supper club

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 →

Del-Bar, Wisconsin Dells, 7/20/24

~ hsnixon ~ 4 Comments
exterior – 800 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

The Del-Bar has been in business since 1943 when Jim and Alice Wimmer took the plunge and bought an existing roadside restaurant known for its char-broiled steaks.  The restaurant had its 75th anniversary in 2018 when the third generation (two grand-daughters) of the Wimmers took control.  This large place is about tradition and the supper club experience with several bars where you can enjoy a cocktail before dinner in the many dining rooms.  It’s a more elegant scene with table clothes and tasteful decorations.  The building was Prairie-style architecture and was actually designed by a Frank Lloyd Wright protégé, James Dresser.  Carpet was on the floor and no music in the background which made conversation easy.  There was a combination of booth and table seating in the dining room as well as patio if you wanted outdoor dining.  I really liked the look of the place and the service was professional and friendly but the food was mixed. Continue reading →

Ishnala Supper Club, Lake Delton, WI., 7/19/21

~ hsnixon ~ 6 Comments
above entry – S2011 Ishnala Rd, Lake Delton, WI 53940

Ishnala Supper Club is named for a Winnebago Indian word meaning “by itself alone.”  It overlooks Mirror Lake in the middle of Mirror Lake State Park.  Settlers bought the lands from the tribe in 1826 and constructed a log cabin trading post.  The Coleman family bought it in 1909 and made it into their dream home but it changed hands in 1953 when the Hoffman Brothers bought it and created the Ishnala Supper Club, as it is today.  Robert Prosser, who started work there as a busboy in 1973,  bought it in 1993 .  When we went he was at the door greeting guests.  It’s a huge place with an extended driveway to the grounds and parking lots, but if they fill there is parking where you turn in and a shuttle to get you to the restaurant and its 4 bars.  You check in and will be given an estimate on how long your wait is as they take no reservations.  The bars open at 3:30 and the restaurant at 4:00 but the line starts forming by 3:00.  We got there at 3:00 and were happy that they started letting people in about 10 minutes early.  When we left, the reception person said the wait was 2.5 hours.  It’s a machine.  There were chairs everywhere on porches and in the various bars located on many levels. Continue reading →

McGregor’s Blink Bonnie, St. Germain, WI., 5/23/24

~ hsnixon ~ 6 Comments
building – 1506 County Road C, Saint Germain, WI, 54558

McGregor’s Blink Bonnie Supper Club  was started by Jack andJudy McGregor in 1971.   More of a steakhouse than a traditional supper club it has been wildly popular with locals and tourists.  Now owned by the third generation of McGregors – James and his two sons. The name Blink Bonnie is Scottish in origin roughly translated to “welcome warmly”.  They open at 4:00 pm and the line can start as early as 3:30.  The dining room has just 11 tables so the first wave fills it and if you’re not in that you are looking at a couple hours wait.  However the room you enter in is a bar with stools at the counter and a few tables.  No food is served in here but drinks are strong and reasonably priced.  The walls in the bar are covered with mounted animals whereas the dining room had more fish mounts and equipment.   The dark wood bare tables are all the same size but a couple of them had fold outs to accommodate tables of 6. No music was in the background but there were a lot of windows to the outside.   Steaks come on a sizzling platter which is their trademark and it doesn’t take long for a haze to fill the room even with a ‘smoke eater’ machine but it is a wonderful smell and conducive to an appetite.  This place is mentioned in many lists of supper clubs but there is no relish tray and dessert choices are limited.  It was a fun experience, since I’ve heard about it for some time but I’m not rushing back.  Maybe if I lived closer I’d feel differently. Continue reading →

The Harvey House, Madison, 5/9/23

~ hsnixon ~ 4 Comments
exterior (daytime) – 644 W Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703 

