The Iron Kettle in Lewiston, MI, and Sunflower Farms - REVIEW

Lewiston is a small town, located in the northeast area of lower Michigan. The town was named after Lewis Jenson of the M.H. Lumber company, in 1891. The lumber boom ended shortly thereafter but logging continues in the area. It is being done very selectively, to preserve and protect the remaining old-growth forests. You can find just about anything in this little town. While visiting Lewiston, The Undercover Divasdecided to visit one of our favorite family style restaurants, a small diner called the Iron Kettle. They serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and anything in between.  

The Iron Kettle is open all day, all year round, unlike most restaurants that cut back hours during the off season. Their great soup and salad bar is the reason we chose the Iron Kettle. That was probably our biggest disappointment. What used to be great was now only average. There was a bowl of lettuce, but nothing appetizing to help dress it up. Side pasta salads and extras were a letdown. But there was a good choice of home-made salad dressings. What saved the soup and salad bar was the soup. The Iron Kettle has some of the best hot soups anywhere, and we've been many places. The soup of the day is your only choice, and it was chicken rice, and delicious, and the price of the salad bar ($2.99) was still a bargain.  

The menu is extensive, with just about every type of diner food you could imagine. There is also a menu board when you enter the restaurant, listing the day's specials. I usually get the dinner special, which often is the fish of the day, and have never been disappointed.

We arrived at noon and found some appetizing lunch specials. One DIVA had the South West Chicken sandwich with fries ($6.99) I had the Turkey Club with their kettle chips ($7.50). Both were really good.

It's not a steak house, you can find that next door at the Redwood Steak House, but a home-cooking diner. Lots of country people, in the middle of farm country, gave the place it's charm. Dress was definitely jeans. It's great to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities and just breath the clean air and enjoy the fresh, country atmosphere.

We have always experienced fast and friendly service at the Iron Kettle. Portions are large and prices are reasonable. The Iron Kettle is located at 4737 Salling Ave. (Co. Rd. 612), in the heart of downtown Lewiston. They open every day, seven days a week, at 6am, for good, hearty, country breakfasts. It's well worth a stop by.   

Special Attention: Acres upon acres of sunflowers, with fully bloomed flowers... It's beautiful indeed! If you are like us, you love the sunflowers and how nice is it to run into actual sunflower farms. That's just what happened to us as we were driving up north. Fairview, Michigan, is home to several sunflower farms along with an Amish community. Located in Comins Township within Oscoda Township, centered in the Huron Nation Forest, it runs along the Au Sable River. Wildlife are nearby, including bear, deer, eagles, Kirtland's Warblers and wild turkeys. We passed the farms while driving north on M33 after exiting I-75 at Exit 202 (Alger). The farms were just north of Mio, and there were a couple of them. What a sight to behold!!

Lewiston Lodge, Lewiston MI, Restaurant REVIEW

The Undercover Divas wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, so we took a ride to northern lower-Michigan and decided to swing by one of our favorite places for year-round dining.  We stopped by the Lewiston Lodge, which has on the property a restaurant right on East Twin Lake, and decided to have dinner.  As we have noticed on previous visits, the Lewiston Lodge decorates for all the different seasons and holidays, and they were ready for spring.  The cheerful hostess gave us a choice of rooms for dining, and we went with the enclosed porch overlooking the lake.  

We always enjoy the laid back atmosphere, great service and excellent menu selections available at the Lodge.   Always look at the board at the entrance for the daily specials.  They seem to be the most popular, and truly the best choices for dinner. 

I wanted to order my favorite, the Baked Salmon with a cream sauce and a side of asparagus, but it was only available as a Friday Special.  Instead, I went with the Rib Eye steak ($20) off the menu, which was good, but not great.  The other Divas went with Italian Grinders ($10) which they said were huge, delicious, and they had plenty left over for another meal to take home.  Dinners come with a choice of soup (homemade) or their loaded salad and include a bread basket with freshly-baked rolls and honey walnut butter, really good.  The service was quick, cheerful and outstanding.  We were treated well throughout the meal. 

When we arrived around 5pm, we had our choice of seating.  Around 6pm, the diners started to fill up the restaurant.  Most appeared to be staying at the Lodge next door and walked over for their evening meal.  It was a week night, and we were surprised how busy they had become in a short period of time.  When we left, they were lined up for a table, so we were fortunate enough to have had a choice, and able to sit in the porch area. 

The Lewiston Lodge restaurant is open for lunch or dinner.  They have cocktails available in the bar area, and are family-friendly in the dining areas.   The Lodge area has fourteen rooms available at the motel.   The restaurant opens every day at 11am.   Their address is 1525 Fleming Road, in Lewiston, Michigan, which is on the south side of East Twin Lake.