Aww, I love this so much, Jolene! I never realized how special supper clubs are before they started getting a lot of attention over the last decade (or maybe I got old enough to realize that what's just commonplace and normal for me is unique to the rest of the country; I don't know). Anyway, you did supper clubs justice 😊
And I know I've already said it a bunch of times but meeting you in person was beyond wonderful -- the highlight of my August, for sure. You're such a gem and I'm grateful for you! (Now, really, do come stay in my guest room and we'll go to the Hilltop for fish fry 😉)
Sarah, YOU are a gem and I can’t wait to hang out at Hilltop! Really was so great meeting you in person and so happy I got to meet Mark, too. I’m glad you think I did the supper clubs justice--to read your words and Katie’s about how much they were a part of your lives was really special. Thank you, my friend! ❤️
Mars! I need to sit in one of those Adirondack chairs! Thanks so much for putting together the Substack evening, Katie, and for all you do for all of us here--and now I need to know what’s on the kid’s menu!! Thanks for being part of this post! 🤗
Bravo, Jolene! And now I want an old fashioned and a burger. There’s something very cozy and nostalgic about supper clubs. This history is new to me so thank you. Question: what do you wear to a Supper Club? I’m picturing smoking jackets and fedoras. :)
Another delicious slice of nostalgia, Jolene. I wonder why Anthony’s closed. But in the other hand it’s probably a small miracle that any such places survive today. I always meant to get to a Wisconsin supper club when we lived in Michigan but it didn’t happen. We did get to a couple of fish boils, though!
I was shocked when I heard it closed, Domenica, it was bustling the night we were there, so I’m hoping it will be back in some fashion. One of these days I hope you guys come back to Michigan for a visit (with a stop in Chicago, of course!) and then up to a Wisconsin Supper Club. I’m on a quest to visit more! 😂❤️
Aug 11, 2023·edited Aug 11, 2023Liked by Jolene Handy
This was fun Jolene! Shared with a lifer transplant from Wisconsin who proceeded to talk about Old Fashions for a bit. When I moved to MN for the first time, I worked in a rural location and the only sit-down restaurant nearby was a "Supper Club". It took years for me to understand the term but the place (Wiederholts) is still great. I am convinced the Supper Club will survive -- I sure hope so.
I have a social gathering we call our Scotch Club. It is much more varied than that. One time we just brought bourbon or rye and made old fashions -- my Wisconsin ex-pat friend is always carrying on about cocktail onions. We don't have any Wisconsin natives in the group but I suppose we would allow it.
Oh, this get-to-gether and supper club storytelling put such a smile on my face. Thank you for sharing it with us! (Plus, I had no idea about the Wisconsin originality in the old fashioned, very interesting...)
I loved the stories of the supper clubs and photos of the foods; my mouth is watering! I'm going to get me a meal at a supper club -- somewhere, real soon.
Kay, I wish we could have it together! I’m gonna call you next week, I finally have an idea worthy of your Mom’s company cookbook. Love to you and Phil! 🤗 ❤️
I can’t believe I’ve lived in the Midwest my whole life and never heard of a supper club until now. Time for a road trip! Also, those pork chops look DIVINE.
Just a marvelous piece of nostalgia, Jolene! I loved it and am sorry to hear of the closing of this cool supper club. The Substack meetup looked like great fun--and great pictures! We encountered a couple of supper clubs during our travels, though we only ate at one--the Knotty Pine Supper Club in Victor, Idaho, located, as you might expect, in a cute log building. After reading your newsletter, I wish I’d ordered a relish tray and a brandy old fashioned! Coincidentally I just picked up a book you may like: “Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club,” by J. Ryan Stradal. It’s about the trials and tribulations of a family that owns a struggling Minnesota supper club.
Oh my gosh, I’m going to get that book asap, Ruth, thank you for telling me about it! I’m thinking the next time you and Jeff are on the road, Illinois and Wisconsin need to be on the itinerary! See you at the Supper Club! (And in Chicago) ❤️
Absolutely, Jolene! Jeff and I have been talking about that! He wants to do the next stretch of Route 66, which includes your fair city! I hope you enjoy the book.🤗
All of your subscribers want the same thing: a dinner date with Jolene! ❤️
Me please!
And me, too, please!
Joan! Would love that! 🤗
One of these days, Elizabeth! 🤗
100% correct.
😊
And I’d love to have dinner with everyone!!❤️
Aww, I love this so much, Jolene! I never realized how special supper clubs are before they started getting a lot of attention over the last decade (or maybe I got old enough to realize that what's just commonplace and normal for me is unique to the rest of the country; I don't know). Anyway, you did supper clubs justice 😊
And I know I've already said it a bunch of times but meeting you in person was beyond wonderful -- the highlight of my August, for sure. You're such a gem and I'm grateful for you! (Now, really, do come stay in my guest room and we'll go to the Hilltop for fish fry 😉)
Sarah, YOU are a gem and I can’t wait to hang out at Hilltop! Really was so great meeting you in person and so happy I got to meet Mark, too. I’m glad you think I did the supper clubs justice--to read your words and Katie’s about how much they were a part of your lives was really special. Thank you, my friend! ❤️
Because I'm me ... I need to suggest everyone read the Saturday Night Supper Club.
