We’re not sure there’s a way to properly describe Tom’s Burned Down Cafe – it’s the type of place you must experience to truly understand.
If you’re on Madeline Island – or even if you’re not – a trip to Tom’s has to be on your list. You might pass it by, assuming it’s a junkyard, but that’s part of its charm. Named one of the best beach bars in America more than once, despite not being particularly close to the water, Tom’s is an experience that you’ll be talking about for years to come. You absolutely have to visit this quirky restaurant in Wisconsin.
Tom’s Burned Down Cafe, as the name implies, is what remains - and then sprouted back up - of a Madeline Island establishment that had a fire in the 1990s. The story is now as tall a tale as any, but the haphazard makeup of Tom’s lends credence to the idea that Tom took what was left of his burned down establishment, pulled up a trailer and started serving beer.
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What has emerged is a mostly open air collection of decks and bars that draw in locals and tourists and create an amazing atmosphere. From the laid back vibe to the philosophical quotes sprinkled everywhere, you’ll never find yourself taking anything too seriously at Tom’s.
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You never know who you’ll meet or how the place might have evolved in your time away, but the ferry to Madeline Island is worth the cost just to spend some time with the cross-section of society that you’ll find at Tom’s.
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There are tarps and tents covering some of the bar and if you head there on a bad weather night, you might be snuggled up to some new friends, but there’s always someone willing to run to the bar and keep the good times flowing.
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Tom’s is unique and eclectic and has a magical aura that only grows as the years pass.
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The legend of Tom’s grows every year and folks love to come back to scour the walls for new quotes and sayings.
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With a mix of seats that range from actual chairs to car benches to boxes and more, you never know where you might pop a squat.
Yelp/Roy S
Bring cash because they don’t accept plastic, be sure to check on their hours before you go, and be aware that the beer list isn’t super long.
Yelp/Roy S
Even with all that taken into account, Tom’s is not just unique - it’s one of a kind. You’ll never visit anywhere like it.
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Kick back, take on some of that up-north beach life attitude and learn how to make a cafe from the smoldering ashes of a restaurant - there’s plenty to learn about life at Tom’s Burned Down Cafe.
Yelp/Patrick O
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Yelp/Roy S
Yelp/Patrick O
Tom’s is located at 274 Chebomnicon Rd, La Pointe, WI 54850. You’ll need to take the ferry from Bayfield to get there. To learn more about this quirky restaurant in Wisconsin, click here.
Have you ever visited Tom’s? If so, head to the comments and try to help the uninitiated understand why Tom’s is such a Wisconsin icon.
Looking for more unusual Wisconsin dining experiences? Check out 10 Uniquely Themed Restaurants That Will Transform Your Wisconsin Dining Experience.
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Address: 274 Chebomnicon Rd, La Pointe, WI 54850, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
quirky restaurant in Wisconsin April 13, 2020 Elisa Regulski What are the most unique restaurants in Wisconsin? There are so many exciting and unique restaurants in Wisconsin. For some more fun, visit Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant. This place doesn’t just serve excellent Swedish cuisine – they do it in a dazzling atmosphere. In fact, you may hear the restaurant before you see it. This eatery is known for their silly goats playing on the roof! This place is fun for the entire family. If you haven’t taken a trip to Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant yet, you must add it to your Wisconsin bucket list. What are some fun places to eat in Wisconsin? Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant isn’t the only exciting restaurant in the state. Georgie Porgie’s, located in Oak Creek and Mount Pleasant, is one of the most fun places to dine in Wisconsin. When you eat here, you’ll feel like you’re relaxing in a tree house. The eye-catching decor will transport you to another world. Charlie’s Choo Choo, located in Kenosha, is another whimsical place to eat in Wisconsin. This eatery is train-themed, and you’ll see model choo choos rush all throughout the building. There’s nothing else quite like it! What kind of food is Wisconsin known for? As “America’s dairyland,’ Wisconsin is known for its cheese. In fact, the state boasts of 58 cheesemakers, and you can enjoy them in a wide variety of forms. One of the most popular has to be cheese curds. These tasty morsels are almost impossible to turn down. But it’s not just cheese that Wisconsinites love. Frozen custard is another beloved treat. When the weather heats up in the summer, nothing beats this creamy and cold treat. We also adore butter burgers and bratwursts. What’s your favorite food from Wisconsin?
The OIYS Visitor Center
quirky restaurant in Wisconsin
April 13, 2020
Elisa Regulski
What are the most unique restaurants in Wisconsin? There are so many exciting and unique restaurants in Wisconsin. For some more fun, visit Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant. This place doesn’t just serve excellent Swedish cuisine – they do it in a dazzling atmosphere. In fact, you may hear the restaurant before you see it. This eatery is known for their silly goats playing on the roof! This place is fun for the entire family. If you haven’t taken a trip to Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant yet, you must add it to your Wisconsin bucket list. What are some fun places to eat in Wisconsin? Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant isn’t the only exciting restaurant in the state. Georgie Porgie’s, located in Oak Creek and Mount Pleasant, is one of the most fun places to dine in Wisconsin. When you eat here, you’ll feel like you’re relaxing in a tree house. The eye-catching decor will transport you to another world. Charlie’s Choo Choo, located in Kenosha, is another whimsical place to eat in Wisconsin. This eatery is train-themed, and you’ll see model choo choos rush all throughout the building. There’s nothing else quite like it! What kind of food is Wisconsin known for? As “America’s dairyland,’ Wisconsin is known for its cheese. In fact, the state boasts of 58 cheesemakers, and you can enjoy them in a wide variety of forms. One of the most popular has to be cheese curds. These tasty morsels are almost impossible to turn down. But it’s not just cheese that Wisconsinites love. Frozen custard is another beloved treat. When the weather heats up in the summer, nothing beats this creamy and cold treat. We also adore butter burgers and bratwursts. What’s your favorite food from Wisconsin?
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
There are so many exciting and unique restaurants in Wisconsin. For some more fun, visit Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant. This place doesn’t just serve excellent Swedish cuisine – they do it in a dazzling atmosphere. In fact, you may hear the restaurant before you see it. This eatery is known for their silly goats playing on the roof! This place is fun for the entire family. If you haven’t taken a trip to Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant yet, you must add it to your Wisconsin bucket list.
What are some fun places to eat in Wisconsin?
Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant isn’t the only exciting restaurant in the state. Georgie Porgie’s, located in Oak Creek and Mount Pleasant, is one of the most fun places to dine in Wisconsin. When you eat here, you’ll feel like you’re relaxing in a tree house. The eye-catching decor will transport you to another world. Charlie’s Choo Choo, located in Kenosha, is another whimsical place to eat in Wisconsin. This eatery is train-themed, and you’ll see model choo choos rush all throughout the building. There’s nothing else quite like it!
What kind of food is Wisconsin known for?
As “America’s dairyland,’ Wisconsin is known for its cheese. In fact, the state boasts of 58 cheesemakers, and you can enjoy them in a wide variety of forms. One of the most popular has to be cheese curds. These tasty morsels are almost impossible to turn down. But it’s not just cheese that Wisconsinites love. Frozen custard is another beloved treat. When the weather heats up in the summer, nothing beats this creamy and cold treat. We also adore butter burgers and bratwursts. What’s your favorite food from Wisconsin?
