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Heller Poll results: Gravy inexplicably tops ketchup as Michigan’s favorite pasty topping

February 18, 2016 by Andrew Heller 20 Comments

The results of this week’s Heller Poll are in and gravy – gloopy, gloppy gravy – has defeated ketchup as Michigan’s favorite pasty topping, based on more than 150 votes.

As a Yooper and a ketchup fan, I’m deeply offended and surprised. But the stomach wants what it wants, I suppose.

Courtesy Naval History & Heritage Command
Courtesy Naval History & Heritage Command

The survey results were thus: Thirty nine percent favored gravy, 34 percent favored ketchup (the pasty condiment of choice for God, Yoopers and anyone with a functioning cerebral cortex), and 27 percent inexplicably went with plain.

Personally, I’m baffled why anyone would eat a pasty plain but one reader insisted he does because “the miners ate them without gravy and without silverware, that’s why they are shaped that way. Just pick ’em up and enjoy!”

Yeah, well, miners also died of black lung and being crushed by falling rocks, too. You gonna emulate that, too?

OK, maybe I’m taking this too personally.

But then food is one of the most personal subjects there is. Particularly pasties, for some reason. People get emotional about them, especially where I come from. You have no idea. That’s why I’m probably not going to take another reader up on her suggestion for a follow-up poll on whether pasties should include rutabaga or not.

No way, Jose (or should I say Eino & Toivo). I don’t need a knife fight on my conscience.

You can view the poll results here and still vote if you like. But the gravy damage is done, I’m afraid.

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: The Heller Poll

Comments

  1. Tim says

    February 18, 2016 at 12:38 pm

    whaaat??? no one said “Sriracha!” It’s sorta like ketchup, just way more sparkle…good for those cold Michigan winter nights…or cold Michigan caves…

    Reply
    • andrewhellercolumn@gmail.com says

      February 18, 2016 at 2:00 pm

      Tim, even though I’m a ketchup fan, I have to say my next best would be Sriracha. I love that stuff.

      Reply
  2. Kelly O'Leary says

    February 18, 2016 at 1:10 pm

    Some trolls got in on this action, I’m sure of it. No way does gravy belong on a pasty! I’m shocked and dismayed! (that I don’t have a pasty to feed my face with right now at this moment)

    Reply
    • andrewhellercolumn@gmail.com says

      February 18, 2016 at 2:00 pm

      I smell troll, too. Damn them!!

      Reply
      • Meredith says

        February 19, 2016 at 6:09 pm

        I’m a troll and it’s true, I like gravy. I also voted. 🙂

        Reply
  3. Jim S. says

    February 18, 2016 at 1:35 pm

    I always ate them plain. I made some this year and my son in law asked for ketchup for them. I never heard of ketchup on a pasty. He said that’s the way he always ate them when his mom made them. Learn something new everyday. I love them plain myself.

    Reply
    • andrewhellercolumn@gmail.com says

      February 18, 2016 at 2:01 pm

      Ketchup’s main advantage is it makes the crust at the edges palatable.

      Reply
  4. Mike says

    February 18, 2016 at 2:12 pm

    My wife’s a Finn. She whole-heartedly agrees with your righteous opinion re ketchup. I’m a gravy man myself. Worse than that, I prefer chicken pasties. We both agree on the necessity of rutabaga. No rutabaga and it’s not pastie. This discussion has my mouth weathering.

    Mouth wsterinh got you/ know- what

    Reply
  5. Ray says

    February 18, 2016 at 2:55 pm

    I’m sure you meant Eino, not Oino. As a Finlander myself, I’ve never heard the name Oino. I’ll let this faux pas slide this time. But if it happens again, I’ll have to get the Finnish Mafia to remove every ketchup container you have. Even the ones you hid.

    Reply
    • andrewhellercolumn@gmail.com says

      February 18, 2016 at 2:57 pm

      Whoa, no Finnish Mafia, please. They’d nice me to death. (I always heard Oino jokes growing up but I switched it to Eino in your honor. And out of fear.)

      Reply
  6. Dave Ives says

    February 19, 2016 at 1:51 am

    I know I’m out in left field here but if I don’t have gravy (my preference), I eat ’em with MUSTARD.

    Reply
    • andrewhellercolumn@gmail.com says

      February 19, 2016 at 7:23 am

      Dave, Dave, Dave. Tell me it’s at least yellow mustard.

      Reply
      • Dave Ives says

        February 19, 2016 at 9:01 am

        Yes, all-american yellow sunshine mustard.

        Reply
        • andrewhellercolumn@gmail.com says

          February 20, 2016 at 8:05 am

          OK, well, that’s at least acceptable. (I love yellow mustard.)

          Reply
  7. Sandi says

    February 19, 2016 at 7:56 am

    MUST be made with rutabaga!!

    Reply
    • andrewhellercolumn@gmail.com says

      February 19, 2016 at 2:39 pm

      Agree, otherwise it’s just a meat pie

      Reply
  8. Sharon Mercer says

    February 19, 2016 at 9:15 am

    I’m with you Andrew Heller–My inlaws were born and raised in Ishpeming. Mother in-law still does. You have to have ketchup

    Reply
    • andrewhellercolumn@gmail.com says

      February 19, 2016 at 2:39 pm

      Right on SHaron!

      Reply
  9. Steve Paradis says

    February 19, 2016 at 3:10 pm

    With gravy, EVERYONE wins!
    Ketchup is for fries, some burgers and all hot dogs.
    Are you sure you’re from around here? Let’s see some ID, boy.

    Reply
    • andrewhellercolumn@gmail.com says

      February 19, 2016 at 3:21 pm

      Maybe it’s an escanaba thing but everyone i know uses ketchup

      Reply

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