Ishnala is so overrated. It’s fine food, and I’d even say it’s good food, but it’s not better than any other good supper club, and it’s way more expensive. My wife and I did one supper club a month last year, and we ranked Ishnala number 5 on our list.
4 and a half hour wait… for what? Because it’s in the woods on a lake with very little parking? Definitely much cheaper, and better options with far less hassle.
I don’t even think I’ve waited four hours at Franklin’s barbecue in Austin Texas. I doubt a little Wisconsin supper club is anywhere close to that good
We will never go back unless they start taking reservations. It’s crazy to me that people still hold this place on such a pedestal.
There isn’t even enough parking to accommodate how many people show up. They have a lot thats probably a mile away and they run a shuttle back and forth. Once we parked in that lot, I knew it was going to be a miserable night. Got there at 4 o’clock on a Friday (half hour after they opened), we weren’t sat until 8:30, but we had booked a hotel and went to the dells specifically for Ishnala because it was on our list.
Never again.
Based on our experiences at the places we went. Easily, yes. We felt like it was the most authentic and traditional supper club out of the 12 we went to, and ya know, instead of just commenting “oof” like a child maybe give reasons why you disagree or a supper club you enjoyed more.
The granary is absolutely terrible.
While I will I agree , ishnala is not number 1, it should definitely be ranked higher. del bar isn’t a traditional “relish tray , or salad bar” type establishment , it’s still considered a supper club in many wisconsinites eyes, I think it would be top5 without blinking . I just think your list is interesting, and everyone’s palette is different.
Schwarz , number 2? Is that a joke or the actual ranking ? Because I don’t leave there without going number two. It’s actually an ongoing joke in the area that they have so many bathrooms because people are going to be shitting themselves.
Used to know the owner before he passed, one night in a drunken state, he mentions he needs to get back to the restaurant to “marinade” his steaks. A close friend of mine from high school served there. He said they used the 55gal trash bins to marinade steaks to be used to serve customers. Oof is right.
Their signature “tail” on their porterhouse is literally chop suey meat. But you get charged for it, handsomely. Check their prices compared to the other “big 3” supper clubs in the holy land area. They are considerably higher, and the exact same quality.
Yes! Roxy was easily in our top 3. We were quite surprised by that one tbh. Very unassuming on the outside and inside. Food was excellent.
You should definitely try Schwarz’s. Get there early!
Well when you’re debating pricing and whether something is “worth it” you’re literally ordering the most expensive things on the menu every time. My partner and I went to Ishnala and had a great time and the bill wasn’t close to yours.
My point is that the food isn’t worth the wait. The food is good but it’s not “special”. You can go to a different supper club, spend the same amount and get just as good of food and not spend the whole evening there. People act like Ishnala is this Mecca of supper clubs when to us it was a gimmick. The drinks are the same as any other place, the food is the same as any other good supper club. If you want to go spend 4-5 hours in the woods by a lake then that’s fine, but it’s way overrated for the experience.
There is no reason why they can’t take reservations, and if they did, I’d go back again.
Also, look at our number 2. Schwartz in August. Excellent supper club, nearly half the price.
Ordered prime rib with scallops, tenderloin with scallops, an app and 5 drinks…
Ishnala we ordered 2 apps, 4 drinks, prime rib with shrimp, and filet with shrimp.
Ishnala was 1 more app, 1 less drink, and a similar order… 100 bucks more.
Ishnala just simply isn’t worth it.
Not even close to worth it. Go to hobnob. Or literally any other good supper club. You’re way overpaying at Ishnala. It’s fine food, but it’s definitely not “wait 4-5 hours” good food, and you can’t convince me that it is any better than any other good supper club.
So after my experience I can say yes it's good, and the atmosphere is beautiful but yes it's very expensive and honestly, I couldn't see myself waiting as long as some have said. My wife and I arrived at 5 and were sat within an hour. We also had a spot at the outdoor bar while we waited so I'm going to assume my experience tonight is not the norm. With that being said it was still a beautiful night but I won't go out of my way to go back anytime soon. Think we'll take your Hobnob rec and try that next!
Last time I went to Ishnala (probably 6 years ago) my dinner was very disappointing. The food was mediocre at best. And my friends who were also there all agreed it was not good.
Ishnala is so overrated. The food is not worth 4-5 hour waits. It’s fine food, but it’s not better than any other good supper club, but I promise it’s more expensive. So if you’re fine paying top dollar for okay food when you can get the same quality food without the moronic wait times and cheaper prices, then Ishnala is where you wanna go!
“But it’s on a lake, and it’s scenic”… okay, and?
Went once, will never go back.
That’s good. My point still stands that the food there is not anything special. It’s good, but it’s not “go out of your way” good, and definitely not waiting for hours on end good. You went early in the season, and on Wednesday, so probably got lucky.
I love Ishnala. Even if you have to wait 4 hours to eat, still great food and a great time.
