Frenchies Famous- A Tiny Northwest Michigan Mouth Party

“Have you been to Traverse City yet? What’d you think? Isn’t it awesome? Where’d you go? God that place is awesome. Didn’t you love it?”

“Robbie, I haven’t even taken the job yet. I’m still in Texas.”

“Dude. Seriously. You have got to get to up there.”

Ever since I had an inkling of an idea that I’d be spending work-time in Michigan, my friend Robbie had been cheerleading for the little village of Traverse City. Dangling from the bottom of the Grand Traverse Bay on the eastern coast of Lake Michigan, this is a place I never would have ended up visiting without some serious cajoling. It definitely would have been my loss.

The whole area is absolutely gorgeous- bursting with hillside vineyards, epically large sand dunes, long enchanting drives, apple orchards stolen from postcards, and people so friendly it’ll make your teeth hurt. When we finally got up there in the middle of September, we had so much fun I seriously started pricing out real estate.

Obviously, we could never own property in an area that wasn’t energized on the food front, so I thought I’d found an easy out. But then we had lunch at Frenchies Famous.

Anyone who opens a restaurant that only seats 10 people is either terrible at math or has an overriding passion to wrestle a sense of intimacy and community back into the dining experience. As far as I can tell, French Clements and his wife Alisa aren’t having any trouble with the ciphering.

This mini-café, wedged between a tree and a head shop on an unassuming side street, is a study in made-from-scratch, labor of love eating. Currently, they’re only open for breakfast and lunch but the amount of house made goods that they pack in- baguettes, madeleines, jams, pastrami, tarts, condiments, pickles, pâtés- you might not find in other restaurants if they churned out ten meals a day.

Not to mention that French had a past life as a coffee auteur in Seattle and imported all of those sweet skills as well. He’ll happily show them off too with the slightest provocation, working with a shiny and personable La Marzocco espresso machine that takes up a large but justifiable percentage of the cafe’s counter space.

Frenchies Famous’ menu changes frequently but keeps itself rooted in classic western European style with forays into the tastiest of the colonial influences. When we were there, we started with an impressive cod taco with chipotle cream. The whole package was a bit too juicy, but the flavors were spot on. The fish was firm, sweet and flaky, wrapped in a double dose of toasty corn tortilla and topped with a neat balance of smoky cream and bright, piquant pico.

Skipping from surf to turf, we moved on to the pastrami sandwich with sweet hot mustard. Damn. Everything on this pile of goodness is made in house except the cheese. They were a touch too generous on the mustard front, but after we scraped a little off I started having inappropriate thoughts about luncheon meats and my eyes rolled back a bit.

They ran out of baguette halfway through but gamely carried on with some fresh baked focaccia.

Because two sandwiches are never enough, we also tried out the black pepper chicken banh mi. If you’re a banh mi purist, Frenchie’s version isn’t from the traditional school. If you keep an open mind though, the pulled chicken is incredibly moist and gets complemented quite nicely by the crusty bread, sweet, crisp carrot and daikon and the garlicy aioli.

Finally, even though we were stuffed like build-a-bears, no one in their right mind could turn down a plum tart like this. French brought it out with a side of slightly sweetened crème fraiche and two thoughfully brewed espressos. The tangy fruit and crumbly, buttery pastry were a light and satisfying combination. While I can’t say I usually follow lunch with a chunk of pie, this is one time I’m pleased to have made an exception.

There are plenty of reasons to visit Traverse City but if you find yourself there for any appreciable amount of time, I can’t think of any good enough to not go to Frenchies. You might not get a table but I guarantee you’ll get a hell of a meal.

Frenchies Famous

619 Randolph Street, Traverse City, MI 49684 (231) 944-1228

Monday-Saturday 8am-3pm

Comments

[Skye]

I totally should not have read your blog before dinner. Bad idea. After dinner would have been much better.
Things look pretty delicious as usual at boots. Sorry I've been away for so long!

[Ling]

Now that is one beautiful plum tart. Such gorgeous colour!

[Auntiepantsa]

Any chance to see any pix of traverse city area? Ya know, dunes, bridges, wineries, local color? Please?

[Kathryn Hutchison]

I feel compelled to de-lurk and comment because I've eaten at Frenchie's in Traverse City! I had a terrific meal there, too. If you're back again, there's a sports bar type brewery nearby (I don't recall the name) with average burgers and awesome local brew. I had a Traverse City cherry wheat when I was there and it was divine. Hope you got to see some great autumn leaves while you were there!

[Boots in the Oven]

Aw, thanks, Skye! Good to see you back. We've been a bit behind as well... as you can tell. Hope all is wonderful with you!

[Boots in the Oven]

Hi, Ling! Their baked goods were GORGEOUS. We normally aren't much for dessert, but there was no way we could pass that tart up!

[Boots in the Oven]

Of course, Unty! Stay tuned for pics of the Old Mission Peninsula, then dinner, then the Leelenau, then Sleeping Bear... oh sigh.

[Boots in the Oven]

Hi, Kathryn! Thanks for your comment. I do hope to get back up to Traverse City, but unfortunately I doubt it will be anytime soon. I'll have to see if I can get the family's interest up in a bit of a Northern Michigan vacation!

We were so thrilled to be in Michigan this fall - being from Chicago and living in Austin, I do sometimes miss the seasons!

[Emily]

I used to live in Traverse City, just a few blocks from Frenchie's Famous, and quickly became a Frenchie's Famous regular. :) French and Alyssa are amazing, and the food and atmosphere there to die for.

I have to point out, though, that the rastafarian-colored storefront next to French's cafe is a great little family-owned party store and disc golf shop, *not* a headshop. It's run by wonderful folks who've done a lot for the community. Didn't want people dismissing the place thinking it's some sketchy headshop!

[John Schneider]

I'm a regular there. Agree with everything you said! Cocoa is also a great greeter! John Schneider

[Boots in the Oven]

Hey Emily,

Totally jealous of your Frenchie's proximity. And thanks for the heads up about the not-so headshop. We definitely didn't mean to disparage it. I've actually had quite a few good times in headshops (ahem.) but a family owned party store/disc golf emporium sounds great.

And John we'll have to make it back for the cocao- that sounds amazing about now. Unless of course Cocoa is a person or a dog or something...in which case that makes my comment awkward.