A Taste of Home
Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine|May 2020
I have a fascination with almost anything well made—things produced with pride and passion, regardless of whether or not I actually need or can afford them—a simple, hand-stitched felt sleeve for my laptop; small-batch Rhum agricole from Martinique; Winslow Homer paintings.
JOHN GIFFORD
A Taste of Home

After a recent visit to Northern Michigan, I realized that I could add a bowl of chili to this list, if it’s made in Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport.

The first time I sampled this chili at the Cherry Country Café, located within the airport, I immediately detected something different about it. It wasn’t venison or turkey or any other ingredient. Nor did eating it set my mouth on fire. It was simply the quality of the chili itself. It tasted like chili from home, prepared on the stove, in a big stockpot with a few fresh and simple ingredients: beef, beans, onions, garlic and little more. Eating it reminded me of the chili I’d enjoyed as a child; of coming in for lunch on a cold winter day to the aroma of simmering beans and beef and garlic warming the kitchen and reconstituting my frozen spirit; of the bold, savory flavors that made the gray winter days a bit warmer and brighter.

I mentioned to the women running the place that their chili was something of a revelation, tasting completely different than what I had expected from an airport café, and seemed even to be made with love. I was told that it is, indeed, home-cooked and that a “nice lady” comes in early each morning to make it—at like, 2 a.m. And in addition to her chili, she makes homemade soups.

Who does something like this at an airport eatery?

This story is from the May 2020 edition of Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the May 2020 edition of Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM TRAVERSE, NORTHERN MICHIGAN'S MAGAZINEView All
Camping With Your Dog
Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine

Camping With Your Dog

Bringing your dog on your next outdoor overnight excursion? Oh, yes! With a little planning, your canine companion will enjoy camping just as much as you. These Northern Michigan spots are perfectly pet-friendly.

time-read
3 mins  |
April 2021
SWEET ON THE BETSIE
Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine

SWEET ON THE BETSIE

JENA MATZEN AND GREGG TRAHEY WEREN’T LOOKING FOR A BIG HOME UP NORTH. BUT THEY DID WANT STYLE.

time-read
3 mins  |
April 2021
REFRESH IN BLUE AND WHITE
Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine

REFRESH IN BLUE AND WHITE

ASKED TO MOVE A HARBOR SPRINGS HOME FROM TRADITIONAL TO TRANSITIONAL STYLE, INTERIOR DESIGNER GEMMA PARKER BUILT ON THE FRESH, TIMELESS ALLURE OF BLUE AND WHITE.

time-read
3 mins  |
April 2021
MAKING CONNECTIONS
Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine

MAKING CONNECTIONS

Explore Emmet and Cheboygan counties by foot, bike or hoof, thanks to this scenic trail.

time-read
1 min  |
April 2021
Please, eat the violets.
Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine

Please, eat the violets.

The wild violets that dot our forest floors are pretty enough to eat. Go ahead—let our six simple recipes fuel your culinary imagination.

time-read
3 mins  |
April 2021
OASIS ON ELK LAKE
Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine

OASIS ON ELK LAKE

ARCHITECT KEN RICHMOND DESIGNS A HOME THAT CAPTURES THE CARIBBEAN COLORS OF ELK LAKE WHILE FEELING COMPLETELY ORGANIC TO THE NORTHWOODS.

time-read
4 mins  |
April 2021
LOSS AND NATURE
Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine

LOSS AND NATURE

Leelanau's Cedar River Preserve provides peace and perspective.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 2021
GO WITH THE FLOW
Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine

GO WITH THE FLOW

Celebrating an unconventional trout opener among friends.

time-read
5 mins  |
April 2021
CHAMPION OF TREES
Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine

CHAMPION OF TREES

Archangel Ancient Tree Archive is the “most hopeful project on the planet,” says David Milarch.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 2021
DINING OUT NEAPOLITAN, BUT WITH STYLE
Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine

DINING OUT NEAPOLITAN, BUT WITH STYLE

American House—the Siren Hall spinoff—is making darn good pizza.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 2021