52 Supper Clubs in 52 Weeks

Roepke’s Village Inn is in Charlesburg, about 5 miles south of Chilton on the east side of Lake Winnebago.   Owned by the Roepke family since 1968, the establishment’s roots date all the way back to the 1880’s when like so many other rural supper clubs it began as a saloon and stagecoach stop.   Over the years the building served as a church theatre, grocery store and dance hall before becoming a supper club in the 1940’s. Charlesburg was settled by German immigrants in the mid-1800’s and the restaurant has honored that heritage with a traditional German menu in addition to all the typical supper club items.   When we arrived at about 7pm on a Tuesday night, the barroom was surprisingly busy.   The two bartenders, Tim and Gary, were involved in good natured bantering with the patrons and were quite entertaining.       We sat at the bar, which was roughly in the shape of a 3 leaf clover, and Paul ordered his usual BOFS and I had a vodka tonic...

There’s not a whole lot going on in Larsen at 7:30 on a Saturday night, at least not this particular Saturday. After slowing down to allow two peacocks to cross the road (I assume they do so for the same reason as chickens), we arrived to a full parking lot at the Century Elm Supper Club. Betsy and her family currently own the Century Elm. In the 1940’s and 50’s it was owned and operated by her great grandparents and grandparents. Ken Loehrke purchased the place in the 1970’s. When the opportunity arose Betsy purchased the business as it seemed like part of her destiny that the Century Elm once again be part of her family. Upon entering we found two seats at the busy bar and ordered cocktails. The old fashioneds were properly prepared (orange slice, maraschino cherry and sugar muddled with bitters) and excellent. It seems most places these days premix their old fashioned muddlings to save time so it was nice to see someone prepare one the traditional way.   The barten...

After a round of golf at Weymont Run we ventured to the Crossings Supper Club, outside of Weyauwega where Hwy 110 and Hwy 54 come together.   We arrived about 7:15 and the barroom was not busy.   We took two seats at the U shaped bar and ordered the usual from Loren, our bartender, who is considered a fixture at The Crossings.   Loren said the Crossings has been operating for about 30 years and is owned by Randy Mitchell and his wife, who bought it from Randy’s mother.    There appeared to be a group of “regulars” at the bar as well. Our drinks (Brandy Old Fashioneds, of course) were good and Loren told us he put honey in them.   He gave us menus, which included a typical Friday night fish offering of haddock, perch, and walleye.      A waitress appeared to take our order.   I ordered the perch with sweet potato fries and Paul ordered the haddock with French fries.   She returned to notify us that table 7 was ready whenev...

Returning from Milwaukee on a Saturday night we decided to try the White House Inn in Butte des Morts.   We arrived around 7:30 to find the small parking lot full but upon entering the building found out that it would only be about a 15 minute wait for a table, so we settled in at the small bar and ordered up a couple of our usual brandy old fashioneds. The drinks were muddled and very good. Complementary popcorn was offered at the bar. We chatted with the hostess, who has worked there 18 years, while we waited for our table and she filled us in on a little of the history of the place.   It was originally built around 1900 by the George Walter Brewing Company of Appleton and was operated as a saloon, run by a blacksmith by the name of Smith.   Over the years and through several owners the building housed a saloon, hotel, and was converted to a candy factory and soda fountain during Prohibition. Most of the woodwork in the bar is original, including the hollowed out ...

On a muggy August night following a torrential downpour that flooded our street, we waited for the water to subside and then ventured northwest of Appleton to the Black Otter Supper Club in Hortonville. The Black Otter has been family-owned since 1972 and is currently owned by Bob & Geri Guyette.   Bob & Geri married in 1998 while both were employees at the Otter.   The couple bought the business in 2003, and expanded the building in 2007.   The Black Otter has a large attractive barroom and was surprisingly busy for a Tuesday evening.    When we stepped up to the hostess station, the hostess provided menus and a red number tag that we were told to keep visible.   We found two seats at the busy bar and perused the menu while waiting to order our drinks.   We ordered our usual drinks – BOFS and BOFP with olives.   That stands for Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet and Brandy Old Fashioned Press, for any new readers.   The press versi...