Swedish Pantry — Restaurant in Escanaba

I have NEVER given 1 Star for EVERY category till now. If I could have given Negative Stars I would have. I don't know where to begin, so I'll start with our arrival. We walk in and there is hardly any room to wait to be seated. We had a party of 5. The Owner (we found out later she was the Owner) was behind the Counter and never even greeted us! 10 minutes later, people were literally squeezing by us to get out and we were getting hit by the door from people coming in. The Owner left somewhere. I had to use the Bathroom so I simply walked across the Restaurant to do so. On my way, a Waitress asked if she could help me. I said no, I'm going to the Restroom, but my Party is waiting to be seated. I come out of the restroom and my Wife says they are cleaning a Table for us. I'm looking at the empty Table that they took 10 minutes to come clean. Wow! We finally sit and Waitress hands us Menus. By the time she came back to take our drink orders and when we got our Drinks it was another 20 minutes. When we got our Drinks we stated we were ready to order. 38 minutes later we get some Food. Now, let's talk about the "Food". There's big Billboards coming into those town stating those place has best food in town. We ordered three 2 Egg Omelets, a BLT and a Grilled Cheese. My Wife's BLT had no Mayo but BUTTER instead, one slice of Bacon, a Tomato 3/4 inch thick and Not Ripe, and Bread not toasted. My Daughters Grilled Cheese was Cheese stuffed between 2 pieces of bread and not grilled, but "warmed" to slightly melt the cheese. Horrible. Took another 20 minutes and Waitress FINALLY came by to ask how everything was. My Wife sent her and my Daughters food back and we declined a replacement meal. Everyone else was done and we didn't want to wait another 30-40 Minutes. I went to check out, Owner was at the Register area doing "busy" work. I put the check on the counter, 8 minutes later she picks it up, rings it up and I finally pay using my card....NEVER acknowledged me, NEVER said a word. I turned and walked out and she finally said Thanks. NOBODY was friendly, Service was Horrible and so was the Food. Don't know how they are still in Business. I have NEVER given this bad a review.....they deserved it...

We decided to take the 6 hour round trip drive from Sault Saint Marie in order to try Swedish Pantry. My partner in crime is Swedish and dreams if the Swedish food his mother used to make. So what did we do? We ordered your basic smorgasbord: potato pancakes, Swedish pancakes (crêpes) in the form of the breakfast combo because you can pick Swedish meatballs or Swedish potato sausage as part of the combo, which includes two very yummy pancakes and one small piece of sausage. We ordered two Swedish Meat Balls as a side. No side of potato sausage was present on the menu. The sausage is slightly bland and a grey boiled color. The casing rather rubbery in texture. Would probably have been yummy if browned/fried? The Meatballs are tasty,served with a caned brown gravy ? Of course we were served..... Lingonberries imported from Sweden! A very good product. Three large potato pancakes come in an order. The potatoes are shredded fresh and served crispy with sour cream and apple sauce. Now let's talk about the amazing Swedish Pancakes. For those of you not familiar, these are like a crepe. Two come with the combo to include either butter and syrup or lingonberries. Go for the berries y'all. LOL We will request the sausage be grilled the next time we dine. We will be back! Total bill about $30.00. Oh, there are no caps/T-shirt’s/sweatshirts with the Pantry’s name nor Swedish in nature. A few choice small woven ornaments, pancake mix, imported Lingonberries and maybe a mug or two. There is a very awesome selection of painted ceramic wall clocks in the shape of Dogs, Cats, to include children’s and coffee themed designs. Oh, really cool sewing and kitchen themed...

Ok Swedish Pantry... How did you do it? My Bride Cricket Nelson and I haven't been in a set down restaurant for 15+ months and you were the first!!! Not only did your compliance with the mask regulations put us at ease, but the entire staff was complying as well! Now... For the Swedish pancakes and MEATBALLS... Your server convinced us to try your#1 breakfast special, the Swedish pancakes and MEATBALLS. I am a FIRM believer in breakfast is only served in the morning... If I was to work second or third shift, breakfast is the meal eaten upon waking... I know that there's a percentage of people that like breakfast for dinner, I am not among that crowd.... Nevertheless, I can see me eating your Swedish pancakes over and over again, but for me... Please keep your meatballs for dinner. Your server explained how actual Swedish citizens convinced you to come up with the #1 breakfast, that story along with the SMILE in the voice of the server was truly motivational and made us choose the #1! The woman at the register on this Tuesday May 25th morning was especially accommodating and walked us through all the baked goods offered for sale at your register! She, like everyone else employed in your Swedish Pantry are truly a pleasure to allow us to break our travel and dine-in drought!

If we lived closer than 7 hours away from the Escanaba location, I happily admit we would be in your store a dozen times per year AT LEAST!!!

THANK YOU for making our first post sequestration outing a memorable one!!!

I DEFINITELY WILL be ordering your Swedish pancakes again and if I come in for lunch or dinner, you can bet I will be ordering your Swedish meatballs...