I’ve found the pinnacle and it’s wonderful.

There was a time when Muldoon’s Pasties wasn’t taken over by the tourism aspect of Munising. At least, I assume that’s the case.

Just north of the downtown hustle and bustle, Muldoon’s is right off the Superior coast on M-28.

I wanted Muldoon’s to be a traditional pasty shop, a simple place without any gimmicks. But we don’t always get what we want, at least that’s what the Pasty Mom says.

Muldoon’s opened in 1998 and has since changed owners, but I can’t say for sure what the shop looked like with the original owners in charge before 2011.

Nowadays, Muldoon’s has “Gifts” on the end of its name. Those gifts include jewelry, mouse pads and… whatever.

I just want my pasty. Not pasty jewelry. Sorry.

It’s widely known that Muldoon’s is rated as one of the best pasties in the land and I was excited. Big Foot outside had me more excited. The jewelry in the shop did not.

Still, it’s a no-nonsense operation with hot and frozen options. Everything that’s needed.

They have a few choices with the original beef pasty containing rutabaga, which is how it should be. As for their dessert pasties, maybe another day.

I don’t know why I’ve never had a crust like the one from Muldoon’s, but other shops have to take note.

Look at it.

Honestly, I don’t have to describe it. The flakiness is evident from the picture and it had just the right amount of crispness throughout, especially on the handle. I can’t even look at that picture without drooling.

But yes, there is more than the crust.

Overall, it wasn’t as good as I thought it was going to be. The inside was nothing special.

It fits the official pasty ratio, but there were a lot of potatoes in it, which detracted me from giving this a perfect rating. The beef was okay, but not the best I’ve had. Rutabagas were hit-or-miss, while the carrots were displayed proudly as seen in the picture.

Muldoon’s comes with a big name and they deliver on the crust, which is reason enough to visit.

But alas, this is still not the perfect pasty. Getting a better meat or adding another flavor could do the trick.

Someday…

Taste: 4 (out of 5)
Crust: 5 (out of 5)
Pasty Presentation: 4 (out of 5)
The Shop: 2.5 (out of 3)
Would I come back for Pasties?: 2 (out of 2)

Total Pasty Ranking: 17.5 (of 20 points)

(Reviewed Fall 2016)

Muldoon’s Pasties