The Harvey House is a modern take on a supper club and train travel,  located in an historic train depot.  The old Baggage Claim House and a train car next door make up the interior spaces.  Opened by Shaina and Joe Papach, he runs the kitchen and she provides the design and business development portion.  Lots of Wisconsin classic cocktails are served as well as newer craft cocktails, but the wine list is limited.  The private car, which we could see out the window in our dining room, is used mostly for private parties according to our server.  Even so, it is a large place winding around different floors and rooms with music in the background.  A parking lot outside can handle some of the cars but parking can become an issue.  There were some area rugs on the hard floor but with all the brick walls and marble-top tables, noise quickly became an issue.  The lighting is very lowered which also became difficult as the sun went down.  The food was mixed but service was fine.  I do love supper clubs, but as much as I admire what the owners bring to the dining scene I probably wouldn’t go back. Continue reading →

The Ranch Supper Club, Hayward, WI., 8/27/22

~ hsnixon ~ 2 Comments
building – 10590 N. Ranch Rd., Hayward, WI., 54843

The Ranch Supper Club started out as The Aladdin in 1931.  It had a varied following from lumberjacks to timber tycoons to Chicago gangsters.  It changed ownership several times during the ’40s and ’50s but finally became the Ranch Supper Club in 1960 when the “colorful personality”, Vivian Levinson owned it.  In 1987 Beth and Barney Morgan partnered with Cheryl Haupt to run it for the next 30 years. After Haupt died in 2016 the Morgans were happy to have their daughter Haley and her husband Nathan Bochler take the helm a year later.   Haley was raised in the business and her husband is also from northern Wisconsin.  They spent 13 years in California learning more about the food industry where she earned a sommelier certificate.  We visited on a Sat. night and the place was packed.  A large parking area is outside with 2 doors that lead into the large bar area with tables too.  Don’t miss the beautiful counter at the bar that is made with colorful inset stones.  The dining rooms are behind the bar and have a separate hostess station for check-in.  Windows to the woods out back make up one wall with tables in the middle and booths along the opposite wall. Another dining room was in the opposite direction.  Faint music is in the background and farm and cooking implements decorate the ceiling and walls along with wood beams.  The lighting was lowered, the wine list was above average, the bare wood tables were set with flatware wrapped in a cloth napkin and service was friendly and attentive. Overall it was a good meal but I expected more. However, if you’re in the area I’d stop by and try it out I think it has potential and any drink would taste better drunk over that beautiful bar. Continue reading →

Kimball Inn, Hurley, 8/23/18

~ hsnixon ~ 2 Comments
exterior
exterior

Kimball Inn was much smaller than I expected, considering the breadth of their menu.   The entire interior is finished in wood paneling with low ceilings and fairly low light in the dining room.  The good sized bar area is more lit and also had a few tables where additional diners could eat.  In the dining room there were 2 booths with low, straight back benches,  a small window to the street and a few photographs of animals on the walls.  On the way into the dining room was a large chalkboard with the nightly specials.  It cannot be seen from the seating area, so study it on your way in.  The options sounded interesting but somehow they didn’t come off as well as they sounded.  Portions are large.  They offered a number of wines by the bottle but it was not an overwhelming selection.  The server was inefficient and not particularly helpful, sometimes disappearing for long spells and never coming to check if you needed anything.   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 →

Chippewa Inn, Hayward, 1/5/18

~ hsnixon ~ 4 Comments
building
building

Chippewa Inn is a large supper club in Hayward that has been in business since the 1930s.  They specialize in dry aged meats and German entrees.  You enter into a large full liquor bar with many stools and a few tables.  The friendly owner Tom Landgraf is the bartender and his wife Debbie manages floor operations.  The vibe is relaxed and comfortable and there is fun conversation between those sitting at the bar.  The place is filled with souvenirs of many years in business.  There are 2 main dining rooms and the second one has some fabulous doll houses (I’ve included a few pictures of them that I took a couple years ago at the end of this post) that were made for Debbie.  Even if the room is not in use when you go make sure to go in and see them.  Service is efficient and super friendly.  Kelli, our server, couldn’t have been nicer.   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 →