Crooked Spoon burns in Grand Marais

[johnhens]

We have stopped at the Crooked Spoon in Grand Marais, MN. Sorry to hear about a fire today 4/13/20, that destroyed the Crooked Spoon.

https://www.wtip.org/large-fire-burning ... and-marais

[Tom]

So unfortunate. In a follow-up article, some folks will recognize the Grand Marais Fire Chief, Ben Silence. (AKA Capt Benny of the Voyageur)

https://www.wtip.org/grand-marais-fire- ... and-marais

[mean_ass_raccoon]

what does this have to do with isle royale?

[johnhens]

what does this have to do with isle royale?

A lot of folks who go to IR from MN stop in Grand Marais on the way up or on the way home. This is one of the places you looked forward to after eating "trail food". Eating at these places becomes a part of the trip. Part of the IR experience.

[Midwest Ed]

what does this have to do with isle royale?

The Grand Marais Fire Chief is Ben Silence who is also a skipper of Voyageur ferry.
Also, the restaurant was (is, assuming it comes back) one of a few a favorite first stops when returning to Minnesota.

[mean_ass_raccoon]

what does this have to do with isle royale?

A lot of folks who go to IR from MN stop in Grand Marais on the way up or on the way home. This is one of the places you looked forward to after eating "trail food". Eating at these places becomes a part of the trip. Part of the IR experience.

isn't that like way out of the way though?

[dcclark]

what does this have to do with isle royale?

A lot of folks who go to IR from MN stop in Grand Marais on the way up or on the way home. This is one of the places you looked forward to after eating "trail food". Eating at these places becomes a part of the trip. Part of the IR experience.

isn't that like way out of the way though?

Grand Marais is the next "big" town south on Highway 61 from Grand Portage. Plus there is the connection to the Voyageur, as mentioned above. I think it is wise to trust the people who have traveled that way when they say that this is of interest.

[Midwest Ed]

what does this have to do with isle royale?

A lot of folks who go to IR from MN stop in Grand Marais on the way up or on the way home. This is one of the places you looked forward to after eating "trail food". Eating at these places becomes a part of the trip. Part of the IR experience.

isn't that like way out of the way though?

A lot of people are closer to the Minnesota options than the Michigan ones. The seaplane now operates out of Grand Marais in addition to Houghton County. Even people that are closer to the Michigan options sometimes choose the Grand Portage Voyageur II ferry because of the additional flexibility it offers due to its circumnavigation of the Island allowing for additional pickup/drop off locations.

[mean_ass_raccoon]

ok so I'm just dumb and a Michigan man through and through. Didnt realize there was a Grand Marais, MN lol makes sense now. also apparent its French for Big Marsh.

[johnhens]

ok so I'm just dumb and a Michigan man through and through. Didnt realize there was a Grand Marais, MN lol makes sense now. also apparent its French for Big Marsh.

Folks going through Houghton and Copper Harbor have favorites also. Houghton, I am having breakfast at Soumi and dinner at the Library. Copper Harbor, breakfast at the Pines, dinner at the Mariner North (which also suffered a fire a while ago, rebuilt), Harbor Haus or Fitzgeralds in Eagle Harbor Now you know!!!

[mean_ass_raccoon]

been to the pines many times via sled

[Midwest Ed]

Folks going through Houghton and Copper Harbor have favorites also. Houghton, I am having breakfast at Soumi and dinner at the Library. Copper Harbor, breakfast at the Pines, dinner at the Mariner North (which also suffered a fire a while ago, rebuilt), Harbor Haus or Fitzgeralds in Eagle Harbor Now you know!!!

Well, if we're going to turn this into a "good places to eat in the Keweenaw" let's not leave out some other well known and maybe lesser known options.
1) Ambassador Lounge in Houghton for the best vegetarian Greek Pizza you'll find anywhere (I add a little protein to it to make it superb).
2) Roy's in Houghton, right on the Portage Waterway, (almost under the lift bridge) has the best Pasties IMO (try the breakfast pasty too).
3) Toni's Country Kitchen & Bakery in Laurium (right next to Calumet) is great for breakfast and fresh baked goods. Suomi is good too although their pasties are a bit small. I used to work at The Suomi decades ago when in college. Their present breakfast specialties are Pannukaklu (a creamy pancake with raspberry sauce) and Finnish French Toast.
4) Let's not leave out the Kaleva Cafe in downtown Hancock as a another place to get a fantastic traditional and generous home cooked breakfast.
5) If you want a Lake Trout dinner it can be harder to find than Whitefish sometimes as supplies can be scarce. Two of the best chances are Pilgrim River Steakhouse just south of Houghton on US-41 or Quincy's in Dollar Bay.
6) For a fish and chips lunch or bowl of fresh fish chowder you can't beat the outdoor dining at Four Suns Fish and Chips which is part of and next door to Peterson's Fish Market (a Native American fisherman outlet...and get some of the fish sausage to go while you're there).
7) If you go to Harbor Haus in Copper Harbor make sure to make time and save room for their fresh, made to order chocolate souffle and at Fitzgeralds try their barbecue.