Isle Royale Forums

I just got off the phone with Ryden's. There is a 90% chance that they won't be opening the restaurant this season; primarily it sounds like because of trouble getting folks to be able to work at it.
The store, and motel rooms, remain available.

So, bummer for those of us who always started our trips with a hearty breakfast from their diner!
If anyone catches word that the 10% came true and they open, certainly post an update.

That leaves pretty much two options for Grand Portage breakfasts, if you're looking to purchase:
- The hotel restaurant, albeit they don't always open early enough to still make it to the Voyageur on time; and there have been two times I've been there were the cook didn't show up, so we just all ate cereal...
- The trading post/gas station/convenience store, which seems to be hit or miss on what it may offer, but there is typically donuts and pastry like items you can get.

The restaurant in the Hotel opens at 7am, Voyageur II passengers need to be on the dock ready to load at 6:45am so it's not an option at all. Same with the grill in the c-store, last year they opened at 9am although the store opens at 6am so the nuke sandwich or rice krispy bars/donuts and coffee/juice are available. We have had people miss the boat because of eating breakfast at the lodge. If Ryden's end up holding to the decision to not open, perhaps one of the other operations will expand their hours to provide some better food options.

There's always Snickers on the ride out, right?

There's always Snickers on the ride out, right?

And coffee that will put hair on your chest! (Which, unfortunately, doesn't work out so well for the ladies. )

the last post on this topic was in april, so for an update...is the cafe at rydens definitly closed for the season?
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confuse us say: man who take woman on camping trip has one intent

When we were up there in late April they were using the cafe space for storage. You can always call them.

Yes, Ryden's cafe is closed. It appears to be a permanent closure. The storage is actually packages waiting to be picked up for the parcel handling service they provide. Canadians order products online and have them shipped to Ryden's address, cross the border and pick them up saving money and weeks of delay on international shipments. Ryden's charges a nominal fee for receiving and holding the parcels. This revenue as well as the lack of staffing for the kitchen forced the closure.

Quick question as I have never stayed at Ryden's. What are the accommodations like? I mean number and size of bed(s), do you get a bathroom, is there a shower vs bathtub. I don't expect it to be The Hilton, but was just curious. Mrs. Bass is not real high maintenance, but I did not really want to scare the crap out of her either. The only time that we stayed in Grand Portage, we stayed at the Casino hotel, and I thought that was totally fine, though not was I considered to be real bargain.

Thanks,

ETB

ETB,
Picture a motel built in the 60's in a truck stop parking lot. I believe they might actually be trailers or pre-fabs put on a block foundation. However, they are clean (which is a key thing for the wife), roomy, have decent beds and a shower with a "real" flush toilet (not sure they have those yet down in Ernest T Bass country ). Definitely not fancy, but reasonable. A bit of a drive to catch the boat though. Make sure you keep that in mind. I have attached a picture of the outside of them.

Now c'mon Mike, you're taking ol' Ernest T. to be a fool. We got those where I come from. That's when you get a GOOOODDD streak a luck while playin' poker in the outhouse!

Cheers,

ETB

Yep, they got a flush. May not be a royale (pun intended) but a flush. I am sure your sweat Romona would be impressed

She just LOVES to look at my gold tooth!

i have a room booked at rydens in about 4 weeks, so how far/ and how long does it take to catch the boat............................................................................
when i was a kid, my parents moved around a lot...but i always found them