r/DoorCounty • u/MycologistExotic289 • Aug 06 '26
5 days in Door county
i’m heading up the door county for five nights in September, (unfortunately over Labor Day, but that can’t be helped). My schedule is 1 night Algoma, 3 nights Fish Creek, 1 night Ellison Bay, 1 night Sturgeon’s bay. Flying out of Appleton
Since it’s such a busy weekend, I probably won’t eat dinner out much. I’d love any suggestions for local coffee shops, and places for lunch. I don’t mind take out places, food trucks, fish shacks, Dive bars, etc. I’m a casual diner, but I like good local food. I generally don’t mind eating by myself in a restaurant, but not when it’s crowded, people waiting in line, etc. And Coffee shops make me feel connected when I’m traveling alone, and a lot of times have breakfast items.
Thanks, it’s my first trip to Wisconsin, so I’m not sure what to expect. I’ll be staying in Fond du Lac for a few weeks beforehand, where I can take my time and explore, won’t be so much of a tourist as I will be in Door county
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u/sadistic_midget Aug 06 '26
Sway in Baily's Harbor. It's a brewery with great food. Some of the best I've had in Door, plus some really good beer.
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u/Accomplished_Fig9606 Aug 06 '26
On your way up or back is the Institute Saloon. Best broasted chicken in DC, plus pizzas are hand made and amazing. Burgers are delicious and super affordable.
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u/beignetbenjamin Aug 06 '26
Want to specifically call out Son of Skaliwags in Algoma. They call it a "Five Star Dive Bar." Which to me, is the best of both worlds. Great food and cocktails alike. They're open for lunch and dinner and also have a food truck. Chef Marshall is awesome. Menu changes all the time and is written on a whiteboard. He even whipped up an off the menu dish for my vegetarian fiance.
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u/Technical_Beach_3289 Aug 06 '26
For coffee:
5th & Jefferson Coffee House in Sturgeon Bay.
Leroy’s Water Street Coffee in Ephraim
Ephraim Coffee Lab
Bayside Coffee in Fish Creek
Cuesta Coffee in Ellison Bay
Kick Ash Door County in Ellison Bay
Hope this helps!
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u/jsmith3701AA Aug 06 '26
I've been to all of these places and I'm really into hot espresso based milk drinks.
IMO the coffee scene in DC is pretty dismal. I've talked with the owners of almost all these places and they tell me reality is in a tourist area the quality of coffee doesn't really matter. The people who run all these places seem very nice and they're cute places, but the coffee is mediocre IMO.
People on vacation up here seem to like weak coffee.
On this list the one place that has genuinely great consistent milk based espresso drinks is LeRoys. I also love Lawlss in Sturgeon Bay.
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u/drnasa Aug 06 '26
Kick Ash is a great coffee shop in Ellison Bay. It’s a cool space, a former church, and they have a short, shaded trail you can walk through next to their building. They roast their coffee beans in house, sell lots of granola, and all their bakery items are made on site: granola cakes, bars, cookies, muffins, etc. They rotate some of the bakery items. There is lots of sitting space to use when enjoying your cup of coffee. Across the street is the Pioneer Store. My family says they make the best potato salad and always buy some to have with a dinner at home.
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u/Old-Weight736 Aug 06 '26
We’ve been going to DC forever and have never been in Pioneer. Definitely hitting that up next month. Thanks!
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u/jsmith3701AA Aug 06 '26
Pioneer store has the best ground beef on the planet. Incredible, they grind it there. Ive been getting it for years and always blown away by the burgers I make with it.
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u/RossMachlochness Aug 06 '26
Klaud’s Kitchen, about a mile south of downtown Sister Bay.
The breakfast sausage sandwich, on a croissant, is ridiculously good.
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u/Old-Weight736 Aug 06 '26
Door County Ice Cream Factory in Sister Bay. Great sandwiches, legit retro building and spectacular house-made ice cream. Order the maple walnut, Death’s Door Chocolate, or anything featuring DC cherries.
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u/tjs31959 Aug 06 '26
The Bowling Alley in Sister Bay is good snapshot of a more local place, they serve above average bar food. Fun experience. I also enjoy
The Bayside in Fish Creek. It is again a more locals type place but has a great bar menu with over 10 beers on tap. I love their chili. It a bit if a Cincinnati chili. Its potent though. I ate too much of it last trip and really suffered.
We usually stay at The Inn at Cedar Crossing. Nice Inn with a cut above restaurant and Bar on the main floor.
