Northwest Wisconsin

The Ranch Supper Club (update), Hayward, WI., 8/29/25

~ hsnixon ~ 6 Comments
exterior – 10590 N Ranch Road, Hayward, WI., 54843

The Ranch Supper Club serves the prime rib dinner on Saturday and fish fry on Friday.  The prime rib dinners are on this site from 2023 and 2022 – and you can see those by clicking on the dates for more history and photos.  This trip we wanted to try their “signature steaks’ and they come with the same supper club set up of relish tray, salad, bread and choice of potato.  The bar is a gorgeous one topped with colored inlaid stones. There are two dining rooms and the one behind the bar is my preference with vintage cooking, sporting and farming equipment hanging on the walls and a fireplace topped with an old sewing machine.  The menu has plenty to chose from and lists the numbers of drinks served in one year.  I’m including photos of it as the prices have increased since last year.  The service is friendly and efficient and the food isn’t novel but it will definitely satisfy and they have ice cream drinks for dessert.  I know I’ll be back and hope to see you there. Continue reading →

Manypenny Bistro, Bayfield, WI., 8/29/25

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building – 201 Manypenny Ave., Bayfield, WI., 54814

Manypenny Bistro is a family run place that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner along with offering take out options.  It touts itself as serving classics as well as inventive combinations, and indeed it does.   Lots of pizza options and burgers for later in the day but we were there for breakfast.  In addition to the good sized menu they had daily specials.  One room is filled with tables and streaming with sunlight from all the windows in a corner building.  The second room has the bar and high-topped tables for dining.   The menu sounds inviting and I hope to get back to try some of their dinner options, like whitefish livers which are rare to find and exquisite when done well.  At breakfast they also offered special of raspberry fritter French toast which also sounds fun to try.  The service was attentive and efficient and the portions were large and good.  We were not ordering adventuous options so I look forward to getting back and trying more things.  Let me know if you get there first and what you try. Continue reading →

Mountain, London, 1/26/25

~ hsnixon ~ 4 Comments
exterior – 16-18 Beak St, London W1F 9RD, United Kingdom

Mountain  was a medium sized place in Soho by Tomos Parry, with a large open kitchen in back.  The bar counter also had seats and there is bar on another floor.  Opening in July 2024 it’s a fairly loud place packed with people and loud music with a beat.  The small, close light wood tables were below exposed ductwork and a wide plank wood floor.  Noise panels were in the ceiling but between the kitchen, people and music it was a struggle to communicate.  With the lights dimmed, the vibe is casual with paper napkins and metal columns obstructing the traffic flow.  Photos were on the wall, they have one Michelin star and a huge wine list.  The service was helpful and friendly and didn’t seem to care that we were older than most of the other patrons.  The menu was comprised of various-sized dishes meant to be shared and that is what we did.  We started with one of their many cocktails and then moved to wine.  The food was mixed. Continue reading →

KD’s Bear Den, Drummond, WI., 8/2/24

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building – 52450 Wisconsin Ave, Drummond, WI 54832

KD’s Bear Den was in the heart of downtown Drummond in a building that has housed numerous other places over the years.  They are open Wed. through Sat with the kitchen closing before the bar some days and accept only cash.  It was a medium sized interior with seats at the bar for food and/or drinks as well as seating on the patio.    Carpet was on the floor, artificial flowers hung from the ceiling, there was a good sized parking lot outside, the TVs were on but muted, no music was in the background,  the walls were covered with signs and decorations and they had air conditioning.  Service was friendly and very effecient and the drinks were on the weak side.  Wednesday was the chicken dinner special and Friday was fish fry but hamburgers and pizza were also available.  We were there for fish fry and it was an early crowd and there was a short wait for a table.  The owner Katie seems to double as cook and came out to visit with some of the folks.  It was a good enough I might go back and try the chicken dinner. Continue reading →

Angelo’s Luncheonette, Wilmington, DE., 4/4/24

~ hsnixon ~ 4 Comments
exterior – 1722 N Scott St, Wilmington, DE 19806

Angelo’s Luncheonette was started by the Muzzi family in 1967.  August Muzzi, who started there at age  17 still works the grill at the old-school luncheonette that is in a 1894 building.  He doesn’t like change and not much has changed at this cute cozy place.   His son, daugther and son-in-law all work in the place named for August’s father Angelo.  The Biden family are regular patrons and an election poster from his days in the Senate hangs next to a letter to Muzzi from Biden.  Someone in the family was a huge Elvis fan as there are a ton of memorabilia and photos decorating the place.  The small place had counter stools in front of the cooking and prep areas and a few small booths on the opposite wall.  They serve only breakfast and lunch and are cash only (they do have a debit machine on-site).  The staff were all very friendly and helpful and the food was quite good.  It’s a funky one-of-a-kind place that I hope all will get to visit while it’s still in business. Continue reading →

