Verde’s Taquería Features Flights, Live Music, Trendy Vibes

This story first appeared in the June 23, 2023, Mackinac Island Town Crier print edition

The restaurateurs behind Great Turtle Brewery & Distillery are looking to build on the restaurant’s success with one of the Island’s newest eateries, Verde’s Taquería. Tucked between the bike racks and the shopfront of Mackinac Cycle with bright orange trim and blue-teal painted siding, the menu at Verde’s features everything from fajitas to Taki street corn dip. The goal was to create a fun atmosphere, with a combination of waterfront dining overlooking the docks and marina, and the Flight Deck that gives diners the energy of Main Street, said Melanie Libby, one of the owners of the two restaurants, along with Ira Green.

Ms. Libby, who also runs Mackinac Cycle, has been involved with businesses on the Island since 2010, including operating Bicycle Street Inn until about a year ago. The space Verde’s is in was previously occupied by Riley’s Grill, until they leased the space and Smokey Jose’s moved in. They’ve now taken the space back for Verde’s. They didn’t think there was enough space for the experience they wanted diners to have, Ms. Libby said, so they took some space from Mackinac Cycle for the Flight Deck bar.

Melanie Libby, one of the owners of Verde’s Taquería.

“Space is very precious on this Island,” Ms. Libby said. “But it really has added energy to the space up here.”

Verde’s is designed to be trendy and have something for everyone, with a wide variety of tacos, including vegetarian options such as their sweet potato and black bean taco. One of the highlights of the menu are the flights they offer. Along with margarita and frozen cocktail flights, they also offer guacamole and salsa flights. The idea, Ms. Libby said, is that the food acts as a conversation starter and is more of an experience for families and friends.

Verde’s general manager Mike Stickler said their focus is on providing global fare rather than authentic Mexican cuisine. The food is something with a twist that offers different accents and flavors you won’t find at other restaurants on the Island.

“It’s something that everyone can enjoy. There are different aspects of different regions of Mexico that play into the menu that people can understand,” Mr. Stickler said. “You’re not going to get the normal wet burrito. You’re going to get a really cool, on trend macha queso that we make in house that was built with fresh seafood.”

One of their taco specialties is the Rock and Rye beef barbacoa taco, with beef braised in the Michigan pop, Rock and Rye. They also have an extensive selection of drinks to enjoy. Out of their 12 draft handles, only 4 of them are beer. The others are featured drinks like sangria or margaritas.

“We’re doing happy hour like nobody does happy hour on the island,” said Justin

Barnes, director of operations for both Verde’s and Great Turtle Brewery & Distillery. They also have live music on the waterfront.

It is Mr. Stickler’s first full season on the Island, having started working with Great Turtle Brewery & Distillery last season. Mr. Barnes has worked on the Island with different restaurants for years. Both have extensive experience in the food service and restaurant industry and are excited about what Verde’s will offer visitors this year. Mr. Barnes mentioned how the Island is a place you can visit to do anything and everything. He wants Verde’s to be more than just a place to eat, but part of the “everything you can do in the world” part of the Island. Combined with its idyllic location neighboring the Mackinac Island Ferry Company dock, it is the perfect spot to pop in for a drink before getting on or after getting off the boat.

“It’s not something that Mackinac Island had,” Mr. Barnes said. “So, the idea was to come up with something that’s completely different, maybe non-traditional, for the Island.”

They are also looking to prioritize their employees and making Verde’s a working environment people want to come to every day, making a good foundation and treating employees well. Overall, the inspiration at Verde’s was to create a fun, trendy experience where everyone can come to enjoy the best of what the Island has to offer. The people behind it are motivated to make that happen for everyone.

“It’s with that thought in mind to add to the magic of Mackinac,” Ms. Libby said. “That has always been a part of how we design or create the experience, whether it’s the bike shop or the restaurant or the hotel.”