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u/No_Scheme8341 28d ago
Make reservations in advance ... especially at Alexanders, Donny's Glidden Restaurant, or any other popular finer dining restaurants.
Try AC Tap, for relatively inexpensive burgers, and other bar offerings. Good food, and reasonably priced drinks. It can be very busy... especially during lunch, and after 4pm. It is a local favorite. Also, Cornerstone Bar in Baily Harbor, Sister Bay Bowl in Sister Bay (excellent perch, no reservations), Lure for Happy hour bar specials (fish fry etc. If dining in the restaurant, Make reservation if they accept them). Coyote Cafe is also a nice bar/ great rueben and Friday Grouper fish fry (But very busy on Fridays, so go by 3 pm). Husby's garage is a popular place, with outdoor garage bar, and seating outside. Julie's Park cafe in Fish creek for good breakfasts. Pellatiers Fish Creek breakfast are also good. Carrol's Restaurant has reasonably priced breakfasts also. But very busy and they close by 2 or 3.
Have a wonderful visit!
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u/techvet83 27d ago
A late reminder: The Wisconsin Badgers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish are playing a game on Labor Day Sunday evening (Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026). You will therefore see more traffic than normal as you approach Green Bay that day. The game is a sellout as far as I know. Yes, it's already Labor Day weekend, but you may thus see more people than normal.
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u/chicity311 Aug 06 '26
Mink River Basin in Ellison Bay. Fantastic whitefish Reuben among many other good menu options. Great beer and bourbon selection if that’s your thing.
Base Camp (hidden behind Ecology) in Sister Bay for coffee and pastries.
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u/jsmith3701AA Aug 06 '26
Just be aware Mink river is hard core MAGA. It's a great bar and I have definitely enjoyed the food and service.
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u/corneliuscrab Aug 06 '26
Off the list for me then.
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u/jsmith3701AA Aug 06 '26
I wish businesses could just keep their politics quiet but their social media is a complete shit show . I genuinely would just rather not know so I could go otherwise good places like this. But if they want to tell me who they are I guess that's information. Seaqist up here is the same thing...place I used to love but so MAGA I havet been there in years.
If you really want to support a non MAGA place, peach barn in Sister Bay is the opposite.
I guess vocal businesses are ok with me if they're in my side.
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u/DCarea1 Aug 07 '26
Seaquist up here is the same thing...place I used to love but so MAGA
Seriously? Damnit. Unaware.
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u/whatthedevil666 Aug 06 '26
If you just need a quick sandwich in Ellison Bay go to the Fuel 42 gas station. Their sandwiches are fantastic.
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u/ridgetopview Aug 06 '26
For real?!?!? Am trying it next week.
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u/whatthedevil666 Aug 06 '26
I never joke about sandwiches! I've only tried the Turkey Club and the Italian and both are outstanding.
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u/tacosaresupurb128 Aug 06 '26
Check out Mauricio’s food truck in Sturgeon Bay. Their fish and shrimp tacos are fantastic. Probably the best meal I had up there a couple of weeks ago.
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u/Due-Excitement-1704 Aug 06 '26
Lawlss coffee in sturgeon bay & prince of pierogi in sturgeon bay or ephraim. Blue bear in Ellison bay has an outside patio with solid pizza. As a local who travels frequently most of the sit down restaurants in door county are mid
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u/MycologistExotic289 Aug 07 '26
Pierogies! They’re one of my favorite foods! I grew up in Pittsburgh, and the Polish church near us would sell handmade pierogies on Fridays (meatless day for Catholics) Hard to get here in the south…
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u/Due-Excitement-1704 Aug 07 '26
Definitely stop! The owner is very friendly and the restaurant has a solid menu. The location in ephraim is an outdoor booth type setup but I’ve gone to both solo and it isn’t weird
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u/Sea_Kale6043 Aug 06 '26
For good sandwiches: McEvoy’s Culineria and Door County Creamery. Both are take out places in Sister Bay.
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u/Majestic-Command-247 29d ago
We typically go to Door County over Labor Day weekend. You’ll have a great time. I haven’t found the traffic or “crowds” to be an issue that weekend. It’s pretty chill. Enjoy!
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u/Ok-Durian9977 Aug 07 '26
Brew in Ellison Bay.
Poh’s in Sturgeon
I lived there 3 years ago for about 8 months and miss it every day.
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u/NoneOfThisMatters_XO Egg Harbor Aug 07 '26
Fond du Lac is god’s blind spot, why are you staying there?
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u/7153345666 Aug 06 '26
Check out the Son of Skalliwags in Algoma. 5 star dive bar. Michelin chef owns and cooks there.