Great Everyday Meals Magazine | By Momma Cuisine Spring/Summer 2017 | Page 11

Photo Credit © FoodTravelist.com
GEM: As we approach the busy summer travel
season, can you recommend three top travel des-
tinations that are both family and budget friendly?
FT: Mazatlán, Mexico, Traverse City, Michigan
and Gettysburg, Pennslyvannia are all terrific for
food traveling families.
GEM: What are some can’t-miss eateries in these
cities?
FT: Mazatlán is famous for its seafood. You’ll find
great variety too. From shrimp so big you’ll won-
der why they’re called shrimp to farm-fresh local
produce. Mazatlán produces the majority of food
for all of Mexico so it’s no wonder that it’s such a
tasty place to visit.
There are many wonderful places to eat. Here are
just a few ideas to whet your appetite. Los Pan-
chos Restaurant has all the Mexican dishes that
you love plus a few that are sure to become new
favorites. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner,
it’s family-friendly and delicious. Life In Español
is one of our own favorites. The octopus tacos and
beet carpaccio are just a couple of their delicious
dishes. At Fresco, be sure to try the oysters, pork
leg tacos with crispy octopus, and beef tongue ta-
cos. If mom and dad can squeeze in a night alone
try the more elegant Mexican Casa 46 or Hector’s
Bistro, a unique French-inspired restaurant.
Traverse City is a midwestern gem very well known
for its annual Cherry Festival. If you love cherries,
this will be your paradise. You’ll find everything
you can imagine that could be made with cherries.
Be sure to stop in at the wonderful Grand Traverse
Pie Company. Not only do they have the best pie in
town — or just about any town! — but in addition
to their original location they have a second “Com-
munity Shop” that provides all of its profits to the
Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation
dedicated for improving the quality of life of chil-
dren in their local community.
No trip to Traverse City is complete without mak-
ing a stop at Moomers Ice Cream. Voted “America’s
Best Scoop” by Good Morning America, Moom-
ers has over 20 wonderful flavors from which to
choose. There are many casual and delicious din-
ing options in downtown Traverse City as well as
some every good craft brews for the grownups.
Gettysburg  might be best known for all of the
historical sites from the American Civil War and
stories associated with it, but it’s also quite a food
culture destination, too. Nearby farms make the
concept of farm-to-table dining a consistent ap-
proach in many of the local restaurant menus. Ap-
ple orchards are great for the family fun of picking
fruit and drinking fresh cider.
April-June 2017 - GEM Food Mag | 11