Not many people know that Grand Traverse Pie Company sells pasties and that’s part of the reason why it took so long for me to visit, despite numerous locations in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

It’s a wonder what their biggest seller is outside of pies and desserts, but it likely isn’t pasties. Then again, why is the Pasty Guy underrating pasties? On the rest of the menu, Grand Traverse has quiches, pot pies sandwiches and even salads. If pasties were their most popular item outside of pies, I’d be surprised.

It’s a mystery as to who created this pasty recipe, but we’ll have to let that slide. I went with the usual Beef Pasty, but according to the site, they also have Buffalo Chicken and Breakfast Pasties at certain locations. If you want to mix things up, that Buffalo Chicken option is the only one I’ve ever seen. The good news is that they list the nutrition facts so we know just how healthy the pasties are. Looking… hmm… maybe I should stop eating these? But in order to market them for the official pasty unveiling, GT refers to their pasty as “full of healthy ingredients.” I like it.

I didn’t have many expectations for GT Pie given that it’s a chain pie company and the pasty crust is a bit unappealing (see photo). And if you really don’t like the pasty, it comes with a cup of gravy to please your taste buds.

But I didn’t run into that problem. Despite the unexciting outside and it looking rather small, it ended up being close to a perfect size and portion. Not many pasties can say that. The crust was good, but maybe a note too dry, which could be why they supply gravy without asking. It didn’t have much flakiness, but it was strong enough and had a good taste to it.

For the pasty I experienced, some of the veggies were a bit hard (rutabagas, carrots), but I’m not faulting them for that unless it becomes a trend. There wasn’t an overload of meat, but the ratio was likely right on the edge of the legal limit. Still, props are due to this pasty for having rutabaga. Some of those props get taken out with the menu having sour cream available upon request. That’s a Cornish thing in some circles, but definitely not in Michigan.

While the prices are a bit high because it’s a chain restaurant, these pasties are more than respectable and you can tell their pasty maker has some experience in the business. It won’t be a place I seek out because I prefer local, old-school shops, but Grand Traverse does get the Pasty Guy seal of approval.

Taste: 4 (out of 5)
Crust: 3.5 (out of 5)
Pasty Presentation: 3.5 (out of 5)
The Shop: 2 (out of 3)
Would I come back for Pasties?: 1 (out of 2)

Total Pasty Ranking: 14 (of 20 points)

(Reviewed Spring 2017)