Traverse City is hardly a mecca for a groundbreaking culinary orgasm, but after extensively traveling the United States and living in upstate New York as well as New Orleans for years, I can wholeheartedly say that Mary's Kitchen Port easily holds its own against any prissy gourmet sandwich shop found in the USA. Even against shops in San Francisco, Chicago, and New York City. Hell, even their ginger molasses cookies alone could hold their own. I grew up literally right down the street from this place. Way back in the day (like 21 years ago) I would walk or ride my bike there to pick up lunch. That means I ate a shit ton of gobblers. I ate so many gobblers growing up it's a wonder my liver didn't just turn into one; a nice, big, juicy Mary's Kitchen Port gobbler made on that fabulously decadent, homemade, sea salt kissed, focaccia bread stacked generously with turkey and adorned with thick pieces of shredded cheddar cheese and sweet tomatoes. Squee! Mary's Kitchen Port lunches are so awesome that if I ever set foot in TC again (can't imagine why I ever would) and could eat at one and only one place, Mary's would be my pick. I would even be tickled pink to have a fat, Styrofoam cup of their raspberry lemonade again. Lemonade so tart that my taste buds literally water just writing about it. Seriously ... I feel like I just ate a sweet tart candy and all I did was just write about the damn raspberry lemonade! My favorite thing at Mary's were the ginger molasses cookies. I'm not sure if they still have them or not, but these little fuckers are so so so so so so unbelievably good. So wonderful that eating them just makes me happy to be alive. I used to nuke them in the microwave for a few seconds and they would melt in my mouth and make me all giddy like a happy ball of ginger molasses silly putty. If you're ever browsing at Mary's and you see they have ginger molasses cookies please by all means try one. Screw your diet or whatever. Put it on hold for the day. These cookies are definitely worth eating, especially if you're a gingerbread freak like I am. They also used to have apricot shortbread that was pretty damn amazing, and ooh ....oatmeal lace cookies! All these cookies go perfectly with a hot cup of tea on a cold, northern Michigan winter's afternoon. I know that The Gobbler sandwich is lauded as the second coming of Christ. It is legendary (as far as sandwiches go) but their other sandwiches such as the Caesar chicken, Greek veggie wrap, and Irish are all simply divine as well. It's the bread that kicks all the ass, especially The Gobbler's focaccia bread laced daintily with sea salt. The bread is all homemade. I reckon Mary must roll her ass out of bed at an ungodly hour everyday to bake the breads for all these wonderful sandwiches. All sandwiches are pre-made so if you're in a hurry you've come to the right place. They don't make the sandwiches right there in front of you while you nitpick about what you want and don't want on them. It's not Subway. I think way, way, way back in the day they did used to make them right there while you waited. I seem to remember being a bratty, little kid and whining about not wanting mayonnaise on mine. I believe they changed it to having the sandwiches already made to make it faster and easier for the lunchtime crowds. The sandwiches are still just as awesome, though. What would really be amazing is if they came up with a vegetarian gobbler. Oh my jeepers! Fresh veggies and cheddar cheese on that amazing focaccia bread! The hippies would be dancing down Front Street in jubilation. Rhetorical question: if they did make a vegetarian version of the gobbler, could they really even call it The Gobbler? Vegetables don't gobble, I guess. Oh well ... On a last note, there's a gourmet kitchen store if you're a foodie person. Very Williams-Sonoma-ish. From the outside Mary's appears quite small, but you'd be amazed how many little treasures they have tucked away inside. When I was like 12 years old I bought a jar of Devonshire cream there and was absolutely ecstatic because I could have a proper, afternoon tea at home and be all British with my real cream from England to have with my scones. Shit, I think I even bought the scone mix there come to think of it. Anyway, you never know what gems you're going to find lurking about in the kitchen section of the store so do be sure to explore and check it out. For a tiny store that specializes in salads and sandwiches, Mary's Kitchen Port kicks some serious ass. read more

Best sandwiches in town. My husband and I love the Cherry Turkey Salad. Great place to visit in the summertime!