Irma’s Place, Clear Lake, WI., 1/3/24

~ hsnixon ~ 2 Comments
exterior – 955 US Hwy 63, Clear Lake, WI., 54005

Irma’s Place opened in Oct. 2023.   The owners are two sisters, Stacy and Sasha Rondeau who named the place after their grandmother Irma.   They serve breakfast and lunch Tues through Sunday.   The day we were there, several groups were eating together at the medium-sized place.  Exposed duct work, wood walls, high ceilings, and a combination of booths and tables made up the building that was decorated with memorabilia on a high shelf and art for sale on the main walls.  It’s right on the highway so a perfect stop on our way to our house up north.  It’s simple food but I’ll be back to try some of the breakfast options and maybe more of their freshly made baked goods.  The friendly server was also efficient and explained the darkened parts of the menu were the most popular. Continue reading →

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 →

El Zarco Restaurant and Cantina, Grand View, WI., 6/4/21

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front

El Zarco is on US Highway 63 in Grand View, WI.  It offers “homestyle fresh Mexican Cuisine and hand crafted margaritas. “  They have been open 4 months in a building with 2 rooms, one of which is dominated by a pool table and bar and the other having a combination of tables and booths. The website said they open at 11:00 but the sign out front said noon however, the owner was kind enough to let us come in and start early. On weekends they open earlier and have brunch options. Inside are tile floors, wood ceiling, AC, music in the background and walls decorated with photos and memorabilia. Two TVs were in the bar area but both just streamed scenery visuals and they have free Wi-Fi. Talking with the owner he asked if it was our first visit and when we said yes he pulled out 3 flavors of tequila and said we were due a complimentary shot to welcome us. He was so nice and friendly it felt like we had been coming for years. I know I’ll be back. Continue reading →

Buskey Bay Resort, Iron River, 4/30/21

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exterior

Buskey Bay Resort was previously Hyde’s and before that the Hermitage.  Deciding to make a change from their city lifestyle Chris and Brenda Diesing and Valerie and Kevin Zimmerman purchased it the first part of 2021.  Next to the restaurant/bar building are cabin rentals and across the highway is an available dock for your boat or pontoon rental.  Covid-19 has made it a challenging time to open but they are gradually being able to open back up with in house dining Wed. thru Sunday and specials most night.  Inside now you will find 2 rooms decorated with numerous animal head mounts shot by the owners and muted TVs.  The entrance room is surrounded by windows and the more interior room houses the large bar that does have stools available for drinking and/or dining.  Fun instrumental music was in the background and Chris was at the bar making cocktails.  Tables were well spaced and staff wore masks.  We went on a Friday which is fish fry and had good martinis to go with it.  The server was slow in getting our order but once it was in, service progressed rapidly. Continue reading →

Hyde’s on Buskey Bay, Iron River, 11/10/18

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exterior
exterior

Hyde’s on Buskey Bay is a couple of miles down County Road H when you turn on it from Hwy 2 in Iron River.  It overlooks a large lake which you can see if you chose seating on the enclosed porch.  I always have preferred to sit in the back section, which is the older portion with softer lighting and where the bar is located.  This night had live music in the form of an electronic keyboard playing at a nice volume in that back portion.  In the winter it’s less crowded but in the summer or other more tourist heavy times you are best to call ahead for a reservation.  The welcoming owners, Don and Helen Hyde, divide the duties with Helen running the kitchen and Don watching over the dining area while tending bar.  The large menu is all a la carte with nightly specials Wednesday thru Saturday.  All dinners and specials come with a trip to the salad bar, soup and dessert bar.  Many plates also include a choice of potato.  Portions are generous as are pours in the wine-by-the-glass.  Selection of wines is limited but a full bar can provide cocktails and beer.  This night our server was efficient, friendly and good with pacing. Continue reading →

Sawmill Saloon, Seeley, 11/9/18

~ hsnixon ~ 2 Comments

exterior
exterior

The Sawmill Saloon is a huge place with several rooms, each having a different feel but all getting food from the same kitchen.  The first rooms are on either side of the large bar and decorations fill the walls and hang from the ceiling.  Crowd noise fills the background but it was still easy to talk with companions at the table.  Service was efficient and super friendly.  The good sized menu pizza, burgers, salads, sandwiches and a selection of snacks/appetizers. They also offer a Friday night fish fry and a Saturday prime rib. Continue reading →

