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Food|Restaurants

Few People Know One Of The Nicest Restaurants In America Is Hiding In Small-Town Wisconsin

The White Gull Inn in Fish Creek, Wisconsin, is a renowned small-town restaurant and inn known for its historic charm and award-winning dishes.

Updated Feb 6, 2024

Written by 

Ben Jones

Sometimes, you can find the best restaurants hiding in the smallest towns. In Fish Creek, an unincorporated community with fewer than a thousand people, you’ll find the White Gull Inn, an establishment that has been welcoming generations of guests. The inn is a relaxing retreat for people who want to spend the night and its restaurant has received some national attention as one of the best small-town restaurants in Wisconsin. Here’s why the White Gull Inn is one of the nicest restaurants in Wisconsin.

A lot of people visit Door County without realizing how close they are to a really great restaurant. When you’re heading north on Highway 42 into Fish Creek, instead of following most traffic to the right, take a left at the stop sign and you’ll see the inn on the left.

A charming white house with a green roof, decorated with pumpkins and flowers, under a cloudy sky. An American flag is displayed.
Saumil Amrute/Google

The Inn has a long history. A lodging property was first established in 1892, in the very earliest days of Door County’s tourism industry.

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A serene pathway leads to a charming house, surrounded by lush greenery and colorful flowers.
Lewis Butler/Google

In 1972, Andy Coulson purchased the inn with four friends. In 1981 he and his wife became the sole owners; in 2018, their daughter and son-in-law took over the establishment.

Cozy restaurant interior with a wooden table, chairs, and colorful flower pots by large windows overlooking a garden.
Ttreats/TripAdvisor

It welcomes guests with timeless but comfortable accommodations and it’s beautiful in any season.

A white house with a porch, an American flag, and a colorful flower garden in front under a blue sky.
Facebook / The White Gull Inn

The inn‘s restaurant has won over generations of diners, as well as many restaurant critics. It even won a national breakfast contest on Good Morning America, beating out establishments in Texas and North Carolina. The winning dish: the White Gull Inn Door County Cherry Stuffed French Toast! It's just one of the great dishes served here.

A plate of French toast topped with powdered sugar and cranberries, accompanied by two sausage links.
Keela P/TripAdvisor

There are a lot of great things to enjoy from the White Gull Inn menu, including cherry pancakes, the “Closed Doorwich” turkey sandwich, and a traditional Door County fish boil. At the end of the day, you can enjoy a comfortable night at the inn!

Cozy bedroom with two beds, yellow bedding, floral curtains, and warm lighting from bedside lamps.
Facebook / The White Gull Inn

The White Gull Inn is open for breakfast, lunch, and a candlelight dinner. Have you had the pleasure of eating here? Let us know about your experience in the comments.  There’s a lot to explore in Door County. Once you’ve enjoyed a meal at the White Gull Inn, you can explore the "Cape Cod of the Midwest."

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Food

Turn Back Time With a Stay at a Charming Retro Motel & a Meal at This Vintage Supper Club in Wisconsin

Those who love mid-century, Northwoods nostalgia will love Richards of Dunbar retro supper club and motel

Published Nov 6, 2024

Written by 

Trent Jonas

A few years ago, I was driving back home to Minnesota from a camping trip on Michigan's Upper Peninsula and got on U.S. Route 8, which would take me through some of the prettiest parts of Wisconsin, including the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and all its incredible trails. About half an hour out of Michigan, I approached the tiny town of Dunbar, Wisconsin, and I saw the most wonderful vision: a fantastically retro motel with an attached supper club (and as anybody who's read much of what I've written here knows, I love supper clubs, especially in Wisconsin).

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I didn't have time to stop on that road trip, but the name was burned into my mind: Richards of Dunbar Supper Club and Motel. I knew I'd have to visit one day, even though it's six hours from where I live. Well, I recently got the chance when I was tasked with chasing down some waterfalls in Michigan. I deliberately planned an overnight stop in Dunbar and quickly determined that this supper club and retro motel in Wisconsin's Northwoods should be on everybody's must-visit list.

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Trent Jonas/Only In Your State

The Richards of Dunbar sign alone is practically a roadside attraction in and of itself. Its multicolored lights and beautiful, mid-20th-century vibe make it a sight to behold: a beacon calling out to weary travelers looking for another era in which to eat and spend the night.

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Trent Jonas/Only In Your State

The motel rooms are simple, clean, and affordable. To be frank, it's a perfect place to stay in this remote Northwoods location, but nothing to write home about. I didn't even think to take a photo. Rooms typically hover north or south of the $100-range, depending on the season and events in the area.