Meh... 500 gobblers - 4 roast beef-no ham. No mayo. Got the roast beef- not a lot of flavor and very dry because they won't give you mayo. Gone downhill- read more

No lie, I've been eating Gobblers from Mary's Kitchen Port since I was....12. True story. My middle school was about 5 blocks from this stretch of Front Street...and thus, on the special occasion that my mum picked me up from school, we stopped here for these illustrious turkey sandwiches, raspberry lemonades and a sweet treat to top things off. Mmmmmm. So, it seemed fitting that my guy pal and I would revisit on a recent trek between TC and SB. Ah yes...MARY! There is something about MARY! And, it is the Gobbler. I still hold that the reason this sandwich is so darned fantastic is the salt on the upper crust. I don't know why but there is something about all the semi-sweet ingredients (fresh bread, tomatoes, turkey) that are punctuated with coarse salt that makes it just...Excellent. Funnily enough, I never even realized that Mary's Kitchen Port was....more than just a take away food destination. Maybe my young eyes never realized that any kitchen gadget in the world existed here. Actually, probably would'nt have noticed this time either because that portion of my brain never developed (culinary/cooking), but my boyfriend did point out the vast selection of instruments. "Good on ya, get me a Gobbler, fool!" And thus we did...scooped up two gobblers, some pesto salad, raspberry lemonade and a blondie fudge bar (UM, hello)....$20, out the door, to the beach for a picnic down tastebud memory lane. 4-stars for selection: They do what they do and they do it quite well, but the selection of sandwiches is somewhat limited. There were about 40 Gobblers ready to go, and an Italian sandwich or two, but that was roughly it. I'm not sure if one can order at the counter or not...prepared salads were tasty, and there was a better selection. Also meats and cheeses and an entire truffle case on the opposite side that I managed to stay away from....next time! A must in TC for lunch and a picnic. read more

Mary's Kitchen Port - the front of the store - Specialty Food Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

Excellent choice for take out lunch, for your personal lunch, or picnic. Call ahead for big orders, like boxed lunches for meetings and events. You will not be disappointed. The Turkey "Gobbler" is amazing. But, they also offer vegetarian options, Salads, chips, cookies, etc. High quality lunch for a very reasonable price. Linger in their Kitchen shop to find unique gifts, or additions for your home. Staff is phenomenal, and they have a "no tipping" policy! read more

The gobbler sandwich is amazing! I am not a sandwich person, but this one gets me. Recently we tried the dill tuna sandwich which was meh- they need to put it on the gobbler bread the sweet potato salad is also a delicious option. I can't wait to try their soups! read more

Lovely kitchen shop! All kinds of goodies to look at & buy. Very attentive staff. Just a fun place to stop & shop!

I am not a turkey person at all. The only exception is the gobbler at this shop. I don't know what they do but man, that's a yummy sandwich. It's for sure a must try read more

Mary's Kitchen Port is the very best take-out lunch spot in Northern Michigan. The ciabatta bread is made fresh daily, with a hint of flake salt. The ingredients are so fresh, the crispy vegetables really crunch. They make fresh raspberry lemonade, fantastic soups, and side dishes. Truly, the finest in Traverse City area. read more

A great place for a sandwich take out but quite a bit rich $$ for me. It wouldn't be unusual for my wife to make me cringe saying she was bringing me home a sandwich or salad from here. I never really cared for a $30 to $40 take out lunch. "just sayin" read more

Cute kitchen store with tons of stuff. We read such rave reviews about the Gobbler that we had to stop. It's popularity was confirmed when we walked in and people were going at the grab and go sandwich section like they were getting the last bit of food on Earth. The hubby grabbed 2 Gobblers and we got a little container of the cheesy potatoes, fresh fruit, split a small bag of chips and went next door to Burritt's grabbed 2 Northwoods Orange sodas and headed to the beach to eat. I know I'm going to get publicly stoned for this but we didn't like the Gobbler at all. It was probably the most bland turkey sandwich we've ever eaten in our lives and turkey sandwiches are kind of our thing. I'm thinking this must be a "we grew up on this" kind of loyalty to this sandwich or something but yeah...not for us. The potatoes were really awesome and so were the chips (and I think this is the only place that carried that brand of chips which we never found again that week) and fruit is well, fruit. I might go back next time to look at the kitchen goods but we'll leave the Gobblers for the people who like them. read more

