Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
food. Even better is the ambience—the building was designed by a protégé of Frank Lloyd
Wright, and the dining rooms feature fireplaces.
Ishnala
(Ishnala Rd., 608/253-1171, 5pm-10pm daily, $12-30) offers superlative vistas
ona100-acrespreadofmeadowoverlookingMirrorLake,aswellas40yearsofexperience
serving steaks, prime rib (it serves literally tons of this during the year), seafood, ribs, and
a house special roast duck and baby-back pork ribs. Before-dinner cruises are available.
Check out the Norway pines growing right through the roof.
Vegetarian
The
M
Cheese Factory
(521 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy., 608/253-6065,
www.cheesefactoryrestaurant.com
,
9am-9pm daily in high season, Thurs.-Sun. thereafter,
$5-13) was always one of the best vegetarian restaurants in the state. They were closing as
of the fall of 2013, and were looking to relocate to a new building. If they do, find them;
the food is that good.
Farm Restaurants
Take a wondrous step back in time. Just north of town stands a pocket of old country
dwellings, the
M
Thunder Valley Inn
(W15344 Waubeek Rd., 608/254-4145,
www.thundervalleyinn.com
,
hoursvary).It'saworkingfarmwithgoatsandchickensdash-
ing about; chores are optional. The food is in the grand Old World style, from German
potatosaladtoroastchicken,andtheinndoesasuperbfishfry.Manyingredientsaregrown
on site; the restaurant even grinds its own wheat and rye berries. This is
the
spot for break-
fast;thefamily-stylebreakfastisworthmuchmorethantheprice,consideringtheworkthat
goes into it, and each bite is a bit of Wisconsin culinary heritage (such as unbeatable Nor-
wegian pancakes with lingonberries). Even better are the old-timey music performances,
with storytelling and Midwestern farm jokes, that occur some evenings. Hours vary a lot,
dependingonshows,socall ahead.You'llneedareservation forthedinnershows.Theres-
taurant is open seasonally, the inn year-round.
The
Wisconsin Dells Visitors and Convention Bureau
(701 Superior St., 608/254-4636
or 800/223-3557,
www.wisdells.com
) is a gem of professionalism and helpfulness. June-
August it's open basically dawn to dark (no exaggeration), shorter hours thereafter.
