Eighty-five miles north of where I live is the quaint city of Frankenmuth, commonly referred to as "Michigan's Little Bavaria." It was settled and named in 1845 by conservative Lutheran immigrants from Germany, with the purpose of spreading Christianity to the Chippewa Indian tribe.
In 1928 the Zehnder family [residents of Frankenmuth] purchased the New Exchange Hotel and renovated it to resemble George Washington's home, Mt. Vernon. The new restaurant, called Zehnder's, opened for business on Mother's Day 1929. Zehnder's is now a world famous restaurant, with capabilities of accommodating 1,500 guests at one time. Every year close to one million people enjoy their special all-you-can-eat, family style chicken dinners.
We've gone to Zehnder's for Thanksgiving dinner for the past two years, but not this year.
2011
2010
Tiffany & Marissa with the Zehnder's chicken mascot.
Lori [our daughter], with her daughters, Marissa & Tiffany
Across the street from Zehnder's is the Bavarian Inn. It was once the restaurant of Fischer's Hotel, and was purchased by the Zehnder family in 1950. After a vacation to Bavaria, Germany the building was remodeled in Bavarian architecture and charm, and expanded to seat 1,200 guests.
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For a while, the Bavarian Inn offered occasional Saturday teas which my girlfriends and I attended. The photos below are from their 2009 Winter Tea.
Blooming Tea Centerpiece
Soup
Scones
The tea was from tea bags and was good, but looked a bit unsightly on the tea table.
Hors d' Oeuvres [including a chicken lollipop]
Savories
Desserts
[L-R: Sandy, Lori and Me]
A good time was had by all, and it was nice to see men and children in attendance too.
