There's no shortage of fine dining in the Northwoods - from our infamous Friday Night Fish Fry to BBQ to Ethnic to Prime Rib.
Sadly, during the Scamdemic we lost a lot of good restaurants and chefs, but new establishments are moving in to take their place.
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These are my fave restaurants to dine at in Minocqua, Boulder Junction and the surrounding areas. (In no particular order)
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NORWOOD PINES SUPPER CLUB
Norwood Pines Supper Club is notorious among locals and tourists alike.
My brother and I frequently go there for their Friday fish fry. As do about a gazillion other people so reservations are a must!​
Hi, I'm Pat and welcome to my blog, Life's A Trip!
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I love traveling, food and getting a great deal on anything - which is what this travel blog is about.
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I'll share not only my travel destinations including accommodations, dining hot spots, and top (and weird!) travel attractions with you - but how to make any trip more budget friendly.
The fish fry comes with coleslaw, hush puppies, hot bread, french fries.
It's all you can eat as long as you're dining in the restaurant. $19.
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If you're not into fish, Norwood Pines also serves steaks, pasta dishes, chicken, other forms of seafood, BBQ ribs, pork and veal.
Located at 10171 State Highway 70, Minocqua, WI
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BAD BONES BBQ
Deep Fried Cod, Cajun Baked Cod, or Broiled Cod. Can Mix and match varieties. They also serve deep fried perch which is scrumptious.
Bad Bones BBQ serves real Southern BBQ - their daily menu offers pulled pork, brisket, ribs, and chicken. You can get these as a sandwich or dinner, and they offer combo meals as well. They also offer a variety of specialty sandwiches featuring their smoked meats. Don't forget about their pizzas too!
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1421 US Highway 51 N, Arbor Vitae, WI If you get to Fin 'n Feather you've gone just a bit too far.
Bad Bones will be on your left on a bit of a hill, if you're heading north on Hwy. 51.
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NACHOS MEXICAN GRILL
Their drinks are great too.
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Nachos is located in the Trigs mall where Tula's Cafe used to be.
9750 WI-70, Minocqua, WI
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THE GUIDE'S INN
People come specifically to Boulder Junction to dine at the Guide's Inn.
It was my favorite restaurant until my friend and the owner, Chef Jimmy passed away.
I love authentic Mexican food and Nachos Mexican Grill has great authentic Mexican food.
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I haven't had a meal there that wasn't delicious and the portions are large. I especially love their loaded nachos and steak fajitas, not to mention Taco Tuesday.
The waitstaff are friendly and efficient and the decor is colorful Mexican.
It closed for awhile, then reopened recently. I believe it's being run by Chef Jimmy's son. I haven't had the heart to go back, knowing I won't see Jimmy there...but it's still getting rave reviews. And still serving Chef Jimmy's signature dish, stuffed walleye.
It does appear as though Jimmy's son has kept the menu basically the same with only a few additions.
I recommend the Rack of Lamb, the Veal Oscar, the Shrimp St. James and without a doubt, the French Onion Soup with the melted cheese. Best French Onion soup I've ever had.
Guide's Inn is located on Hwy. M in Boulder Junction next to a big nursery. You'll see the Guide's Inn sign on the road.
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ERA CAFE
Guide's Inn also makes their own ice cream in various flavors so save room for dessert.
I'm partial to the peach myself.
My brother and I just tried ERA for the first time. WOWSA!
I think I just found another favorite restaurant!
I had the chicken bacon ranch wrap with a dish of fresh fruit on the side and it was DELICIOUS! My brother had Eggs Benedict and said his breakfast was every bit as good. My nephew took his family there for breakfast and they said their breakfasts were out of this world.
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ERA serves breakfast, lunch and dinner - but their specialty is their breakfasts. They aren't your normal ho-hum breakfasts - for example, their Brioche French Toast and different varieties of pancakes.
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ERA is located on Hwy. 51 North, right before you get to Brandy Lake BP gas station. Left side of the road if you're heading north. (Where the old Perkins Restaurant used to be)
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HOGGIE DOGGIES
Hoggie Doggie's is my fave summer spot to go to (because they're only open in the summer).
I'm addicted to their Chicago Style Hot Dogs and homemade ice cream. Different flavor every week.
There is a drive thru and all dining is outdoor in a nice seating area with tables. Parking is right on site.
If you bring your dog, they'll even give him/her a doggie cone!
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8803 Hwy 47, Woodruff WI If you're in Minocqua, take Hwy. J and just follow it until you get to Hoggie Doggie's on your left.
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AQUALAND ALE
Aqualand Ale is my sister's and my favorite go-to for lunch.
We're hooked on their prime rib sandwiches - best ever.
Their brick oven pizzas are also very good.
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They have both indoor and outdoor dining. They also have a large selection of beers and a black cherry soda that's YUM.
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10450 Main St, Boulder Junction, WI
If you watch the small field across the street you'll sometimes see deer grazing there, including our albino deer.
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So that's a list of my favorite area restaurants.
accommodations
There are FAR too many accommodations up here to list all of them - motels, hotels, condos, B&B's, resorts...and since I live up here I have no need of staying in accommodations. Besides, people have their own list of amenities they're looking for when booking a place to stay.
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The one place I will recommend in Boulder Junction is the Acorn Lodge. I've stayed there when our power went out for days. It's nothing fancy at all...but it's family run, they bent over backwards to accommodate me, the place is very clean and not at all a dump even though it's nothing fancy.
(It got excellent reviews on TripAdvisor)
All of their over-sized spacious rooms have two Queen Beds (Whirlpool Jacuzzi Suite has one King Bed), Refrigerators, Hi-Speed Wi-Fi, Cable TV. Rooms available with Vaulted Wood beam ceilings, and Deer viewing rooms that face our yard. You can relax in our indoor Pool & Spa or in the fabulous Great Room with a beautiful large stone fireplace. All of the rooms were just completely redecorated including new mattresses, drapes, paint, carpet, etc. And rates are reasonable.
They provide to all of their guests Complimentary Continental Breakfast, Coffee, Gourmet Tea, Hot Chocolate.
The lodge is non smoking and non pet.
(However, if you're a smoker ask for a room with a door that leads out into their inner yard. They allow smoking out there as long as you don't leave cigarette butts lying around and clean up after yourself.)
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