Wander In, Out, and Off

Find Donut Boats and Million Dollar Bacon in Manistee

There’s something magnetic about the marina in Manistee—the hum of boats, the shimmer of the channel, the promise of good times on the water. Now, there’s also the aroma of sizzling bacon, hearty pastas, and bourbon-glazed salmon drifting across the docks.

Welcome to Wander In, the newest waterfront restaurant (and so much more) to make waves in town.

Opened in late August 2025, Wander In is the creation of siblings Bridgett and Rob VanDerhoff and Rob’s wife, Carey, who dreamed of building not just a restaurant, but a destination. Their vision is a place where you can share breakfast by the water, linger by firepits with live music, and even set out on a donut boat cruise with snacks and cocktails in tow.

But before the menu or the marina-side setting, the heart of Wander In is rooted in family. Just inside the front door hangs a photograph of Bridgett and Rob’s grandparents—lifelong Manistee charter fishers who spent their summers on these same waters. Outside, their grandmother’s favorite wisteria blooms by the entryway. Together, these details honor the people who first gave the family their love for Manistee’s port and who inspired them to create a place that brings community back to the water.

Wander In…to the Kitchen

To make their vision a reality, the VanDerhoffs turned to Chef Brian D. Kissel, a Michigan native and graduate of the Great Lakes Culinary Institute. Kissel built his reputation leading kitchens at Manistee National Golf & Resort and the Blue Slipper in Onekama, where he became known for transforming simple, fresh ingredients into unforgettable meals.

At Wander In, he blends scratch-made comfort food with modern, creative twists—all anchored in the philosophy “good food, not fast food.”

“For me it is about building something out of nothing and having the satisfaction of it catching fire and growing,” Bridgett says.

Wander In’s menu is built to surprise. It’s the kind of place where a hearty Midwest breakfast meets upscale dinner plates, where classics are familiar but always come with a twist.

Breakfast might mean malted pancakes, French toast, or biscuits and gravy, but regulars already swear by the Million Dollar Bacon—honey-sweetened, perfectly crisp, and Bridgett’s undisputed favorite. Pair it with a mimosa from the build-your-own mimosa bar or a custom Bloody Mary, and you’re set for the day.

Lunch leans casual: soups, sandwiches, and burgers that are approachable but never boring. The star of the show? Cheese curds, hand-battered in a secret coating and fried golden, then served with a tart-sweet berry sauce. “I’ve never had anything taste so delicious in my life,” Bridgett admits, and guests tend to agree.

By dinnertime, the kitchen stretches into more upscale territory. Chef Kissel’s lamb chops with a sweet chili glaze have quickly developed a reputation for being “unbelievable.” The grilled salmon with bourbon glaze and rice balances smoky richness with a subtle sweetness, while the Pistelero Pasta layers Tuscan flavor with shrimp and andouille sausage. Seasonal specials rotate in—think a rack of pork with creamy polenta, or indulgent shareables like a crab rangoon dip.

And don’t skip the drinks or desserts. A Caramel Apple Martini sings of fall, while the chocolate cake and creamy cheesecakes satisfy sweet tooths after sunset.

Wander Out…side

Step outside Wander In and the atmosphere shifts from dining room to open-air gathering place. Wander Out, the restaurant’s outdoor extension, is already buzzing with energy thanks to its bar, live music stage, and reservable firepits. A wood-fired pizza oven, still in the works, will add another layer to the outdoor experience in seasons to come. But even now, guests are settling into chairs, circling the flames, and savoring cocktails while live music carries across the marina.

Just beyond the docks, Wander In takes its experience to the water. Wander Off Rentals offers a fleet of round, 10-person donut boats that invite guests to float, picnic, and celebrate right on the channel. It’s a concept that feels both playful and elevated, transforming a meal into an adventure. Guests can order takeout, climb aboard with friends, and drift into the kind of evening that feels quintessentially northern—sunsets, laughter, and a sense of slowing down together.

It’s more than clever branding; it’s a chance to experience the city from the water, the way the VanDerhoffs’ grandparents once did, but with a fresh, social twist.

Next spring, the team plans to introduce Snackle Boxes—charcuterie-style to-go kits designed for the boats—ensuring that whether you’re sipping cocktails or snacking under the setting sun, the Wander In experience goes wherever the water takes you.

On the Horizon

Next summer, Wander Out will expand with the wood-fired pizza. The team is also planning a waterfront wedding venue: a tented space designed as a complete package with the ceremony, reception, catering, and photo-ready marina views all in one place.

Running a restaurant, outdoor bar, live music venue, and a rental fleet might sound like a juggling act, but for the VanDerhoffs, it works.

“If you create a family atmosphere behind the scenes, that naturally finds its way to the front of the house with our customers,” Bridgett says. “We want to make Wander In a great place to work and find a family within their coworkers.”

That philosophy is woven through every detail, from how they treat their employees to how they show up as leaders. “To whom much is given, much is expected,” Bridgett explains. “Culture comes from the bottom up, not just the top down. The people on the floor, from those on the kitchen line, have to be included and feel valued and cared for.”

And the VanDerhoffs make sure to lead by example: “From scrubbing toilets to cleaning the floors to talking with customers, Rob, Carey, and I have no problem rolling up our sleeves and getting the job done alongside our incredible team.”

Find Wander In at 91 Arthur Street in Manistee. (231) 299-1227‬; wanderinmanistee.com

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