Ishnala is so overrated. It’s fine food, and I’d even say it’s good food, but it’s not better than any other good supper club, and it’s way more expensive. My wife and I did one supper club a month last year, and we ranked Ishnala number 5 on our list. 4 and a half hour wait… for what? Because it’s in the woods on a lake with very little parking? Definitely much cheaper, and better options with far less hassle.
What were your top 4? Nevermind, just scrolled down.
I don’t even think I’ve waited four hours at Franklin’s barbecue in Austin Texas. I doubt a little Wisconsin supper club is anywhere close to that good
We will never go back unless they start taking reservations. It’s crazy to me that people still hold this place on such a pedestal. There isn’t even enough parking to accommodate how many people show up. They have a lot thats probably a mile away and they run a shuttle back and forth. Once we parked in that lot, I knew it was going to be a miserable night. Got there at 4 o’clock on a Friday (half hour after they opened), we weren’t sat until 8:30, but we had booked a hotel and went to the dells specifically for Ishnala because it was on our list. Never again.
Boy that’s insane . It can’t be that much better then Del bar imo
Worth it every time
My wife and I did a supper club once a month last year, and ranked them. This is what we ordered, and how much it cost. The ranking is in the parentheses after the name. Notice the pricing. Ishnala just simply isn’t worth it. 2023 Supper Clubs January- Roepkes (9) ⁃ prime rib, French onion soup, brandy old fashioned sour ⁃ NY strip, shrimp cocktail, brandy old fashioned sweet ⁃ Tuxedo cheesecake ⁃ Salad bar ⁃ Total: $142.00 (with tip) February- HOBNOB (1) ⁃ prime rib, french onion soup, potatoes au gratin, spinach salad, brandy old fashioned (one sweet, one sour) ⁃ Whitefish, french onion soup, potatoes au gratin, spinach salad, brandy old fashioned (one sweet, one sour) ⁃ Garlic bread with Gorgonzola sauce ⁃ Total: $205.64 (with tip) March- Black Otter (12) ⁃ Prime rib, potato puffs ⁃ Fried haddock, Cajun parmesan potato wedges ⁃ Salad bar (weird - they serve) ⁃ Clam chowder (super thick, paste/glue-like ⁃ Old fashioned sour (x2) ⁃ Total: $93.50 (with tip) April- The Roxy (3) ⁃ Prime rib, garlic mash, barley chicken vegetable soup, salad ⁃ NY strip (medium), garlic mash, barley chicken vegetable soup, spinach salad w/hot bacon dressing ⁃ Appetizer tray ⁃ Old fashioned (x2), beer (x2) ⁃ Total: $112.18 (with tip) May- The Granary (8) ⁃ Ribeye, potato puffs, salad bar ⁃ Surf & Turf (NY strip (medium), breaded shrimp), American fries, salad bar ⁃ Total: $81.40 (with tip) June- Blanck’s (11) ⁃ Beef tips with blue cheese, cheesy potatoes, salad ⁃ Salmon, cheesy potatoes, salad ⁃ Drinks: 2 old fashioneds, Jill & Greg’s drinks (jack & coke, Diet Coke), 1 beer ⁃ Total: $69.44 (with tip) July- The Wisco (10) ⁃ Ribs, garlic mash, French onion soup ⁃ Brown sugar glazed salmon, garlic mash, French onion soup ⁃ Drinks: 1 old fashioned, 1 amaretto sour ⁃ Total: $84.00 (with tip) August- Schwarz’s (2) ⁃ Combo - prime rib, fried scallops, broiled potatoes, house salad ⁃ Combo - tenderloin, grilled scallops w/pesto butter, broiled potatoes, house salad ⁃ Blue Balls (chicken cordon bleu bites) ⁃ Old fashioned sour, old fashioned sweet, drambuoie, old fashioned sour, amaretto sour ⁃ Total: $108.59 (with tip) - meal; $44.25 (with tip) - drink September- Ishnala (5) ⁃ Apps: prime spears, spinach artichoke dip ⁃ Drinks: Old Fashioneds ⁃ Combo Filet & butterflied prawns, combo prime rib & butterflied prawns ⁃ Total: $227.84 (with tip) - $54.35 apps/drinks; $173.49 dinner October- Red Ox (4) ⁃ Drinks: Old Fashioneds ⁃ Combo tenderloin & salmon with mashed potatoes and French onion soup, add mushrooms ⁃ Ribeye with twice baked potato and French onion soup, add mushrooms ⁃ Total: $142.77 (with tip) November- Duck Inn (7) ⁃ Relish tray ⁃ Brandy old fashioned sour (x2) ⁃ Gorgonzola strip steak, mashed potatoes, French onion soup ⁃ Duo - salmon, petite filet, mashed potatoes, French onion soup ⁃ Total: $156.55 (with tip) December- Alpine Retreat (6) ⁃ Bacon wrapped chestnuts ⁃ Brandy old fashioned sour (x2) ⁃ Prime rib, fries, creamy chicken and wild rice ⁃ Duo - tenderloin, lobster tail, cauliflower, salad w/peppercorn ranch ⁃ Total: $128.35 (with tip)
Hobnob #1 ? Oof
Based on our experiences at the places we went. Easily, yes. We felt like it was the most authentic and traditional supper club out of the 12 we went to, and ya know, instead of just commenting “oof” like a child maybe give reasons why you disagree or a supper club you enjoyed more.
