Two Lakes Supper Club, Almond - Friday November 2, 2018

Having heard about this iconic supper club from several sources, and given that it was closing for the season on November 3^rd, we chose the Two Lakes Supper Club for this Friday evening.  We drove west of our cottage about 40 miles through some very pretty but desolate county highways to the Two Lakes Supper Club about three miles west of Almond.

     

This supper club has been owned by the Jagielo family for almost 70 years.  In 1949 Florian Jagielo and George Portesi, both from the Chicago suburb of Cicero, bought the building and turned it into a restaurant and bar.  Florian bought George and Clara Portesi’s part of the business in the mid 50’s and they went on to open a bar in Steven’s Point called Paul’s and to establish the Portesi Pizza franchise.  As a side note, there are a lot of bars named Paul’s and my Paul has been to most of them.

Florian brought several siblings and their spouses into the business including Ray, Fred, Ted, and Eddie, Phyllis, Emily, Betty and Phil.  Jeff and Maggie Jagielo and other family members own and operate the restaurant today.  The uncles, Fred and Ed, are still there most nights sitting at the bar in their special spots, as they were this Friday night.  

Since it was almost an hour drive and we knew it would be busy because it was the last Friday of the season, we arrived early (4:30) and found the last two seats at the crowded oval bar.  The friendly woman sitting next to me was from the Wautoma area told us she and her husband come every Friday night because the food is so good and they are made to feel like family.  She said the Friday fish is good, but also commented on the Italian dishes, saying they were excellent as well.  She was the one who pointed out Fred and Ed.  She also said that her son, who is an amateur magician, had performed at the restaurant for an event.  Everyone seemed to be having a very good time and diners began streaming in at a steady pace.

 

Since it was the end of the season, apparently patrons can order pizzas for the off-season.  The bartender said they made over 500 and we saw several people picking them up.  We also saw some delicious looking pizzas being eaten at tables in the dining room.

 

While we were enjoying the lively bar crowd and our drinks, the usual BOFS for Paul and a vodka tonic for me, a waitress came to take our order.  Being Friday, we went with the fish fry.  Paul ordered the deep fried haddock and I ordered the seafood platter (scallops, shrimp, and broiled haddock).   A short time later our food was ready and we moved to the dining room, which was fairly large and busy.  Paul said the deep fried haddock may be the best he has ever had!  It was a large portion and quite inexpensive too.  All my food was good, but I wouldn’t say it was the best I ever had.

    

The total experience at Two Lakes was excellent.  It is the epitome of all that is good in rural supper clubs that have been owned by one family over generations - good food, friendly service, and a large loyal following.  We’ll definitely try to make it back after it reopens March 30^th and I intend to try the Italian dishes.