Ashland

The Local Bar and Grille, Ashland, WI, 8/10/22

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exterior – 3000 Golf Course Road, Ashland, WI., 54806

The Local Bar and Grille is on the Chequamegon Bay Golf Course and the dining room and bar have views of it and the surrounding trees.  It’s a large space and open every day for lunch and dinner.  They opened in Dec. 2021 in a building that was and is available for rental – it’s a large space.  A husband and wife team, Mike and Natalie Skinnes, joined up with friend Brad Moulett to try and make some dreams come true for the three that grew up in Wisconsin.  They call their menu ‘pub fare’ with a twist.  There’s plenty of parking out front.  When you enter the bar is to your right with a few tables also.  The rest of the room is a large space set with 4 tops covered with brown cloths and a large fireplace is at one end of the room.  Windows look out on the golf course and lovely hanging baskets of plants.  A separate door is on the golf course side for those sports people to pop in for a short respite.  Between the windows and lights, the room is well lit.  Service was friendly and attentive and the food was good and generous.  With a smaller lunch crowd I might have closed off part of the large room, but everyone wanted a window table to watch the outdoors. Continue reading →

Frankie’s Pizza, Ashland, 7/23/18 and 8/25/18

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entrance
entrance

Frankie’s Pizza is on Lakeshore Drive (U.S. Highway 2), in the eastern part of Ashland and has been family owned for 54 years.  The Mickey and Chuck Iverson family bought it in 1963 from Frank Ledin, who was thought to be the first to offer commercial pizza sales in Ashland.  Frank and Joyce Ledin started with a root beer stand that was later remodeled into Frankie’s Pizza.  The Iverson’s children now run the place that survived a fire in 1982 and a visit from Johnny Mathis who tipped every server $20, Bill Paxton, Billy Bob Thornton and Bridget Fonda.  It is a medium sized place that is open every day for lunch and dinner, except for Sunday when they don’t open till 4:00 pm.  It had windows on three sides of the place but it is still a little darker inside than out.  They offer a combination of booths or tables for dining and the walls are lined with cute signs, awards and pizza related items.  Hanging lights and nets adorn the ceiling.  The menu is almost all pizza with the addition of salad, burgers and an assortment of fried snacks.   Service was friendly and helpful.  For example the server suggested we order a pitcher of soft drink rather than by the glass cause it was a cheaper deal.  They do offer beer and wine.   Continue reading →

Lake Shore Cafe, Ashland, WI., 9/29, 11/11 & 11/15/17

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IMG_4017
building

You could drive right by Lake Shore Cafe, it is that non-descript.  On the main highway coming into Ashland, Wisconsin, it does have a lovely view of Lake Superior and a crew of regulars who eat there.  The large menu covers breakfast and lunch as well as having chalkboard daily specials.  Prices are pretty reasonable and try to snag one of the fresh iced cinnamon buns on the counter if they’re still there.   Booths line the walls with the lake view windows and the rest of the place is filled with tables and some low stools at the counter opposite the pass through window to the kitchen.  Staff are super friendly and efficient.   Continue reading →

El Dorado, Ashland, Wisconsin, 8/14/17

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building
building

El Dorado is on Lake Shore Dr. as you exit Highway 2 to go into Ashland.  One side of the medium sized place is windows overlooking the Chequamegon Bay – part of Lake Superior – and the other side, where the entry is, faces a one story motel.  There is limited parking around the restaurant but the sign by the door says additional parking is available at the motel however the motel clearly has their spaces marked “for hotel parking”.  Inside you will find a bustling place full of workers, families and folks just stopping for lunch.   Service is efficient but not overly chatty or attentive.  For example, if you need a beverage re-filled or additional utensils or napkins, be prepared to snag a waiter and ask for them.   Continue reading →