Whether you’re planning on visiting Shawano Country to take advantage of our many winter outdoor activities or you’re looking for a weekend away during these frigid Wisconsin months, we’ve created a Top 10 list that will lead you to our area’s favorite comfort food dishes. Here are our happy-making favorite cold weather dishes from some of Shawano Country’s favorite diners and pubs:
1) Angie’s Main Café: Walleye “Breakfast” Plate
Over at Angie’s, they make diner magic happen on their sizzling flattop every day. One of their signature meals that will not only give you all kinds of Wisconsin feels but will fill you up for whatever outdoor adventure awaits (or whatever outdoor adventure you’re warming up after), a comforting Wisconsin-style Breakfast of Champions: 2 eggs (any way you like, of course), pan-fried walleye, choice of potato, and buttery toast. Belly up to Angie’s counter and place an order for this plate of crispy, savory local warmth!
130 S. Main St., Shawano, WI 54166
(715) 524-6240
2) Brothers’ Pub: Steakhouse Burger
First off, this is not a place where you skip the appetizers. Part of this Shawano-lakeside comfort food experience is ordering either (or both) the Homemade Mozzarella Sticks or (and) the Half-Naked Cheese Curds, because the three tenants of Wisconsin comfort are: Cheese, Cheese, and Cheese. So, before we move on to the main comfort course, let the waitstaff know you’re gonna need to start with the cheese course. Then you’ll order the Steakhouse Burger, loaded with melty cheese, perfectly sauteed mushrooms and onions, and a healthy slather of A1 sauce. You’ll enjoy every juicy mouthful, stopping occasionally to wipe sauce from your chin and to remark at why you’ve never had one of these hearty beauties before. If that’s not your thing (but it should be), Brothers’ offers a whole menu of dishes you’ll want to cozy up to.
N5867 Lake Dr., Shawano, WI 54166
(715) 524-5212
3) Farm Inn’ On Main: “Tractor Tire” Pancakes
Two words: GIANT. PANCAKES. They call them “tractor tires” at Farm Inn’ and you’ll see why. These fluffy buttermilk griddle cakes are nearly as big as the plate they arrive on and they chase winter blues away faster than you can say “Spring Has Sprung. If you need some savory refreshment to go along with breakfast, this is the kind of place that you can order up a Bloody Mary alongside pretty much anything and prepare for a long winter nap, post-meal.
123 N. Main St., Shawano, WI 54166
(715) 524-4916
4) The Harvest Restaurant: Biscuits & Gravy
There’s a lot of options at The Harvest, but we’re craving Biscuits & Gravy. Peppery cream sausage gravy over two hot-and-fresh biscuits will make anyone’s day, with enough happy-making carbs (we Wisconsinites REQUIRE carbs to slog through winter) and creamy gravy to bolster anyone for an afternoon – or evening – of the great snowy, blustery outdoors.
W17256 Red Oak Ln., Wittenberg, WI 54499
(715) 253-3600
5) Hungry Bear Family Café: The Bear Skillet
Wisconsinites LOVE their skillets, and if you’re looking for the heartiest of comforting meals, a skillet is one of your best bets. At Hungry Bear Café, the skillet you’re going to go for is aptly named “The Bear”. It’s a heaping portion of eggs absolutely loaded with onions, green peppers, gooey cheese, and your choice of bacon, sausage, or ham. Oh, and it comes with perfectly crisp hash browns, in case the skillet isn’t enough to satisfy (but trust us, it is).
120 W. Green Bay St., Bonduel, WI 54107
(715) 758-2727
6) Hurricane Dawn’s: Dawn’s Famous Chicken Dumpling Soup
Of course Hurricane Dawn’s has a bar menu to order from, featuring burgers, pizza, and the like, but the true winter comfort food treasure is Dawn’s Famous Chicken Dumpling Soup. Not only is it a known local cure for seasonal blues, but it makes for a heck of a warm-up after you’ve been out on the trails or on the ice! Don’t mess around with a cup; order a big bowl of this Midwestern comfort food cure-all!
W11057 County Rd. D, Marion, WI 54950
(715) 754-5138
7) Luigi’s Pizza: Alfredo + Anything
OK, pizza is an obvious comfort food for most of the U.S., and you can safely order a Luigi’s pizza and trust that these handmade pies are going to knock your wool socks off, but we’re here to talk ALFREDO. Creamy, rich house-made alfredo sauce over al dente linguini can make even the most doleful case of winter blues fall away. Add chicken, shrimp, or broccoli, as you like, or just go all-out and order the Seafood Alfredo as an instant cold-weather cheer-booster.
607 S. Main St., Shawano, WI 54166
(715) 524-4791
8) The Lumberyard: The Kraut Burger
There’s a whole lotta German food lovers around these parts and The Lumberyard is meeting demand
with knock-out new burger ideas, complete with German flair, by offering the Kraut Burger. It is what it sounds like: a juicy beef burger topped with heavenly melted Swiss Cheese and tangy sauerkraut. Think of it as the Rueben’s comfort-food cousin. We recommend the Parmesan Garlic Fries on the side for the maximum winter blues comfort food treatment!
815 North St., Bonduel, WI 54107
(715) 853-7077
9) Red Rooster Café: Hot Beef Plate
Just sit right down and order yourself the Hot Beef Plate. This will ensure you’re delivered a huge, steamy plate of succulent beef tips over bread, with a mountain of mashed potatoes and gravy to boot. You can’t possibly leave hungry and may even need a winter afternoon nap. Bonus points: The menu says you can order a “SODA POP”, which is about as Midwest Charming as you can get!
237 S. Cecil St., Bonduel, WI 54107
(715) 758-6678
10) Shawano’s Café: Stuffed French Toast
Comfort comes easy at Shawano’s Café, but if you want to know our pick, we think the Stuffed French Toast can’t be beat. In fact, it might even temporarily cure your cabin fever. Warm, eggy French toast filled with sweet strawberries and luscious cream cheese. Is it dessert? Is it breakfast? Who cares! Order up!
W7389 River Bend Rd., Shawano, WI 54166
(715) 201-1122
…watch next month for our Valentine’s Day Supper Club Guide!