Northern Michigan’s Scalawags Coming to Jackson

If one of your favorite parts of summer involves a trip to Scalawags Whitefish & Chips in either Petoskey or Mackinaw City, you'll soon be able to enjoy the taste without as long a drive.

The Northern Michigan favorite has announced plans to expand to Jackson.

Scalawags, with current locations in Petoskey and Mackinaw City, has been serving up fresh seafood from the Great Lakes for more than three decades. The restaurant is now expanding to Southern Michigan. Photo via Facebook (Scalawags)

Where Scalawags Is Setting Up in Jackson

It's going in on the north side at 1200 W. Parnall Rd. in Jackson, in the Gallery Place Shopping Center - close to Polly's Country Market. It'll be in the same spot where Todoroff's Original Coney Island used to be, and most recently Big Dog Barbeque.

What’s on the Scalawags Menu

Scalawags' locations in Northern Michigan have a rather simple yet specialized menu, featuring fresh-caught whitefish, walleye and perch from the Great Lakes. Shrimp and chicken tenders are also offered. Handhelds like whitefish or chicken sandwiches are on the menu, as are fish tacos. Cups and bowls of whitefish chowder are another specialty.

Jackson has no shortage of popular fish and chips destinations, thanks to places like White's Restaurant and Bone Island Grille. So will Scalawags be welcome?

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Consider this 5-star Google review left for its Mackinaw City location:

"I'm just going to say it... this is not only the best whitefish in the United States, but it's the best fried fish as well. Not only do they make the perfect fried whitefish, but their tartar sauce is out of bounds! This is a must-stop place if you're within two hours. I can't oversell it. If there is one downside... you will be disappointed in any fried fish you eat after this place."

When Will the Jackson Location Open?

Time will tell if Scalawags lasts in Southern Michigan, or whether its popularity is relegated to the north. It hopes to open its Jackson location before the end of the year.

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