Pitlik's - Sugar Camp

In 1928 Charles Comiskey, yes that's correct, Comiskey of the Chicago White Sox Fame sold some waterfront and land to the Pitlik family. This resort and supper club is now operated by the 5th generation of the Pitlik's. The lounge and restaurant have a wonderful view overlooking Sand Lake. When you walk into the lounge the sign over the fire place states "Cast your troubles away", or perhaps you just want to drink them away. The bar/lounge is full of high polished wood with a few fish and deer heads on the wall. It is for the most part a very inviting setting and it was getting me in the mood - for a Friday Fish Fry that is. The Little Marnaria ordered her Vodka and Cranberry and I of course requested my Martini. I got the thumbs up on my cigar and Friday evening was off to a great start. Finding a good Martini in Rhinelander is not an easy task, but here we were just two steps from the edge of nowhere and I was wrapping my lips around an icy glass filled with the silver nectar of the gods. Sometimes it is really good to be me. Our bartender Steve is a transplant from Buffalo NY who confessed he was in love with the area and would never return to the East Coast...wait a few winters my friend. Marilyn noticed that there were purse hooks under the bar a nice touch for the ladies, or for those of you studs who carry a man-purse. We arrived about 5:00 pm and by 5:45 the place was almost full, the hostess held a table for us by the window and we sat down to order.

The Friday Fish Fry menu has several great selections. Deep fried or baked cod for $10.99, blue gill or walleye for $15.99 or the 'Over the Limit' (that's an upscale supersize) serving for $18.99. They also have some great appetizers such as fried dill pickles for $3.99, sweet potato fries for $4.99, duck strips for $6.99 and my favorite a crawfish basket for $6.99. There are not a lot of places in Northern WI serving mudbugs, but I found one..

Our waitress came for the order at 6:10 pm and we did not see her again until 6:40 pm, no water, no bread, and no drink order. In all fairness she looked like she was struggling with her tables earlier in the evening. Marilyn and I both ordered the cod, she was baked (this could be the source of some humor that could get me in deep trouble) and I was deep fried (umh possible college humor) - why change at this stage of my life. My plate contained three pieces of hot lightly breaded flakey cod. Cole slaw some pasta salad and waffle fries. I normally do not care for waffle fries because they are usually dry, these however were very good. The cole slaw and pasta salad did not do so well, unfortunately neither of them had any flavor, they were just bland.

Pitlik's is located at 4833 Sand Beach Road, Eagle River, WI which is really West of Sugar Camp. All in all it was a good evening and the Big Ragu give this place a 3 outa 5.

Circle K - Rhinelander, WI

Have you ever been to a place that when you walked inside people stopped talking and just looked at you?  I found one.  The Circle K has a kind of sterile environment - no log siding and no animal parts on the walls; there is however, an ATM and a pool table.  The ATM must be for the pull tabs.  There was a blue haze over the bar and no objection to my smoking a cigar, but this is about where the fun ended.   The Little Marinara ordered a beer and I ordered my usual Martini - wrong move - there was a discussion on the other end of the bar as to what was in a Martini.  The bartender came back and asked me if it was with the "white stuff or the red stuff" - I ordered a Miller to save us both some pain.

We both decided to order the Fish Fry which turned out to be some breaded deep fried cod with a few fries  a plastic cup of cole slaw and a piece of rye bread.  This place is why people stay home to eat.  The Big Ragu gives this a 2 outa 5

The Fireside - Rhinelander, WI

I admit it I like the Fireside. There must be some kind of affinity I have with the obligatory Northwood’s décor there aren’t any dead animals hanging on the walls but there is a great view over Town Line lake.  I also like the personal touch, if you have been there once or twice Margo the Hostess/Owner, will call you by your first name. Most of the wait staff has been working here for over ten years and they know their customers and how to make them feel wanted.  How many times have you been to a place where you are just another bag of bones walking in the door?  The major plus is this is one of the few places that can make a Martini the way I like it – chilled straight-up glass, shaken, and a twist done the correct way, the Little Marinara can get a good Cosmo – the weekend starts off good.

What I really like is the Friday Fish Fry.  You can order from the bar then slide into your table and enjoy Friday night, as it should be, all you can eat.  The Little Marinara usually has the Tilapia, which is always good, but I can always make that at home and just as good as anywhere I can order it.  If I put in a commercial deep fryer we could also do the fish fry, but then once a week on fried food is enough.  That’s really BS, everyday would be good, but then I would need to set-up weekly appointments at Cardiovascular Associates.

Arriving at the table we find it has been set with sides of pasta salad, marble rye with ice cold WI butter, homemade tarter Sauce, cole slaw, and potato salad.  The potato salad outside of Marilyn’s is the best I have ever had – I am told that Margo makes it every week herself.  The cod has a light breading and is always hot when served.  The downside is the Fries; they aren’t bad just average.

They don’t take reservations on Friday night, but if you get there early you can get your request in for a table by the fireplace, it offers some protection from the hungry hordes of summer tourists.  The Friday night Fish Fry is $12.95 about average for most places.  The Big Ragu gives this a 4 outa 5