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# Meet Clyde's, The Delicious Drive-In Burger Gateway To The Upper Peninsula
- URL: https://www.dailydetroit.com/meet-clydes-delicious-drive-burger-gateway-upper-peninsula/
- Published: 2017-06-04T17:49:56.000Z
- Updated: 2024-02-27T19:49:53.000Z
- Author: Jer Staes
- Tags: Burgers, Clyde's, St. Ignace. Pure Michigan, #wordpress, #Import 2024-02-25 18:12, #daily-detroit-staff

Crossing the bridge nicknamed the Mighty Mac, you can be rest assured that in the Upper Peninsula that if you want a good burger you will not have to settle for a McDonald’s Big Mac.

That’s because just west of the bridge you’ll find a magically retro place that harkens to another time.

That place is Clyde’s.

[![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2017/06/clydes-st-ignace-IMG_5076-1024x682.jpg)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2017/06/clydes-st-ignace-IMG%5F5076.jpg?ref=dailydetroit.com)

The one we visited after three days of the Mackinac Policy Conference, according to lore, is the third Clyde’s.

The mini-chain was founded in 1949 by a Clyde – Clyde Van Dusen. The one we visited in St. Ignace is, apparently, independent and built in 1971\. **[There is one in Sault Ste. Marie and Manistique, as well.](http://mynorth.com/2008/03/up-north-drive-ins-traverse-city-frankfort-st-ignace/?ref=dailydetroit.com)**

And although this restaurant isn’t located in Metro Detroit, it definitely feels like a very Michigan thing.

The first thing of note is that this is a drive-in. Sure, there’s a counter inside and a small porch, but on a nice day, why would you do that to yourself?

Roll down the windows, open the sun roof if you have one and enjoy a bit of Americana.

[![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2017/06/clydes-st-ignace-IMG_5093-1024x682.jpg)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2017/06/clydes-st-ignace-IMG%5F5093.jpg?ref=dailydetroit.com)

Especially when they give you the tray that rests on the edge of your window.

[![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2017/06/clydes-st-ignace-IMG_5098-1024x682.jpg)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2017/06/clydes-st-ignace-IMG%5F5098.jpg?ref=dailydetroit.com)

Now the food is fried and divine. The burger is juicy and fresh. These are the kinds of places like Shake Shack try to emulate.

[![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2017/06/clydes-st-ignace-IMG_5101-1024x682.jpg)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2017/06/clydes-st-ignace-IMG%5F5101.jpg?ref=dailydetroit.com)

The onion rings were tasty and on point.

[![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2017/06/clydes-st-ignace-IMG_5105-1024x614.jpg)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2017/06/clydes-st-ignace-IMG%5F5105.jpg?ref=dailydetroit.com)

The fried cauliflower was an attempt at experimentation. I’m under no illusions that this was healthy, but hey, it was a vegetable! Two vegetables in one meal!

[![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2017/06/clydes-st-ignace-IMG_5059-1024x682.jpg)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2017/06/clydes-st-ignace-IMG%5F5059.jpg?ref=dailydetroit.com)

The prices here are beyond reasonable and it does brisk business. The car side service was friendly and fast.

[![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2017/06/clydes-st-ignace-IMG_5057-1024x682.jpg)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/wordpress/2017/06/clydes-st-ignace-IMG%5F5057.jpg?ref=dailydetroit.com)

It’s important to remember that if you swing through this place, it’s cash only.

That small inconvenience also reminded me a bit of home as in Detroit there are still quite a few bars that work on a cash-only basis. But so worth it.

And so is Clyde’s.

*You can find Clyde’s at 3 US Highway 2 W, St. Ignace, MI 49781.*