Some of the best dinners in Wisconsin sit at the end of a road your GPS seems unsure about. Near Portage, a family-run supper club pulls steak fans off the highway and onto quiet country routes, and nobody seems to mind the detour.
The prize is prime rib served on a hot plate, a flat iron steak people keep talking about, and a bar crowd that makes the wait feel like part of the plan. There are no reservations here, so timing matters, and a little local know-how goes a long way.
Keep reading for the address, the hours, the best nights to show up, and why this spot has become a favorite for anyone heading to or from the Dells.
A Country Address Worth the Detour
Back roads have a way of filtering out the casual crowd, and that suits Cimaroli’s Supper Club just fine. The restaurant sits at W11793 WI-127, Portage, WI 53901, in the rolling countryside of south-central Wisconsin.
Getting there can involve a stretch of rural roads, and some routes even include a bit of dirt. Nobody arrives here by accident.
The location puts it within reach of Wisconsin Dells, which makes it a handy option for families and couples who want a sit-down dinner away from the busiest tourist strips. It also lands neatly on the route for travelers heading home from trips Up North.
Plenty of folks find it the modern way, with a quick map search when every other prime rib table in the region is booked. That kind of happy accident tends to turn first-timers into regulars.
The building has good parking, which is a small detail that matters a lot on a packed Friday night. Restrooms are clean and easy to find, and the grounds offer views that make the drive feel worthwhile.
So yes, the road is long-ish. The payoff, as the next sections show, starts the moment the hostess calls your name.
Family Roots and a Fresh Makeover
Supper clubs are a Wisconsin institution, and the good ones tend to stay in the family. Cimaroli’s is described as an enduring, family-run American restaurant, the kind of place that has earned its spot in local dinner plans over time.
Recently, the club received a makeover. The bar and dining rooms now look polished, giving the classic format a refreshed setting without losing its old-school spirit.
That balance is the trick. Supper club fans expect certain things, and the menu delivers the expected lineup of fish, steaks, pasta, chicken, and salads.
Fun fact for newcomers: the Wisconsin supper club tradition centers on long, relaxed evenings, with time at the bar before dinner treated as part of the meal rather than a delay. Cimaroli’s leans right into that rhythm.
One thing missing is a salad bar, which some longtime supper club goers might notice. Most seem to forgive it quickly once dinner hits the table.
With 4.6 stars across more than 1,800 opinions, the family has clearly kept the formula working. The update simply gave a beloved routine a sharper suit.
Prime Rib on a Sizzling Plate
Lukewarm prime rib is a common supper club letdown. Here, the kitchen solved that problem in a clever way.
The prime rib arrives on a hot flat iron plate that keeps the meat warm from the first slice to the last. First-timers often find the presentation a little unexpected, but it wins them over fast.
Diners describe it as tender and cooked right to the requested temperature, with medium rare earning plenty of praise. Some call it the best prime rib they have had anywhere.
Little to no fat on the cut is another frequent compliment. Friday nights in particular draw a crowd hunting for this exact plate.
Groups who come in after other regional spots are fully booked often leave delighted they ended up here instead. That says a lot about the cooking.
Prime rib shows up again and again as one of the most talked-about items on the menu, second only to one other steak. Speaking of which, that steak deserves its own spotlight.
The Steak Everyone Keeps Ordering
Prime rib may headline the title, but the flat iron steak quietly runs the show. It is mentioned more than any other dish by a wide margin.
The 10-ounce cut shows up perfectly medium rare in story after story. Tender texture and steady consistency are why so many tables order it on repeat.
Pair it with a baked potato, or try the Italian potatoes, a side that has its own fan base. The house salad and warm rolls round things out in proper supper club fashion.
Steak and shrimp with garlic butter also gets strong marks. Fans note it delivers excellent value compared with pricier steakhouses in the state.
Fairness check: not every dish lands perfectly every night, and some seafood plates have come out overcooked on occasion. Steaks, though, are the safe bet.
Choosing between the flat iron and the prime rib is the biggest dilemma at the table. Bringing a friend who orders the other one is the obvious solution.
Starters, Specials, and the Dessert Tray
Appetizers at a supper club are practically a warm-up lap. Cimaroli’s offers a lineup that includes crab dip, calamari, cheese curds, spinach dip, and escargot.
The calamari stands out for staying firm, served with marinara and sweet and sour sauces. Cheese curds come in a light batter with cheddar.
Weekly fish fries keep the Wisconsin tradition alive. Mid-week, a full rack of ribs appears as a Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday special, cooked fall-off-the-bone tender.
Soup lovers can try the vegetable beef or the loaded baked potato soup. Duck also earns enthusiastic mentions from big groups.
Here is a secret worth sharing: dessert is not on the printed menu. Ask, and a server brings out a tray of choices.
Chocolate cake, tiramisu, and salted caramel cheesecake are standouts, and boxing one up to go is a popular move. Leaving room is strongly advised.
Bar Time, Live Music, and Friendly Faces
Waiting for a table rarely feels like waiting here. The bar area hums with activity, and a guitarist often plays live music on busy evenings.
Inside the dining room, music stays soft enough for easy conversation. The overall setting is lively and a bit loud, which is simply how supper clubs roll.
An outdoor setup out back gives groups a place to hang out before dinner. Note that outdoor seating may limit orders to appetizers.
Staff are the club’s secret weapon. Servers get praise for being attentive without hovering, and one veteran bartender brings roughly 40 years of experience behind the bar.
Big parties feel welcome too. Groups of seven or nine report long waits, yet still leave happy and surprised at how fair the bill felt.
The crowd mixes locals, Dells vacationers, birthday celebrations, and road-trippers. Everyone seems to find someone to chat with before the hostess calls them in.
Hours, Waits, and Smart Timing
No reservations means strategy matters. Cimaroli’s runs strictly first come, first served.
Doors open at 4 PM. Hours are 4 to 9 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday, and 4 to 10 PM on Friday and Saturday.
The club is closed on Mondays. Plan around that, or face a long drive to a dark parking lot.
Weekend waits can stretch to 45 or 50 minutes for larger groups. Arriving on a weeknight around 5 PM often means getting seated right away.
A handy trick: guests can relax at the bar and request a specific seating time. Expect a line to pay at the end, which some find a little unusual.
Prices are widely considered fair for the quality, and many leave feeling they got a bargain. Check the official website at cimarolis.com for current menu details before heading out.
Why the Back Roads Win
Plenty of restaurants near the Dells chase tourist traffic. This one simply cooks well and lets the steaks do the advertising.
The appeal comes down to a few things done right. Prime rib stays hot on its plate, the flat iron steak is reliably on point, and the staff treat newcomers like regulars.
Is it perfect every time? Not quite, and a few dishes have missed the mark on off nights.
Still, the big picture is clear. Thousands of happy diners and a steady stream of return trips speak for themselves.
It suits families celebrating birthdays, couples seeking a dressier dinner, and travelers who want a classic Wisconsin evening without the crowds of the main strip. Big groups fit in nicely too.
So set the map, bring some patience for the wait, and save room for that hidden dessert tray. The road may be quiet, but the dining room at the end of it is anything but.
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