Jean Kay's Pasties

Best pasty I’ve ever wrapped my mitts around, bar none. That crust was golden and flaky, but still sturdy enough to hold together—none of that crumbly nonsense that falls apart halfway through. Inside was packed fuller than a deer camp on opener, with perfectly seasoned meat and veggies that tasted like someone’s grandma’s been making these the same way for 60 years. Not dry, not greasy, just warm, hearty, and stick-to-your-ribs good—exactly what you want after a long day in the cold. This is the kind of pasty that makes you slow down, say “oh yah,” and wonder why you don’t live closer. If you’re anywhere near the UP and skip this place, that’s on you.

Filling out a review and it asked what I got? Breakfast, lunch, or dinner? I have had all 3, and they are all good. Eating one of their pasties is like eating a slice of America. They are so good it will make you want to chop down trees with an axe and build a log home to live in the U.P. forever. One bite and your hands will become strong, you will grow a beard and you will become proud to have a blue collar. They bring you joy and even nostalgia. One bite of these pastiesgives you the feeling of home, like the feeling you get after being in the lower peninsula and taking the Mighty Mac back to the U.P.

In the summer of 2017, I stopped in to get a vegetarian pasty during a road trip. We got in kind of late, and another restaurant we tried were all out of veggie pasties. This place took care of me. We ordered them to go, so we could not enjoy what seemed to be a cool vibe, but the pasty was so good, and I loved the jalapeño ketchup that I got to go with it. The workers were so friendly and helpful. If I ever end up in Marquette again, I am definitely stopping here for another pasty.

HEART. SOUL. LOVE…DESIRE. For me, it was love at first bite 🫶 For you, “So close you can almost taste it Release your inhibitions Feel the rain on your skin.” For you, it’s still “Unwritten” BTW: Another reviewer mentioned the owner’s hugs, and I concur. I felt like I was a Hershey’s Kiss melting into a warm bath. A warm bath containing onions, steak and potatoes, of course!

Definitely worth the hype and trying the UP favorite. Great flavor and I enjoyed the pasties. I wish they have smaller size for the savory flavors so we can try more than one flavor.

Have you ever felt nestled in a forest underneath a pine tree with no wind with your dog laying next to you on a calm night with a fire? That’s what it is like eating a Jean Kay’s pasty. Is the epitome of being the UP. Maybe it’s your first pilsner or cigarette with friends, as a youngster on a back country road. Words can’t describe it but yet you remember it like it was yesterday. That’s what it’s like eating this pasty. Some say it’s made by angels, some say a human. Either way, we are blessed to eat this amazing meat pastry.

Pastie and pizza places have one thing in common, you can go to chain and know what you're getting but the quality isn't great; or you can go to a local place. The food is probably better, but you don't know. Well, Jean Kay's Pasties is local AND great. The flank steak pastie with rutabaga is a premium Yooper product.

Great Pasties, large, filling, and delicious. I tried the veggie as well as a dessert one (blackberry). They don't skimp on ingredients here. Always a MUST DO when in the area.

Our 4th pasty in our quest to compare and consume. Jean Kay's is a teeny tiny shop on a side street and can barely hold 6 people in front of the register. There are a few more options for pasties here, including chicken and broccoli, and dessert flavors. Their beef pasty is different than all the other pasties we tried, as they use flank steak. As is traditional, potatoes, onions, and rutabaga were the other ingredients. This was the first pasty I tried where I could see the onions, so I picked them out when I came across them (my kryptonite). The steak was a little chewy, and the seasoning was almost undetectable. Also, the pastry, although well baked, fell apart after a few bites. To be fair, though, we waited probably a good 30-45 minutes to eat it. This wasn't my favorite pasty, but I wouldn't mind returning to try a chicken and broccoli and a dessert one. Maybe on my next trip up north. 21/2025

Yes one of the best Pastys you'll ever eat. Damians in Iron Mountain is equally as good. Dobbers is tasty, but not what I consider Original Pasty.

I stumbled upon this place walking through town. My grandparents grew up in Iron Mountain. My great grandfather, John Hollander, immigrated from Liverpool, England and was a miner. My grandmother taught me to make pasties like she did for her dad. Jean Kay's pasties are out of this world. Flakey crusts, tasty ingredients inside, and made with Iron Mountain pride and love. I ate the breakfast bacon and egg pasty and bought chicken and broccoli. I bought the partially cooked/frozen because this place sells out quickly. I traveled to Chicago with the pasties two weeks later and they were as good as made that day. One pastie fed two of us. I guess it is all about your appetite. The pasties can be purchased cooked or partially frozen. Both are equally great!! If you are driving near Iron Mountain, you must stop and purchase the pasties! Have fun deciding which to purchase.

