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Dine At These 11 Southern Wisconsin Supper Clubs For That Northwoods Getaway Feel
Why travel up north for that authentic taste and experience of a true Wisconsin supper club? There are so many fine dining spots right here in our neck of the woods. What makes for a true supper club? The Northwoods' experience meets you at the parking lot. The supper club-feel greets you with friendly staff, and the noisy clatter of an adjacent bar and overflowing tables of happy families and friends. It is generous portions of large plate dinners complimentary salad bar joined by a basket of bread, possibly a soup like onion or chicken noodle and of course the steak. And if it's Friday it is Friday fish fry with sides like coleslaw and a bake potato. Thankfully, those days are back.
This soul healing combination of plentiful food and gregarious atmosphere had its' beginnings in the 1920s not in Wisconsin but Hollywood California. Yes, that's right supper clubs are another California import. Thankfully, Wisconsinites can lay claim to this restaurant trend as the founder of the 20s era, West Coast establishment was a native Milwaukeean. Soon after, Supper clubs began opening up from coast to coast, each with its' own signature regionalism, whether that be décor like a smoke filled, swanky nightclub or Northwoods log cabin. But over time, with the expansion of the U.S. highway system and suburbanization, according to the documentary, Old Fashioned: The Story of the Wisconsin Supper Club, the restaurant trend slowly disappeared. But, Wisconsin held on to the family tradition of eating out together breaking bread and celebrating life. "Around for decades, supper clubs in Wisconsin have been able to hold their own style and traditions," says the supper club documentary. A small aim for this article is to keep the tradition alive here in Southern Wisconsin, and if the popularity of the establishments sampled below is any indication supper clubs will be around for many years to come.
Before you go, COVID-19 has created a labor shortage in the restaurant industry. Many workers are performing multiple roles on the job. Please be patient and kind with the waitstaff, and restaurants listed.
Enjoy Dining At These Area Supper Clubs
The Original Edgewater Supper Club
3522 Co Rd K, Jefferson Phone:(920) 674-9942
Located along the banks of the Rock River, the Edgewater is a very popular regional destination Friday nights, and weekends. Planning a night? The supper club staff recommends that you reserve a table. You can reserve online at their website the Edgewater Supper Club. The Edgewater serves up the standard supper club fare like a 16 oz. New York strip with the traditional sides: their house salad and baked potato. Certainly one of the attractions for locals and regional fans alike is the Edgewater's commitment to "Farm-to-Table." If you like fish you can't go wrong with their walleye served in a mustard cream sauce. And don't forget to try out their famous wedge fries.
The Maple Tree Supper Club
Address: 6010 US 51, McFarland, Phone:(608)-838-5888
Convenient to get to (Hwy. 51) but plan to arrive after 7:30 on a Friday or Saturday if you want a booth or be prepared to wait around the bar in the front. This place definitely has the supper club cred with the interior decor alone the food matches the expectations.
On October 5th, 2022, the Maple Tree Supper Club sustained damage after a fire broke out. McFarland Fire chief calls the restaurant's tragedy the worst fire in the village of McFarland's history. Good news The Maple Tree Supper Club has re-opened renovated and better than ever!
Fredick's Supper Club
Address: 118 Merchant Row Milton Phone: (608)-868-2966
Fredrick's check off two major supper club check boxes: ample parking and bountiful amounts of food. Try the prime rib or fried shrimp. Friendly staff, and traditional sides, this supper club is a Southern Wisconsin getaway to the Northwoods.
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Benedetti's Club 51
Address: 118 Merchant Row Milton Phone: (608)-362-9917
Not quite the Northwoods feel, but a place Frank Sinatra or Al Capone might hang out at. Founded by in 1945 by Tosca Benedetti, the food, abbondanza! Benedetti's has the traditional supper club fare like filet mignon or pepper steak but why would you when there is fresh mostaccioli or lasagna or chicken cacciatore. All dinners include: Soup & Salad Bar; choice of potato and freshly baked bread. And for dessert, the other worldly looking dripping mounds that are the grass hopper and old fashioned get rave reviews. Speaking of coverage Fodor's even listed Benedetti's in 2016 article about
Midwest supper clubs..
