Food scene
For a little, small-town cafe, this place has a massive menu. Admittedly, I’ve only been here for breakfast (like a dozen times), but I’ve never had the same thing twice — and it never disappoints. Big servings, made fresh, hash browns done right, mmm gravy, perfect pancakes, eggcelent omelettes. I promise no one paid me to write this!
10 locals recommend
Birchwood Cafe
121 S Main StFor a little, small-town cafe, this place has a massive menu. Admittedly, I’ve only been here for breakfast (like a dozen times), but I’ve never had the same thing twice — and it never disappoints. Big servings, made fresh, hash browns done right, mmm gravy, perfect pancakes, eggcelent omelettes. I promise no one paid me to write this!
If you like frozen cocktails and live music up close and personal, this might be the place for you! The little outdoor terrace on the lake is a great spot to take in some sun while requesting your favorite Jimmy Buffet song. I do love their frozen concoctions — and their food is good too. If you’re a Karaoke fan, check their calendar for a chance to show off behind the mic!
Birch Lakes Resort
1085 County Rd FIf you like frozen cocktails and live music up close and personal, this might be the place for you! The little outdoor terrace on the lake is a great spot to take in some sun while requesting your favorite Jimmy Buffet song. I do love their frozen concoctions — and their food is good too. If you’re a Karaoke fan, check their calendar for a chance to show off behind the mic!
I love bar food: draft beer, burgers, pizza and cheese curds (& more!). It’s a spacious place, nice menu, full bar, pool tables, darts, etc. Belly-up to the bar or grab a table.
Just a hop, skip & jump away - worth it.
7 locals recommend
Bear Tracks Bar and Grill
114 S Main StI love bar food: draft beer, burgers, pizza and cheese curds (& more!). It’s a spacious place, nice menu, full bar, pool tables, darts, etc. Belly-up to the bar or grab a table.
Just a hop, skip & jump away - worth it.
New ownership offering new menu items and daily specials. And since Birchwood is the “Bluegill Capital of Wisconsin”....
Blue Gill Bar
109 S Main StNew ownership offering new menu items and daily specials. And since Birchwood is the “Bluegill Capital of Wisconsin”....
Pauls Pizza Den
204 S Wilson StWho doesn’t like pizza? And nachos, burgers, salads, etc...
Cedar Lake Grill
2670 27th St“Wine bar” in the refurbished, historic Creamery building. Really cool place on the river with nice patio and live music (call for times). Made-to-order pizza deal the deal for me.
The Creamery
321 2nd Ave N“Wine bar” in the refurbished, historic Creamery building. Really cool place on the river with nice patio and live music (call for times). Made-to-order pizza deal the deal for me.
I believe it’s only open for breakfast & lunch (closes Monday?). We often stop for breakfast on our early mornings back to the cities. Super friendly service, observe the local banter, have an omelette & cinnamon roll. Yum!
Lona's Corner Cafe
309 County Hwy SSI believe it’s only open for breakfast & lunch (closes Monday?). We often stop for breakfast on our early mornings back to the cities. Super friendly service, observe the local banter, have an omelette & cinnamon roll. Yum!
Cousins Hide A Way
209 County Road SsQuite possibly the best “Friday Fish Fry” around - all you can eat fish, chicken, fries & slaw.
TIP: ARRIVE EARLY FRIDAY and plan to wait (full bar while you wait). The best places always have the longest waits.
Sunday is a less-wait option that adds spaghetti to the fish fry options.
15 locals recommend
Pine Ridge Restaurant
16618W N Sissabagama RdQuite possibly the best “Friday Fish Fry” around - all you can eat fish, chicken, fries & slaw.
TIP: ARRIVE EARLY FRIDAY and plan to wait (full bar while you wait). The best places always have the longest waits.
Sunday is a less-wait option that adds spaghetti to the fish fry options.
Cheers is located right on Tagalong property , the golf course, and literally steps from our front door. Good pizza, burgers, shareables, daily specials, Friday fish fry, excellent Prime Rib (& more!). Full bar that can whip up about anything your heart desires.
There’s both indoor and outdoor seating (+ carry out) and Cheers operates the Pump House directly on the lakeshore. Become a regular and Cheers will be where everyone knows your name.
Cheers Bar & Grill At Tagalong
2855 29th AvenueCheers is located right on Tagalong property , the golf course, and literally steps from our front door. Good pizza, burgers, shareables, daily specials, Friday fish fry, excellent Prime Rib (& more!). Full bar that can whip up about anything your heart desires.
There’s both indoor and outdoor seating (+ carry out) and Cheers operates the Pump House directly on the lakeshore. Become a regular and Cheers will be where everyone knows your name.
Sightseeing
Lake. Golf. Live Music (summer weekends). Indoor pool. Beautiful walks. Amazing views. Cheer bar & The Pump House... you gotta check it all out!
8 locals recommend
Tagalong Golf & Resort
2855 29th AveLake. Golf. Live Music (summer weekends). Indoor pool. Beautiful walks. Amazing views. Cheer bar & The Pump House... you gotta check it all out!
Ice Age National Scenic Trail
Ice Age National Scenic TrailLocal Grocery
Support local business!
This friendly, small-town grocery store in Birchwood is just 5 min away. Open 365 days a year, it’s a convenient place to grab everything you need to cook at home, grill on the front deck or mix cocktails for the fire pit patio (or even a pail of ice cream?!).
Gary's Grocery Store
This friendly, small-town grocery store in Birchwood is just 5 min away. Open 365 days a year, it’s a convenient place to grab everything you need to cook at home, grill on the front deck or mix cocktails for the fire pit patio (or even a pail of ice cream?!).
Don’t let the ‘gas station pit stop’ fool you. I come here for the hand-dipped ice creamgrrr. Their broasted chicken and pizza are good for take-out.
10 locals recommend
Ed's Pit Stop
701 WI-48Don’t let the ‘gas station pit stop’ fool you. I come here for the hand-dipped ice creamgrrr. Their broasted chicken and pizza are good for take-out.
Neighborhoods
Hayward
Don’t blink or you might miss it!
This cute little town of 454 residents calls itself the “Bluegill Capital of Wisconsin”. Yep, there’s an annual Bluegill Festival and a year-round Bluegill restaurant and bar.
Birchwood Main Street is 5 minutes from Tagalong — you’ll find a cafe, grocery, bars, restaurants, gas stations, ice cream, pizza.
9 locals recommend
Birchwood
Don’t blink or you might miss it!
This cute little town of 454 residents calls itself the “Bluegill Capital of Wisconsin”. Yep, there’s an annual Bluegill Festival and a year-round Bluegill restaurant and bar.
Birchwood Main Street is 5 minutes from Tagalong — you’ll find a cafe, grocery, bars, restaurants, gas stations, ice cream, pizza.
Traveler advice
Don't miss
Live Music @ The Pump House
Most weekends during the summer, you’ll find (and hear) live bands playing down at the Pump House, right on the lakefront. Boats and pontoons will drop anchor to while-away the day or even sing along and dance. The Pump House has a stocked bar and can even call in a food order from Cheers. If it’s your first time, you gotta try the “Duck-in-a-Bucket” — you’ll have something to show & tell later ;-)
Book before you go
Something I should add?
If you discovered something I haven’t mentioned, please tell me!! I’ll create a page and throw some credit your way!
What to pack
Bug spray!
It’s summer up north. Enough said!