Locals in Ishpeming know to show up hungry and move fast, because Lawry’s Pasty Shop sells out the favorites right through lunch. The beef pasty is legendary, the cudighi is a rite of passage, and the cinnamon rolls are the kind you swear you will share but never do.
With a 4.8 star reputation and a friendly crew that knows regulars by name, it feels like a Northwoods hug in a paper bag. If you have never ordered two at a time, you are about to understand why people do.
The Iconic 17 ounce Beef Pasty
Walk in anytime near lunch and you will hear someone say two beef pasties please. The 17 ounce classic is a full meal tucked into a flaky, hand-crimped crust that stays sturdy yet tender.
Inside, beef, potatoes, onions, and rutabaga balance savory richness with a clean, earthy sweetness that feels like Upper Peninsula comfort.
You will notice how the filling is packed but not dense, so each bite tastes distinct instead of muddled. Some folks add ketchup, others swear by coleslaw alongside, and a few chase down local gravy.
However you finish it, the crust’s gentle snap and buttery aroma make you understand the daily rush.
Eat one now and save one for later, because reheating is friendly to Lawry’s pasties. The second one never lasts long.
You will see why locals order two.
Cudighi With The Works
If you are new to cudighi, start here and get it with the works. The spiced sausage patty is seared for edges that crackle slightly, then layered with peppers, onions, marinara, and melty cheese on a soft roll.
It is satisfying without being heavy, and the gentle cinnamon-nutmeg whisper makes the flavor unmistakably Upper Peninsula.
You might want extra sauce, as some reviewers do, but the balance still shines as is. The sandwich travels well, which is helpful when the tiny dining area fills and you retreat to the car.
First-timers often say they will order more confidently next visit, and they do.
Pair it with a cookie or coleslaw if you need crunch. You will nibble the edges while driving away, promising to save half.
Then suddenly it is gone, and you are planning the next stop.
That Famous Crust
The crust is why people argue passionately about favorites, and Lawry’s stays at the center of that debate. It is sturdy enough to hold a 17 ounce filling yet flaky enough to shatter lightly under your teeth.
You can pick it up without leaks, which matters when lunch happens in the car between errands.
When warmed, the butter-forward aroma hits first, then the lightly blistered exterior gives way to tender layers. The edges are crimped by hand, a detail you see and feel with each bite.
Some prefer a dunk of gravy or ketchup for contrast, but the crust’s flavor stands on its own.
Leftovers reheat beautifully in an oven or air fryer, keeping that crisp-tender texture. It is the kind of crust that inspires loyalty, even road detours.
Blink, and the second pasty disappears the same way as the first.
Vegetarian And Special Requests
While the beef pasty headlines, vegetarian eaters are not left out at Lawry’s. Veggie pasties can be available frozen, and baking to order may require extra time, so plan ahead if you want one hot.
The team is friendly about questions and will help with timing so your group eats together.
Reviews mention helpful accommodation for dairy needs and other simple requests. That hospitality shows in the way staff suggest reheating tips or sauces without upsell pressure.
If you are road-tripping, calling ahead can shave off wait time and guarantee your choice is ready.
Bring a cooler if you intend to stock up on frozen options. You will thank yourself later when a perfect weeknight dinner waits in your freezer.
It is comforting to know this small shop still makes room for different diets with genuine care.
Pizza That Surprises You
Everyone arrives for pasties, then someone orders pizza and the whole car goes quiet. Lawry’s pizza is old-school in the best way, with a consistent crust, balanced sauce, and a cheese blend that browns into tiny golden freckles.
It tastes like the pies families made together, simple and comforting without a list of trendy toppings.
Locals talk about the breakfast version too, which feels exactly right before a long day outdoors. If pasties sell out during the crush, pizza becomes the smooth plan B you will not regret.
It feeds a crowd fast, which matters when there are only a few tables inside.
Grab napkins, and do not overthink it. One slice becomes two, and then you are negotiating for the last corner piece.
Next time, you will order a pasty and a pie and call it balance.
Coleslaw And Gravy Debates
Ask three locals how to finish a pasty and you will hear three answers. Some reach for ketchup, others grab creamy coleslaw, and a few insist on brown gravy when available.
