Fitzgerald's, Eagle River, MI (Keweenaw Peninsula)

Before leaving for the Keweenaw, I did a fair amount of research (including lthforum) and almost missed one the best restaurant on the peninsula, or possibly the UP. The innkeepers of the Laurium Manor Inn gave me the tip.

This was out third trip to the Keweenaw with our daughter, who is a student at Michigan Tech in Houghton and this time we explored beyond Houghton/Hancock. After a great hike at Bare Bluff we drove to Copper Harbor and then down the coast to Eagle River. Fitzgerald’s is in the Eagle River Inn, which is directly on a beautiful beach. There are great views of the sunset over Lake Superior from any table in the room.

The two twenty-something inn keepers (Mike and Marc) just completed a total overhaul of all of the inn’s rooms and have significantly expanded the craft beer and spirits list.

We shared an order of excellent, house-made black bean hummus.

Entrees come with soup or salad. Sunday’s soup was delicious, black bean, wood roasted vegetables, and pulled pork. My wife had a nice spinach salad with local, wild blueberries and one of the girls had a nice mixed green salad with house made croutons. Excellent warm from the oven corn muffins were great with the soup and salads.

For entrees two of us had the excellent Pecan Walleye (walleye fillet dredged in pecan flour, then topped with dried Michigan cherry butter) served with perfectly steamed smow peas. Nancy had the mac and cheese and I had Jim’s Baked Beans. Both were very good. My Tech daughter had the Sweet Italian Sausage Alfredo ( linguine tossed with the house sausage and Chef Damon’s alfredo sauce) and her sister enjoyed the Cherry Pecan Salad (mixed greens with caramelized pecans, dried Michigan cherries, goat cheese and a raspberry Dijon vinaigrette).

Mike’s father, Jim, makes the baked beans and all of the desserts. I loved the local raspberry pie ala mode and the girls were swooning over German chocolate cake and the triple chocolate cake.

We enjoyed a really fun evening of delicious food, nice drinks, a great view and sunset, and nice hospitality from Mike, Marc, and our server, Katie Jo.

Fitzgerald’s will be in the regular rotation for future visits and we are looking forward to staying in the Eagle River Inn.

Eagle River Inn / Fitzgerald's Restaurant and Lounge

5033 Front Street
Eagle River, Mi 49950

906-337-0666
info@eagleriverinn.com

I was sure I'd reviewed this gem myself, but I see I only put it on TripAdvisor. I completely agree with your assessment. Here's what I wrote last October.

What a pleasure to find great wood-fired BBQ in a place that could easily slide by on location and lack of competition alone. The East Side sandwich is a North Carolina style pulled pork and was terrific. Even the sides--baked beans, cole slaw, fries, were well above average. All this and a great location right on the beach. Very friendly owners as well, clearly proud of what they're accomplishing.

Ann,

I was surprised that you never posted on Fitzgerald's. You don't seem to miss much in the UP and I have read your (and Ed's) UP posts prior to each trip north.

Best,
Al

Had another nice meal on Saturday evening, excellent brisket. Glad we made a reservation for 7:30, I heard a 45 min wait around 8pm. Nice to see them busy.