Jean Kay's pasties were flaky and delicious great customer service and they were made quickly. Will visit again for sure! Prices weren't too bad either

Caution: this is a review for those that either understand, or wish to understand the unique brilliance of Yooper culture. A "pah-stee" is a Cornwall-ish institution. Like any country's meat pie of origin, e.g., knish, pierogi, spanakopita, empanadas, wanton, pot sticker.., well, you get the idea... When I ascend the latitude separating the lower parts from the UP, I make it a point to time my passage through Iron Mountain so as to stock up on Jean Kay's Pasties.

Jean Kay's Pasties is a little storefront type business that offers walk-in (and I believe drive in) sales of an regional delicacy called a "Pastie" Think a large Hot Pocket only that tastes awesome. It's stuffed with actual fresh ingredients... so it's nothing like a hot pocket (only in looks). Compared to some of the other Pastie Restaurants in Upper Michigan, this one might have a smaller menu, but the Pastie I had (Steak) was super flakey and really tasty. I guess if you make one or two flavors really well, you don't need multiple on your menu! The shop does not have any sit down capabilities, so it's take out only. Jean Kay's Pasties in my Top 3 for the UP (so far!)

Pasties are hard to photograph but these were SO GOOD! The pastry crust on Jean Kay's is incredibly delicious. The staff was really friendly and helpful for these first time pastie eaters! They use flank steak instead of ground beef in the signature pastie. Two of us split and enjoyed the 1 lb. flank steak with rutabaga (similar taste and texture to potatoes!), a smaller bratwurst one, and a strawberry rhubarb dessert one. At only $15 it was a unique, delicious, and very affordable lunch for two!

Tried Jean Kay's when I was in Iron Mountain. Reviews looked good so I gave it a shot. Wish I hadn't. Pasty was very disappointing. The crust was so thin I had to eat it with a fork. Fortunately they provide a tray and a fork - guessing they understand that their pasties aren't made for holding in your hands. Everything inside was cubed and separated. Meat was a bit tough, potatoes and rutabaga were a bit undercooked. I prefer my inside ingredients to blend together more.

Definitely get the gravy with the pasties. By far, the best around. We made it a mission to try to find the best pasties while we were there on several vacation trips. Most places are really not very good, but Jean Kay's are delicious. They are fresh and hot and the service is outstanding.

Great pasty but my last one was like chewing on leather. Those were some tough pieces of steak. Still one of my favorites.......

The food in the service was amazing. Nice little quaint store only enough room for maybe three people to stand at the counter. It's come on and make your purchase and go add the rutabaga and stick pasty for lunch. Definitely not disappointing. I will be a returning customer as long as those doors are open.

So, ive always been a dobbers fan. Its right there on the main road and there is a drive through. You can also pick those things up and just eat them. Now that i write that, maybe its only the convenience of dobbers. Hmmmm. So Jean Kays is the best of the best. Their pasties are the best ive ever had. Im just gona say that right now. I stopped in cause of the now infamous article about how a few guys took a small plane to marquette to get these things cause they were so good. Yea, i said, we'll see. Wow. I would do the same now. These are bigger, fuller, and have better ingredients than dobbers. I had the bratwurst one. OMG... OMG! bratwurst, cheese, onions, and potatoes all wrapped up in a soft, flakey pastry. It was life changing. Im just said i got 1. I also got a mini hot caramel apple one. Yes, you read that right. It was so good i wanted to roll in it and eat my way out. I bought 2 par baked steak ones for home. Those were also delicious, but that bratwurst one, damn. They also had chicken, broccoli and chicken, and veggie. This place only makes so many a day. Quality is important, so when they run out, they close. Get there early or order a day ahead. You're welcome. Damn, i wish i had a plane now to go get another bratwurst one.

I understand all the great reviews since I have been going to Jean Kays since 1988 and loved this place , But unfortunately the last time about a week ago was really bad. Bought 22 pasties to take back home and they went in the trash -- That will be the last trip there -- Sad !!!!

Priced right Great quality Great service All hail The Pasty Pasty's are the best regional cuisine in America

Great pasties, great service. One of the U P's best pasties. No instore seating though; take out only. Hot, half-baked or frozen.

We visited Jean Kay's before heading to St. Ignace, with plans to stop and have lunch somewhere along the shore. Pasties I chose were steak w/ rutabagas and chicken; both were generous in size, hot out of the oven when we left but still delicious when they cooled off. No ketchup required in my opinion. Made with love and I'd say years of experience perfecting the taste! Staff in store were very friendly and kind. Definitely worth the stop. Many others getting takeout while we were there.

Anybody who is anybody needs to try a pasty from this joint. They are the best in town. Try the tiny bratwurst pasty or the fruit-filled pasty. So delicious. Don't forget to stock up on the steak pasties with rutabaga these are so delicious do you want another one to take two.