I never made it past the cooler, so this review is only for the lunch fare, not the store itself. I'm gonna make like Ah-nold and be baaahck. (Please keep reading. No more lame jokes, I swear.) The food is affordable and delightful. I went on the suggestion of a co-worker (thank you!!) and picked up a turkey sandwich (on what looks like a mini salted ciabatta) and the tubular pesto turkey pasta. I was starving, so I gobbled it up. The turkey. Gobbled it. Okay, I lied. One more lame joke. Anyhoo, give Mary's a try for lunch. Several sandwiches for $4.95 and fruit/pasta salads of all sizes. Affordable, tasty, and filling. read more

I quit being a vegetarian for a day just to have the famous 'gobbler', and it was well worth falling off the veg wagon. Not to mention I could spend an hour checking out their kitchen products, it's like a mini Sur la Table, with ready-to-go homemade food. Going back soon to try their dill tuna sandwich and variety of packaged sides, duh. read more

Mary's is a must stop when in traverse city. As a staple of my childhood - the cravings have been real throughout my pregnancy for some MKP; but the Navy brought my growing family to San Diego...So good my mother mailed me a box of the Focaccia bread for my birthday this year. There is no better Turkey Sandwich in the world. read more

Niche kitchen store with fresh food. Came here for some food for a picnic by the beach. Last time we were here, we got the cherry turkey salad which was pretty good. Came around again looking for it, but it wasn't available so we got the black bean salsa with some crackers for a midday snack. Maybe they don't make a lot to begin with, or the food sells pretty well, but there wasn't much variety available both times we visited. Overall, the food's decent and worth a look if you can't make a decision what to eat. Couple this with a sandwich from Folgarelli's Market & Wine Shop down the street and you've got yourself a great meal. read more

Mary's Kitchen Port - Pickings were slim like last time, I think the fresh made food runs out pretty quick. - Specialty Food Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

Sandwich staple is Traverse City. I've been coming here since I was a teenager - the turkey gobbler may be the single handed best pre-made sandwich I've had on this earth and I've been to 49 states + 6 continents. All the other kitchen supplies makes this place pretty unique and interesting to visit. read more

The menu is fresh and light and the menu is unique. Service is fast and friendly. This is a wonderful place to grab a quick and healthy bite to go. The flavors are magnificent. read more

The Gobbler is the ultimate "grab-and-go" sandwich. Although on a shelf, these wonderful delights are made daily by the talented staff at Mary's. The bread is soft and lays out an impressive pallet of flavors that allows the rest of the sandwich elements to wash over you, bite after bite. Summer days in Traverse City are spent at the beach, out on the boat, or hiking down trails surrounded by the wonder scenery of the much sought after region and anyone without a Gobbler in their bag or cooler is wholly ill-equipped. My beer paring choice for this dish is the Grapefruit IPA from Perrin Brewing. The full body hop profile of that beer creates a tag-team powerhouse with The Gobbler's potent flavors that will put your mouth into a submission hold of deliciousness. The citrus back this IPA provides a complement to the sandwiches lighter aspects of the subtler flavors derived from the presence of fresh herbs that are so prevalent in The Gobbler. Available nearby, visit 7 Monk's Taproom on Union Street and fill up a Crowler with Perrin's Grapefruit IPA after picking up a Gobbler for perfect portability. Pack them all with your towels and sunblock before hitting the beach and I promise nothing will better satisfy your hunger and quench your thirst better than this amazing combination. read more

Great sandwiches and side options! Getting a little more pricey over the years but still is worth stopping in.