The Butterfly Supper Club
Address: 5246 E County Road X, Beloit Phone: (608) -362-8577
A
long time Beloit tradition that had its' beginning in the 1920s as a tea room. The physical location has gone through many owners, and a fire in 1972 that gutted the original building. Today, the Butterfly Supper Club offers traditional fare with an upscale Décor and features live music on Fridays and Saturdays.
The Duck In Supper Club
Address: County A and Hwy 89, Richmond Phone:
(608) 883-6988
Once a speak easy in the days of Al Capone the Duck Inn has long storied history. Did Scarface once lurk in the smoky shadows of the Duck on the lam? The name Duck Inn is a tongue in cheek Prohibition reference "duck in" to a speak easy for a boot legged alcoholic beverage. The Supper Club features the standard fare with a little cultural exploration. You can order the 12oz NY Strip, or the 24oz Porterhouse but why not try Grecian Pork Chops or the Duck In's wienerschnitzel for change? Every dinner comes of "Soup, Juice, Tossed Salad or Spinach Salad Choice of Potato, or Rice (except where pasta or rice is included) Bread, Crackers and Cheese."
The 615 Club
Address: 615 Broad Street Beloit. Phone:
(608)-364-4615
The 615 is another great downtown Beloit supper club with a long history and great steaks, walleye, pork chops, and more. The classic relish tray even includes pickled herring, and numerous sides. Be sure to try The 615 Ribeye.
The Buckhorn Supper Club
Address: 11802 N Charley Bluff Rd, Milton Phone:
(608)-868-2653
If there ever was a Southern Wisconsin restaurant with that true look and feel of a Northwoods' supper club the Buckhorn on the shores of Lake Koshkonong would have to be it. Enjoy great food classics like prime rib and the traditional Friday Fish Fry too.
Helgesen's Harpos
Address: 5201 State Road 11, Janesville Phone:
(608)-752-8886
Established in 2006 and located on the outskirts of Janesville, Helgesen's Harpos is a relative newcomer on the scene but the food is all classic supper club fare. Check out the frog legs and mash potatoes for starters.
Kavanaugh's Esquire Club
Address: 025 N. Sherman Avenue, Madison Phone:
(608) -249-0193
Located On Madison's northside this long time supper club has the outward appearance of a family-style restaurant but Kavanaugh's serves up traditional classics like steak and seafood with sides like any true supper club.
Toby's Esquire Club
Address: 3717 S Dutch Mill Rd, Madison, WI 53718 Phone:
(608)-222-6913
Though adjacent to Stoughton Road, Toby's is a bit of a challenge to get to. If you go on a Friday night and arrive after rush hour quickly review the large parking lot before committing to an evening of eating. Even if the lot is not full, it may already be jammed to the rafters with hungry and thirsty patrons especially on a Friday night. Toby's has lots of regulars. Expect to wait at the bar before you begin your own culinary adventure. At Toby's every meal begins with the relish tray. What's behind the popularity? The food, filet mignon, chicken, prime rib, walleye (et al) has a lot to do with that.
Please tread lightly online with the restaurant reviews like Yelp! or Trip Advisor. The standard play, no matter which restaurant reviewed: for every one or three out of five star customer review expect to see at least one or two five star post(s) immediately following. Are these 5-star reviews real, burner accounts or hired guns? Who knows.
Can't get enough of that authentic supper club experience? Why not bring it home? Check out Mary Bergin's Wisconsin Supper Club Cookbook great recipes for that Friday night, family tradition.
Inspired to bring the Supper club experience home? Check out Lakes' Editions' classic recipes for a great Fish dinner and more.
Another Wisconsin Culinary Tradition
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