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10/05/2015 07:45PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Heading up to Ely next week - and wondering about your favorite restaurants!

I've heard Insula is good and the Grilled Cheese place.

Any other favorites for GOOD FOOD?

Key word: Good.

Thanks!
 
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10/05/2015 08:04PM  
I haven't been to those restaurants yet, but I was just at the Ely Steak House; I'd give it a C+.
10/05/2015 08:11PM  
Yeah we ate there in May. I agree with the C+ rating. Not impressed.
billconner
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10/05/2015 08:44PM  
My son and I were at Ely Steakhouse last month. I give it at least a B+ if not A-. I have had good meals at Rockwood. Haven't had a big dinner at Taste of Ely but a really good chefs salad and I like the live music. Sir Gs average oe above Italian. Twice disappointed by Boathouse, so never again. Haven't tried Insula, but menu did not excite me. Chocolate Moose good but I think closed for season. A few others, but hard for me not to go to Steakhouse.
10/05/2015 09:06PM  
Yeah I'm super bummed the Chocolate Moose is closed for the season!
schweady
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10/05/2015 09:26PM  
Our men's group broke tradition and went to Insula instead of the Steak House on our annual night-before dinner last August. NOT what they were looking for. If you want your Bucky Burger and a Steer Beer in low lighting, surrounded by dark woodwork, a pool table and the game on the TV, head across the street, but Insula's food is VERY good. I took my wife there a week ago Friday for lunch, and we were back for Saturday's dinner. Fresh and innovative dinner combinations, unique starter plates, craft cocktails and an acceptable craft beer selection. Some will label it a bit hoity-toity. I say it fills a niche that Ely needs and I wish them all the best.

Others we have been happy with: A Taste of Ely - We had just a fairly standard breakfast, but the breads were outstanding. Winton Roadhouse - The most surprising thing about this place that at first seems to be just another small-town everybody-knows-your-name bar is its attention to food. Great atmosphere and always entertaining.

Boathouse? Never ate there but have had most of their beers. Still looking for a stand-out there. Gators? All I know is, it's new.

Just nice to see so many new offerings in town. Also - is it going to be another restaurant on the corner next to the State Theater? (also being renovated)
old_salt
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10/05/2015 10:15PM  
Which is to say, if you want good eats, head to Grand Marais. ;-)
10/06/2015 07:17AM  
Brittons is excellent for breakfast. i know you're looking for "good", but this place is better than good.

Evergreen restaurant at the Grand Ely Lodge, overlooks Shagawa lake.

10/06/2015 07:27AM  
If we're on the west end we won't leave without a Stony Ridge burger.
billconner
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10/06/2015 07:30AM  
quote old_salt: "Which is to say, if you want good eats, head to Grand Marais. ;-)"


I think that's what you say when in Atikokan.
GeoFisher
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10/06/2015 09:03AM  
The duck wings at the boat house are THE BOMB.......

Very good.

warhawk
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10/06/2015 05:14PM  
Duck wings. Hmm... That's a new one. I'll take you up on that.
TuscaroraBorealis
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10/06/2015 06:07PM  
Look here for some suggestions.
Jackfish
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10/06/2015 11:33PM  
If you're looking for something really special, I recommend the Burntside Lodge. Higher end price-wise, but wonderfully elegant. About 6 miles west of Ely.
billconner
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10/07/2015 05:23AM  
quote Jackfish: "If you're looking for something really special, I recommend the Burntside Lodge. Higher end price-wise, but wonderfully elegant. About 6 miles west of Ely."

I'm going to have to try Burntside someday, but to the OP, its closed for the season.

Jackfish
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10/07/2015 06:50AM  
quote billconner: I'm going to have to try Burntside someday, but to the OP, its closed for the season. "

Closed for the season? I didn't realize that. Hope you make it there someday. It's great.
mastertangler
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10/07/2015 07:40AM  
Brittons for breakfast? I think that's where we have been......about a block off the main drag.....very good.

We liked the steak house. Played some pool and a round of darts. Good time.
Zanzinger
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10/07/2015 08:01AM  
Go get a Bucky Burger from the Ely Steakhouse.

It's a tradition we look forward to.
murphylakejim
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10/07/2015 08:28AM  
quote Zanzinger: "Go get a Bucky Burger from the Ely Steakhouse.


It's a tradition we look forward to. "


This, plus they have decent French onion soup
Zanzinger
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10/07/2015 09:25AM  
Might have to try out the Soup next year.
Thisismatthew
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10/07/2015 01:53PM  
I like the boathouse. The fish tacos are delicious! I know that there is plenty of fish to eat when you are in the woods, but do yourself a favor and get them.
Thisismatthew
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10/07/2015 01:54PM  
Also, they brew all their own beers and have growlers that you can take into the BWCA if you are so inclined.
10/07/2015 02:40PM  
Never been disappointing by the Boathouse in 3 or 4 trips. The Ely Steakhouse was a disappointment the first time there. Chocolate Moose is hands down the best, but if it's closed.
Grandma L
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10/07/2015 06:34PM  
The new Insula on the main street had great food this past summer.

The Boathouse also was very good when we stopped the after a June trip.

We stopped going to the Steak House when other options became available. The décor is too dark, smells of old smoke, is very 1950's outdated. The food is Ok but not anything spectacular. they just have not kept up with the new competition.

Stony Ridge Restaurant and Resort is only open in the summer but they have great burgers and are a pretty good value for your dollar - located just on the edge town- it is NW of the business district on Shagawa Road W. overlooking the beach.

