eating between chicaqo and door county

I am heading up to Jen's Jensen's "folk school" called The Clearing in mid-August for a week-long workshop in Ellison Bay, WI. I've been there once last spring and feel like I have a sense of the Good, the Bad and the Ugly in Door County, but I would relish some recs for places to explore between my doorstep in Chicago and the Clearing. I will be solo, without husband or toddler and drooling over the thought of pulling over wherever I darn well please. Last spring I recall literally coming around a bend and seeing a place with a sign for "pasties" but it was a Sunday and closed. I love pie, I love eating cheap food in a wide variety of places, I'm not afraid of eating and drinking in a local bar if it's family owned, I like church fish fries and meat and farmers markets. I really am open to just about anything. I don't want anything posh or too pricey or that I'll have to wear nice clothes for. I am willing to drive a little off the route for something great. And I would score big with the boys at home if I bring back brats and good cheese.

thanks in advance!

bjt

Obviously, Milwaukee has lots of interesting places. A little further north in Port Washington is the classic Great Lakes seafood place Smith Bros.

And, north of that, is the surprisingly upscale restaurant in Sheboygan, Biro.

I'm sure there are many more, but that's what comes to mind right now.

I am going up next week, so I am interested too. But I also would very much like to here ideas in and around Door County as well, especially any classic supper club type of places.

Close to the tip of Door County is a store where you can get my favorite salmon spread along with other picnicky items. Go out towards Gills Rock on 42, past Ellison Bay. It will be a grey colored building on the left side called Mariners Market. Some of the things you will see when you're getting close: Sign for Edens something, 1 mile sign to Newport State Park. I haven't been there myself for a few years, but a friend of mine goes there every summer.

nr706 wrote:Obviously, Milwaukee has lots of interesting places. A little further north in Port Washington is the classic Great Lakes seafood place Smith Bros.

I was in Port Washington this evening. Smith Brothers has closed. Their neon sign is still on top of the building, though there is a space for lease sign in their window.

Regards,

Nine years would seem enough time to bump this.

I am trying to get up there on Friday and since it's been a while since I headed up that way, I find myself wondering about current recommendations (1) EXCLUDING Milwaukee and Sheboygan and (2) EXCLUDING anything north of Green Bay/Kewaunee...any updates?

Since I'll probably be leaving later than I would like, I'm also wondering if there are any fish fries of note before I get too far north. ("Too far" being subject to my whims, the weather, the traffic, and lots of other things.) As to route, I don't care; I'm willing to take roads less traveled and make detours. I don't have a reservation/specific destination in mind. Thanks.

There is a place in Duvall, Wi called Joe Rouer's. Take I-43 N to Hwy 57 N toward Sturgeon Bay. Exit at County Rd X toward Duvall. Joe Rouer's is on that. Great stop and legendary burgers. The original joint burned many years ago. Back then it was a bar attached to a house and they made the burgers in cast iron pans in the house. Sold only burgers back them. Now rebuilt and a bit larger menu, but burgers rule.

This is a very reasonable detour,

viewtopic.php?p=479958#p479958

In Manitowoc, the Courthouse Pub is good, with the Harborside Restaurant another safe bet. For one of those "destination dining" spots, I recommend venturing west off of I-43 to Collins and Restaurant Al Corso. It's upscale for the area, and the food is quite good. It's a pretty area known mostly for hunting and fishing and farming.


http://www.courthousepub.com/
http://alcorsorestaurant.com/

Quick post to note my enthusiastic thumbs up (ditto-ing many others on this board) for brats at Charcoal Inn North in Sheboygan. Also, some of the best onion rings I've ever had the pleasure of snarfing: perfectly crisp, not oily in the least. A real joy of a discovery. (Given the iffy weather when I went and the timing involved, it turned out that Sheboygan worked best. I've noted several suggestions, though, and next trip up will involve other (hopefully multiple) stops.)

Charcoal Inn North
1637 Geele Av
Sheboygan WI
920-458-6988