Sparks - Mesick, Michigan

Ok, Sparks gets five stars in the category of diners and homemade food.  So take that into account before reading this.  This is not like a five star restaurant.  This is a small family run restaurant in what feels like a one mile by one mile town.

How did I stumble upon this little gem you ask?  My family has a cottage in this small town and I spend alot of time hanging around the up north area.  

For some reason I am always partial to family run establishments.  This place has homemade everything it seems.  The jam is tops (they make it).   The bacon and sparks hash is what brings me back every time.  Get a full order of cheesy, green peppery, oniony, hammy, potatoey deliciousness.  The bacon is smoked and juicy.  It's thick.  Just like good bacon should be.  It Tastes like it was just sliced off the pig, which makes it the best bacon I have ever had thus far.  I don't joke about bacon. Ever.  This is serious business. 

What's surprising is they have gluten-free bread, which is great. Im only surprised because it doesn't seem like anyone but Ann Arbor cares to have items like this.

I've recently had their burger which quite possibly could be one of my favorite burgers.  I don't know if it's the way they cooked it that time or I just was really hungry but it was goooood. However, the fries were normal fries.  If they were the hand cut ones you could get at the dairy place down the street then the whole meal would be complete.

If you are a first timer you should get sparks hash, the bacon, and choose a homemade bread for sure.  Try every single one of the jams.  They won't disappoint.

While you're waiting for your food to digest look at their homemade jerky and pies.  Triple berry is my favorite and honestly, I don't like pies or dessert-like foods so that says alot.

*the dairy place is closed down now
**reduced to 4 stars because of new management