Eating in Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay is near the Northern tip of Lake Superior close to the Manitoba and Minnesota borders. It is known for it's long winters and warm (but short) summers.

I haven't lived there for almost fifteen years. And when we go back there are a few choice places my husband (also from Thunder Bay) make a point of visiting.

Thunder Bay is culturally diverse but the main food staples you will find are Italian, Finnish and Polish. If you ever get a chance to go to this lovely region we highly recommend you check them out.

For Breakfast

The Hoito is a Finnish restaurant in the Port Arther district of Thunder Bay. It has a cafeteria like atmosphere but with one exception. Thunder Bay'ers will willingly stand at the entrance for twenty minutes or longer waiting for a table to be cleared and cleaned for them.

The Hoito has the usual breakfast selection of bacon, eggs, toast and pancakes. But the food that makes the Hoito special, and what people get up early for on a Saturday morning (even if they were out drinking the night before) is their Finnish Pancakes.

The Hoito is located in the basement of what was the Finnish Labor Temple and was started by a group of Finnish bush workers looking for a descent meal in 1918. The "tradition of hearty food, large portions, low prices" continues.

If you visit Thunder Bay it is a must stop for an early breakfast.

Stop by the official Hoito website for more info.

For Lunch or Snack

The persian is unique to Thunder Bay and the surrounding area. It is a tasty pastry with a thick topping of icing that was initially introduced by Bennett's Bakery in the Port Arthur section of Thunder Bay.

Bennett's have since opened up two coffee shops called The Persian Man which offer these tasty delights to both sections of town.

If you visit Thunder Bay you must make a special trip to the Persian Man and have at least one. They are about the size of the palm of your hand and quite filling. They are good at room temperature or warmed in the microwave. My husband likes to cut them in half and warm them up in the frying pan.

When we visit Thunder Bay we always have a Persian and stock up with a dozen to go (with icing on the side) to take back with us. They freeze really well helping to extend that nostalgic feeling of home.

Supper

This restaurant has changed locations more than a few times over the years but it has now found a perfect setting on a main drag in Port Arther. One thing has remained the same -- awesome food.

There are two things you must have if you visit the Prospector Steak House. The first is steak. The owners of the steak house grow their own cattle and serve up juicy tender steak.

The second is the buns. That's right I said buns. Warm, soft, comforting. I swear they have some secret addictive ingredient they add to them because when you are at your table you see fellow customers going by with over loaded plates and bowls of buns.

They also have an acceptable salad bar and other offerings as well. The customer service is excellent. You will be painfully full for hours after ward but it will be worth it.

Dessert

Merla-Mae has been a hot date spot for cooling off during the summer for decades. It's also a great place for families to stop and satiate the kids after a long day.

They have a creamy, soft, gourmet ice-cream that tastes like no other. The soft-serve comes in vanilla, chocolate, or half and half. It is more expensive than your regular soft-serve elsewhere but it is worth it.

It's right next to the waterfront so you can work off some of the calories by walking the trail and look out at Lake Superior and the Sleeping Giant while you are eating your ice-cream.

I've added my favorite spots to a Google map to make it easier for you to find them.

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