To be frank this is where many people told me to get the best Pasty, however, I don't understand the hype. It was okay a best, lacking any type of satisfactory flavor. I don't want this to reflect though one the awesome service that can be found here though. I loved their potato salad and was impressed with the reasonable prices. If I'm back in the UP again I spring for a sandwich instead.

Best pasties in the UP. Vegetarian ones are tooo good to describe. Go eat one and see for yourself !!

It's all subjective. But if you like pasties you have to give them a try. Jean Kay's are the pasties of choice for us! Yum. We always try to buy some to bring back home when visiting the UP. They'll half bake and freeze for you - good idea to order ahead. If you need it, you can drive up the road buy dry ice to get you home. (Place at Stephenson and Lake Antoine Rd).

My mother was born in the Iron Mountain area many, many years ago. I have been coming up here for the last 25 years to do a pasty run for myself and family. (Of course the trip wouldn't be complete if I didn't stop at T&T's supper club for a steak.) But I digress, I have 50 years of experience with store bought and even my mother's home made pasties. Jean Kayes has the best.

My family has a cottage in the UP, and for years and years we have been coming to Jean Kay's and enjoying their pasties. They are so so good. Basically, they are just flank steak and potatoes in a pastry crust. No onions, no garlic, no spices. But still amazing. We usually get them half-baked and finish them off at home. Don't forget the ketchup!

The Pasty's are so fresh and delicious. We bring visitors here for breakfast. Huge variety including fruit.

Yummy Pastie! Meat, potato and rutabaga ! Yum!!! A flaky crust like this just has to be made the old fashioned way. Even my kids loved them and wanted more. The pasties are made the same as they have been for generations. Having them shipped here will be a treat!

Jeans Kay's has by far the best pasty's around. We went to 5 different locations today to do a "taste testing" friendly fast service. Beautiful crust. Please if you are if the area. You won't be disappointed.

I lived in Iron Mountain for over 10 years without having tried these pasties. The selection includes more than just with or without (rutabagas) such as a bratwurst pasty and various fruit pasties. Overall a good experience. The only complaint was that the flank steak wasn't cut properly so it was chewy.

Super delicious. When visiting, we always make sure to pick some up (frozen) to bring back home.

If this is as good as a pasty gets, maybe I've just come to realize I'm not a big fan of pasties. It was hot and hit the spot, but it wasn't 4-star good. I'd definitely come here for more though, if I needed something fast and filling.

Super good pastie! The server was friendly and helpful. Will definitely return! !

I came to the shop around 4 pm and the pasty I received was very dry and almost dried out. I didn't like the big hunks of steak vs the meat, potato and rutabaga filling served at other pasty shops. Overall this place was just OK.

Stopped here this fall for a yummy pasty. only take out but the food was hot and good. Rutabegalicious.

Had a lot of Jean Kay pasties when I was in traverse city and they were amazing! Then I go to the one in Iron Mountain and it's like the recipe is completely different! (This incident happened a long while ago so it may have been fixed).The pasties here are absolute chit and shouldn't be marketed until they get in touch with the traverse city place and get their shit together! Otherwise not too bad of a place. Very friendly staff

Currently enjoying a delicious steak and rutabaga pasty in my hotel room. I have somewhat limited experience with pasties since I am a troll (you know, I live under the bridge...Mackinac Bridge), but this is the best pasty I've ever had! I do agree that it would be nice to have gravy, but I WAS offered ketchup and turned it down. This place is great for a quick hot pasty to go!

The crust is one of the best in town, wonderful and flaky while not being too dry. The filling, however, really could use more flavor. Either more steak or more gravy or more seasoning, just about more anything but more potato.

i only tried a bite, and it was good, could have used gravy though

My mom recently moved to the area so we've been trying all the hot spots. She heard good things about Jean Kay's and I agree - these are delicious, authentic pastys make with flank steak. (Some prefer ground chuck - personally either works for me) Priced at $4.50 a pop, which are enough for a meal for two, these are a great deal. Owner seemed especially nice. This is a to go place only. Cut one of these babies open and you will find diced potatoes and meat - just the way they should be! Yum!

Good stuff love the quality of the food. The staff are always so helpful. A must every time in come to town.

Had the pasty with rutabaga, very classic. Small place, food to go. Not the same owners as the Jean Kay's in Marquette.

We were visiting friends here and asked where we could get some pasties to take home. Without hesitation she said "Jean Kay's". We took that advice and were not disappointed. The crust was very flaky and fresh, and the filling was spiced perfectly. We came back a few months later and did an encore performance with the same results. So now, whenever we come to Iron Mountain, we make it a point to pick up an order for us and also for some friends back home, who remind us, "Don't forget the Jean Kay pasties". We don't.

For my first pasty ever, this was FANTASTIC! It was cooked perfectly, the crust was crispy, the rutabagas and potatoes were soft and creamy, and the meat was tender. And you can order them online, which is what I will be doing when I get back home!