White Tail Restaurant Pasty Review: A Unique Stop on US-2 Near the Mackinac Bridge
White Tail Restaurant was on my list for years before finally stopping and getting a to-go pasty. Located in Moran, Michigan, they have a hard-to-miss sign that’s worn down and beaten on the north side of US-2, roughly 30 minutes west of the Mackinac Bridge.
While formerly a resort/inn, the inside has more of a locals vibe, as it’s a pure diner. Like many restaurants in the area, it has an old-time feel, and the outside seems like it’s possibly on its last legs.
Considering the resort portion of White Tail no longer was active in 2025, it’s a wonder what the future of the restaurant looks like. Nevertheless, it’s another place to grab a pasty near the Bridge. For nearly 10 bucks, you can either eat it there or grab it to go and feast on the beach.
I ordered my pasty after lunch time on a Friday in the summer and was told it would take five minutes to get ready. Like most restaurants, they aren’t made to order and have a batch that are ready to heat up whenever a pasty lover rolls in.
Most of the time, a quick heat can ruin a pasty, but fortunately that wasn’t the case with this one. Because of user error, mine was a little soggy after leaving it in the styrofoam box for 15 minutes and then eating it on Lake Michigan. Otherwise, there was no freezer-burn taste or noticeable overcooked veggies on the inside.
The White Tail pasty was surprisingly different than almost every other one you’ll find in the Upper Peninsula. It was round and folded over without a handle. The crust wasn’t salted, and there were parts where it was maybe a little too thin. Despite not having a ton of flavor, I didn’t think the crust took away from the pasty as a whole. 
The carrots, potatoes and rutabaga were shredded inside, while the onions were seemingly diced. Meat was interspersed at a reasonable rate. There seemed to be a lot of carrots, but that’s what happens when they’re orange and shredded because they stand out.
There’s a chance the crust would’ve been even crispier had I eaten it right away, though I don’t think that would change my rating much.
White Tail has a good, different kind of pasty that despite coming out of a diner, can compete with most in the area off US-2.
If you’re hitting US-2, this is another solid stop near the Mackinac Bridge to add to your pasty list.
Taste: 4 (out of 5)
Crust: 3 (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: 15.5 (of 20 points)
Reviewed Summer 2025
