Maddy’s 31 Sets the Table

Jan. 25, 2015

Their location along the main route from Traverse City to Interlochen, Honor and beyond is a definite plus, but Maddy’s 31 has much more to recommend it than its spot on US 31 just east of Interlochen corners. A menu focusing on favorites and a new general manager eager to share his restaurant experience with patrons combines with the location to create an ideal situation.

General Manager Justin Diebel left his position as executive chef at Interlochen Center for the Arts three months ago and has committed to continuing the tradition of roadhouse fare from wings to burgers to pizza.

"I’ve been doing this since I was 14 and I still love it," Diebel said.

For many years, the restaurant was Giovanni’s Roadhouse. When TC Food purchased the establishment, it was rebranded as Maddy’s 31 in honor of Joseph Maddy, the founder of the National Music Camp, which later became Interlochen Center for the Arts.

Given its proximity to the Center for the Arts, Maddy’s 31 is a favorite watering hole and dinner destination for Interlochen concert goers, as well as staff and students and, of course, diners from around the region.

THE SCENE

The building is surprisingly larger than it looks from the road. Tall bistro tables and a sizeable bar greet you upon arrival, but a walk around the corner reveals a cozy dining room and a hall way near the kitchen leads into yet another dining room and porch area lined with windows.

"We seat about 100," said Diebel. That number increases by 40 during the summer when the sizeable, fenced patio area is opened.

Maddy’s features a full bar serving local and international wines and eight beers on tap. Pabst and Miller Lite are always among the brews, while the remaining six taps rotate among craft beers from the likes of Short’s, Bell’s and Right Brain.

THE MENU

Call it comfort food or pub fare, the menu is heavy on wings – seven ways– burgers, sandwiches, pizza and the like.

Starters include garlic bread, soft pretzel breadsticks, smoked pork nachos and carne asada fries with marinated New York strip, guacamole, tomatoes, cheese and onions atop crispy French fries.

Salad enthusiasts can choose from a variety of greens, such as avocado salad, chopped salad, spinach salad and an antipasto salad with ham, salami, pepperoni, green olives and pepperoncini. There’s a different soup each day, along with the house favorite, black bean pulled pork chili.

An assortment of burgers includes a pretzel mustard burger, rodeo burger, Tex-Mex burger and a half-dozen others. Other sandwich favorites include the buffalo chicken wrap, shrimp wrap and the smoked turkey club, as well as the French Dip.

"We smoke our own top round for it," said Diebel.

If you’re hungry for a full dinner, choose from 10 entrees like New York strip steak, teriyaki salmon, roasted chicken, meatloaf, even Louisiana pasta with fettuccine, chicken, sausage, green onions and tomato tossed in a spicy Cajun cream sauce.

Don’t forget about pizza with all your favorite toppings. The dough and sauce are both made in-house.

THE BEST

Diebel suggests several items as customer favorites.

"The macaroni and cheese is one of our biggest sellers and so is the Louisiana pasta," he said.

The hamburgers have also earned their share of praise; they’re all half-pound burgers from Louie’s Meats in Traverse City.

There’s no doubt as to Diebel’s favorite dish and he says the feeling is shared by his customers.

"I have to have the wings at least once a week," he said. "The chipotle barbecue, garlic Parmesan and Thai are our best-sellers."

Add the house-made bread to that list – tasty and chewy – and you’ve got a plateful of delights.

THE REST OF THE STORY

Maddy’s is part of TC Food, the company that also owns Firefly, The Kitchen, Bubba’s and Grand View Catering. Diebel says that’s one of the reasons he came on board three months ago.

"I was the executive chef at Interlochen Center for the Arts and, before that, I was at Arcadia Bluffs," Diebel said. "I enjoyed it [Interlochen], loved my staff. It was a great learning experience, but I wanted to get back to restaurant work."

Diebel met with one of TC Food’s owners, Jeff Wiltse, and that cemented his decision.

"And we just clicked. It has a great reputation and I have that corporation backing. That gives me comfort," said Diebel.

THE SKINNY

Appetizers start at $7.50, salads at $7.

Burgers and sandwiches start at $7.95. Pizzas start at $8 and entrees at $10.95.

Maddy’s is open Sunday through Thursday from 11:30am to 9pm. Fridays and Saturdays they are open 11:30am to 11pm.

Maddy’s is located at 9205 US 31 South in Interlochen. For more information, call (231) 276- 6244 or go online to www.MaddysTavern.com or visit its Facebook page.