in on Sunday morning without having to worry about getting up and making a four hour drive.
I got back to the docks with my gear then headed back to the hotel I had stayed at the night before. I had left my car there so I didn’t have to pay Shepler’s obnoxious parking fees plus I still needed to get a receipt for my stay. The office was closed when I left at 6:30 AM and I needed that receipt for expense purposes.
My plan was to grab something to eat in Mackinaw City quickly and hit the road. That was my plan anyway.
I still don’t understand Mackinaw City. As long as the ferry’s are running, I don’t understand why businesses are closed. There’s a new sandwich shop downtown that has it’s hours listed as being open until 7:00 PM on Saturday’s but when I got there about 5:15, it was already closed up for the day. I thought I’d just keep it simple and walk to the Dairy Queen a few doors down but they have already closed for the season. I was annoyed at that point so I just got on the road. I figured I’d find something along the way.
I was looking out for billboards and roadside signs but nothing really piqued my interest. I got to a spot just north of Big Rapids and I figured I better pull off and figure this out.
I did a Google search for sandwiches near Big Rapids and came up with a spot a little bit further south that looked and sounded good.
Fat Belly Deli & Creamery is right off US-131 on 8 Mile Road near the Mecosta County town of Standwood. The small sandwich shop is inside the Davis Bridge EZ Mart on the corner of 8-Mile and Old State Road in Mecosta Township. The deli has been there close to ten years and before there, appears to have been a Mancino’s Pizza & Grinders shop. I don’t go this way very often and I’m not sure I’ve ever gotten off on this exit on the times that I have so this shop was completely new to me.
There is a walkup window which is likely used during warmer weather but I went inside to order after looking at the menu posted on the wall outside. The shop is set up like a typical sandwich shop. You order at the counter and then they bring the food out to you. The menu is written on a chalkboard that wraps around the top of the room and there is a huge ice cream cooler separating the dining room from the kitchen. The cashier actually asked for a description of my car because they usually just bring it out that way. There weren’t many people inside so I told her I could just wait inside so they didn’t have to do that.
There is a little bit of seating inside with some blue painted metal tables and chairs. There’s more seating outside on a covered patio but it was dark and kind of cold so no one was using those spots. There was a pretty big group eating inside so I just found a spot at one of the tables that wasn’t being used and wait for my sandwich to come out.
I ordered The Italian Stallion. The sandwich is Michigan ham, pepperoni, provolone cheese, a house Italian dressing, tomato, and mixed greens served on a Cuban loaf. The sandwich is a perfect example of an Italian. The meat was piled on to the crispy loaf of bread that was softened with the tangy Italian dressing. I took the box and ate it while I was pumping gas. The sandwich isn’t huge but it packs a punch and it is really delicious.
The sandwich came with chips and potato salad. I didn’t even touch the potato salad because I don’t like potato salad but the chips are my favorite Salt and Pepper Kettle Cooked chips. There was a pretty big handful in the box which I ate after I got gas and got back on the road.
What a great deli kind of in the middle of nowhere. Yes, it’s right off the highway but you wouldn’t think to pull off here unless you needed gas or you know about this spot. I always have a hard time finding something quick on my travels to and from Mackinac Island. I’ve driven by this spot for close to ten years. I found it out of desperation of not wanting to stop for fast food. I’m glad I held out and went looking for something a little more tasty.
SW Michigan Dining 