Wisconsin’s Hidden Treasures: Shipwrecks and a Food Scene Worth Savoring

Wisconsin made headlines recently with the discovery of a 138-year-old shipwreck in Lake Michigan. Fittingly, the wreck came into the sights of a local man researching satellite photos of the lake for his rafting company. 

Matt Olson, who owns Door County Adventure Rafting, was scanning the coast around Door County and stumbled upon a discolored part of the water. This moment led to a reconnaissance voyage on his sonar-equipped boat, which confirmed his suspicions. 

More Than Just Sunken Treasures

Olson told Door County Pulse, "I pulled over the wreck, and it definitely looked like a shipwreck." What he had found was the Frank D. Barker, a canal-length schooner built in New York in 1867. It sank in 1887 after running into a reef near Spider Island on the western side of the Door Peninsula. 

When you hear such stories of legendary shipwrecks, Wisconsin's proximity to water is hard to ignore. Thousands flock to the coast each summer for a taste of summer lake life, while others fill the many cabins scattered throughout Wisconsin's great forests. 

However, Wisconsin is a great place to visit for a food adventure, not least during the harvest season. 

Shipwrecks and Food Abundance

There are many reasons why a foodie can discover food Nirvana if they visit the Badger State:

• Being a mostly flat northern state with vast volumes of fresh water, the Dairyland State has an advantage for excellent dairy products.  


• A rich immigrant history makes Wisconsin's food options more diverse than one might think. German, Scandinavian, Polish, and Czech dishes sit alongside the American host cuisine.


• Craft beer is prominent in Wisconsin, not least in Milwaukee, also known as "Brew City."


• The harvest is especially bountiful on the border, celebrated with dozens of state fairs each season. Wisconsin prides itself on being the cranberry capital of the United States; it also brings a healthy apple harvest each year. 


• A farm-to-table ethos promotes freshness and seasonality.


• Oktoberfests, cheese fests, and all manner of other festivals make Wisconsin a good place to celebrate food. 


• Comfort foods are popular in this region: iconic comfort classics like Wisconsin kringle, cheese curds, and frozen custard rule supreme.  


• Wisconsin's unique supper club scene sets it apart from other regions.
• The Supper Club Spirit

Supper Clubs are popular throughout much of the region, though Wisconsin can lay claim to having the best. Autumn Swiers of TastingTable explains in a review how a supper club is more like a one-off dining experience as opposed to a mere restaurant meal. 

"They're typically characterized by a limited number of guests, a cozy atmosphere," she writes. There, diners will find "upscale fare, limited operational hours, and particular care to a curated and intimate ambiance." 

Eating Out With a Twist

Modern supper clubs might best be described as private restaurants, much like a members' nightclub. The supper club phenomenon arrived in late 19th-century London's theatrical society, according to the official Wisconsin Supper Clubs webpage. 

"Every supper club is steeped in history…" writes contributor Ron Faiola. He reflects on a time "when lobster was three dollars and drinks were half a buck."

The catalyst for supper clubs sweeping across the United States was Prohibition, which brought people together in a socially exclusive, albeit secretive, setting. After World War II, supper clubs spread, providing post-war America with a chance to eat, dance, and enjoy life once more. 

A Map of Food Possibilities

When your state is renowned for its plentiful harvest, the fall is a perfect time to sample this culture. The Wisconsin Supper Clubs platform has a map of every supper club in the state. The 250-plus entries show why Wisconsin is the place to go if you like the idea of an exclusively Wisconsinite dining experience. To many, there is a reassuring comfort in dining at a supper club.

Predictably, Wisconsin's major cities like Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay have popular supper club networks. However, if you like to eat in more natural surroundings, every region has something different. Furthermore, leaf peepers can still get their fix, though they need to be quick.

Leaf Peepers Be Ready

The Green Bay Press-Gazette shares insight on some of the best supper clubs in the North Woods region. Nonetheless, when advising visits for the fall, last year's report was ominous. "As of Sept. 19, many northern Wisconsin observers were reporting about 20% color, and last year's peak came in the second week of October," it reads.

In terms of the food on display, many will have heard of the Friday fish fry or prime rib Saturdays, but there are many other choices one must try. 

Beyond Fish Fries and Prime Rib

For instance, Donny's Glidden Lodge on the Lower Door Peninsula's Whitefish Bay offers a weekly set menu each day, in addition to a dinner menu. Mondays give punters the chance to try coldwater lobster tail or a rack of lamb. Tuesdays see a roasted duck or baked whitefish offering, while Wednesdays are labeled: "German."

Meanwhile, pioneering supper clubs and pop-up experiences are appearing all over the modern world. As one can imagine, the retro side of supper clubs appeals to a new generation of global artisans. Venue Report shares a list of more modern supper clubs: it seems the bourgeoisie in cities like Amsterdam and London are catching up. 

One of them, Supper in a Pear Tree, is a blend of dinner and life drawing. Diners can practice their art skills while appreciating some fantastic cooking. Venue Report reviewer Jake Kilroy sees humor in this idea. "I mean, you probably won't ever have another chance to drink wine, bond with strangers, and sketch a nude model," he writes. Wisconsinites might not be so impressed by such an ordeal.

Regardless, it is always worth trying something different to bring in the final quarter of the year, making fall a time for new anticipation. There are few more unique adventures a food lover can try than going on a Wisconsin food tour.