Melba Ann’s delivers at the Narrows
By Brooks Vanderbush
Sun contributor
A trip to that picture-perfect beach town is a dreamy subject at the height of summer. Imagine the sand, the laid-back tempo, and the breeze blowing off an inland lake. How about the smells? Hawaiian Tropic, suntan lotion, or boat exhaust in the distance — all while picking up your meal on the way to the beach.
While many restaurants feed you, few are those that add to the experience of your vacation like Melba Ann’s can. Located just south of the Narrows Bridge, which divides Big and Little Glen Lakes, Melba Ann’s occupies a building that has seen different eateries come and go since 1952. Since opening last June, owners Stu Dana and Terry Ormsbee have enjoyed an enthusiastic and warm response from the local community.
“We received a phone call from our friend at the playhouse in Traverse City,” Ormsbee recalled. “He asked us if we were still looking for a restaurant. So I came over and looked at it on the 5th … and took it over on the 12th.” Both Ormsbee and Dana are active in Traverse City’s Old Town Playhouse. Dana handles the sound, and Ormsbee works backstage.
Behind Melba Ann’s sits a quaint four-room motel, perfect for those looking to stay, play and eat. Dana and Ormsbee live next door. This business, in a literal sense, encompasses their life, as does Glen Arbor and their patrons.
“The area is very nice in the summer, spring and fall. The winter is not so nice,” Ormsbee laughs.
Hailing from the Vanderbilt area, Ormsbee has worked in restaurants his entire life. He owned a restaurant in Gaylord, and his brother owns one in Vanderbilt. This is Traverse City-native Dana’s first foray into food.
Boasting a menu that seems a mile long, Melba Ann’s offers something for everyone.
“We serve breakfast and lunch with a small dinner menu,” says Ormsbee. “We do not have a deep fryer yet; so we don’t do fried food. Breakfast is served anytime. I try to do everything from scratch. The only thing that I can say that I never do from scratch are my donuts. Everything else is baked here; pies, cakes, cheesecakes, cinnamon rolls.”
Breakfast is the restaurant’s bestseller, in particular “Terry’s Omelet,” Ormsbee attests.
“Terry’s Omelet” features onions, sausage, potatoes and cheddar cheese topped with sausage gravy and cheddar cheese. Melba Ann’s also offers a breakfast pizza on the weekends — a 10-inch pizza with eggs, cheese, sausage and/or bacon.
“That is usually served on Saturday or Sunday, sometimes Friday, or when certain ladies that I call ‘sweetheart’ call me at 5 at night, an hour after I’ve closed, and ask me for a breakfast pizza to be delivered,” says Ormsbee with a grin.
Other unique highlights of the very “Americana” inspired menu include brat burgers, a Monte Cristo, a veggie sandwich, a fried bologna sandwich and lemon chicken.
Prices are reasonable for such a dizzying array of items: nothing on the menu tops $10.
Melba Ann’s may also introduce a pontoon into its repertoire, in order to deliver food to the hungry masses out on the lakes, since getting food to boaters ordering takeout has proved difficult.
“I found out that I can serve the food as long as it’s pre-made,” says Ormsbee. “So, I’m going to get a generator, the pontoon and a cooler and make sandwiches and have someone sit in the middle of Big Glen.” The boat will be decorated in Melba Ann’s new color scheme of black and orange, Ormsbee’s favorites.
As for the atmosphere inside Melba Ann’s, think of a Key West dive where locals hang out. You’ll feel relaxed the moment you walk in the door. Life is good here.
Melba Ann’s is located at 6999 MacFarlane Road at the Glen Lake Narrows and can be reached at (231) 334-4587.