This 1840s Church In Michigan Is Now A Restaurant That Still Looks Like A Sanctuary
Stepping through the heavy doors at 54 S Main St feels less like a dinner reservation and more like a stylishly irreverent pilgrimage. Inside Clarkston Union Bar & Kitchen, the air is a heady incense of bubbling sharp cheddar and wood-smoke, swirling toward the rafters of this 1840s church.
You’ll slide into a pew booth, yes, the actual wooden rows, where the soft, kaleidoscopic glow of stained glass hits your pint glass just right. The atmosphere is a clever paradox: the hallowed hush of an old sanctuary invigorated by the rhythmic clink of forks and the joyful, high-ceilinged chatter of a room in mid-feast, all watched over by a vintage bingo board that’s seen it all.
Experience the ultimate comfort food pilgrimage inside this historic Michigan church-turned-bar, home to the most legendary, crusty-topped macaroni and cheese in the Midwest.
Every plate here feels like a minor ceremony, served with the confidence of a kitchen that has perfected the American soul. To navigate the pews like a local saint, use these ten grounded tips to conquer the wait times and the menu’s delicious quirks.
Claim A Pew And Settle Into The Sanctuary Vibe
The antique pew booths are undoubtedly the best seats for feeling the building’s church bones. These wooden tables show the beautiful patina of years of shared stories, but keep in mind that the ambient chatter bounces off those high, vaulted ceilings, so your own conversation might require a little leaning in.
The natural light filtering through the stained glass adds a soft, ethereal glow that makes even the humblest comfort food look like a masterpiece.
It is wise to order a starter right away to give yourself time to adjust to the unique acoustics and the kitchen’s tempo. The Mediterranean Dip or a bowl of creamy Hummus with warm pita serves as a perfect introduction while you scan the daily specials board. If you find the place packed, expect narrow walkways and a lively hum that reads more like small town energy than true chaos.
If you have your heart set on the full experience, ask the host if a pew booth is coming free soon, it is absolutely worth a ten minute wait to dine in a row of history. This small bit of patience pays off because you get the best angle on the stained glass and the room’s old sanctuary lines. Once you settle in, the space does the work for you.
Start Strong With The Famous Mac And Cheese
This is the dish people drive across state lines for, a bubbling crock of Mac and Cheese with a burnished, crunchy top and a molten, creamy center.
As you take your first bite, you will notice the subtle hint of nutmeg and the sharp tang of high quality cheddar, all held together in a texture that leans rich without ever going gluey. The portions here run remarkably generous, so the half size is often the smartest move if you plan on sharing or ordering an entree.
For those interested in the lore, Clarkston Union Bar & Kitchen saw its mac earn national fame years ago, and it remains the anchor of the menu today. While recipes can evolve and flavors may shift slightly over time, this is natural for a scratch kitchen that constantly tweaks its process, the soul of the dish remains intact. To make it a full meal, you can add Grilled Chicken for a protein boost, or keep it classic to truly appreciate the sauce balance.
If the dining room is too crowded for your liking, consider the Take and Bake version from the cooler to recreate the magic in your own oven. It gives you the same core flavor with far less noise, and it turns a busy night into a calm one at home. The only real tradeoff is missing the stained glass glow.
Respect The Daily Specials Board
The specials here swing between seasonal whims and practical comforts, featuring everything from Cracker Crust Pizza to Sweet Potato Ragu or a hearty Tri Tip.
Because textures and spice levels can vary wildly from day to day, it pays to read the details closely and ask your server how a particular dish eats. They’ll be honest with you about whether the toppings are scattered thin or if a sauce carries a surprising curry warmth.
Many of these daily rotations nod to the building’s nearly 200 year timeline, anchoring contemporary culinary ideas in a decidedly classic room. This creative tension keeps the regulars guessing and prevents the menu fatigue that plagues lesser establishments. It is part of the fun of being a Union devotee, because each visit carries a small element of discovery.
To keep your meal exactly how you like it, ask for any heavy sauces on the side to prevent a delicate crust from getting soggy. If you’re sharing a special with the table, request an extra plate at the time of ordering to avoid a mid rush scramble. That one small move keeps the table smooth and the pacing relaxed.
Order The Chicken Pot Pie When Comfort Calls
When that specific craving for a flaky, buttery crust hits, the Chicken Pot Pie delivers with classic depth. The pastry arrives golden and shatters neatly under your fork, revealing a steaming, creamy filling packed with tender vegetables and chicken that actually keeps its bite.
It is exactly the kind of plate you want to be staring at on a gray, drizzly Michigan afternoon. There is something inherently right about eating this dish in a century old sanctuary, it’s a recipe that would have been the star of any 19th century church potluck.
It isn’t fussy or over engineered, just carefully prepared with the kind of patience you can taste in the slow simmered filling. The room’s history makes the comfort feel more believable, as if the building approves of your choice.
Give the pie a minute or two to rest when it hits the table, this allows the filling to set so it doesn’t spill over the moment you break the seal. A small side salad is the perfect companion here, providing a bit of brightness to cut through the heavy richness of the gravy. It keeps the meal balanced without stealing the spotlight.