Oh, it's on my TBR list 😉
Thank you, Elizabeth! I will!
Next meetup at Reds or Mars?! Thanks for including me Jolene 🙂
Mars! I need to sit in one of those Adirondack chairs! Thanks so much for putting together the Substack evening, Katie, and for all you do for all of us here--and now I need to know what’s on the kid’s menu!! Thanks for being part of this post! 🤗
Bravo, Jolene! And now I want an old fashioned and a burger. There’s something very cozy and nostalgic about supper clubs. This history is new to me so thank you. Question: what do you wear to a Supper Club? I’m picturing smoking jackets and fedoras. :)
Thank you, Amy, I can’t wait to visit more! And I see Sarah answered the dress code question, LOL! 🤗
Jeans and your cleanest boots 😂 If you showed up in a smoking jacket and fedora, no Wisconsinite would trust you, LOL
😂😂😂LOL.
😂
Another delicious slice of nostalgia, Jolene. I wonder why Anthony’s closed. But in the other hand it’s probably a small miracle that any such places survive today. I always meant to get to a Wisconsin supper club when we lived in Michigan but it didn’t happen. We did get to a couple of fish boils, though!
I was shocked when I heard it closed, Domenica, it was bustling the night we were there, so I’m hoping it will be back in some fashion. One of these days I hope you guys come back to Michigan for a visit (with a stop in Chicago, of course!) and then up to a Wisconsin Supper Club. I’m on a quest to visit more! 😂❤️
This was fun Jolene! Shared with a lifer transplant from Wisconsin who proceeded to talk about Old Fashions for a bit. When I moved to MN for the first time, I worked in a rural location and the only sit-down restaurant nearby was a "Supper Club". It took years for me to understand the term but the place (Wiederholts) is still great. I am convinced the Supper Club will survive -- I sure hope so.
I’m so glad you thought it was fun, Mark! And thank you for sharing with your friend—-the Wisconsin Old Fashioned’s are delicious!
I have a social gathering we call our Scotch Club. It is much more varied than that. One time we just brought bourbon or rye and made old fashions -- my Wisconsin ex-pat friend is always carrying on about cocktail onions. We don't have any Wisconsin natives in the group but I suppose we would allow it.
Ha!
I am so hungry right now and I don't want to wait an hour after I eat to swim in that lake! xoxo
Hi, Megan! 😂💦 🏊♀️ xx
Oh, this get-to-gether and supper club storytelling put such a smile on my face. Thank you for sharing it with us! (Plus, I had no idea about the Wisconsin originality in the old fashioned, very interesting...)
Hi, Jess! Thank you and so happy you enjoyed 😃 The old fashioned was lighter, I liked it! ❤️
Delightful!
Did you know there is a traditional supper club on the south side of Chicago? Get yourself to Petey’s Bungalow!
No! Thank you, Mia! I just googled and it looks so great! Going, for sure! ❤️
You may also enjoy this article from a few years ago: https://tastecooking.com/highway-fine-dining-upper-midwest/
Drink a grasshopper for me ☺️
I will! ☺️
I love everything about this post.
Thank you, Lisa!
So interesting to read about these supper clubs. A unique bit of history that I’d love to visit one day.
Wouldn’t that be great! I’d insist you visit via Chicago and have a book signing here, Julia! ✨
Wouldn't that be wonderful! I've yet to make it to Chicago but it's on my list.
I loved the stories of the supper clubs and photos of the foods; my mouth is watering! I'm going to get me a meal at a supper club -- somewhere, real soon.
Kay, I wish we could have it together! I’m gonna call you next week, I finally have an idea worthy of your Mom’s company cookbook. Love to you and Phil! 🤗 ❤️
I would go for the relish tray alone! What a fun dining experience! Thanks for sharing this, Jolene!❤️
I love relish trays, too, Pam! ❤️
I can’t believe I’ve lived in the Midwest my whole life and never heard of a supper club until now. Time for a road trip! Also, those pork chops look DIVINE.
Ashley, definitely look at the supper club link, there are so many! I think you’d really enjoy and those pork chops were, indeed, divine! ✨
Just a marvelous piece of nostalgia, Jolene! I loved it and am sorry to hear of the closing of this cool supper club. The Substack meetup looked like great fun--and great pictures! We encountered a couple of supper clubs during our travels, though we only ate at one--the Knotty Pine Supper Club in Victor, Idaho, located, as you might expect, in a cute log building. After reading your newsletter, I wish I’d ordered a relish tray and a brandy old fashioned! Coincidentally I just picked up a book you may like: “Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club,” by J. Ryan Stradal. It’s about the trials and tribulations of a family that owns a struggling Minnesota supper club.
Oh my gosh, I’m going to get that book asap, Ruth, thank you for telling me about it! I’m thinking the next time you and Jeff are on the road, Illinois and Wisconsin need to be on the itinerary! See you at the Supper Club! (And in Chicago) ❤️
Absolutely, Jolene! Jeff and I have been talking about that! He wants to do the next stretch of Route 66, which includes your fair city! I hope you enjoy the book.🤗
Supper clubs? Who knew? Thanks for another informative piece.
Thanks, Judy! It was a delicious experience!