I want to start by saying I don’t think The Pasty Oven gets as much respect as I think it deserves and most of that has to do with being located in Quinnesec, east of Iron Mountain on US-2.
It’s not a bad location, it’s just not in a bigger city like Iron Mountain or Escanaba.
Either way, their website is Pastys.com and they used to have a theme song, but with a new layout, it doesn’t look like that exists anymore… unfortunately.
The most notable thing about the Oven’s pasties is that they have the most official crust of any pasty I’ve seen in Michigan. The handle is actually a handle, which not many places can say.
But what puts The Pasty Oven over the top is that it’s really good, further legitimizing the large handle. It’s not too dry. It’s almost perfect. However, the pasty I’m rating (traditional w/ rutabaga) was a little burnt and the top of the crust was overcooked (see picture) and I have to take that into account for this review.
Another minus is that it looks boring. I knew this coming in from previous experiences, but the entire thing is a shade of brown, which is mostly from how they mix the ingredients.
The rutabaga was minimal and the meat ratio was on the questionable side, but the flavor was spot on. They have their recipe down to a science and they roll with it and that’s all that’s needed.
This isn’t perfection, but it’s not far off.
They previously had vegan options, but as of 2019, that’s no longer the case. They still have a decent variety, though the vegan set them apart. If you want to try something else, they do have fish fry’s for those inclined to take the seafood route. Maybe a fish pasty is on the way? Eh… I think I just threw up a little.
A downfall was that I got asked if I wanted salt, pepper or ketchup. I’m not sure I’ve ever been asked all three before. What I can say is that you do not need any of them.
I visited again in 2019 and the pasty was everything I remembered. The Pasty Oven remains one of the best in the biz.
Taste: 4.5 (out of 5)
Crust: 5 (out of 5)
Pasty Presentation: 3.5 (out of 5)
The Shop: 3 (out of 3)
Would I come back for Pasties?: 2 (out of 2)
Total Pasty Rating: 18 (of 20 points)
(Reviewed Fall 2016, Summer 2019)
I ate here years and years ago (and It still looks the same!) I cannot wait to go back with a fresh look and see how they taste. I just remember thinking about how yummy these were the first go around (mid-90’s) Heading back that way this summer. We loved Toni’s so much in Calumet that my dad drove from Copper Harbor 3 times that week to get some! (that is an hour drive each way btw!) I love my potatoes sliced. NOT diced. I also love my crust rolled with a handle and it has to be just slightly well done on the outside nom nom nom… and I do eat it with ketchup if needed- but usually do not. I was so impressed by Toni’s that I ate it straight from the fridge the second day lol. Cold. Being from St. Ignace I grew up with Lehto’s right down the road from us. I agree totally on the no handle! But, they are tasty, if not a tad ugly on the inside, which does not matter as it ends up on my insides !!! Thanks for the great info! I cannot wait to try the Pasty Oven again!!!
I haven’t been to Toni’s yet, but definitely on the list! Agree on Lehto’s. As long as they taste good, all the same. Enjoy the Pasty Oven on the your travels. Thanks for the comment!
If anyone is interested, I found the old jingle the Pasty Oven used to have on their webpage: https://web.archive.org/web/20120101075620im_/http://pastys.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/jingle.mp3
Great find.