Dining Up North - and all the rest!

From Three Lakes to Wausau, here are my regional favorites

Forager pizza at Red Eye Brewing Company in Wausau

This post will cover the extras that aren't Rhinelander, Eagle River, or Minocqua/Woodruff. As such, I'll only mention a couple places in each location; but they're all well worth visiting! Wausau is not quite in the Northwoods, but it's an honorable mention because it has some of the best restaurants around. Plus it's only an hour south of Rhinelander!

Little Bohemia Lodge - I love a restaurant that also has a rich history, and this place does not disappoint - plus the food is awesome. It's located outside gorgeous Mantowish Waters, WI, and it's the site of the infamous shootout between the John Dillinger gang and the FBI. It was also a location used in the film "Public Enemies", starring Johnny Depp, which tells the story of the Dillinger gang. You can put your fingers in the bullet holes from the shootout - and then enjoy a fantastic dish like the tasty Bohemian Pavos, chicken breasts stuffed with shrimp and served with local wild rice.

Bohemian Pavos at Little Bohemia

Black Forest Pub and Grille - My favorite place in Three Lakes is the Black Forest. It closed down for a while, but great news - it's back!! It's a classic old-fashioned supper club but with a German twist. Everything is great - love their fish fry, although my favorite dish there is the Jägerschnitzel.

Main Street Ed's - Visit this classic bar and grill in Argonne for lots of taxidermy on the walls and a menu of comfort food. We've never had a bad meal here. Everything is delicious. The burgers are awesome, the fish is fantastic, AND they have those giant cheese curds.

Trailhead Pub - Located in the Little Pine Motel (which, by the way, is incredibly cozy and a great place to stay up North if you aren't from here), this bar and grill offers pizza, burgers, an appetizers. I don't do bleu cheese but my friend says that the bacon blue burger is excellent and also recommend the moose knuckles and pork wings.

King Buffet - My kids are in love with this Chinese buffet in Wausau, and I don't disagree with them. As a family, we're crazy about Chinese buffets, and this is our favorite due to the fresh food, cleanliness, and wide variety of tasty options.

Red Eye Brewing Company - My number one fav place in Wausau. Everything on the menu is absolutely perfect and I've tried a LOT of different options. My favorite dish WAS the Ninepatch lamb meatballs because they used to come with creamy, cheesy polenta - last time I went it came with something else, spicy, didn't like it. The menu NOW says it's back to polenta, so I'll have to go check it out. I also highly recommend the Red Eye Mac & Cheese Gratin, and the Red Eye Signature Salad, and the Forager Pizza, which has delicious toasted pine nuts.

Red Eye Mac & Cheese Gratin at Red Eye Brewing Company in Wausau

CHOP in Door County - Okay, this is NOT in the Northwoods ... but if you ever get a chance to visit stunning Door County, do not pass it up. The entire area is rich in natural beauty and tiny quaint villages. It's like driving through a movie. I can't tell you how stunning the place is - you just have to go. CHOP, in Sister Bay, is a premier steakhouse; we went in October and sat on the second floor balcony outside, and were quite toasty with lots of outdoor heaters. We had the filet medallions, the filet mignon, goat cheese crostinis, and bananas Foster for dessert. Everything was flawless.

Filet medallions at CHOP in Sister Bay, Door County

I'd be amiss if I didn't bemoan the loss the Guide's Inn in Boulder Junction. It was a famous local landmark for decades, and its last day was February 29, 2024. There's still hope that it might re-open someday, but as far as we know, the passing of the legendary Jimmy Dean Van Rossum sealed the restaurant's fate. People used to visit from all over the country just to eat here - it was that good. It will be greatly missed.

Veal Oscar at the Guide's Inn

© 2024 T.H. Figg