Lawry’s coleslaw earns praise for its crunch and gentle tang, the kind that refreshes your palate between hearty bites.
On days gravy is not on hand, people simply adapt and enjoy, or they make a quick market run like one reviewer mentioned. The point is that the pasty stands tall with or without extras.
Still, pairing slaw with a hot pasty adds texture contrast that keeps you going bite after bite.
Try a small cup first, then decide your team. No wrong answers, only preferences shaped by childhood tables and highway lunches.
Whatever you choose, it turns a great handheld into your personal ritual.
Cinnamon Rolls And Giant Cookies
Walk past the counter and try to ignore the cinnamon rolls. You will fail, and that is fine.
These are the enormous, soft spirals you tear apart with sticky fingers, the kind reviewers call best ever without hesitation.
The giant cookies sit nearby, thick and chewy with generous chips. They are perfect backup when you decide to save a pasty for later but still want dessert now.
Toss one into your order and thank yourself during the drive.
Some days, sweet treats sell out as quickly as pasties, so do not wait too long. A hot pasty followed by a warm cinnamon roll feels like a small holiday.
If you promised to split, you probably will not, and no one will blame you.
How To Beat The Lunch Rush
There is a rhythm to the rush at 2381 US-41, and you can ride it. Show up a bit early or call ahead, especially on Fridays when the door barely rests on its hinges.
The small dining space means many folks grab and go, which keeps the line moving quickly.
Have your order ready and do not be shy about getting two pasties. They reheat well and save you from midafternoon snack regrets.
If you are splitting items, ask which options are hot versus frozen so you can time everything.
Parking is easy, smiles are genuine, and the bag will be warm in your lap moments later. You will be back on the road before your coffee cools.
That efficiency, plus great value, explains why locals never skip lunch here.
Takeout Tips And Reheating
Great news for busy days: Lawry’s pasties are champions of the reheat. If you grab a hot one now and a chilled or frozen one for later, you have dinner solved.
At home, use an oven or air fryer to revive that crisp-tender crust without drying the filling.
Try 350 degrees until warmed through, giving it time rather than blasting high heat. A light mist of water on the crust or a loose foil tent can help retain moisture.
Skip the microwave if you can, unless you are okay with softer results in exchange for speed.
Serve with slaw, a quick gravy, or just pepper and a smile. Leftovers keep their personality the next day, which is rare for handheld pies.
This is why ordering two at a time makes perfect sense, not just impulse.
First Timer’s Order Strategy
New here and overwhelmed in the best way. Start with the 17 ounce beef pasty and a cudighi with the works, then decide your team.
Add a coleslaw for contrast, and snag a cinnamon roll for the ride home. You will thank yourself later when future-you opens the bag.
Ask the staff what is hot right now versus what needs bake time. They know the flow and will keep your stop efficient.
If you are traveling, consider a frozen pasty or two to bring home, packed safely in a cooler.
Do not overthink sauces. Try a bite plain first to meet the crust and filling as intended.
Then personalize with ketchup, gravy, or extra cudighi sauce. Suddenly you are a regular, planning your next visit like a local.
Why Locals Order Two
You will notice it right away at the counter. People casually say two, no hesitation, and the staff nods like it is the most normal thing in the world.
The first pasty disappears before you reach the highway, and the second saves you from late afternoon hunger.
There is also the flavor factor. Reheating preserves the crust’s character, so quality does not drop when you save one.
Add in value pricing and the comfort of having dinner planned, and ordering two feels smart rather than indulgent.
Maybe the second becomes tomorrow’s lunch, or it goes to someone waiting at home. Either way, the habit sticks after one visit.
By trip two, you will not even debate it. Two at a time is simply how Lawry’s works.
How to find us
Set your GPS for the little main street where the hardware store creaks and the barber pole spins. We sit between the post office and a corner market with squeaky doors, easy to spot by the hand-lettered window boasting hot pasties all day.
If you hit the river bridge, you went a block too far, so swing back and follow the buttery aroma.
Parking is angle-in out front, plus a small gravel lot around back when lunch gets wild. Look for the steam fogging the panes and the line that moves fast.
Step in, grab a menu, and you are home.