DaLou’s, Washburn, 7/24/18

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exterior
exterior

DaLous is a small restaurant with a tiny patio area for extra seating.  They need that extra space cause this place is packed and people that will wait for tables. Chef Dale Hanson specializes in pizza from a wood fired oven but they also offer one baked pasta dish each night in addition to a featured pizza combination.  They have a number of delicious salads to go with the food and house made gelato and other sweets made by his partner Lois Stensvad.  A la the name Dalou’s was born.  There is a small wine list and beer available but they do not have a liquor license.  A mustard and red color theme is carried out in the menus, table napkins and wall paint.  Service is friendly and helpful and the atmosphere is pretty casual with bare wood tables.  Music plays in the background but the hum of the crowded room is the main source of noise. Continue reading →

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

~ hsnixon ~ 6 Comments

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 →

Aroma’s Bistro, Maple, 7/22/18

~ hsnixon ~ 2 Comments

building
building

Aroma’s Bistro recently opened in a space where another restaurant had been.  It is a small place with a couple small tables, a bunch that could seat six, and some counter stools.  It looked like they were thinking about starting outdoor dining under the canopy that used to shade the gas stations that have been removed.  It is in a small town, Maple, on Highway 2 and open for breakfast and lunch.  Attached to a small convenience store, the restaurant has counters where they sell hand dipped ice cream, coffee drinks and pastries.  However, even though they have an sign for a number of coffee drinks the server admitted she’d have to consult her book to make anything other than the 4 standard orders.  The place is clean but bright and a bit sterile.  Not many personal items are on the walls and the view out the window is of the highway.  The server was very friendly and helpful.  The same menu is served all day.   Continue reading →

Dreamland Supper Club, South Range, 7/21/18

~ hsnixon ~ 2 Comments

exterior
exterior

The Dreamland Supper Club is not far off Highway 2 when heading east out of Superior, Wisc.  The current owners, Dan and Terri Patterson have had the place for 19 years.  Dan runs the front of the house and bar while Terri is the chef in the kitchen.  It is only open for dinner and has a good flashing bulb and neon sign signaling you to turn in.  You enter into the large dining room and the good sized bar is to your right.  Most people seemed to be having their cocktails at the table rather than in the bar, so we followed their lead.  The carpeted dining room has well spaced tables covered with an oil cloth set with paper placemats.  A cloth napkin stuffed with flatware is at each place.  The place is filled with paintings and one large mural of dogsleds in winter.  Half walls divide the room and the open spaces are decorated with artificial ivy.  The lights are lowered, music is in the background and the ceiling is loaded with stars and glitter – a real dreamland-like affect.  They are open Thursday through Sunday and in addition to the regular menu have a special offered every night.   Continue reading →

The Brick House Cafe, Cable, 7/21/18

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building
building

The Brick House is in an old brick house that has a small interior dining space and order counter.  There were also a number of tables on a patio outside and a couple small metal ones on the porch of the house.  A couple of rocking chairs are also on the porch and would be a nice place to enjoy your morning coffee and maybe a muffin.  We were there during the breakfast hour but they also serve lunch and then close at 3:00.  There were lots of flowers around the house and inside, probably because it was summer time.  Inside the walls are filled with placques and pictures and the wall over the coffee machine is primarily about Diners, Drive-ins and Dives visit to the place.  No music is in the background but there was a constant stream of people coming and going.  Natural light comes in through the many windows, but air conditioning is there if it gets hotter.   Continue reading →

Round Up North, Brule, 7/20/18

~ hsnixon ~ 2 Comments

building
building

Round Up North is a large place on a small road that runs parallel to Highway 2.  Joe and Linda Scaccia moved ‘up north’ from Chicago and brought along a number of their Italian family recipes.  It is a dull looking building but when you step inside you are greeted by a good sized bar area and walls covered with stuff.  A low wall divides the large room between the dining and bar areas.  We were there on a Friday night which is also fish fry night and it was packed with people,  As were with a group of friends I got to photograph some of the fish fry options as well as the pizza.  The place serves dinner daily and lunch on Friday and Saturday.  The service was super friendly but struggled on timing and maintenance probably due to the crowd.  Tables are of bare wood with an oil cloth covered doily in the center and come in a variety of sizes so they can easily be assembled to accommodate a large group.   Continue reading →

