Byway Bites & Brews
Whether you’re driving the fifty four miles, bicycling on the big paved shoulders, boating the Byway area’s lakes or hiking along the trails that adjoin the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway, all that activity can cause a mighty hunger to grow. No worries. There are plenty of delicious bites and some hearty brews waiting for you along the way.
Fill your tummy with a delicious breakfast at A-Pine Restaurant on the corner of Hwy. 371 and CSAH 16. Come back and visit them for a lunch or a country supper. Always good, always relaxing. A little further east on CSAH 16, swing into the Whitefish Golf Club for a beverage and some hot snacks at Bogey’s Restaurant, or pick up a sandwich for later.
Need a good dinner? The history-rich Norway Ridge Supper Club on CSAH 39 just seconds off CSAH 16, is the place to enjoy outstanding home-smoked ribs, great chicken dishes, seafood and steaks.
Head toward Crosslake for dining that’s accessible by car or boat; both Moonlite Bay and the recently reopened Manhattan’s have plenty of parking for cars and plenty of parking for cars and plenty of of docking for boats. At either place, sit on the lakeside patio and enjoy the view as you nibble on tasty food and sip great beverages. Or, in winter, watch the snowmobile activity on the frozen lake and enjoy your meal in cozy comfort around a fireplace. A restaurant has been at each location since the 20’s and 30’s. Learn the history from the current owners. A delicious addition to the Crosslake dining scene is Maucieri’s south of town on CSAH 3.
The Breezy Point area offers hungry Byway visitors some tantalizing choices. Both Marina II and Antlers Restaurant are known for their great lunches and dinners in a classy up-north atmosphere. Views from both are stunning. Marina II looks over Pelican Lake. Antlers greets the eye with a panorama of the well-tended Whitebirch Golf Course. In the mood for a more casual dinner? Walk right in, sit right down at Commander Bar and Restaurant for a pizza to remember. Long touted as, ‘Home of the Garbage Pizza’, Commander offers a basket-style menu with something to please even the youngest diners.
There’s even a Paul Bunyan cookie available at the homespun style Pine River Bakery located on Pine River’s main street, Barclay Avenue. Everybody needs dessert!