Mustang Wendy’s Cask and Cuisine

Mustang Wendy’s original location on State Street in downtown Harbor Springs gave the community a great introduction to Wendy Wagner and Scott Forreider’s uniquely Western-themed cafe. Now, the husband and wife team has moved to a brand new spot on Bay Street that will offer their diners a view of the bay and a whole lot more.

THE SCENE

“We were looking for a place that would have a more up-to-date dining space,” Wagner explained. “Now we have a great view, access to downtown shopping, an open kitchen and a stunning dining room designed by Christine VanWormer.”

The new Mustang Wendy’s is meant to “transcend you to the Rocky Mountains,” Wagner explained, indicating its cowhide upholstered chairs, burnt-wood tabletops, weathered steel and reclaimed barn wood bar, and pottery-inspired dishware.

“My husband and I have worked [as chefs] in several places throughout the country,” Wagner added. “This is our favorite place, but we still feel connections to our experiences out West – Scott in Arizona and me in Montana. We’re a little bit rebellious and a lot ambitious. It’s truly a cowboy mentality.”

THE MENU

In addition to breakfast and lunch, the new Mustang Wendy’s will also offer dinner and bar service, as well as live music on Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday mornings. They’ll also have a seasonally changing menu to reflect fresh ingredients and local harvests.

Specialty days – Sunday Brunch, Fish Taco and Fusion-Style Sushi Fridays, and more – will help to make the new restaurant a true dining destination.

“Our menus are diverse and there’s something for everyone,” Wagner said. “We’ve got something for people seeking ‘stick to your ribs’ comfort food, internationally-inspired cuisine, healthy vegan and gluten free options, and more from scratch recipes. Our drink selections will be limited, but affordable and uniquely delicious.”

THE BEST

Breakfasts are still standouts at Mustang Wendy’s, with local favorites like Eggsa-Dilla (eggs, pork carnitas, cheddar and pico de gallo folded into a tortilla) and Eggs Hemingway (house-smoked salmon benedict over potatoes, spinach and garlic-roasted tomatoes with chipotle hollandaise).

Taco Night is poised to be another hit, especially the Mole Chicken Taco with guacamole and toasted pumpkin seeds. Both lunch and dinner options are eclectic and interesting, from the Veal Wellington Short Loin with wild mushroom duxelle, braised leeks and whipped potatoes to hearty gourmet sandwiches like Ernie’s Cuban and the Barbecue Pork.

For those looking to take a few daring dining risks, the even more exotic Ahi Tuna Picatta entrée and the Buffalo Style Alligator Appetizer (yes, real alligator) will offer the chance to try truly audacious dining.

THE REST OF THE STORY

Finally, we had to ask about the restaurant’s unusual name. Is Wendy a distant cousin of Pistol Annie or does she collect classic cars?

“Actually, the name is from a night out with my college girlfriends up at NMU, the greatest institution of higher learning in the country,” Wagner laughed. “We were listening to the Flat Broke Blues Band playing a cover of Wilson Pickett’s ‘Mustang Sally,’ and we got them to sing ‘Mustang Wendy’ instead. It was such an endearing and memorable moment for me, so I guess I always savored that – and then our out West experience, the theme, the name. It all just fit together.”

THE SKINNY

Menu prices will be available when the restaurant reopens its doors. The projected grand reopening date is September 20.

Clockwise from top left: Signature menu options ‘gotta see it to believe it’ vodka, bloody horseradish bacon vodka with house bloody mix, cowgirl kale salad with miso, and curry, granny smith apple crab cakes with chipotle hollandaise .

The new Mustang Wendy’s is now located at 129 E. Bay Street in downtown Harbor Springs. Reach them by telephone at 231- 242-4546 or online at mustangwendys.com.

Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner Monday ~ Saturday, and Sunday Brunch. (check FB page or website for hours)

Co-Owner/Chef Wendy Wagner, and Co-Owner/GM Scott Forreider will be welcoming guests to their new Bay St. location of Mustang Wendy’s Cask & Cuisine September 20 in Harbor Springs. Photos by Peg Muzzall.

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