When you are traveling through Michigan and want to experience one of the most legendary dining spots in the entire country, you have to plan a pit stop in the Bavarian themed village of Frankenmuth. Located at 730 South Main Street, right in the heart of downtown, you will find Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth. This place holds the serious bragging rights of being America’s largest family restaurant, and it is a massive piece of Michigan history. It serves nearly one million guests every single year, bringing people together for epic holiday celebrations and casual road trip feasts alike.
The sheer scale of this independent restaurant is mind blowing. The massive building houses nine distinct dining rooms and can comfortably seat more than 1,500 guests at the exact same time. When you walk up to the property, you are greeted by a vibrant neon sign out front that has been shining since the late 1930s, making it one of the longest continually used neon signs anywhere in the world. The roots of the building go all the way back to 1856 when it originally opened as the Exchange Hotel. The Zehnder family stepped into the picture in 1928 when they purchased the property, and they officially opened their restaurant on Mother’s Day in 1929. On that historic first day, they served 312 guests for just one dollar per dinner. Today, third and fourth generations of the family are still running the show.
While the history is fascinating, the main event that draws millions of tourists to the area is the world famous family style chicken dinner. You walk into a vibrant atmosphere where the servers wear traditional German outfits, and the food starts arriving in a matter of minutes. They bring out heaping, all you can eat platters of golden fried chicken cooked to absolute perfection. It comes accompanied by giant, refillable bowls of creamy mashed potatoes, rich gravy, house made dressing, and perfectly buttered noodles. You also get classic side dishes like cranberry relish and cottage cheese to round out the spread. To give you an idea of how much people love this menu, the kitchen goes through a staggering 950,000 pounds of chicken every single year.
If someone in your traveling crew is not in the mood for fried chicken, you do not need to worry. The full service menu is packed with variety, including fresh seafood options, premium steaks, vegetarian dishes, and dedicated gluten free selections. No matter what you choose to order, you are guaranteed to experience the warm, organized Midwestern hospitality that has made the restaurant a worldwide attraction.
Once you finish your massive meal, you absolutely cannot leave without heading downstairs to explore the Zehnder’s Marketplace and Bakery. It is the perfect spot to pick up fresh baked goods, European desserts, and souvenirs. You can grab a loaf of their famous cracked wheat bread or a box of seasonal pastries to enjoy later on your drive home.
Because this is a massive bucket list destination for people all over the Midwest, the restaurant gets incredibly busy, serving around 10,000 guests on a typical weekend. Booking a reservation online before your trip is highly recommended to secure your table. They are open daily starting at 11 AM, closing at 8:30 PM from Sunday through Thursday and staying open until 9 PM on Friday and Saturday nights. It sits directly across the street from the companion Bavarian Inn Restaurant, and it is just a short walk away from the beautiful covered wooden bridge spanning the Cass River. Whether you are planning a massive family reunion or a quick weekend road trip, visiting Zehnder’s is a true Michigan tradition that will leave you incredibly full and completely charmed.