Sunrise over Barker's Island - Superior, Wisconsin

Hometown Favorites - Superior, Wisconsin
Best Bars, Burgers & Pizza

Paul Lundgren, writing in Lake Superior Magazine, provided the inspiration for searching out some of Superior's less publicized burger joints and hangouts.

Over the summer we sampled Gronk's Grill & Bar, The Anchor Bar & Grill, and The Shamrock Bar & Pizza Parlour. Each of these fine dining establishments is profiled below along with a few of other favorite Superior spots.

While we were searching out hidden gems, we decided to track down ARCO coffee, a Superior coffee roaster who regularly operates a very popular coffee wagon at the Bayfield Apple Festival. Unfortunately when we finally sleuthed them out, we found only a very industrial looking warehouse with no facilities for fans of their coffee.

Gronk's Grill & Bar

Gronk's trademark Caveman welcomes travelers coming into town from the east on US 2. Gronk's is conveniently located near the Super 8 motel and the Holiday Gas Station. > > >

< < < Gronk's main bar offers a warm atmosphere always bustling with conversation and sports on TV. The mammoth fishing lures hanging from the ceiling are a clue to a segment of its clientele!

< < < There's a separate dining area away from the smoke and chatter in the bar. Gronk's scored immediate brownie points by having my favorite beer, Leinies, on tap. While famous for their big and juicy burgers, Jo and I decided to try their pizza. Our choice was the veggie with the works. Thin, dry crust, and fresh, crispy vegetables. Not overly heavy on the cheese. Excellent. Fast, friendly service. Next time we try the burgers.

Anchor Bar & Grill

The Anchor Bar has been a fixture on the northern end of Tower Avenue since the 1940s. On the outside its slightly gritty appearance and presence of some heavy duty "iron horses" had us wondering how much smoke we'd have to swallow with our burgers! > > >

< < < On the inside was an amazing collection of memorabilia, much of it nautical and historical. The clientele included families with kids and people of all ages and socioeconomic groups - a real melting pot. While I am sure there were a few smokers present you wouldn't know it due to the high powered exhaust-ventilation system.

< < < The Anchor Bar earns more brownie points earned by having two kinds of "Leiney" on tap, plus their menu board listed about 60 other beers available . . . plus a large assortment of wines. The Anchor only serves burgers and fries - but the burgers come in about 10 different varieties. Big, juicy, and served steaming hot from one of the busiest grills you'll ever see. The price of the burgers and the brews were very reasonable - which explains the standing room only crowd that soon developed. Have an Anchor Burger and a Big Mac will never again measure up.

Shamrock Bar & Pizza

Going south from the Anchor, at the other end of Tower Avenue, actually in the town of Superior, is another gustatory treat - The Shamrock Bar & Pizza Parlour. The two facilities are actually side by side with a passage-way between them. Go in the front door and turn left, you go into the Sports Bar. Go straight and you enter the Pizza Parlour. > > >

< < < The Shamrock Bar is your busy neighborhood sports bar with people busy watching games on TV, playing video games, and engaging in merriment and conversation.

In sharp contrast, it was pretty quiet on a week night in the Pizza Parlour. Several comfortable booths plus a number of larger tables will accommodate at least 50 pizza lovers - perhaps as many as a 100. While there were plenty of seats, the Pizza Carry Out window served a steady stream of customers.

We ordered a half veggie and half sausage deluxe pizza. An interesting contrast to Gronk's Pizza. This one had a thicker and chewy crust, quite moist and cheesy, and spicy. My heart-healthy diet regimen likes Gronk's style better, but occasionally it is a real treat to dive into an oil-soaked, finger-liken good grand pizza pie like Shamrock serves. It is evident why there was a steady stream of carryout business (one guy had a stack of 5 pizzas!). Due to the separation from the bar and the spacious seating, the Shamrock is an excellent place to take the family out to eat or to get a Pizza and Beer without worrying about smoke.

< < < Globe News, at the corner of Tower Ave and Belknap Street, is an old fashioned neighborhood store - news, magazines, tobacco, cards, gifts, & soda fountain.

Just down the street is our favorite store - Northwoods Outlet. Great place for hiking shoes, outdoor clothing, camping equipment, and other outdoor gear. > > >

< < < Nemadji Golf Course offers a 36 hole championship course and one of the best practice facilities I've encountered. Judging from the license plates in the parking lot, a good many golfers from Duluth, MN come across the bridge to golf at Nemadji. And Duluth has some real nice courses so that is a good testament to Nemadji.

Superior, Wisconsin Camping

• Pattison State Park
  State's highest waterfall, nature center, 9 miles of hiking trails, 59 campsites, RV (18 electric hookups & dump station) and tent camping (showers and flush toilets in summer)
• Amincon Falls State Park
  Waterfalls, hiking, picnic area, tent camping . Camp sites mostly rustic, but well spaced and laid out.
• Brule River State Forest
  Rustic tent camping, canoe camping, trout fishing.

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