Congress Pizza

Mama Mia's Italian Restaurant is one of the few long-running restaurants in Ishpeming that…read moregenuinely feels tied to the town rather than just located in it. The place has been around for decades, and the experience reflects that kind of stability and familiarity. On the food side, I ordered the Lasagne Dinner, which is a verified menu item, along with garlic bread. The lasagne is exactly the kind of old-school Italian-American comfort food that works best in a place like this. The layers hold together properly instead of collapsing into sauce, the cheese has a rich baked texture without becoming oily, and the meat sauce has a slow-cooked flavor that feels consistent rather than rushed. The garlic bread also deserves mention because it comes out with a crisp edge and soft center that actually complements the heavier pasta dishes instead of just sitting on the side untouched. Service is one of the restaurant's strongest qualities. The pacing feels experienced rather than scripted. Staff know how to handle regulars, larger dinner rushes, and slower tables without making the room feel chaotic. Refills, check-ins, and food timing all happen naturally, which gives the place a much more relaxed rhythm than newer restaurants trying too hard to feel upscale. The ambiance is a huge part of why the restaurant works. The interior has that older Italian restaurant warmth with dimmer lighting, darker furnishings, and a dining room that feels lived-in rather than renovated for trends. It is comfortable in a way that makes people stay longer than they planned to. The atmosphere feels personal and local instead of corporate or interchangeable. Overall, this is one of the more complete dining experiences in the area. The food is deeply consistent, the service feels experienced and natural, and the atmosphere has enough character that the restaurant stays memorable long after the meal is over.

Excellent food & great service! Such a friendly atmosphere with generous portions. Prices are very…read moreaffordable.

Minestrone Soup (w/Oyster Crackers)

Amaretto Mackinac Island ice cream

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Garlic bread!

Huron Mountain Bakery - Ishpeming

4.5(30 reviews)

1.0 mi

No surprise; as soon as Smokin'Hubster and I moved to the area, we had to figure out who had the…read morepaczki. The bakery is amazing and it would be hard to select what to taste, except that I was a woman on a mission. I stopped in the week before Fat Tuesday. Placing the order was easy and took only moments to complete. I returned for Mardi Gras and the bakery was understandably busier. There were folks that failed to plan ahead, so their paczki pleasure was impacted. Me, I walked in, the same helpful person was retrieving orders and I picked up my pre-paid dozen quickly. The paczki were amazing and brought me right back to Michigan. The paczki we had in MN were good, but they aren't the same. And I've honestly never had paczki that were SO filled. And the fillings were so fresh, so perfectly balanced with the pastry. We tried six varieties (oof, yeah!) and loved them all. The prune paczki is an easy favorite, being traditional, but that Bavarian Cream was sublime. I was completely spoiled. It was fun that my first visits here were for 'holiday shopping,' which makes me look forward to coming back and trying more yummy baked items!

Wonderful neighborhood bakery with friendly caring staff! Everything from fresh baked breads,…read morecroissants, donuts , pastries and delightful bagels. Coffee and excellent gourmet sandwiches at a very reasonable price! Wish we had one in Cape Coral!

Behold the Paczki!!

Cupcakes and cookies!!

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Cupcakes, cookies, and candie!

Pasqualis

4.4(7 reviews)

2.9 mi

Best pizza in Negaunee. They are fast, friendly, and local. They also have comedy on Fridays in the…read morewinter. 5 stars

The prices are great, the staff is always friendly. The pizza here is absolutely amazing,.my…read morefavorite thing is the cheesy bites. I haven't eaten inside the restaurant yet but the outside is clean.

Decor

Cudighi Pizza

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Salt & Pepper, Parmesan Cheese & Red Pepper Flakes

Tino's Bar & Pizza

3.8(25 reviews)

2.9 mi

Great pizza. This is truly just a pizza place. No salads etc. Pizza or cudighy(Italian sausage with…read morea twist). So if your into pizza and a beer, this is a great Upper Peninsula local treat

