Kiss The Moose & Taste The History This March At Michigan’s Legendary Oldest Restaurant
I’ve always been a sucker for a place that doesn’t need a neon sign to prove it’s important. Tucked away on Randolph Street, this legendary Traverse City tavern is a masterclass in staying power, having served locals and travelers since 1882.
Walking through the door in March 2026 feels like a warm, wood-paneled hug; the air is thick with the scent of sizzling burgers and a century of stories.
It’s one of Michigan’s oldest continuously operating restaurants, and it wears that history with zero pretension. Between the towering 21-foot mahogany bar and the eclectic taxidermy, the vibe is pure, unadulterated nostalgia.
Our guide highlights 11 essential tips for visiting Michigan’s oldest restaurant, from “kissing the moose” to enjoying world-famous buffalo burgers.
If you’re looking to find the true heart of Slabtown, grab a booth and get ready to settle in. I’ve put together veteran tips to help you.
Kiss The Moose For Good Luck
A mounted moose head hangs inside, and according to well-worn local tradition, you are supposed to give it a kiss. People have been doing this for decades, and the moose head has the wear to prove it.
It sounds silly until you are actually standing there, and then it feels completely right for the place.
The ritual is part of what makes this place more than just a lunch stop. It is a participatory experience.
Families pose for photos, friends dare each other, and solo travelers pause to document the moment. Ask staff for the historical background printout if you want context beyond the legend.
Either way, do not leave without doing it.
A Legendary Traverse City Tradition
Step through the doors of Sleder’s Family Tavern, Michigan’s oldest continuously operated establishment, which has been a cornerstone of the community since 1882.
Originally built by Bohemian immigrants as a social hub for sawmill workers, this historic landmark is famous for its massive mahogany bar, nostalgic tin ceilings, and the whimsical tradition of “kissing Randolph,” the resident stuffed moose, for good luck.
Whether you are a first-time visitor or a lifelong regular, you can find this iconic slice of Northern Michigan history at 717 Randolph Street, Traverse City, MI 49684.
Order The Smelt Basket
Smelt at Sleder’s is the kind of dish that surprises people who have never tried it. The fish are small, lightly seasoned, and fried to a clean golden finish without being greasy.
Portions run generous, and the tater tots that come alongside are a genuinely good pairing.
I could barely finish the whole plate, which says something. Smelt has deep roots in Great Lakes culinary tradition, and Sleder’s treatment of it feels respectful of that history rather than gimmicky.
The fish are at least two inches long, with a mild flavor that does not require heavy saucing. If you are visiting in March and want something that feels both regional and satisfying, this is the order to make.
Try The Reuben Sandwich
Multiple visitors single out the Reuben at Sleder’s as one of the best they have encountered anywhere. That is a bold claim for a sandwich that appears on menus across the country, but the version here holds up.
The corned beef is stacked properly, the sauerkraut is not overdone, and the bread gets a good toast without turning into a cracker. Sandwiches at Sleder’s are priced fairly for the Traverse City area, and the Reuben represents solid value given the portion size.
Pair it with the homemade fries, which come up repeatedly as a highlight across many visits. If you are the kind of person who judges a restaurant by its Reuben, this one will not let you down.
Do Not Skip The Cherry BBQ Chicken
Cherry BBQ sauce is one of those Northern Michigan signatures that sounds like a tourist novelty until you actually taste it. Sleder’s cherry BBQ chicken uses a sauce that is genuinely good, sweet without being cloying, with enough depth to make the chicken feel like more than an afterthought.
The portion is large, and the chicken itself comes out moist. Traverse City is cherry country, so using that fruit in cooking is not a marketing trick here, it is a regional fact of life.
The sauce at Sleder’s reflects that. March is a quieter season for visiting, which means the kitchen is less stretched and the food tends to come out at its best.
This dish is worth building a meal around.
Ask For The Historical Background Printout
Sleder’s has been operating continuously since 1882, and the staff can hand you a printed sheet that walks through the full history of the building and the families who have run it. Not every restaurant can offer something like that, and the depth of detail in that document is worth the two minutes it takes to read through it.
The history connects the physical space to real people and real events in Traverse City, which transforms the meal into something more layered.
You start noticing the old photographs differently, the taxidermy takes on more context, and even the layout of the room starts making sense. It is a simple thing to ask for, and it genuinely changes how the visit feels from that point forward.
Snap A Photo In The Vintage Phone Booth
Somewhere inside Sleder’s there is an old phone booth, and it has become an unofficial photo spot for visitors who want a keepsake that goes beyond a plate shot. It fits the overall vibe of the place perfectly, which is to say it looks like it has always been there, because it probably has.
Quirky interior details like this are part of what makes Sleder’s feel lived-in rather than decorated. Nothing about the space seems staged for Instagram.
The phone booth, the taxidermy, the worn wood, it all accumulated naturally over more than 140 years of operation.
Squeezing in for a photo feels like participating in a long, unscripted tradition rather than performing for a camera. Plan for it, but let it happen organically.
Check Out The Taxidermy Collection
The taxidermy at Sleder’s is not subtle. Mounted animals cover the walls throughout the older section of the restaurant, and the collection reads less like decoration and more like an archive of the tavern’s long relationship with northern Michigan hunting culture.
It is genuinely striking the first time you walk in.
Some visitors find it atmospheric, others find it jarring, but almost nobody ignores it. The moose head is the centerpiece, but take a slow look around the room and you will notice how much is actually up there.
For families with kids who have questions about wildlife or history, this room sparks real conversations. The stale-air complaint from a few visitors is worth noting, so request the newer dining section if strong smells bother you.
The Wet Burrito Is A Serious Contender
A wet burrito might not be the first thing that comes to mind at a place founded in the 1880s, but Sleder’s version has earned genuine loyalty from regulars. The sauce coverage is generous, the cheese melts properly, and the whole thing holds together in a way that rewards slow eating rather than rushing through it.
One visitor described it as the best wet burrito they had eaten in over twenty years, which is the kind of specific, time-stamped praise that tends to stick.
The menu at Sleder’s is broader than most people expect from a historic tavern, and the wet burrito is proof that the kitchen is not just coasting on nostalgia. Order it with a side of homemade fries for a full plate.
Pick Up A Sleder’s T-Shirt Before You Leave
Sleder’s sells branded shirts at the restaurant, available in three colors for twenty dollars each. The staff can help you find the right size, and the shirts are a straightforward way to take something tangible home from a place that has been part of Traverse City since before Michigan had paved roads.
Souvenir merchandise at restaurants tends to be forgettable, but a shirt from the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Michigan carries a story worth wearing. It is also a practical item rather than a dust-collecting trinket.
If you are visiting in March as part of a group trip or birthday celebration, these make easy shared mementos. The price point is reasonable enough that grabbing one does not require much deliberation at the register.
Make A Reservation For Group Celebrations
Sleder’s has hosted large group gatherings with real success. The staff has a reputation for staying organized and attentive even when the table count climbs and the requests multiply.
For a birthday lunch or a family reunion dinner, this is a venue that can handle the logistics without losing the warmth.
Call ahead at 231-947-9213 to coordinate group seating, especially for parties larger than eight. The newer dining section toward the back of the building offers more space and slightly less ambient noise than the front bar area.
March is generally a quieter month for tourism in Traverse City, which works in your favor when booking. The combination of genuine food, historic setting, and capable staff makes celebrations here feel both relaxed and memorable.