ROCKFORD, Mich. — Inside an old home, tucked away from the world on Northland Drive in Rockford is an eatery with five separate businesses rolled into one that locals rave about.
But is it worthy of the title of "Best Hidden Gem in the State of Michigan" that its just won from Taste of Home?
We put it to the test in 13 Eats.
History
The best kept secret in Rockford is about to be released. There’s no better way to start your day, than at Herman’s Boy café.
"We aren't fancy we've never advertised it," said Bryan Havemeier, general manager. "Best case scenario, we are a glamorous grocery store."
On any given day you see Bryan behind the counter, he's been there since dawn. His day started with a coffee maker.
"The coffee is our number one seller. We go through a ton a week," he said.
But he was just six years old at the business’s dawn — which started with a troublemaker.
“Herman's Boy was an ode to my grandfather from my father. He was born was a small town, was a troublemaker. Anywhere, he'd get recognized. They'd say 'oh, that's Herman's boy,'" Bryan said.
The business originally opened its doors in downtown Rockford in 1979. Floyd Havemeier, Bryan's father and the original owner, named it 'The Melting Pot.' That is, until the owners of the fondue restaurant sent their lawyers his direction. Then, Herman's Boy seemed to stick.
Floyd first bought 63 Courtland Street, currently home to Aunt Candy's Toy Company, as an investment. He was going to run an insurance business out of the back and rent out the storefront.
“We always joke my brothers were lying around doing nothing one day and my dad said 'you need a job.' And that started it," he said.
The boys worked out of the storefront, selling homemade goods from Floyd's hometown in Minnesota. As the operation grew, it was time for a bigger space.
That's when they turned to 220 Northland Drive NE. It was once a family home on a large plot, complete with a barn and a river than cuts behind it.
The home is nearly the same as it originally was, save a few additions needed for their expansive kitchen. The creaky floors and maze of doorways in their seating area add to the down-home feel that Herman's Boy has kept close to its heart.
“My brothers, Jeff and Doug, it was their hard work and small wages at first keeping it going for sure," he laughed. "I'm the only one that benefited from nepotism.”
Now, each part of the business is run by a Havemeier. Thank goodness there’s so many of them.
“It starts with that family mentality," said Bryan. “My two brothers and myself own it. My sister runs the bakery and my nephew runs the smokehouse.”
With an operation as big as they're running, they have a lot on their plate. Literally.
“To be able to have a brother or sister to rely on. It's a lot more reassuring," said Bryan.
The Food
On the sparse suburban street of Northland Drive, you’re lucky to find a place to eat. But inside Herman’s Boy, you’re lucky to find a seat.
That's thanks to low prices and a perfected menu. And it all started with the simple bagel.
"We were making bagels before anyone knew what a bagel was,” said Bryan. “We boiled and baked them here.”
One of their specialties includes an Eggle ($4 to $6). This is a scrambled egg topped with cheese and your choice of thick-cut homemade bacon, homemade breakfast sausage or ham from Bay City, all loaded into a plain, cheese or everything bagel.
I tried an everything bagel with cheddar and bacon. While simple, every ingredient is so perfectly crafted that it makes it shine. The egg is tender but the salty, smoky bacon and creamy cheese cut through the lightness. The bagel is soft and has the perfect chewy texture. Simply put, this thing is heaven on bread.
Next comes a more famous favorite. You may have heard it first from Ginger Zee.
Each time Ginger comes back to her old stomping grounds in West Michigan, she makes a point to get a Bagel Dog from Herman's Boy ($3 to $5).
It's a German-style hot dog wrapped and baked in bagel dough with your choice of condiment and cheese.
I tried a Bagel Dog with mustard and cheddar. I was skeptical at first, but upon first bite, I was proved completely wrong. The Bagel Dog had the most delicious pop when I first bit into it, like all the best hot dogs do. The mustard was acidic and cut through the soft bagel exterior, while the cheese was light and creamy.
Bagel Dogs are a must-try experience at Herman's Boy, offering some of the eatery's highlights in one bundle: freshly baked bread, smoky meat and simple, perfect recipes.
But the true star of Herman's Boy may be their roastery. And that's saying something.
I was allowed in the back of the café to view the process from start to finish. In a room filled with sacks upon sacks of coffee beans, you can see just how popular their grounds are. That back room only lasts them three to four weeks — one, if it's a holiday season.
They take those beans and run them through a large German roasting machine, tumbling them over a fire to get the perfect rich, deep coffee taste in every batch. Churning loudly, the machine runs all day long to keep up with demand. When it's done, it spits out a plume of steam and roasted coffee beans, which will be ground into a brew and out the door within 48 hours.
The smell in this room, which you can peek into from a glass window in their shop, was immaculate. It stuck on my clothes for the rest of the day, and I wasn't complaining.
Seeing their process will convert any generic coffee brand drinker, I'm sure of it. There truly is love in every cup at Herman's Boy.
I couldn't be stopped there. I also had a sample of fudge (Mackinac Island, look out, it seems Rockford is coming for your throne) and a cinnamon roll. At this point, I'm convinced Herman's Boy can do no wrong. Anything you order, you will understand what I mean.
The Verdict
Taste of Home got it right. Herman's Boy is the hidden gem that deserves to be Michigan's crown jewel.
Fitting that the people behind the scenes are a perfect representation of West Michigan itself: family-oriented, hardworking and as humble as they come.
“You want to make sure that everything else is a good representation of that family name," smiled Bryan. "That makes for a pretty good ground standard.”
Forty five years ago, the Havemeiers took a gamble on a restaurant. Now the secret is out. Herman’s Boy and West Michigan both came up winners.
► Herman's Boy is located at 220 Northland Drive NE in Rockford, Michigan.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Watch 13 ON YOUR SIDE for free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV and on your phone.