We took Tuesday Night Social Club (aka Date Nite) to Tino's and were not disappointed. It was funny…read moreto be the 'new locals' and overhear the banter between the regulars. The line to pick up pizzas is no joke, so be prepared to wait for your pie. That said, it's totally worth the wait! Madi handled the details at the bar expertly. She hustled all night, bringing drinks and taking phone orders while coordinating table service and pickup orders. She's the best and pretty fun to talk to (when she gets a moment to do so). The ingredients are fresh and diverse, especially when you build your own pizza. That's what Smokin'Hubster and I did, with the intention of taking home leftovers for lunches. He built a fun pie with pineapple (don't judge!), sausage and bacon. I was a bit more classic and understated with onions, pepperoni and extra cheese. Oh. My.Cheese! I totally stringed that out; SO YUMMY! Add that we are now known as the "Couple by the tap" and it's easy to see how much fun we had. We each brought home 1/2 a pizza, which reheated perfectly at 375 degrees for 10 minutes on the pizza stone. Yes, you could ask 'Chef Mike' and nuke your food in the microwave, but then you miss the chance to make your house smell fantastic. Keep it old school and you can't go wrong!

Meat and veggie pizzas while sitting outside

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POP-A-SHOT

Little Caesar

3.0(10 reviews)

1.0 mi

The food was cooked well We ordered an online menu people went in and ordered and got their pizza…read moreinstantly but it took an hour to get are food

I ordered 9 pizzas online from the Ishpeming Michigan store for my class at school. I watched the…read moreonline site saying it was made and done. I drove 10 miles to pick them up and the lady at the counter said she gave them to someone else. They had a print out of my order and my order number. I never left my computer between ordering and leaving to pick them up. Someone stole my pizzas and Little Ceasers has no record of who picked them up. Poor business model especially with 9 pizzas and the person picking them up was 20 minutes early.

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Jasper Ridge Brewery

3.5(68 reviews)

0.9 mi

The food is always cooked perfectly. The staff is super friendly, too. We usually get take out now…read morebecause I have some medical issues that I can't sit up in a regular chair for long without my pain getting worse We order all the time from them and we are never disappointed!

Jasper Ridge Brewery feels like it should be a solid sit-down brewery experience in Ishpeming, but…read morethe execution across the board did not match expectations. On the food side, I ordered a Reuben Melt. The sandwich came out unevenly heated, with the corned beef leaning dry in parts and the rye bread slightly over-toasted on one side. The balance of sauerkraut and sauce felt inconsistent, which made the overall flavor feel flat rather than cohesive. It was edible, but not well executed. Service was slow and lacked structure. There was a noticeable delay in initial table attention, and once the order was in, there was very little communication or follow-up. The pacing of the meal felt disorganized, like the kitchen and front of house were not fully in sync. The ambiance does not really elevate the experience either. The space has the layout of a brewery-style restaurant, but it comes across more chaotic than inviting, with noise carrying unevenly and the dining area feeling a bit worn rather than maintained in a way that enhances comfort. Overall, this was a disappointing visit. The food was poorly balanced, service was slow and inattentive, and the atmosphere did not make up for the gaps in execution.

A pint of their blueberry wheat! It was pretty good!

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Told you I'd be back for the Cudighi. Just look at it! Get it with The Works, you won't be sorry.

Pizza Hut

2.4(15 reviews)

0.8 mi

Having Pizza Hut in the neighborhood has been very beneficial for anytime you're looking for a…read moretasty meal. Often on a sale or promo. Delivery is prompt and as always the pizzas are delicious. Wish the dining room was open.

Since Corona, you still can't eat inside but there is takeout available. Still some of the best…read morefast food pizza!

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Gravedoni's Pizza

5.0(5 reviews)

2.9 mi

This is a must! We stopped here on our way through town and I now wish I lived closer! Food was…read moreexcellent and staff were super friendly! We ordered a meat lovers, supreme and crazy bites! All had such good flavor! I was not aware of Cudighi sausage until this stop! They special make all of their sausage right here. I learned Cudighi is unique to the Ishpeming and Negaunee area. The staff was so nice to give us a pack of their special spice so we could make some at home! Will definitely add this place to my next UP trip!

Great food!!!!!!! If you want a real pizza, check this place…read moreout! Vince really knows what it takes to make a great pizza. This is the best you can get!

The view from the outdoor seating.

Meat lovers party size 18"

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Front of building

The Cade

4.0(1 review)

5.1 mi

Cozy bar with a strong Up North vibe that's not far from home. We stopped by for Date Night and…read morewere not disappointed. The beer list features a lot of local brews and the prices are great! The menu is full of good things to choose from. You are bound to find a favorite! Smokin'Hubster had the deluxe chicken sammich with the upgraded batter fries. I had an amazing Cudighi sammich with shoestring fries. What I have to share is that this might be the best ratio, bread to Cudighi, that I've had yet! The bun had the perfect crust without being tough and really complimented the sausage and toppings. The staff is super friendly and make you feel like one of the regulars. I'm looking forward to visiting The Cade again soon!

