If you’re a new reader maybe you haven’t experienced firsthand one of our posts sharing our adoration for our family lake all the way up in the northernmost part of Wisconsin. Let us reintroduce you to Buckatabon Lake. It all goes back to our Mom growing up on the lake; her and her siblings helping to run a resort (which is now defunct) called Sunset Bay. Aptly named, there have been many majestic sunsets dropping behind the pine trees we’ve been lucky enough to view. Today though, we’re talking Buckatabon lake, in honor of a new supper club opening right in our hometown of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.
Yes, it’s true, when we can’t get up north to savor the authentic experience of all that the Northwoods has to offer; we have the option for the next best thing. We already did one giveaway with The Buckatabon (supper club), and we’re ecstatic to be able to do a second! What made us feel so confident in partnering with Lowlands Group to share excitement over their March restaurant opening, is their extensive research conducted beforehand. The initial fear is that you’re throwing a name on something that doesn’t do the real thing justice. Not the case with The Buckatabon at all. They came up north and trawled the area, visiting many of our favorite haunts in preparation for designing the restaurant.
If you haven’t checked out their Instagram page yet, they’ve shared some really fun details that truly evoke the feel of the north woods, like pub bar stools, some vintage wallpaper, and stained glass hanging light fixtures. It’s a little kitschy, just like the Northwoods is like stepping back into years past. Knowing that they stopped and visited many of our go-to spots, we wanted to share some of those with you, if you ever make a trip up north to see for yourself.
The Burnt Bridge. This is our favorite bar and is located in perfect proximity between our Grandma’s house and our house for everyone in the family to meet up. They have a ceiling full of dollar bills that they will help you attempt to throw your own and stick it, which is easier said than done (for some). Look for The Buckatabon to incorporate their own take on the dollar bills! They are also known for their panoramic window views of deer feeding and other iconic taxidermy scattered without. We loved learning that one of our friends from the local bait shop also handcrafted their tables to complete the woodsy look.
Club 45 is a close second in being our favorite bar. They are located overlooking a beautiful lake where in the summer you can enjoy from the patio or while you play horseshoes outside. When we’re out on the lake enjoying the day, and we don’t want to cook dinner, or we grab it before we get to our house the first night. They offer the best pizza in the Northwoods. If we get there early, they’ve always got pull tabs to play and some nice beers on tap to enjoy while you wait. You’ll be able to try your hand at pull tabs at the Buckatabon as well! They also host many events throughout the year that we are fond of such as the Great Northern Jerk Off (Jerky making competition).
Blink Bonnie’s Supper Club. A well-known dinner option and as with most places up north, a bit of a drive. We show up expecting a ridiculous wait time. You can grab a drink at the bar and head outside to enjoy the setting sun. We’ve packed our lawn games like bags and Kan Jam or cards to entertain us while we wait. You’ll be sure to leave with a satisfied stomach after enjoying a sizzling steak and old fashion.
Whitetail Inn (this one belongs in conjunction with Blink Bonnie) is where you need to head immediately after your Blink Bonnie dinner to enjoy a marvelously made grasshopper. Grasshoppers have easily become one of our favorite family treats to enjoy!
Upper and Lower Buckatabon. Of course, we couldn’t leave the lake off our list. While that would easily be #1, we’ll just say this list is in no discriminate order. We spend as much time as possible on the pontoon. We love coffee cruises in the morning, island/sand bar docking for all-day fun in the sun, and cocktail cruises. We’ve even taken advantage of the lack of city lights to take a starlit cruise and spend some silent time appreciating just how small we are in comparison to the sky. While you’re out on the lake stop by the Buckatabon Lodge for some friendly service and an ice-cold drink!
Eagle River. The next biggest town and probably one of the more well-known spots up north. Only a half hourish drive and a wealth of options for some entertainment. We’ve attended Cranberry Fest, We’ve run the Journey’s race with our Mom for Mother’s Day, and Caitlin has made it a tradition with our parents to attend Up North Beer Fest yearly. If you walk Eagle River’s main street area, be sure to pop into Tremblay’s Fudge for some fudging making in action. We usually have to buy some peanut brittle to stop the drooling. They also have a vintage candy store that we visited every summer and all of the cousins would get a large jawbreaker and ruin our tongues trying to get to the center quickest.
Bent’s Camp has easily become our family’s go-to burger joint. Again, it is a bit of a drive as it is located in Land O’ Lakes nearly bordering the UP on Mamie Lake. You will find year-round events at Bents ranging from live music to snowmobile timing events on the ice with an ice bar
Dublin Sports Bar is one of our family’s favorite places to visit via snowmobile or UTV. This bar also looks over a lake and has a beautiful patio out front. You can enjoy wearing a goofy hat and drinking free on your birthday. Their beer selection is wonderful for the Northwoods.
The Bear Trap Inn is another delicious supper club we have fond memories of visiting during our childhood. It was always an exciting treat when we were told we got to have dinner at this cozy inn and to this day it is still just as impressive.
Sunrise Lodge in Land O’ will serve you possibly the best breakfast/brunch North of Hwy 8.
Needless to say, The Buckatabon has set itself up to be nothing but successful based on research alone. The other completely Wisconsin thing they’re adding, are meat raffles! If you haven’t heard of them, you’ll just need to participate and figure it out for yourself. Both of us are looking forward to the opening of this supper club that we already hold near and dear to our hearts. We hope that you not only support this local restaurant but also make your way Up North to support the local businesses that inspired The Buckatabon. We wish we could devote an entire blog post to how truly amazing, unique, and special each of the above establishments are, perhaps in time.
I, Jenilee, was able to sample some of the brunch items and am thrilled to give them my stamp of approval! We started with the Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs, which were a vivid pink and a perfect balance of smoked salmon, capers, shallot, and dijon. Then we split the Herwig Hash which happens to be a vegan option. I didn’t miss the meat as all the flavors of charred broccolini, finger hots, green tomato chow-chow, butternut squash, purple radish, halved peppered-aleppo chili avocado, roasted fennel and crispy kale, melded together so beautifully. Lastly, is it even brunch without adding in something sweet to round out the savory dishes? So we ended with the Toasted Pecan & Apple Crumble French Toast. It was topped with whipped wildflower honey mandarin butter and was a dream come true. I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry again. Now we just need to scurry back to try out the dinner menu!
If we haven’t swayed you quite yet (which seems unlikely) head to our Instagram today and learn how you can win yourself a $50 gift card, compliments of The Buckatabon.