The Robin’s Nest, Hayward, 5/12/18

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exterior
exterior

Robin’s Nest is about 15 minutes outside of Hayward and a fairly large place spread over several rooms, all with windows to the outside.  It and the kitchen take up most of the room on the first floor of what looks to be an old house.  It has been in business with the same family for 16 years and serves breakfast and lunch.  They had monthly specials when we were there that included a southern fried pork tenderloin served with eggs, potato and toast, and the pancake of the month which was cinnamon raisin.  Tables are nicely spaced and draped with an oil cloth cover.  There is plenty of parking and service is friendly and efficient.  In the back room they had several shelves with products to sell – books, jam, syrup, etc.   Continue reading →

Coop’s Pizza, Hayward, 2/8/18

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IMG_1403
exterior

Coop’s Pizza has been in business almost 40 years and serves primarily pizza but also serves sandwiches (including burgers), salads, snacks, pressure fried chicken and a few Italian plates.  They offer a good lunch deal but you have to be willing to eat buffet style.  It seemed to be the popular choice but we wanted to just try their fresh made pizza.  The large place has a few counter seats, lots of tables spread throughout a couple rooms and booth seating.  One set of booths is in a smaller room with windows to the street out front where a large patio is also available in better weather times.  A couple of the tables in the largest room are next to a huge aquarium and the rest of the place has lots of pictures and other decorations to look at.  There are a ton of horns around some used for door handles and some for lighting fixtures.  We were there in the winter and Christmas decorations were everywhere adding to the casual atmosphere.  Service was efficient and friendly.   Continue reading →

Twin Gables Café Bar, Brule, 11/16/17 & 1/8/18

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building
building

Twin Gables is a large place right on Highway 2 that offers breakfast, lunch and dinner but the hours vary daily except for opening at 7:00 am and being open at least till 2:00 pm,  so I’d check their website if you’re looking for dinner.  There is a nice sized dining room when you enter that is a combination of booths and free-standing tables and a back room with less tables but counter seating at a bar.  The third room looks like it could host a buffet line and there is a glass enclosed counter with pieces of their various desserts.  Windows are on two sides so there is lots of natural light during the day.  A large menu has all the standard breakfast foods and lunch is mostly burgers and sandwiches.  They also have daily specials.  Food is simple and homey and service is efficient and friendly.  We visited twice to try their breakfast and lunch offerings.   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 →

The Other Place, Iron River, Wisconsin, 1/5/17 & 2/18/17

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img_8731
Building

The Other Place, or as it’s commonly known the O-P, is right next to the grocery store on the main road in Iron River.  It’s been through a number of owners but for as long as I’ve known it, it offers an array of burgers, sandwiches and fried snacks.  The large room has been re-done in past years to cover it with light wood and add better TVs.  There are lots of tables, hi-tops and regular, as well as counter seating at the large bar.  Right on the ‘corridor’ it gets lots on snowmobile and ATV traffic. It is cash only.  The staff are friendly and the manager Morgan Kalk is often in the open kitchen cooking.   Continue reading →

Cable Cafe, Cable, Wisconsin, 8/29/16 & 10/3/16

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img_9991
Exterior

Cable Cafe is a small place that you’d easily drive by but inside you’ll find good, solid home cooking. It’s made up of a counter that seats about 6 and a dining room of another 6 tables. The bathrooms are around back, so you have to walk outside to use them.  There’s usually one waitress, one cook and a counter full of ‘regulars’ sharing conversation. Shirley, the owner, is usually in the kitchen and Jamie is waiting out front. They are a perfect in-tune pair of workers.  It is cash only.  The place is filled with whimsical decorations which can entertain you if you sit in the dining room and have to wait for food. Snag a seat at the bar if you can and whoever is there will start a conversation with you in no time. Also Jamie will keep your cup filled and you can get a glimpse of the other food coming out of the kitchen.   Continue reading →

The Spot Supper Club, Iron River, 7/13/16

~ hsnixon ~ 2 Comments

front sign
front sign

The Spot Supper Club is located on Buskey Bay just off Highway H from Iron River, Wisc. It is a medium sized place that is only open for dinner.  The low ceilings, windows overlooking the lake and collection of unusual decorations all add to the cozy atmosphere.  Co-owners Pam and Kevin Jungst are always in the house with Pam at the door playing the roll of hostess unless she’s in the kitchen cooking and Kevin is the bartender and cuts all the steaks they serve. They usually have a nightly special as well a large menu and often offer special buffets for holidays. Continue reading →