Michigan’s Best Local Eats: Fenton area restaurant offers fish, smash burgers with lakeside dining

FENTON TWP, MI — Summer is just around the corner and the Ponemah Lakeside Lodge is ready to offer live music, fresh food and drinks for anyone looking for lakeside dining.

Located in Fenton Township, Ponemah Lakeside Lodge at 3482 W. Silver Lake Road can be found just over the railroad tracks, tucked away with its cozy view overlooking Lake Ponemah, Fenton’s second largest lake and the location of 480 homes for Fenton residents.

Owner Jason Warda said the restaurant offers the perfect ‘islandy-beachy vibes’ in the summer and in the winter customers can play an indoor golf simulator while eating a famous plate of their Trash Can Nachos.

Other dishes from the restaurant include their classic fish & chips, the Hulk smash burger — a thinly layered four-patty burger packed with flavor — and Detroit-style pizza.

The restaurant provides access to boats with 27 spots to anchor on the shoreline during deck season, which traditionally runs from late April to early autumn.

Warda implemented heaters, removable enclosed walls and plans to keep the deck open well into October.

“The lake people love to pull up and get something simple and quick, something cool and refreshing,” he said.

Blending of the menu for the boat crowd and the land crowd meant adding items like steak bites and hot dogs to provide quick options and still maintaining big tickets items.

Ponemah Lakeside Lodge was able to survive several owners before Warda took ownership in 2019 and remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, 2021 posed new problems with an ongoing shrinking workforce.

Warda said the kitchen is still looking to add more talent to its staff as well as wait staff.

As the heat continues to rise, community members can readily quench their thirst at the Lodge’s bar.

Levi Peabody, bartender at the Lodge, has revamped the drink menu and highly recommends his favorite beverage, the Crown Jewel.

The signature cocktail drink mixes together Crown Royal Apple, Peach Schnapps and lime juice, with a splash of cranberry juice.

Whether customers are looking to share a party mule (which serves up to four people) or just wanting to listen to live music on the lake with a fresh pizza, Ponemah Lakeside Lodge offers classic lakeside comforts.

Ponemah Lake Lodge is open from 3 p.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 3 p.m-midnight Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. on Sunday.

To see more of their menu or find out about employment opportunities, head to their website here.

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