If you're not from the upper Midwest, chances are you may not have heard of a supper club. While the name gives some indication of what you're in for a club where you eat, you guessed it, supper these unique eateries are attractions in and of themselves. But across the Midwest, nowhere does it better than a Wisconsin supper club. These vintage restaurants are as full of delicious comfort food as they are kitschy charm. Known for their hearty portions, stiff drinks, and retro decor, supper clubs are a delightful blast from the past. Before you hit the road to Wisconsin, here is some essential knowledge about these offbeat eateries you need to know.
A supper club could be considered a type of restaurant, but the experience between a supper club and a standard restaurant differs in key ways. Supper clubs are generally independently owned and located in rural areas. The menu will usually be limited, with primarily surf and turf entrees, with homemade food. These restaurants are meant to be seen as destinations. At other restaurants, you arrive, place your order, eat and leave. But supper clubs are meant for people who aren't in a hurry, and want to make an evening out of their outing (which makes sense for rural areas, where the drive to get there may be longer). It's a place to enjoy drinks, multiple courses, dessert and perhaps some music or other entertainment. When you walk in, you usually will first go to the bar area. There is often a feeling of community in supper clubs, people are here to socialize. You'll get a cocktail or two, and may be assigned a table number and have your order taken. But in many cases, you won't be seated until you ask to be seated. The idea is to create a slow-paced, community atmosphere. Once you're ready to take your seat, you will talk to your server. You've probably already ordered your food, and will likely have an appetizer waiting for you, such as a soup or salad, a relish tray or some bread. Upon completing the meal, it's common for people to return to the bar to get an ice cream drink for dessert. Common choices include the Brandy Alexander, the Pink Squirrel (invented at At Random, a bar in Milwaukee) or the Grasshopper. Where does the name "supper club" come from? In most cases, these restaurants are only open for the supper hour. The proliferation of supper clubs really began after World War II. Many supper clubs continue to have a midcentury feel to them, with kitschy, retro decor (think a lot of wood paneling and Tiffany lamps). In many cases, the supper club will have decor that reflects either their location or the interests of the owners. A backwoods supper club might have hunting gear or taxidermy. The supper club might be packed with sports memorabilia (Green Bay Packers, anyone?) or simply have a woodsy or folksy vibe. Many Northwoods supper clubs have log cabin decor to match their location.
The Wisconsin supper club has a rich history that dates back to the 1920s. Many supper clubs are located off the beaten path, along the highways and byways of rural Wisconsin. What began as roadhouses for gangsters moving moonshine during Prohibition quickly transformed into thriving establishments. So when Prohibition was repealed, many of these existing eateries were among the first to receive liquor licenses.
Today supper clubs remain a unique part of Wisconsin's dining culture. In fact, the nonprofit, Wisconsin Supper Clubs, Inc., notes that the state of Wisconsin is still home to more than 300 supper clubs. The organization is dedicated to keeping things that way by promoting and preserving the quirky charm of these historic eateries.
When it comes to identifying this type of restaurant, there are a few hallmarks any supper club worth its steak sauce will have:
What's a relish tray, you ask? Relish trays are an essential part of any supper club spread. Typically these pre-meal platters include pickles, olives, and sometimes celery and carrot sticks. During the height of the supper club, these appetizers were common places for diners to gather around. While they're still de facto at some supper clubs, you may have to request one at others.
The signature drink of many Wisconsin supper clubs is the Brandy Old Fashioned. Diners with a sweet tooth will be delighted to discover that many supper clubs offer alcoholic ice cream beverages as a sugary end to a meal.
Supper club portions are infamously large, and they're not known for being particularly health-conscious. If there was ever a time to indulge in high-calorie, buttery foods, it's at a Wisconsin supper club.
If you're dining on a Friday (especially in the summertime), most supper clubs will offer a fish fry special of some sort.
A Wisconsin supper club is an independently owned, fine-dining destination restaurant, typically in a picturesque locale on the edge of town. The menu comes from yesteryear, void of pretense and decidedly non-froufrou - prime rib, broiled white fish, shrimp cocktail - with enough complimentary sides and trimmings to satisfy a second meal. A relish tray should begin the meal, and three hours later, is bookended with house-made bread pudding or cheesecake. On Fridays they should serve an all-you-can-eat fish fry. A band might be performing. Mixed cocktails such as Manhattans and brandy old-fashioneds are preferred over wine or beer. If you leave hungry, you have not dined in a supper club.