I'm just looking for everyone's favorite place to get a real meal once they get out of the BW's and have hot shower? In the Ely and surrounding area's . And what is it that you get?

It depends upon how "best" you want to get.

There are lots of good places in the Ely area (Sir G's for Italian, the Steak House for a good steak, and I like the Chocolate Moose and RockWood, too) but my very favorite is the Burntside Lodge. It is elegant and upscale, but still relaxed and beautiful in that historic lodge way that reminds me of how things used to be. And the food is fabulous! For me, a meal there is just about perfect!

The Ely Steakhouse is very popular - they have a large menu and my favorites include great burgers, steak and fried walleye. The Chocolate Moose is a good restaurant - we like their food - but the service is slow when they are busy. Love their pies, too.

I don't mind splurging a bit after roughing it for a week. I was just curious what peoples favorites were. Thanks for the input!

Ely Steak House. Bucky Burger and a Steer Beer (Oatmeal Stout).

Some of our guys go with the Prime Rib Crisper, but that's a couple dollars less to spend on beer.

Bacon Blue Cheese Burger at the Chocolate Moose. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

The most popular and common place that fits this description is probably the Ely Steakhouse. But Rockwood, Sir Gs, the Chocolate Moose and Boathouse are also all fine places. As Spartan mentioned, the Burntside Lodge is really fantastic! It's a top-notch, white tablecloth kinda place, though, so you might want to be sure to have that shower before you go. The folks that run the place are great too.

Yes, I agree about the shower (!), but he did say that. LOL! We have gone there, though, in clean jeans and t-shirts and not felt too much out of place. We usually wear just a slight cut above when we are going there, but I wouldn't be afraid to go there in jeans.

Once a year there just isn't enough for me. :-)

Quite true. One needn't feel they must get all dressed up for Burntside Lodge. I do remember in 2010 going with my wife for our anniversary. I had just exited from a long Quetico trip that same day and had barely gotten time to sneak in a shower. I was still pretty scruffy, but they were kind and did not kick me out. :o)

The Blue Cheese Bacon burger sounds like a winner! I might be thinking of that my whole trip!

A waitress working at the Rockwood Bar and Grill last summer was one of the most attractive women I have seen in my entire life. And that was before spending 2 weeks in the woods.

quote catfish: "A waitress working at the Rockwood Bar and Grill last summer was one of the most attractive women I have seen in my entire life. And that was before spending 2 weeks in the woods."

Wait a minute....How many drinks in we're you when you determined this?

quote Corsair: "Bacon Blue Cheese Burger at the Chocolate Moose. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
"

I top mine off with buffalo...or any hot sauce...call it the Bacon Buffalo Blue...from the Steakhouse.

I start talking about this burger the minute we hit the first portage or lake/river :)

Magic

Burntside Lodge is my favorite (after I've had a shower).

For me, if I am in a hurry I head to the DQ for a burger, fries and a Blizzard. Nothing like ice cream after I have been drinking water or vodka lemonades without ice for a few days. Of course this is during the summer months.

Otherwise, if we have some time, we usually head to Ely Steakhouse.

I have enjoyed The Chocolate Moose and Ely Steakhouse the most of the places I have been, which does not include Rockwood or Burntside, but I believe The Chocolate Moose changed ownership/management this year though.

First stop is Dairy Queen then grab some cold beer and head for the showers. Next stop is Ely Steakhouse, but the Rockwood is great but a bit of a chain. The sweet potatoes at the Steakhouse have an applepie spice/brown sugar concoction that comes with and is awesome.

quote schweady: "Ely Steak House. Bucky Burger and a Steer Beer (Oatmeal Stout).
"

Great minds think alike :)

Ely Steakhouse is my favorite place to eat in Ely.

quote catfish: "A waitress working at the Rockwood Bar and Grill last summer was one of the most attractive women I have seen in my entire life. And that was before spending 2 weeks in the woods."

That must be the same woman we seen there Sept 2010! Tall and thin and very good looking. I will let you know in 21 days if she is still there.

quote Spartan2: "...but my very favorite is the Burntside Lodge. It is elegant and upscale, but still relaxed and beautiful in that historic lodge way that reminds me of how things used to be. And the food is fabulous! For me, a meal there is just about perfect!"