Currently, MKP is providing curbside pick up Wed-Sat 10:00 am - 11:00am. They are a delicious, friendly, and clean choice serving freshly prepared food! They also have top of the line culinary tools to fun and funky kitchen gadgets. My Jura coffee maker is my prized procession! Can't say enough good things! read more

Do your mouth a favor and eat the Gobbler!!!!!! Favorite lunch in TC, also get a cookie while your there. So delicious. read more

What is it about this Turkey Gobbler that keeps me coming back? It's a simple turkey sandwich, no bells and whistles, just like mom use to make? Right? Turkey, lettuce, tomato, mayo, and sprinkle cheese none the less, on bread. You take a bite and immediately notice the delight of the sea salt, sprinkled, on the bread which has a slight crusty outside with a soft inside. The turkey is just shaved deli turkey but you're convinced this is the best deli turkey ever! The lettuce is so crisp and fresh (it must be organic) and you swear the sprinkle cheese came out of a magical cow. How is this so? Sorry mom, but your turkey sandwich ain't got nothing on MKP's. I'm crazy I know. Crazy for that Gobbler!!!! read more

I give MKP five stars because it is so good, so local, and so foodie. The grab and go deli sandwiches and sides (various gourmet salads etc.) are second to none. They have a diverse selections of beverages along with the food. They also sell anything and everything you would need in a contemporary kitchen. Ingredients, cookware, cutlery, and unique ingredients. Make Mary's Kitchen Port a "must stop!" read more

One thing. The Turkey Gobbler. This thing is epic. I mean I have been eating these things since I was a small child (they have been around 25 years, and my grandma, the ultimate foodie, always knew where to take me out to lunch!). I can't even begin to describe to you how amazing this sandwich is. Gourmet deli tukey, lettuce, tomato, cheese, mayo, all on their ciabatta like homemade salted bread roll. (I am salivating now just thinking about it) You always must pair it with a homemade raspberry lemonade! I literally have memories of this from elementary school... and then in high school being too cheap to buy the sandwich and just buy a roll to eat - which really.... is also to die for! Everyone working here has been doing so for YEAR. Everyone is so nice and the place is equipped with high end cooking essentials. Great cookware to browse! I love this place! read more

Overrated. Tried the gobbler - fairly bland turkey sandwich with lettuce tomato and mayo for a reasonable price. I really don't see what all of the excitement hype is about. For a dollar more I can get a far superior sandwich at Folgarelli's across the street, or for the best sandwiches in town hit up Centre Street - they also come with chips, bean dip and a pickle. The much vaunted salted chipata bread - can barely taste the salt. This sandwich really could use some additional flavoring IMO. Service is good and it's a nice environment, which brings my rating up from 2 to 3 stars. Nothing really wrong with the gobbler and Mary's Kitchen Port - it's just average given the other better options around for a similar price. read more

It is the sweetest and cutest shop with helpful staff that always have smiles. Everything is delicious and not to be missed is the Gobbler if you eat meat. The salt on the bread makes the simple sandwich something special. If you need a quick lunch on your way to the boat or beach this is the place! read more

I like Mary's a lot. Geez, I should run a report in Quicken and see how many thousands of dollars we've spent there over the years! When my wife and I are in TC and in a hurry to get home, but too hungry to endure the drive up M-22 on empty stomachs, Mary's Kitchen Port is always our #1 choice. That being said, what makes it the #1 take-out choice is that they have a variety of pre-made, ready-to-go sandwiches and deli items, rather than the quality of the food itself. Don't get me wrong, the food IS pretty good, but certainly not "knock your socks off" gourmet quality. It tends to err somewhat on the bland side rather than having strong, distinctive tastes. I've had lots of their Chicken Caesar sandwiches, as well as quite a few Gobblers, Green Goddess wraps, the Irish, the roast beef, the various stuffed croissants, the Rustic Pasta, etc. They're all pretty good -- not GREAT, but pretty good -- and reasonably priced. I do wish they'd add a few new things to the menu. read more

Mary's is so delicious! The Gobbler is fantastic and the clam chowder soup blows my mind..I love seeing little private businesses like this thriving, every time I go in it's packed! But always enough delicious treats and at a reasonable price, just got the Gobbler, soup, and a brownie for about $11, love it! read more

I don't really understand all the raving reviews. Mary's is fine, but it isn't a restaurant. It is an expensive kitchen and gourmet packaged food store that happens to have a couple coolers selling take-away sandwiches and salads, drinks and snacks. The take-away food is good but there are no tables and it's always crowded. Lots of locals pop in here to grab a sandwich for lunch so I frequently find the coolers are empty. The kitchen gadgets and gourmet packaged foods are pricey. So...it's okay. The staff is very nice and I like the tuna salad sandwiches that have a touch of Dijon mustard. But I wouldn't go out of my way for it. read more