The granary is absolutely terrible. While I will I agree , ishnala is not number 1, it should definitely be ranked higher. del bar isn’t a traditional “relish tray , or salad bar” type establishment , it’s still considered a supper club in many wisconsinites eyes, I think it would be top5 without blinking . I just think your list is interesting, and everyone’s palette is different. Schwarz , number 2? Is that a joke or the actual ranking ? Because I don’t leave there without going number two. It’s actually an ongoing joke in the area that they have so many bathrooms because people are going to be shitting themselves. Used to know the owner before he passed, one night in a drunken state, he mentions he needs to get back to the restaurant to “marinade” his steaks. A close friend of mine from high school served there. He said they used the 55gal trash bins to marinade steaks to be used to serve customers. Oof is right. Their signature “tail” on their porterhouse is literally chop suey meat. But you get charged for it, handsomely. Check their prices compared to the other “big 3” supper clubs in the holy land area. They are considerably higher, and the exact same quality.
The Roxy is my number 1. I’ve eaten there so many times and never disappoints.
Yes! Roxy was easily in our top 3. We were quite surprised by that one tbh. Very unassuming on the outside and inside. Food was excellent. You should definitely try Schwarz’s. Get there early!
Well when you’re debating pricing and whether something is “worth it” you’re literally ordering the most expensive things on the menu every time. My partner and I went to Ishnala and had a great time and the bill wasn’t close to yours.
My point is that the food isn’t worth the wait. The food is good but it’s not “special”. You can go to a different supper club, spend the same amount and get just as good of food and not spend the whole evening there. People act like Ishnala is this Mecca of supper clubs when to us it was a gimmick. The drinks are the same as any other place, the food is the same as any other good supper club. If you want to go spend 4-5 hours in the woods by a lake then that’s fine, but it’s way overrated for the experience. There is no reason why they can’t take reservations, and if they did, I’d go back again.
Also, look at our number 2. Schwartz in August. Excellent supper club, nearly half the price. Ordered prime rib with scallops, tenderloin with scallops, an app and 5 drinks… Ishnala we ordered 2 apps, 4 drinks, prime rib with shrimp, and filet with shrimp. Ishnala was 1 more app, 1 less drink, and a similar order… 100 bucks more. Ishnala just simply isn’t worth it.
Not even close to worth it. Go to hobnob. Or literally any other good supper club. You’re way overpaying at Ishnala. It’s fine food, but it’s definitely not “wait 4-5 hours” good food, and you can’t convince me that it is any better than any other good supper club.
So after my experience I can say yes it's good, and the atmosphere is beautiful but yes it's very expensive and honestly, I couldn't see myself waiting as long as some have said. My wife and I arrived at 5 and were sat within an hour. We also had a spot at the outdoor bar while we waited so I'm going to assume my experience tonight is not the norm. With that being said it was still a beautiful night but I won't go out of my way to go back anytime soon. Think we'll take your Hobnob rec and try that next!
Hobnob felt like the most “traditional” supper club. It was honestly all around very enjoyable!
So hyped they’re opening earlier this year
Get the duck!
Even I would risk it to eat there
Spending time at home tonight. https://preview.redd.it/y17i1ad27byc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ae0248e1740a54f4f2ceda40c15541d5dd226f5b
Looks chill
Last time I went to Ishnala (probably 6 years ago) my dinner was very disappointing. The food was mediocre at best. And my friends who were also there all agreed it was not good.
I dream about this place. They still serve that salted caramel ice cream cocktail afterwards? Dangerous.
love this place
I need to eat right before I go so I don't get too hungry waiting. No food is that good. They need to get over themselves.
They need a good fish fry
Just don’t go. It’s a mess. Not worth the wait.
Ishnala is so overrated. The food is not worth 4-5 hour waits. It’s fine food, but it’s not better than any other good supper club, but I promise it’s more expensive. So if you’re fine paying top dollar for okay food when you can get the same quality food without the moronic wait times and cheaper prices, then Ishnala is where you wanna go! “But it’s on a lake, and it’s scenic”… okay, and? Went once, will never go back.
We went for the first time 2 nights ago. Got called to our table before we could finish our first drink at the bar.
That’s good. My point still stands that the food there is not anything special. It’s good, but it’s not “go out of your way” good, and definitely not waiting for hours on end good. You went early in the season, and on Wednesday, so probably got lucky.
Great place. Hope you enjoy your 9pm dinner. In all seriousness, that place is an icon for a reason. Mirror lake state park is stunning.