A view from our seats

Sexy battered fries with that chicken sammich

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Another well-stocked Northwoods bar

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12 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Jen C.

0

2

0

4 years ago

Want the best pizza of your life? Come here! Never disappoints have been coming for years and the kids love it

Bucky M.

26

124

25

16 years ago

This is great pizza and the staff is awsome. They are very involved in the communiity. The owner is also awsome

Elizabeth B.

27

13

1

13 years ago

Great pizza! Always make sure to stop here when I'm in town! This service is usually very friendly and quick!

Matt T.

0

5

0

2 years ago

Busy place & totally understand why! I'm writing this extra crap unnecessary crap because yelp made me.

Tracie B.

0

1

0

1 year ago

This place is awesome. Great food and staff. If your in the area you need to check this place out!

Rebecca B.

1

128

862

12 years ago

http://smalltowngirlfoodieworld.blogspot.com/2014/07/congress-pizza-little-slice-of-heaven.html

Willis D.

0

1

0

5 years ago

absolutely AMAZING pizza. Second the staff is unbelievably kind and helpful. 10/10 RECOMMEND

Crys B.

22

8

1

12 years ago

Hands down the best pizza ever!! Great people, great food. What more could you ask for?

Mary S.

0

9

0

8 years ago

Fantastic pizza and wonderful service. This is our favorite stop when we visit the U.P.!

T R.

0

19

1

10 years ago

Unique pizza for the area. it's always great and the staff is always friendly.

T R.

0

19

0

11 years ago

I love the pizza, it's unique for the area.

Greg S.

20

3

0

9 years ago

Great Pizza!! Worth the drive from Harvey!

Congress Pizza - pizza - Updated October 2026

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Tino's Bar & Pizza

3.8

(25 reviews)

Great pizza. This is truly just a pizza place. No salads etc. Pizza or cudighy(Italian sausage with…read morea twist). So if your into pizza and a beer, this is a great Upper Peninsula local treat

We took Tuesday Night Social Club (aka Date Nite) to Tino's and were not disappointed. It was funny…read moreto be the 'new locals' and overhear the banter between the regulars. The line to pick up pizzas is no joke, so be prepared to wait for your pie. That said, it's totally worth the wait! Madi handled the details at the bar expertly. She hustled all night, bringing drinks and taking phone orders while coordinating table service and pickup orders. She's the best and pretty fun to talk to (when she gets a moment to do so). The ingredients are fresh and diverse, especially when you build your own pizza. That's what Smokin'Hubster and I did, with the intention of taking home leftovers for lunches. He built a fun pie with pineapple (don't judge!), sausage and bacon. I was a bit more classic and understated with onions, pepperoni and extra cheese. Oh. My.Cheese! I totally stringed that out; SO YUMMY! Add that we are now known as the "Couple by the tap" and it's easy to see how much fun we had. We each brought home 1/2 a pizza, which reheated perfectly at 375 degrees for 10 minutes on the pizza stone. Yes, you could ask 'Chef Mike' and nuke your food in the microwave, but then you miss the chance to make your house smell fantastic. Keep it old school and you can't go wrong!

Main Street Pizza

3.6

(42 reviews)

Best pizza in Marquette. Staff is always swamped but always friendly. It's take-out only, but…read morethat's the way to do it. Grab a pie and head to the lakeshore!

Always love this place! super cheap slices, plus highly recommend the blt pizza‼…read more i'm done writing but yelp want more words for the limit so here

The Gwinn Inn

4.4

(10 reviews)

Service was excellent. Pizza was even better. Crust was amazing. Fresh made. Original.read more

It's kind of sketchy from the outside and it's not a quick stop but the pizza is absolutely worth…read moreit. So good.

Poppis Pizzeria Mozzi

3.7

(18 reviews)

Most delicious tasting pizza I've had in a very long time! I've had pies in NY, Chicago and other…read morecountries. Now that I live in Gwinn I'm super happy to know I can come in for slices too as a mid day snack with a side of cinnamon balls for dessert! Easy access, friendly staff & dog friendly. A +

Ordered a couple pizzas and the Mozzi bread for dinner while on vacation at Farmers lake. The…read morepizzas were very good, and the standout was the pizza crust. We order three XL pizzas and it fed a group of 8 adults and 3 kids handedly. We all enjoyed the pizzas. I recommend that if you're in Gwinn or surrounding areas you should try out Mozzi's.

