•             Gaylord — Big Buck Brewery & Steakhouse — If you name your restaurant Big Buck Brewery, you better have good beer and deer. Order the Venison Beer Sausage and a sampler of each of their eight signature beers. Skip ahead through the menu past the burgers and sandwiches — go right to the Filet Mignon with Maytag Blue Cheese Sauce. Don’t look at the price; just enjoy. Do not, and I repeat, do not leave without having the Big Bad Peanut Butter Brownie for dessert. Have one more beer and sleep like a baby before your early morning tee time in Michigan’s golf mecca.

•             Gaylord — Bennethum’s Northern Inn — Bennethum’s is comfortable Northern dining — but with exceptional food. Don’t Miss List: Roasted Garlic & Gorgonzola Escargot, Filet Mignon Sliders, Gourmet Seven Cheese Macaroni, Bourbon Glazed Pot Roast Au Gratin, and Double Chocolate Moosetrack Brownie.  Bennethum’s is a tradition for many vacationers, often the first stop after unloading at the cottage. Are we there yet?

•             Gaylord — BJ's Restaurant & Catering — Proudly serving families in Northern Michigan for 35 years, BJ’s Restaurant was voted People's Choice for Best Family Restaurant, Best Caterer, and Best Salad Bar. It’s a true Gaylord institution with tradition and value. Simple home cooking favorites fill the menu, with outstanding Mexican and Italian dishes rounding out the choices. Get there early on the weekend before hitting the links to fill up on the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet (seriously, come early and come hungry).

•             East Tawas — G’s Pizzeria — Yep, it’s that damn good. With eight locations, throughout Northern Michigan, G’s Pizzeria has been voted the best in the north for over 5 years. I’m sure the other menu items are good, but just go with the pizza. And really go for it. Get the sauciest, greasiest mess you can pick up and savor every piece. The pocket pizza is their signature — ask for each of their dipping sauces. Grab extra napkins!

•             East Tawas — Northwoods Steakhouse — From the rustic exterior, you might expect Northwoods Steakhouse to be just an average Up North-type tourist restaurant. But the scallop fritters and the wine recommendations for their seafood and beef selections should tip you off that this is not your average steakhouse. Because you’re on your golf vacation, indulge in the pan-seared duck with a whiskey peppercorn sauce or attempt the Northwoods Special Sirloin, a 20 oz strip loin steak, broiled and served sliced with a mustard caper sauce.