MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – If I told you, one of the best restaurants in Marquette isn’t really a restaurant, but a classroom. Would you believe me?
Well, let me tell you about North Fork.
It’s NMU’s teaching kitchen, and it’s once again opening its doors to the public, and this time, students are fully in charge.
“I just like to make things for people, and I love making things that taste good. I really like serving other people. It’s, it’s, it’s just like something I’m really passionate about,” said NMU freshman Robert Nelson.
Located in the heart of campus at the Northern Center, and open at select times throughout the year, North Fork operates as a student-developed, student-run restaurant where hospitality and food service students gain real-world experience by managing every aspect of the fine dining experience.
“The North Fork is going to give you something that you can’t find anywhere else in town,” said NMU Executive Chef Alden MacDonald.
From building the menu to designing the dining room, students take the reins.
Each semester brings a new concept, and this spring features a four-course dinner. Everything begins with a weekly student-created amuse bouche or appetizer, followed by three additional courses selected by the guests.
“We’re going for a fine dining restaurant feel, so that these students are set up to go anywhere they want to. And in the U.P., we don’t see a lot of fine dining, so we are really trying to take it to the next level,” said Hospitality Professor Kelsey Weeder.
When you watch these future chefs operate, you can not only smell the amazing food, but you can also feel the passion that these students have for their craft.
“Do you think when you guys are in operation, this is the best restaurant in town?”
“God, to me, we really tried our hardest with all these. I’m in the entree group, and I can tell you that each of us gave it our all with these; we went all out. I’d recommend coming in,” said Nelson.
North Fork will be open during the Spring 2026 semester on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, from Thursday, March 12th, through Thursday, April 2nd.
Reservations are required and can be made on NMU’s ticketing website: https://nmu.universitytickets.com/
The price fix menu is $65 per person. And with only 7 seatings, tables are filling up fast.
