Zehnders of Frankenmuth, Michigan

Zehnders goes out of its way to serve genuine Vidalia onions at its world-famous restaurant. Considered by many the “heart of Midwestern hospitality,” this establishment with ten dining room and a 1,500-person capacity—the largest independent restaurant in the US—serves up much more than famous all-you-can-eat family-style chicken dinners, seafood, steaks, fresh baked goods and European desserts. They also serve up some hearty sweet onion soup!

“We use Vidalia onions exclusively in our soup!” says executive chef/food & beverage director John Zehnder. Zehnder explains, “In 2009, we served 12,000 bowls of Vidalia Onion Soup AuGratin. It’s one of our spring and early summer signature items. Most restaurants serve French onion soup made with beef broth – Vidalias are too sweet and subtle for such a heavy-handed treatment. We use double strength chicken stock instead for our signature soup to bring out the flavor of Vidalias. Folks around here absolutely love it!”

Also on the menu, some tasty sandwiches:

Opened Faced Prime Rib Sandwich