Delish deep fried pickles, aka Frickle Spears, at Pickle’s Bar & Grill in Brimley

Pickles pack a punch in the Great Lakes State. Michigan is the top U.S. grower of pickling cucumbers, thanks to, in long short, its sandy soil and ag-friendly climate. The industry’s roots in the Mitten go back well over a century, and today there are about 35,000 acres dedicated to growing pickle produce.

As far as I can find, there are about a dozen pickle packers in Michigan, including the Kraft Heinz company in Holland. Who knew?

Vlasic is synonymous with pickles, but did you know that the iconic brand is rooted in Michigan? It all began when Frank Vlasic worked at a Detroit car factory job and funneled his earnings to starting a creamery, producing milk and cheese.

Over the decades and with the effort of his son and grandson, the biz evolved into producing Polish dill pickles, with Vlasic introduced selling them in glass jars.

The extensive line of products now includes more than two dozen varieties of pickles as well as relishes, peppers, sauerkraut and snacks. Pickle Balls, anyone?

Click here for the story of how the stork become the Vlasic pickle mascot. Maybe.

McClure’s Pickles is an upstart based on a family recipe.

McClure’s family recipe pickles at dozens of markets across the U.S.

We met Joe McClure many years ago at the Green Street Fair in Plymouth, where he was offering samples of the family’s pickle products. They’re loaded with nothing but the right combination of cucumbers, garlic, peppers, dill, vinegar, water, and salt.

Joe said that he and his brother Bob grew up making Great Grandma Lala’s pickles at home, and in 2006 cooked up the idea of sharing the brined cucumbers with the world. Bloody Mary fans will want to stock up on McClure’s popular mixer, made with the pickle brine.

The products have earned rave reviews from, among others, the New York Times. Martha Stewart said, “It’s rare to find a line of prepared foods in which every item is delicious. McClure’s is one.”

Check the website for recipes; you may be tempted to throw the pickled pizza on the grill or bake a batch of pickles cupcakes.

Relish More?

Teenie Weenies adorn a pickle barrel inside the quirky Pickle Barrel House museum

We first stepped inside the quirky Pickle Barrel House museum in Grand Marais when the kids were young, and loved the story of the tiny home built for the creator of the once popular Teenie Weenies cartoons.

Paige and I chomped delish deep fried Frickle Spears in Brimley at Pickle’s Bar & Grill, a sports bar with a view of passing freighters on Lake Superior. It’s the only pickle-themed food spot I’ve tried—so far.

The Southwest Michigan fruit belt is home to the annual Berrien Springs Pickle Festival, which features pickle tastings and, of course, a pickleball tournament.

I thought I had a pic of the delish and photo-worthy GIANT dill pickle you can get at Nowicki’s Sausage but I cannot find it. Guess I will just have to make another stop en route to/from The D.