The North Shore Dish Good Eats for Winter Sport Lovers By Kitty Mayo
Coming in from the outdoors after you have been tramping around in the snowy cold is a great feeling. Invigorated from feeling brave and hardy; a warm fire and something bracing to eat or drink add up to good cheer during short days and long nights. That’s a recipe these North Shore establishments are ready and willing to dish out.
Ursa Minor, Duluth Committed to year-round outdoor eating, drinking and socializing, Ursa Minor went next level and gave up their parking lot to increase outdoor seating during the pandemic. It was a move that Ben Hugus, co-founder and head brewer, says “our winter customers loved; last winter on a 5 degree below Saturday we had a full patio.” Hugus says people who live-in and visit the northland “live and play outside all year long, and they know how to dress.” Showing up in bib overalls from Spirit Mountain ski hill, and the fat bike and snowmobile trails, his customers are happy to have their beer and pizza on the patio with custom fire pits made by a local metal worker and a new pergola topped with clear panels.
Located on the Tomahawk Trail in Finland, the Trestle is “by snowmobilers, and for snowmobilers,” says owner Sue Rian. | TRESTLE INN
Woodfired pizza is the feature on Ursa Minor’s menu, and according to Hugus, “Pizza is like beer, everybody loves it.” The signature taste of their pizza comes from a crust baked in a “100 percent woodfired oven. It’s a very involved way of cooking pizza—there are definitely easier ways—but we all agree here that it’s worth it,” said Hugus. Ask Hugus what his favorite pizza is and he might respond with a primal-toned; “Nooo, nooooo!” That’s because, he says, “pizza is about what you are feeling.” Nonetheless, a top pick is the Voyageur, a red sauce with kale, ricotta, wild rice sausage, a balsamic glaze, and parmesan. Hugus’ feelings about the Voyageur have to do with the kale and being proud of himself for making a healthy choice.
Trestle Inn Restaurant & Saloon, Finland December and the opening of the snowmobile trails kicks off the busiest season of the year for owner Sue Rian. Located on the Tomahawk Trail, the Trestle is “by 26
JANUARY 2022
Snowshoers, cross-country skiers and snowmobilers find their way to the cozy fireplace at Raven Rock Grill. Priding themselves on home-cooked meals, co-owner Rachelle Christianson says their American-fare menu has its surprises too. | RAVEN ROCK GRILL snowmobilers, and for snowmobilers,” says Rian. Built out of an old railroad bridge found on a snowmobile run in the woods by Lee Schumacher, the Schumachers were avid snowmobilers and often fed winter wanderers at their home at neighboring Crooked Lake Resort before building the Trestle.
NORTHERN WILDS
Rian says most of her winter clientele are return visitors, and by the time they’ve stashed their helmets in the custom-made rack, and peeled off their first layer of snow gear, they are ready to order. There is no debate about the Trestle’s menu favorite, it’s the Train Wreck burger, and the brave order it “with casualties.” A
brat burger and a hamburger, topped with Swiss and American cheese, and bacon makes a standard Wreck. “With casualties” is the cook’s choice. “It’s a ‘dare to dine’ thing and I’ve seen about 50 things go out on top of a Wreck, I’ve even seen a corn dog sticking out of it, and I’ve never had one returned,” said
