Founded in 1979 by current owner Jerilyn de Boer; Cousin Jenny’s Cornish Pasties combines a unique product with incredible service in the heart of beautiful downtown Traverse City.

Originally from the small mining community of Iron Mountain, located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Jerilyn was raised on the heritage of Cornish pasties. She enjoyed her mother’s homemade pasties nearly every single day. Growing up in her parent's restaurant, Jean Kay’s Cornish Pasties, helped Jerilyn realize that pasties are a way of life and represent a rich and tight-knit culture. Her family’s business inspired Jerilyn to bring the deliciousness and uniqueness of the Cornish pastie to the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, as well as the rest of the country.

In 1979, Cousin Jenny’s began as a tiny, 500 square-foot shop in downtown Traverse City, offering the traditional Cornish pastie: Steak, rutabaga, potato, onion, salt, and pepper.

Now, nearly four decades later, Cousin Jenny’s has blossomed into a true Northern Michigan staple offering famous Cornish pasties and comfort food for every single taste. Whether you’re a local, regular summer resident, or this is your first visit to Traverse City, Michigan...you won’t want to miss a meal at Cousin Jenny’s Cornish Pasties.

The Cornish pastie was originally introduced to the North Country by Cornish miners who preferred them because they were super portable and never wasted food.

As a hearty, handheld meal the pastie was the perfect choice for working deep in the copper and iron mines. They were served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner by the wives of the Cornish miners, who were affectionately known as the “Cousin Jennys.”

The “Cousin Jennys” made their savory pasties using leftovers and sought to never waste food by making a convenient and filling meal for their husbands and sons. Each pastie was designed to be eaten from end to end, with not a crumb left.

Although Cornish pasties originate in the 14th century, we’ve added our own unique spin to bring them into the 21st century!

In addition to the traditional steak pastie, our menu includes modern pasties like the German, the Italian, or the Veggie. Try our new Dynamite Sauce on your next pastie, or keep it simple with sour cream.

Plus, we offer special breakfast pasties, soups, salads, wraps, and sandwiches for takeout or dine-in.

We have something for everyone, whether you’re a meat lover or vegetarian!