Some families do not need a menu on Friday night, because they already know what they are getting. In Minnesota, that usually means walleye, prime rib, a fish fry, or a trip to the salad bar at a supper club down a county road or along a lake.
These places are more than restaurants, since they are where birthdays, after-game meals, and plain old Fridays have been happening for years. Here are eight supper clubs across the state that keep the weekly tradition going, from farm country in the south to the Northwoods.
1. Wiederholt’s Supper Club, Hastings, MN
Out in the farm country of Dakota County, near the tiny community of Miesville, sits a supper club that has the old-school formula down cold. The setting is quiet and rural, which makes the busy Friday evening crowd even more noticeable.
The menu leans classic. Prime rib and steaks are the headliners, with halibut, Chicken Kiev, shrimp cocktail, and ribs and chicken rounding out the lineup.
On Fridays, the fish fry is the move for plenty of regulars. Portions run generous, and prices land around $20 to $60 per person depending on what you order.
A fireplace, a historic feel, and a kids’ menu with high chairs make it easy to bring the whole family. Reservations are recommended for dinner, and parking is rarely a problem.
I would save this one for a Friday when you want the full supper club experience without any modern twists.
2. Fisher’s Club, Avon, MN
Walleye with a lake view is about as Minnesota as Friday gets. Fisher’s Club in Avon delivers both, perched along Middle Spunk Lake with a retro camp lodge style that is rustic in the best way.
The fish dinners are the reason to come. Broiled walleye, fried sunfish, onion rings, coleslaw, and homemade potato salad show up on plenty of tables, and the walleye BLT is a favorite for lunch.
Kids get their own fish dinner option, which helps explain why families keep coming back across the years.
Plan ahead on hours. The club is closed Mondays and opens at 4 PM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, while Friday runs from 11:30 AM to 8:30 PM.
Outdoor seating is available, and dogs are welcome outside. At roughly $20 to $30 per person, it is an easy Friday habit to pick up.
3. Bar Harbor Supper Club, Lake Shore, MN
Gull Lake regulars know this spot as the dressed-up member of the supper club family. Bar Harbor keeps the classic format but wraps it in an updated, upscale look.
The pistachio crusted walleye is the signature, and surf and turf, strip steak, and halibut are close behind. Prime rib specials also make regular appearances.
Summer brings a bonus. Lakeside patio seating puts dinner right next to the water, and live music and a fireplace add to the evening.
Hours are limited, so timing matters. The club is open Thursday through Sunday from 4 to 9 PM, and dinner reservations are recommended.
Expect to spend about $40 to $50 per person. For a Friday that doubles as a celebration, this is the one I would pick in the Brainerd Lakes area.
4. Interlachen Inn, Alexandria, MN
Garlic walleye is not something you find on every supper club menu, and that alone makes Interlachen Inn stand out. The Alexandria lake country spot pairs it with prime rib, steaks, and a pan fried walleye option.
French onion soup, a walleye sandwich, Hawaiian chicken, and a teriyaki ribeye show how wide the menu goes. Save room for key lime pie.
The setting is woodsy and cozy, with a fireplace and live music adding to the classic feel. Friday evening is the busiest stretch of the week, so reservations are a smart idea.
Friday hours run from 11:30 AM to 9 PM, giving you the option of a lake country lunch too. Prices sit around $20 to $30 per person.
5. Shattuck’s Hub Supper Club, Burtrum, MN
Burtrum has fewer than 150 residents, yet Friday night at Shattuck’s Hub can feel like half the county showed up. A Friday meat raffle draws a packed crowd, and the kitchen keeps food moving quickly.
The supper club overlooks Swan Rock Lake, and the view is part of the draw. Prime rib is the standout, with fish, chicken and ribs, and desserts also on the menu.
Then there is the salad bar. It is a big part of the identity here and a classic supper club touch that many places have dropped.
Friday hours stretch from 4 to 11 PM, later than most spots on this list. The club is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Outdoor seating, a kids’ menu, and prices around $20 to $30 per person keep it practical for families.
6. Hillcrest Supper Club & Resort, Hines, MN
Road trippers heading into the Northwoods should know about this one. Hillcrest sits on Blackduck Lake near Hines, a quiet unincorporated spot that feels far from everything.
The kitchen sticks to supper club basics done well. Prime rib leads, made-to-order Hereford beef and seafood fill out the menu, and the full salad bar is a centerpiece.
Hours are short, so plan ahead. It is open Tuesday through Saturday evenings only, with Friday service from 5 to 9 PM.
Outdoor seating lets you take in the lake views in warmer months. With prices around $20 to $30 per person, it is an easy reward after a day up north.
7. Fireside Lounge & Supper Club, Dennison, MN
All-you-can-eat fish on a Friday is the kind of deal that turns into a family tradition fast. Fireside Lounge in Dennison, a farm town of about 200 people in southern Minnesota, built its Friday reputation on it.
The menu goes well beyond fish. BBQ ribs, burgers, and homemade desserts are regular favorites, and seasonal menus bring prime rib and surf and turf.
Prime rib special days have a loyal following of their own. A full vegetarian menu is also available, which is unusual for a rural supper club.
Sunday opens at 9 AM for breakfast, and Friday runs from 11 AM to 9:30 PM. The club is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
A fireplace and curbside pickup round things out, with meals around $20 to $30 per person.
8. Birch’s on the Lake Brewhouse & Supperclub, Long Lake, MN
Proof that the supper club tradition is alive in the Twin Cities west metro sits right on Long Lake. Birch’s mixes a modern, classy look with old-school touches.
The relish tray is a great example. It comes with a cheese spread, boiled egg, sweet pickles, potato salad, and more, just like the supper clubs of decades past.
From there, the menu covers prime rib, freshwater fish, seafood, and options like the Long Lake Caesar and truffle mushroom flatbread. Beer is brewed on-site.
The scenic deck overlooking the lake is the prime seat in summer. Valet parking, live music, and a fireplace add polish, and dinner reservations are recommended.
Friday runs from 11 AM to 10 PM, and weekend brunch starts at 10 AM.
Closing thought: whether it is walleye by a lake or a fish fry in farm country, these eight clubs show why Minnesota families keep the same Friday plan year after year. Pick one close to home, or one up north, and start a tradition of your own.
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