Giles Restaurant
1945
— 324 East Mitchell —
"We treet you righte both day and night and have no cause for sorrow. Eat your fill and pay your bille and come again tomorrow," was the wording on the sampler that hung in the back of Giles Restaurant for nearly 50 years. In 1929, Enoch Giles Sr. opened the Giles BBQ in Petoskey and in 1946 Enoch Giles Jr. purchased the restaurant after returning from service in WWII. The menu expanded to full course meals including his famous soups, pies, and daily specials. Local farmers and fishermen brought in homegrown produce and fresh catch from from Little Traverse Bay. The restaurant became a lively gathering place for everyone from blue collar workers to main street entrepreneurs to summer tourists Daily encounters between Enoch and local businessmen took place at the back table with raucous but congenial banter around local issues, political and religious opinions, and hometown sports events. Enoch Jr.'s wife, Mary and their six children played an integral part in the establishment. Enoch's brother, Bill, was known as the fastest short order cook around. Enoch always attributed the success of the restaurant to the loyal hardworking staff from dishwashers, kitchen crew, service with a smile waitresses, and Mary Ford's homemade breads and specialty cakes. Giles Restaurant closed in 1972 when Enoch sold it to Ray and Martha Bay and it was
this page online
National Register of Historical Places
Erected 2016 by Little Traverse Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Michigan - Little Traverse Regional Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1929.
Location. 45° 22.43′ N, 84° 57.366′ W. Marker is in Petoskey, Michigan, in Emmet County. Marker is on Mitchell Street (County Road 58) east of Petoskey Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 324 East Mitchell Street, Petoskey MI 49770, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Pop Corn King (a few steps from this marker); Fallass Drug Store (a few steps from this marker); Coburn Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Koulis Ice Cream (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Kent Bank of Petoskey (within shouting distance of this marker); Petoskey Post Office (within
Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 529 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 20, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
