Ever on the lookout for a great fish fry, I got wind of a place southwest of the city that couldn’t be beat. So, the Friday before Christmas, I hopped in the car and fled the shores of Lake Michigan for the shores of Tichigan Lake.

The Cruise Bar and Restaurant, 28747 N. Lake Dr. in Tichigan, isn’t exactly on the water, but it’s close. And regardless of the season or its location, there’s a warm breeze every day in the form of husband and wife owners Chris and Linda Dzik.

In a five-year-old building on the site of what has long been a Tichigan tavern, the Dzik’s serve up a gargantuan fish fry, alongside extremely popular pizzas and a full menu of apps, salads, sandwiches, soups and some comfort food entrees like meatloaf, brisket and chicken parmesan.

The current building was built alongside the old place, which was demolished once the new home was complete. In the lobby there are photos of the area and the previous building, which served Tichigan residents and holiday-goers for decades.

Dzik tells me that he intended to get the new place going and then sell it, but the tanking economy altered that planned retirement. Their loss, however, might be Tichigan’s gain. And ours.

It’s about a 30-minute drive to The Cruise, where you will likely be greeted with a smile and a chat from Linda Dzik. Her husband is also a down-to-earth guy with the gift of the gab. They also have the gift of the fish fry (and pizza).

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