Spartan2, I'd like to hear more. We'll be in Ely on Wednesday night, August 22nd, after four days and three nights in the BW and will be looking for a nice place to eat before heading home the next day. Sounds like Burntside fits the bill. :)

Ely Steakhouse. After a week in the woods a Bucky burger is my winner.

Does anyone else miss the Hardees? Frisco burger? Curly Fries? Get out early and get those cinnamon roll things they had? There was nothing better to me than juicy greasiness, and I thought I bought enough every time I came out to keep in open during my winter absence...but I guess not.

chocolate moose and rockwood for us.

2 chili cheese coneys, onion rings and a grape Mr. Freeze at the DQ followed by a dilly bar and peanut buster parfait.

This is the first stop, then if we are still in Ely later, the Steakhouse.

Damm I miss Ely

There's a bar in Tower that I stopped at in late April after a trip. Great atmosphere, and the burger was quite tasty. Good Old Days, or something like that. I always crave a burger when I come out.

Pizza Hut Stuffed Crust Large Pepperoni Pizza

Sorry if this has been mentioned, I didn't read through the rest of the answers, but my vote goes out to the Bucky Burger at Ely Steakhouse. Fantastic!

Ok, that is the third vote for the Bucky Burger. What's on this bad boy?

Yeah, really. This year we have coupons for showers at VNO so I might be presentable enough to go to a restaurant. Bucky Burger is looking interesting to me as well. With a beer, of course.

quote trailcheif: "Ok, that is the third vote for the Bucky Burger. What's on this bad boy?"

I love the internet.

“Bucky” Burger
8 oz. ground beef with bacon, cheddar, grilled onion & special sauce served on a chargrilled bun.

Ely Steakhouse website

quote nojobro: "

quote trailcheif: "Ok, that is the third vote for the Bucky Burger. What's on this bad boy?"

I love the internet.

“Bucky” Burger
8 oz. ground beef with bacon, cheddar, grilled onion & special sauce served on a chargrilled bun.

Ely Steakhouse website "

Nola, I love You! Thanks for posting that link! Look no further! Mondays $1.00 off Margueritas!

HAPPY HOUR!! MONDAY THRU FRIDAY FROM 4PM TO 6PM... HALF PRICE APPETIZERS!! ~ MONDAY: $1.00 OFF MARGARITAS! ~ TUESDAY: TRIVIA NIGHT! ~ WEDNESDAY: $1 TAP BEER AFTER 8! ~ THURSDAY: LADIES NIGHT KARAOKE AND 99 CENT CANS O' BEER AT 10PM!! ~ FRIDAY: PRIME RIB NIGHT AND BAR BINGO AT 10PM!! ~ SATURDAY: PRIME RIB NIGHT AND KARAOKE EXTRAVAGANZA!! ~

Gotta go!

Lumberjack burger at the sawmill in Virginia, quite tasty. Visited it on Wednesday.

I like Rockwood.

quote Jackfish: "

quote Spartan2: "...but my very favorite is the Burntside Lodge. It is elegant and upscale, but still relaxed and beautiful in that historic lodge way that reminds me of how things used to be. And the food is fabulous! For me, a meal there is just about perfect!"

Spartan2, I'd like to hear more. We'll be in Ely on Wednesday night, August 22nd, after four days and three nights in the BW and will be looking for a nice place to eat before heading home the next day. Sounds like Burntside fits the bill. :)"

Not sure what exactly you want to know, but I'll post some more detailed info tomorrow, Jackfish and some photos. I am just getting back from a retreat on Mackinac Island, and a long car drive. Very tired this evening.

Here Spartan, I'll link this up so you don't have to explain. Get some rest ; )

Burntside Dining

That's a good explanation. Thanks, trailcheif. They have a lovely menu, great food of an upscale manner, and what I would call interesting choices. In our experience, attentive and pleasant waitstaff, although an evening there isn't a quick in and out. But I suppose it is really the atmosphere that I go for. The old lodge is just so wonderful. . .and the view is relaxing and beautiful. In 2010 we had a table with the island view and enjoyed the sunset. . .it was a delightful evening.

And if you go to Burntside, they have a special chef's tasting appetizer with various choices of unique breads, cheeses and sauces. Try one that includes the Tasmanian honey - very unusual but really good. You won't find that too many places (I understand they have a regular guest from Australia that helps them out with that).