When I travel, I like to explore the local dining culture. I’m going to be spending some time in eastern WI (Door County and also the Sheboygan area). I’m kind of intrigued about the concept of supper clubs. Is a visit to one (or more) something that’s a must-do? Can someone help me understand the attraction of these places? From what I’ve seen online, I can’t figure out what sets these places apart from other restaurants with similar menus.
Also, are the fish boils I’ve been reading about more about the “experience” or about the food? I guess what I’m asking is, is boiled fish really tasty? And is a fish fry a must-do?
What else should I not miss while I’m in WI? Thanks!
Friday fish fry at a supper club is fresh local fish (frquently perch or if you’re lucky, walleye) fried in a light batter or breading. Delicious, but the good ones will be slammed. Have an old-fashioned or a Manhattan, and go home and play euchre for a textbook summer Friday night in the Midwest.
Thanks, Sunshine. If Fridays are the only days for a fish fry, I’m out of luck. We’ve got only one Friday on our trip and we’ll be in Michigan’s UP that night.
I posed the very same query a couple of weeks ago before we went to Madison. We hit a fish fry and 3 versions of the supper club, Dexter’s for the fish, Toby’s, for an iconic experience and Harvey House, for a more upscale, reimagined experience. I’d say a supper club is a vibe more than anything else, a neighborhood eatery with a “Cheers” like atmosphere where everybody knows your name.
Dexter’s food was superior to Toby’s. Husband had the Walleye fish fry. I had a very good Reuben all preceded by our first experience with fried cheese curds for the when in Rome of it all. A delightful surprise at the end was a rather good apple crisp with caramel apple ice cream for $4.00!
Toby’s felt like a VFW post or fraternal club with a decor to match, dimly lit, a raucous bar crowd, wood paneling, and sassy waitresses. Here we had our first relish plate which consisted of 2 scallions, celery and carrot sticks and 2 pickles. Hmmm. We had great onion rings and fries but the steaks were meh.
No dessert menu.
Finally, Harvey House was delightful. Husband had pork loin with a loaded baked potato and I had a fish sandwich with brioche bun and homemade dill sauce. We were gifted a glass of an Italian sweet wine as an anniversary treat and our slice of chocolate raspberry cake was delivered to the table with a candle. Excellent service, pleasant atmosphere and really good food.
Not sure how helpful any of this is since you’re heading to Sheboygan but I’d say fear not the supper club and try to get to one in the interest of an iconic, regional cultural experience.
Safe and tasty travels!
Door county at this time of year is rather busy with leaf peepers who come for the fall color. Most places are open thurs to Sunday. My parents were over ther 2 weeks ago for some of the local theater productions and food planning required planning