Stony Ridge is the favorite of the "under age-big eater" grandsons. Insula and the Boathouse are favorite of the test of us.
10/07/2015 07:43PM  
quote Jackfish: "
quote billconner: I'm going to have to try Burntside someday, but to the OP, its closed for the season. "

Closed for the season? I didn't realize that. Hope you make it there someday. It's great."


Sounds like a good place to go with the husband on an anniversary!
10/07/2015 07:44PM  
quote Thisismatthew: "I like the boathouse. The fish tacos are delicious! I know that there is plenty of fish to eat when you are in the woods, but do yourself a favor and get them."


Good to know! I LOVE fish tacos!

Thanks everyone! These are some great ideas!
Thisismatthew
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10/08/2015 08:42AM  
If you go there, the blueberry blonde ale compliments the fish tacos nicely.
Grandma L
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10/08/2015 04:09PM  
quote old_salt: "Which is to say, if you want good eats, head to Grand Marais. ;-)"

Not So - in the fall - they all close early - before supper. We had to drive back to the Beaver Bay Inn 2 nights ago.

10/08/2015 08:08PM  
I like the Boathouse, but I also think it has gone downhill over the past few years, and I have never had a good experience on the restaurant side. Bucky burgers cannot be beat at the Steak House, and Rockwood is also good, but I do believe they close their doors in the off season.
Grandma L
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10/09/2015 11:44AM  
Interesting - none of us have listed and "Bad" restaurants. We all have preferences for different reasons but they all seem to be pretty good, better or even best.
10/09/2015 04:23PM  
I like the rrribeye,mushrooms wild rice pilaf at SteakHouse and to Sir G's for Italian. Both on the main drag. Brittons has a big breakfast. I miss Cranberrys and Vertins too. Love to eat. Oth
billconner
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10/09/2015 04:41PM  
Brittons is not bad for lunch. I guess we're not usually in Ely for lunch though.
warhawk
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10/09/2015 06:15PM  
I was trying to remember what the Boathouse used to be called. Cranberries. Favorite story there is when Jocko, one of my son's friends and a classic dude, powered down a triple cheeseburger and fries without a flinch. Awesome.
prizes14
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10/12/2015 04:17PM  
I'm not a picky eater but I have liked all the places I have eaten at.

Boathouse- had the all you can eat walleye this year and that was one of the best meals I have ever had. My brother also had it and agreed.

Rockwood- Had some of their specialty burgers and liked them. Closed for the season.

Chocolate Moose- Similar to Rockwood as far as burgers and I liked it too.

Ely Steakhouse- It's a bar atmosphere but the Bucky Burger was excellent.

Britton's- breakfast all day. I had the country fried steak and it tasted great with fries on the side. I love country fried steaks though.

Dairy Queen- usually a good looking gal working in there.

Subway- don't be the unlucky one who goes there at the same time that the entire Ely volleyball team unloads the bus to go eat. You will be waiting a while and have to listen to talk of Justin Bieber.
pastorjsackett
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10/12/2015 06:11PM  
Breakfast before you head in: Britton's

Lunch if you are hanging in town: Stony Ridge--unbelievably large burgers!

Dinner on the way out: Sir G's Pizza.
warhawk
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10/12/2015 06:22PM  
The Dairy Queen is drive in. I think that's handy. Although you pay on one side and it's a little awkward, pavement sunk or something, then get your stuff on the other side. Never went inside, but with that recommendation I may have to next time.
10/12/2015 06:44PM  
Subway!!!
DQ!!!!

Good food.......

I think We'll do Insula, Grilled Cheese Imporium, Boathouse, and maybe Brittons.

Ate at Brittons the morning of our "put in" last May - but I was SOOO jacked to get into the BWCA I ordered OATMEAL! WTF was wrong with me... that's what I'd be eating my whole trip!

We leave in a few days - so I'll report back what we ended up doing next week! Thanks again for the suggestions! I'm really excited to try the fish tacos!
SevenofNine
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10/13/2015 07:00AM  
You could try Taste of Ely just down the road from Piragis. A little weird arrangement as you pay at the counter and they bring the food out. Water is self serve. I ate breakfast and would like to try lunch there.
CrookedPaddler1
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10/13/2015 09:02AM  
Don't forget about Stoney Ridge down by Whiteside Park!
blutofish1
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10/13/2015 10:07AM  
A little off the subject but, does anyone remember this place?
oth
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10/14/2015 05:02PM  
quote blutofish1: "A little off the subject but, does anyone remember this place? "
. Yep. Yep Mr.Flashmans. Ladybugs Resort now, Ate there twice one week years ago. Pretty good food but we didn't tackle the big dinner.
warhawk
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10/14/2015 06:28PM  
I'm expecting a meal by meal report, like a blog from a dining critic. Bon appetit.
Enjoy every bite !
Whitepine
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10/15/2015 09:31AM  
quote CrookedPaddler1: "Don't forget about Stoney Ridge down by Whiteside Park!"


Semer's Park. :-)

Jackfish
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10/15/2015 09:40AM  
quote MNLindsey80: "
quote Jackfish: "
quote billconner: I'm going to have to try Burntside someday, but to the OP, its closed for the season. "

Closed for the season? I didn't realize that. Hope you make it there someday. It's great."

Sounds like a good place to go with the husband on an anniversary!"

Yes it is, Lindsey. Great place to go for a special occasion. Northwoods fine dining.
 
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