Lakers Burger & Pizza

4.0

(12 reviews)

We came here with our one year old and the staff were young and friendly and very helpful. Husband…read moreordered a burger and I ordered the chicken parm sandwich. The food came out fast. We both really enjoyed the food and it was one year old approved! The burger and sandwich both had good flavor and were very filling. We shared a small side of fries and still had a little bit lefty. They had crayons and paper for the kids to color. We enjoyed our visit here.

I have been here twice in the last month. Nice ambiance for a burger and pizza joint. All of the…read moreworkers are upbeat and friendly. The first visit we ordered the French dip. It was fantastic. I highly recommend. The second time I ordered a slice of pizza with pepperoni. It was not good! Dry and salty. It honestly looked like the slice was baked 8 hours earlier and had been sitting in the counter until I ordered. I assume they just reheated it. I wouldn't order pizza again unless they assured me they would make everything fresh to order, including the crust, like all other pizza joints.

Lake Superior Pizza Subs & Specialties

4.0

(46 reviews)

Pizza rolls always hit the spot. Some of the best gluten free pizza I've ever had. It's only take…read moreout or delivery.

I am a very traveled man who could eat a whole pizza any day of the week. There is no way I could…read moreeven come close to attempting to finishing a whole zah from this joke of a pizza shop. The crust is bad, the sauce is bad, and the cheese is bad...the italian sausage is somehow bad. It is the saltiest piece of slop I've ever had in my life. AVOID.

Smelted Wood Fired Pizza

4.4

(12 reviews)

We stopped here on a Monday night when a lot of other places were closed. The pizza was expensive…read more($34 before tip) for two pizzas and one was a plain cheese pizza. We have had wood fired pizza many times before but these were pretty dark crusts. My pizza was not cut all the way through. We asked if they had utensils and they did not, so the baby wasn't really able to eat any. The cheese pizza was a little spicy for me and for kids. Husband said his was "good" besides the charred crust.

One of the best pizza places I've ever had, clean ingredients and cooked to perfection. Don't miss…read moreout on the Goat yoga pizza, one of the best imo. I wasn't looking for a pizza place but I stumbled across this one randomly and not one complaint about it the workers were super nice and willing to help with anything needed. Don't miss out!

Portside Inn

4.2

(202 reviews)

While eating at the bar at The Vierling (another review), we struck up a conservation with a local…read moreguy. Young man who was a brick mason. He made several recommendations, including Portside. It was excellent. Food and service were excellent. We are a product of the South and dont have much whitefish and walleye available. I had the walleye sticks appetizer with an order of fries and my wife had the whitefish cakes. Both were delicious. Fries were obviously hand-cut and large; also very hot. Our server was great! The best part of the meal was the BREAD STICKS! It appeared that the sticks are baked in a round pattern, like a pizza, and then cut into sticks. They were so hot, I couldn't hold them until they cooled a little bit. The accompanying spread was excellent; also marinara sauce. One could make a meal from the bread sticks. The vibe was pleasantly rustic. We decided on a booth instead of seats at the bar. Again, our server was great. The guy who brought out the bread sticks was equally good. I suppose the bread sticks are brought to the table directly from the oven. Highly recommend this place!

You cannot beat a classic, especially when it's patio season and the Summer Shandies are on tap…read more Smokin'Hubster and I popped in for lunch and had a fabulous time. We rarely sit outside but this patio beckoned and we were helpless to resist. There's even outdoor seating available if you arrive before the restaurant is open! Silas brought us menus and took drink orders right away. We enjoyed the season's first shandies while exploring the menu. His attention was perfect and we shared some laughs each time he returned to our table. Neither one of us wanted to share (I guess) so we each ordered our own appetizers. I can never get enough smoked whitefish spread... until it's ALL MINE! I enjoyed every bite and would do it again. Patrick ordered the walleye strips and he did offer me a bite (generous devil that he is). They were perfectly crisp without being heavy or greasy. If I had known that... nah, I'd still get the whitefish. We'll be back to visit The Portside and try more menu items. Who knows, maybe we'll split something next time?

Pasta Shop

4.3

(61 reviews)