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Trent Jonas/Only In Your State

Now the supper club, on the other hand, is a whole other story. With the exception on one near-fatal flaw - lack of a relish tray, which it remedies a bit with a salad bar - Richards is all you could ask for in a Wisconsin supper club. The lounge offers up big, strong bourbon Old Fashioneds (the brandy version is the state's official cocktail) that are perfectly mixed and reasonably priced.

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Trent Jonas/Only In Your State

The steaks are sizable, cooked to perfection, and served with classic sides. There are also plenty of other menu options, ranging from sandwiches and fish to chicken and ribs. One thing that did surprise me a bit is that, as retro as Richards is, some of the menu items definitely have 21st-century pricing. My tenderloin, for example, came in north of $40! I mention this not to imply that it's unreasonable; I was just taken aback when I compared it to other options on the menu. But, as you probably figured, I ordered it anyway, and it was well worth it.

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Trent Jonas/Only In Your State

I can't tell you how happy I am to know that Richards of Dunbar Supper Club and Motel exists, and I can't wait for the next opportunity I have to visit. Check out the Richards Supper Club menu on Facebook (you can even get breakfast in the morning!). For motel reservations, call Richards at (715) 324-5444. Tell us about your favorite retro dining and motels in Wisconsin on our nomination page!

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Food

This Regional Restaurant Is One of Wisconsin’s Favorite Places to Dine

Since 1937, the Northwoods Supper Club has been a place for delicious food and gatherings. This iconic restaurant in WI is a must-visit.

Updated Oct 27, 2024

Written by 

Ben Jones

If you’ve ever dined at a supper club then you’ll know why we love this one so much. Nestled within the heart of northern Wisconsin, you’ll find a restaurant that’s a destination for folks like us who are culinary enthusiasts and enjoy social gatherings. The name of this place describes it perfectly: The Northwoods Supper Club. This charming restaurant epitomizes the quintessential Wisconsin supper club experience, and The Northwoods Supper Club menu serves up excellent versions of all our favorites. Put your name in at the table or get a seat at the bar – here’s what’s waiting for you at The Northwoods Supper Club in Fifield WI.

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The tiny town of Fifield is located in Price County, deep in the scenic Wisconsin Northwoods. With a population that embraces the warmth of around 300 residents, Fifield is a place where nature's beauty meets a friendly, laid-back lifestyle. It is here you'll find one of our favorite small-town restaurants - The Northwoods Supper Club, tucked on the corner of Flambeau Avenue and State Road 70.

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marissa smith/Flickr

Step into the inviting confines of this supper club and be greeted by a full bar and a menu that delivers the best of Wisconsin's Northwoods culinary traditions. The menu options and specials vary throughout the week. You’ll find a variety of sandwich options as well as some enticing dinner options. However, it's the specialties that truly steal the show—indulge in succulent prime rib, mouthwatering BBQ ribs, or savor the Friday night fish fry. Don't skip over the melt-in-your-mouth baked cod, it's one of their specialty Friday night menu items.

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Thank You (25 Millions ) views/Flickr

My favorite things about the supper club are the portions are generous and the staff is friendly and welcoming. So it’s easy to see why this place has such a big following. It gets a lot of return customers! The old-school décor is the perfect backdrop for a meal at this place, and if you love a brandy Old Fashioned, you’re in the right place. Be warned: the drinks here pack a punch!

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Lindsey Turner/Flickr

The Northwoods Supper Club experience. It’s not just about dining; it's a place for celebrations and gatherings. The banquet hall offers accommodation for groups of up to 250 individuals, specializing in all of life’s events, from weddings and anniversary parties to showers.

What makes the Northwoods Supper Club truly exceptional is its dedication to the legacy of Wisconsin's supper club culture. It delivers the camaraderie, tradition, and rustic charm of the Northwoods, one plate at a time. And we can't recommend this place enough.

Address: N14066 Flambeau Ave, Fifield, WI 54524

I love old-school supper clubs like this – it’s one of the reasons I enjoy traveling to the Northwoods. Be sure to browse the supper club menu to see all their delicious dinner items. And don't forget to visit the Northwoods Supper Club Facebook page for upcoming specials and events. If you plan on spending time in Northwoods check out Booking.com for all your travel plans. Interested in more Wisconsin adventures? Here’s what to see and do in Wisconsin. You'll find lots of exciting attractions for you and your family.

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