Recently, an unseasonably warm February weekend drew many southern Michiganders out of our respective homes to enjoy unexpected wintertime bike rides and coat-free walks in the park.
Todd Marsee, Michigan Sea Grant’s graphic designer and resident master chef, took his family for a bike ride along the Falling Water Trail in Jackson, MI. Jackson is the source of Michigan’s longest river — the mighty Grand — which eventually meets Lake Michigan at Grand Haven. Jackson is also home to the aptly named Grand River Brewery, a microbrewery located in an old riverside warehouse.
Later, Todd wrote about his experience at the Brewery:
“Tired from our ride, we decided to stop for lunch at the Grand River Brewery. We were drawn to the restaurant’s mantra: ‘Honest food. Locally sourced. Made from scratch.’
I tried a bowl of their smoked trout chowder with bacon, potatoes, cream, and generous chunks of fish. True to their mantra, Grand River Brewery has a local source for the trout: Indian Brook Trout Farm, located just a few miles west of town. Talk about local!
In addition to the tasty chowder, Grand River Brewery offers many choices for the seafood lover. I was particularly tempted by the Smoked Trout Fillet from the appetizer menu, the mustard-encrusted trout fillet, the blackened perch tacos, and the GRB fish sammy.”
Have you found a delicious local seafood dish in Jackson? Tell us about your go-to spots!
Freshwater Feasts 