6 Forgotten Michigan Snacks That Locals Wish Would Make A Comeback
Growing up in Michigan meant enjoying unique local treats that marked our childhoods. Creamy ice cream treats, one-of-a-kind potato chips, and other regional favorites helped shape countless childhoods across the state.
Even though many of these goodies have faded from store shelves, the memories still linger. Here’s a look at some beloved Michigan snacks that locals still miss and wish would make a comeback.
1. Vernors Boston Cooler
Nothing beat the fizzy-creamy magic of a Vernors Boston Cooler on hot summer nights. This Detroit classic combined vanilla ice cream with Michigan’s beloved ginger ale in perfect harmony.
I still remember my grandpa making these in his kitchen, carefully measuring the proportions for that ideal blend of spicy and sweet.
Good news for nostalgic Michiganders—Vernors announced a limited comeback for summer 2025!
2. Koogle Flavored Peanut Butter
Chocolate peanut butter? Boring! Koogle took spreads to wild new places with banana, vanilla, and cinnamon flavors that made 1970s Michigan kids go crazy at breakfast time. The commercials featured a puppet mascot dancing and singing about the product.
While national brands still make chocolate-peanut butter combos, nothing matches the nostalgic thrill of opening a fresh jar of banana Koogle.
3. Fruit Stripe Gum’s Michigan Connection
Those rainbow-striped sticks delivered a burst of fruit flavor that vanished faster than Michigan winter sunshine. But oh, those first 30 seconds were pure bliss! The zebra mascot and temporary tattoos inside each pack made this gum extra special.
Recently discontinued nationwide, Michigan convenience stores report constant customer inquiries about when these colorful chewing sticks might return to their rightful place near the register.
4. Screaming Yellow Zonkers
Popcorn covered in bright yellow glazing and packaged in a psychedelic black box—what’s not to love? These sweet-glazed kernels were the life of Michigan movie nights and sleepovers throughout the ’70s and ’80s.
The box itself was a work of art, covered in quirky jokes and surreal illustrations. Despite brief revivals in the 2010s, this iconic snack remains largely absent from Michigan pantries, leaving a zonker-shaped hole in our hearts.
5. Trenary Toast: Upper Peninsula Treasure
Rock-hard cinnamon toast might sound strange, but Yoopers know the joy of dunking this Upper Peninsula specialty into hot coffee. These twice-baked, sugar-dusted slices were once widely available across Michigan but have retreated to their U.P. homeland.
The distinctive crunch and sweet cinnamon flavor made this humble toast legendary. While small-batch versions exist, finding authentic Trenary Toast outside the U.P. is nearly impossible these days, much to the dismay of displaced Michiganders.
6. Cudighi: The U.P.’s Secret Sandwich
Half sandwich, half culinary adventure, the Cudighi combined spicy Italian sausage seasoned with cloves and cinnamon on a crusty roll, topped with marinara and melted cheese. This Upper Peninsula specialty originated with Italian immigrants in iron mining communities.
Once available at restaurants throughout northern Michigan, authentic Cudighi has become increasingly rare.
When I visited Ishpeming as a kid, my dad insisted we try one—the unusual spice blend seemed strange at first bite, but quickly became addictive.