Forty Acres Tavern

March 11, 2016

New American Pub Pays Homage to Boyne’s History

Boyne’s beginnings may surprise you almost as much as the menu at Boyne Mountain’s newest dining option, with their elevated versions of American pub food.

FORTUITOUS EXCHANGE

Boyne USA founder, the late Everett Kircher, knew a good thing when he saw it. Upon deciding he wanted to open a ski resort in northern Michigan, he dug through a pile of topographical maps and locked in on a 1,150-foot hill. The owner was Boyne Falls logger turned Michigan senator William Pearson. Kircher wanted to buy the property for his new venture and Pearson uttered the now legendary quote, “anyone damn fool enough to want to build a ski hill here, well...I’ll give you the property.”

Almost. Kircher paid a mere $1 for what he’d develop into Boyne Mountain’s first 40 acres, and we’re guessing Pearson shook his head in bafflement every time he drove by the place.

POPULAR PATIO

Of course, Boyne has expanded well beyond this since, into Boyne USA, with a plethora of both ski hills and restaurants. is merely the newest of these — it’s only been open since Nov. 1, 2015 — but it’s already a draw with its barnwood and concrete-top bar, walnut-colored floors, wooden tables and welcoming fireplace.

“Our busiest time so far is on Saturdays, when we have 3,000–4,000 people coming through here to ski,” explained Mike Doumanian, director of food and beverage for Boyne Mountain Resort. “There’s usually a line.”

Never fear — there’s also an outdoor patio where you can chill while you wait.

“Since people already have their ski clothes on, the patio’s a popular spot,” Doumanian said. “And the whole place has the feel of Cheers; it’s the kind of place where we already have regulars and the waitstaff learn your name.”

FRESH AND FUN

The menu is both familiar and friendly, with live music accompanying the food most nights, from solo artists to peppy ‘80s music.

“We do simple things, but in an awesome way,” Doumanian said. “Our wings have a maple-Sriracha glaze. Our Tavern Burgers are phenomenal, as are our French Dip sandwich and our Cobb salad. And it’s the little things that matter. For instance, our guacamole isn’t out of a container; it’s made per order, from fresh avocados, right when you order it. And we make our own barbeque ribs.”

A couple of the menu standouts so far are the Loaded Grilled Cheese, with provolone, aged cheddar, feta, cherrywood-smoked bacon, caramelized onions, avocado and sundried tomato aioli on Texas Toast, and the Goat Cheese Croquette on mixed greens with pine nuts, tomato and balsamic vinaigrette. Elsewhere on the menu, the Tavern’s meatloaf blends bison and beef, wraps it in bacon and coats it with a cherry ketchup glaze. Doumanian’s personal favorite is The Senator (named after Mr. Pearson, of course), with corned beef, pastrami, muenster, a sweet chili dressing and unusually good watermelon kraut all on light rye bread, “and the best fries around,” he said.

FORTY FOR FORTY

Part of the new legend of the tavern itself are its beers, 40 in all, one for each acre of that early Boyne property. Many are Michigan-made craft brews and reside on the menu alongside handcrafted cocktails, pop and coffee. Everything is carefully selected to complement the level of quality and uniqueness that Doumanian said customers expect from Boyne.

“Everything is fresh and top-notch,” he said. “Our burger meat is ground fresh in Detroit’s Eastern Market; our corned beef is from Sy Ginsburg, also from Detroit. We’re trying to tie some of the menu in to the Motor City, since that’s where Everett Kircher got his start back when he was a Studebaker car salesman.”

Forty Acres Tavern is also aiming at super fast service so you can get right back on the slopes.

“We have an open kitchen and a small setup, so the food comes out piping hot and just right, and it’s only 10 steps to your table,” Doumanian said.

Forty Acres Tavern is located at 1 Boyne Mountain Road (Boyne Mountain Resort) in Boyne Falls. For more information, call (231) 549-7270. Open 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Hours are Sunday through Tuesday from 11am– 9pm, Wednesday–Thursday from 11am–10pm, Friday–Saturday from 11am–11pm, with the bar open late. Entrees run from $8 to $29.