Brunch Smart Sweet Potato Waffle And Friends
Sunday mornings at the Union bring a gentler, more meditative light through the stained glass, and the Sweet Potato Waffle is the perfect match for that mood.
The waffle’s crisp edges meet a tender, flavorful center, often finished with apple accents that lean toward warm spices rather than cloying sugar. The portions are fair for the price, and the brunch menu remains refreshingly friendly to your wallet.
Because Clarkston Union has cultivated a dependable weekend following over the decades, timing is your best friend. The doors swing open at 9 AM on Sundays, and the best seats are usually claimed within the first hour. To beat the rush, be an early bird and enjoy the calm before the storm, then let the room slowly fill around you.
I recommend splitting a savory plate, like the Huevos Rancheros or a Breakfast Burrito, alongside the waffle to achieve that perfect balance of sweet and spice. If you prefer a quieter meal, that first seating is your golden window before the room swells with the post church crowd. After that point, the energy shifts fast.
Give The Cubano A Fair Shake
The Cubano here is a masterclass in the pressed and toasty philosophy, featuring a balanced pop of pickles and a melty, savory interior. The bread is the secret hero, the kitchen treats it with patient griddle time so the exterior crackles and crunches without tearing up the roof of your mouth.
If you’re looking for the ultimate comfort meal, skip the chips and pair this sandwich with a side of their velvety Mashed Potatoes.
This sandwich has seen various tweaks through the years, reflecting the kitchen’s iterative and experimental streak. While long time regulars might notice minor changes in the build, the throughline of contrast and heat remains the priority. The appeal is in how the tang, salt, and warmth keep trading places with every bite.
To customize your experience, don’t be shy about asking for extra pickles if you crave a sharper acidic hit, or request an extra firm press for maximum crunch. If you are sharing, have the kitchen halve it at the table, it’s much better to eat it fresh than to let the crust steam and soften in a takeout box. Freshness is the whole point of a good press.
Mac For Home The Take And Bake Move
When the dine in wait list is an hour long and your stomach is growling, the freezer case near the entrance is your best friend. The Take and Bake Mac is remarkably close to the in house version, and they even offer Gluten Free Mac options that reheat beautifully.
The best part is that you get to control the final browning in your own oven, ensuring you get that perfectly caramelized, cheese crusted top every single time.
This program was a lifesaver for fans during the leaner years and continues to be a go to for busy weeknight family dinners. It offers the hallmark Union flavors on your own schedule without the high ceilinged noise. You still get the comfort, just without the chorus of conversation bouncing around the room.
When you get it home, bake it uncovered until the edges start to bubble, then give it a very brief stint under the broiler for that professional color. Let it rest for five minutes before serving so the cheese can thicken back up. If you’re a planner, label the cooking times on the box so you aren’t guessing when the Friday night pressure is on.
Mind The Acoustics And Choose Timing
It is important to remember that high ceilings and tight aisles turn a busy dinner into a lively, loud chorus. If you are planning a deep, serious conversation or a romantic heart to heart, you should aim for off peak hours, specifically the sweet spot between lunch and the dinner rush, or arrive right at opening.
If you do end up on a waitlist, the back waiting area with its cozy couch seating makes the pause a lot more comfortable.
The building’s historic bones are a major part of the charm, but the vibrant soundscape is part of the package. Weekdays almost always feel a bit calmer and more intimate than the frantic Friday night rush. Regardless of the crowd, the staff remains impressively quick on their feet, and the room keeps moving.
In the warmer months, you can request patio seating for a significantly quieter meal.
If you are visiting with a stroller or have specific accessibility needs, mention it to the host immediately so they can guide you toward the pews with the easiest paths. That one sentence at the door saves a lot of awkward weaving later.
Lean On The Staff For Honest Guidance
Servers here know which dishes are running especially dialed that day. Ask what the kitchen is proud of right now, and you will usually get a direct answer. If a special leans spicy or a steak cooks best at medium, they will tell you.
Over decades, service has built a reputation for friendly pace with human moments. Busy shifts happen, and misfires occur, but transparency tends to fix a lot quickly. That candor pairs well with comfort food.
Tip: clarify modifications clearly and confirm them before the ticket prints. If you are sharing or need extra plates, mention it upfront. A two-question check-in early often prevents a mid-meal scramble later.
Balance Nostalgia With Exploration
Return for favorites like meatloaf, grilled cheese, or the side salad that is bigger than expected, but keep one eye on the rotating ideas. The kitchen respects comfort without getting stuck, which suits a historic space that still feels alive. That is the sweet spot here.
Seasonal shifts and recipe updates keep debates lively among regulars. Some changes land better than others, and feedback shapes the next batch. You can taste that conversation unfolding over months.
Tip: order one classic anchor and one experiment, then trade bites. It is the easiest way to learn the menu’s rhythm without risking full-plate regret, and you will leave knowing what to chase next time.