I'll sum it up right here... it's the bread! I always get the Gobbler with a provolone potato, don't forget the turkey cherry salad and you're good to go! read more

BEST (gourmet) DELI FOOD IN TOWN. Hands down. You will NOT regret going there! My family has been eating at Mary's for as long as I can remember, and I even worked there for a summer when I was in college. The staff is very knowledgeable, and the food is ALWAYS fresh and incredibly well-flavored! The famous Turkey Gobbler is a must-have, on heavenly ciabatta bread that is made in-house each morning (yeah, they come in at 5 am to bake it...I was not on that duty, thank goodness!) and freshness is an absolute priority for them, down to when they wash and cut their fruits and veggies. Salads of all varieties, and all of them are delicious (try the cherry turkey salad!). They also carry a nice selection of higher-end kitchen appliances and tools, as well as gourmet non-perishables, crackers, teas, etc..but the real gem is the daily fresh food that keeps the locals coming back in crowds! They have a teeny private lot in the back of the building which is usually full, so parking is mostly down the street - otherwise you can park near the Grand Traverse Pie Company, which is just a few steps down the block and has a larger parking lot. read more

Picked up sandwiches, sides, chips and a couple of cookies for a picnic before we headed up to Sleeping Bear Dunes. The Gobbler and Tuna Dill were both phenomenal. We had a side of three bean salad, which was very fresh and good. The cookies didn't disappoint either. Perfect spot to grab something on the run. read more

I love this place! The sandwiches are fantastic and the sides are even better. The store itself is high end kitchen goods, there's some really cool things that you don't realize exist or that you need until you see them... The staff is super friendly, helpful, and they can cater to your special food requests also. I can't wait to come back! read more

4 stars only because I wish they would expand their sandwiches and create a deli! Easily one of the best sandwiches in tosn. The Gobbler is to die for. The bread is the best sandwich bread I think I have had and you will know why once you bite into it! read more

The Gobbler sandwich is amazing! Always fresh! Great to pick up on your way to the beach :-)

Excellent, excellent lunch. Their dilled tuna sandwich is a great recipe, and the cheese it's paired with is delicious. The provolone potato salad and fruit salad were perfect sides. Highly recommend it and can't wait to go back. I love that I can run in during a busy day and grab a fresh, healthier lunch in under five minutes. read more

My review is for the store, not the food. I was about to pull the trigger on a coffee maker online and was going to put my Amazon Prime membership to use and have it sent overnight, but then I saw I could buy the coffee maker I wanted right in TC, so trying to keep my dollars local, I headed down there with two kids in tow. It was easy to find, and was less expensive than on Amazon - Awesome! The sales clerk came and helped me quickly, since I was trying to carry a toddler and a glass pot. I will definitely be back to try the sandwiches and pasta salads - they look great and are reasonably priced. I'm happy I ventured in today and will likely be back tomorrow to see what kind of kettles they stock. read more

Mary's Kitchen Port is one of my top 5 favorite places to get food in Traverse City. Always fresh, always amazing. I'm local so I know all the hidden places that some tourists might not notice. Must try: The Gobbler, Champagne Ham, and Dilled Tuna! They always have in-season fruit cut up for a side which I love, and their pink lemonade is to die for! :) read more

Absolutely love Mary's Kitchen Port!! I am a TC native, but I have no idea how I missed MKP. I just had my first gobbler last year, and am in love! A turkey gobbler and a fresh raspberry lemonade is the perfect pick me up :) Edit: after leaving for college, it made me realize just how much I miss a good gobbler after a rough day. This is a must-see stop if you're coming through TC :) read more

Love Mary's when I want to get a quick lunch! Their Turkey Gobbler always has the freshest ingredients and are always ready when I stop in! I also love their cold pasta with olives, feta and and roasted red peppers. The lemonade is also a great sweet treat! I have never had a bad experience in their shop. Definitely a staple of lunch choices in TC! read more