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18 Midwest Supper Clubs I Want To Visit

Supper clubs are a long-running Midwestern dining experience, but being a Nebraska native, it’s a foreign concept to me. After reading a book about the history of supper clubs and some of the restaurants that are still open in Iowa, I’ve been inspired to learn more about them and, who knows, maybe visit a few!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of “Iowa Supper Clubs” in order to review the book. This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking the link, I receive a small referral stipend. All thoughts, opinions and typos are my own.

“Iowa Supper Clubs”

As long as I’ve known Megan Bannister, I’ve known her to be a knowledge foodie based in Iowa. It made since that she’d write a book about restaurants (she’s written a post about awesome Des Moines restaurants for me, after all).

Iowa Supper Clubs - This book shares a nostalgic look at the Midwestern phenomenon of supper clubs. There's even a chapter about the Iowa supper clubs that are still open!
Image courtesy Megan Bannister

“Iowa Supper Clubs” sets out to, first, explain what a supper club is (a relish tray isn’t a requisite, but “You know it’s one when you see it”). Then she dives into the history of supper clubs in Iowa.

My favorite part of the book covers the supper clubs in Iowa that are still open. (And if we’re being honest, the information about the ones that serve ice cream after-dinner drinks.)

MoraccoSupperClub Grasshopper
Photo courtesy Megan Bannister

The nostalgia and community-oriented nature of supper clubs reminded me a lot about my own book, “Lost Restaurants of Omaha,” only in Megan’s book, there remains a few long-running establishments you can visit today. And I intend to do so.

So, read on to see which supper clubs I’m dreaming of visiting!

Iowa supper clubs I want to visit

The following is a list of Iowa supper clubs I found in Megan’s book that are still open in Iowa, starting with the ones closest to Omaha. Priorities, right? 

Exterior of Breitbach's Country Dining in Balltown, Iowa
Photo courtesy Travel Iowa

Note: These supper clubs may be operating under reduced hours and with social distancing restrictions in place. Call before visiting! (Not that you’ll be able to make a reservation, just so that you can know if they’re or offer curbside takeout)

Steak meal at Archie's Waeside, a supper club in Le Mars, Iowa
Photo courtesy Travel Iowa

Midwest supper clubs I want to visit

Inspired by Megan’s book, I began to seek what some of the classics around the Midwest were. Fodor’s even had a list. Iowa (and its abundant supper clubs) is just the tip of the iceberg lettuce wedge.

After creating my list of Iowa stops, I pondered what a Midwest supper club road trip would look like. I also pondered what my waist would look like after said road trip. Let’s not get into those details.

Note: These supper clubs may be operating under reduced hours and with social distancing restrictions in place. Call before visiting!

Starting first with the state that’s possibly most famous for its supper clubs: Wisconsin. I’m sure I’m missing a few giants, but among my Wisconsin supper club list are:

Oh, sure, there are more, so check out “Wisconsin Supper Clubs” if you want more insight into the state’s supper club fascination.

And, then one of my favorite states to vacation in, Minnesota, has its share of lovely options. By lakes, no less. Here are a few ones on my radar:

  • Bar Harbor (Brainerd Lakes area)
  • Fisher’s Club (Avon…and supposedly you shouldn’t miss the breaded walleye fish fry) 
  • Crooner’s Lounge and Supper Club (Minneapolis)
Tortoise Supper Club Dining Room

And last, but certainly not least, are some of the supper clubs of Illinois. I got a taste of supper clubs in downtown Chicago at the Tortoise Supper Club. A few other classics I’d like to visit:

  • Millie’s Supper Club (Chicago)
  • Timmerman’s Supper Club (East Dubuque – and said to have a beautiful sunset view overlooking the Mississippi River Valley)
Supper clubs are truly a Midwestern tradition! Here are more than a dozen I want to visit, starting with the ones closest to me - the Iowa supper clubs!

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Val - Corn, Beans, Pigs & Kids

Friday 18th of September 2020

Love Northwestern Steakhouse. It celebrated 100 years in business this year!

Kim

Friday 18th of September 2020

Isn't amazing that a business can last that long?!

Doug Smith

Friday 18th of September 2020

Great piece on supper clubs! I admire your energy . . .

I once read that to be a true supper club, you had to have had a major fire sometime in the past.

Kim

Friday 18th of September 2020

Thanks! It's probably a good rule of thumb. :D

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