Stopped here for lunch with the family. I ordered the chicken salad wrap. The rest of the family had a variety of sandwiches. To tell you the truth I was really jealous when I saw their sandwiches being put together. After a few bites of my chicken salad sandwich my jealousy turned into bliss it was so good. Will definitely stop again if we are ever in the area. I highly recommend trying this place. read more

On M-22, The Shipwreck Cafe is a quaint take-out restaurant just minutes from one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. This place is easy to overlook due to it's signage...complicated logo and hard to read font selection. However, don't let that stop you from seeking it out. The food is excellent. Service is fast and what you'd expect in no nonsense Empire. read more

I went here while on vacation in Sleeping Bear Dunes. There are lots of options for sandwiches. I tried a turkey sandwich and then a wrap, both were made with high quality ingredients and were delicious. The lunch sack meal deal is a GREAT price for a bottle drink and locally made chips. If you need somewhere to eat lunch or pick up food to take to the beach, I recommend this place for sure. read more

I could not love this place more! The sandwiches are packed full of flavor and the portions are great! The soups are hearty and yummy. Definitely a MUST try place while in the area. read more

Everything is fresh, fresh. The greens and herbed breadcrumbs alone are worth a visit. We ordered the fitzgerald, the lady elgin, the ss hydrus and the green salad. Everyone loved it even our pickiest of eaters. Don't forget to order the yummy cookies and rice krispie treats. Can't wait to come back! read more

Holy buckets! If you're ever in the quirky town of Empire Michigan and having the hungers for a tasty sandwich and also want to embrace a little bit of history about the Great Lakes, this is the place! Ever heard of the sinking of the Edmond Fitzgerald, yeah you can read about it while eating an amazing turkey sandwich with lettuce tomatoes cheese bacon on a homemade hoggie. Ever want an amazing breakfast burrito before hiking the sleeping bear dunes. This is the spot! Highly recommend! I got the three brothers a wonderful Italian sandwich and read the tail of the ship and it's demise at the bar while waiting for it. My wife, tuckered out after a long day at the beach and climbing the spectacular dunes, got the ss. hydrus, a delicious chicken, avocado,spicy mustard on a homemade roll. She devoured it. She, the boat, not my wife, was following the SS James Carruthers heading south on Lake Huron while carrying a load of iron ore when she, again, not my wife, and the Carruthers were caught in the Great Lakes Storm of 1913. This is a great place and you also get to know the wonderful history of all of the Great Lakes. Win win! Win, win, win..... Win! Can't wait to go back, for like ten thousand reasons. A+. High fives. Fist bumps. A+. Ten gold stars. read more

The Fitzgerald, best sandwich ever. Salted pretzel bun, fresh veggies, turkey, havati cheese. Yum! Perfectly located just steps away from Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes. Fuel for the climb. read more

Just had our first meal here . Excellent service and the freshest of food! We got there almost at closing but they took care of us with no problem. read more

Best sandwiches we've ever had! My family goes here about 3x/week when we're in town and every time we have a great experience. Highly recommend ordering ahead of time if possible, but sandwiches are usually ready within 20 minutes or so. They also have delicious chili! Make sure you stop here - you will not be disappointed! read more

This is the best local sandwich shop in Northwestern Michigan. The service is very fast. The sandwiches, soups, and salads are prepared fresh with high-quality ingredients. I'm very impressed overall. read more

This is great place for a fantastic food. When you pull up you think it's a small little place. It may be small but once inside you are greeted with a smile. The sandwiches are so filling and delicious. I wish I would live closer so I could come here every day . read more

Excellent homemade soups, sandwiches,frozen custard with an extra bonus of homemade bread! Casual, fast and reasonable with outside picnic tables. Amazing discovery in a tiny town. read more

Best sandwich I have had in a while. Everyone in our group of ten thoroughly enjoyed their lunch. Great salads also.

Delicious sandwiches. Everything was fresh. Great place to grab lunch to take with you and have a picnic somewhere.

Very great prices, delicious and well-sized sandwiches, and quick service. Not to mention the cookies are freshly baked and hefty sized for a nice dessert. Outside seating is a nice touch as well! read more

Stopped for lunch. Wonderfully fresh options, thumbs up across the board from the family with lots of the menu covered.

We were on our annual beach vacation in Empire and were thrilled to have this new option for fresh and delicious sandwiches! We LOVED the SS Hydrus. It is on fabulous focaccia bread. We recommended to visiting friends who were skeptical -- but then raved about it. The Italian was awesome also. Went three times in 7 days ! read more

The food was fresh. This is a simple, easy, to go cafe. There were 6 people "working" in a small space and not one said hello. We were the only customers. When one girl gave us our sack of food - she said nothing. We said thank you! read more

The 5-star Yelp reviews are spot-on: these are awesome sandwiches. What a find! Our original dinner plans for our first night of vacation fell through, which had us veering on hangry after a 5 hr drive and setting up the house. Shipwreck Cafe was close by and had something for everyone, though we wound up ordering just Cubans and a Rousse Simmons. Food is equal (some in my family insist superior) to Fishtown's Cheese Shanty. Owner was friendly and accommodating. We sprung for a family-sized giant pickle ($1); it was crisp and tangy. We got our food to go, as the only seating options are picnic tables outside or a counter inside. Better to bring them home and enjoy with a cold drink on the deck. Turned our family mood right around! read more

Family owned place. Dad and 2 daughters working when we went in. Sandwiches were great - price was right. Would give 5 stars except agree with another reviewer - owners could add even a little more graciousness. read more

We stopped on a whim (because of the impeccable reviews) and it didn't disappoint!! Awesome fresh food, great selection, good prices!! A+++++! read more

Fantastic sandwiches! Will be a lunch stop every time through Empire. Great unexpected find.

One of the best sandwiches we've ever had. So fresh and delicious. Definitely a hidden gem. We will be.m back!

I chose this little cafe as its across the street from Lakeshore Inn where I was staying. Wonderful sandwich! And large - could easily feed two. I was told they make all their own bread there. Went back for breakfast wrap that was also wonderful with lots of veggies. I had the chef salad for dinner one night - nothing exceptional there but it was fresh and generous. Prices are reasonable. I loved walking there as it was so close, and eating outside my room on a bench at the hotel. Wish there was one of these near where I live. read more

Yummy sandwiches. Exceeds expectations! Fresh ingredients, fast. 2 lunches for under $20.

AMAZING food and service. One of the best sandwiches I have ever had without a doubt. Very polite and courteous service. Definitely would visit again!! read more

Great roadside sandwich shop! Amazing homemade sub rolls and pretzel buns. It's worth the wait for fresh delicious sandwiches and salads. Join the crowd and grab a spot at the outdoor picnic tables. read more

Awesome sandwiches! We are so glad we stopped. Great selection of unique locally sourced sandwiches. Kids menu with sandwiches was also available. Only small amount of counter seats, but several picnic tables outside made it the perfect lunch stop. read more

Great sandwiches and super fast service. Family run business, mom and dad run it with the help of their two daughters. Can't wait to go back! read more

Great food. Small facility. Sandwiches are great. Looks to be family owned. Empire has needed this for a long time. I wish them luck.

Excellent place! Quaint atmosphere and delicious sandwiches. Also great off-menu grilled cheese for the kids.

Stopped here on our way to the dunes last week. Had a Fitzgerald. Fantastic sandwich. The ingredients are super fresh and the dressing doesn't overpower all the goodies they put in the pretzel bun! Definitely recommend this place for a takeout treat! Seems to be family owned and operated. Great people, great food! read more