When other communities are doing picnic in the park or woodfired pizza on the farm, Door County is doing it big with traditional fish boils. A quintessential Door County tradition that’s been around for more than 70 years, the fish boil is an integral part of Door County and Bay Shore Inn’s culture and history. Since we no longer host our own fish boils at Bay Shore Inn, we want to tell you about our favorite places to enjoy one of our favorite traditions.
But First – What’s A Fish Boil?
Early settlers to the Door County peninsula brought their traditions with them, one being the fish boil that is fresh-caught Lake Michigan whitefish cooked in a very unique way, usually served with onions, potatoes, corn, other various sides, and a slice of pie for dessert. Every resort, restaurant and family adds their own flavors and traditions to a fish boil, but it all starts with an open fire. The food is usually boiled in a large metal kettle in an outdoor kitchen. The potatoes, corn and onions are cooked first, and then the fresh fish is added. Once the fish is just about done, the cook will signal that the boil over is about to start, which is the fire show that comes after kerosene is thrown onto the fire. Once the fat at the top of the kettle burns off with the kerosene, that means the fish is perfectly cooked and ready to eat!
Best Places For Door County Fish Boil
We used to host full fish boils right in our backyard here at Bay Shore Inn, but now we visit some of our favorite places around the peninsula for our fish boil fix.
Waterfront Mary’s is the place to go in Sturgeon Bay for a Door County fish boil. Waterfront Mary’s does their fish boils on Saturdays at 5:30pm, but you should get there at least 30 minutes before that to enjoy the full show. Reservations are required to enjoy waterside dinner, dessert, and a show with Boil Master Mike. Their boil includes cod, potatoes, carrots, onions, and rye bread. You also get Door County Cherry Pie and ice cream for dessert.
For another fantastic fish boil experience head to the White Gull Inn in Fish Creek. Their fish boil features Lake Michigan whitefish caught by local fishermen, red potatoes, coleslaw, homemade breads, and homemade Door County cherry pie for dessert. The White Gull Inn’s fish boil is served Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings from May through October and Friday evenings the rest of the year.
Also, in Fish Creek is Pelletier’s Restaurant where they do fish boils nightly. Pelletier’s fish boils start at 4:30pm with boil overs scheduled on the hour from 5pm to 8pm. They recommend arriving 45-60 minutes before to purchase your meal tickets and to enjoy the full fish boil cooking process. Pelletier’s fish boil comes with baby red potatoes, homemade coleslaw, honey white and Bavarian dark rye breads, drinks, and a slice of Door County cherry pie.
If you’re up in the Ephraim area, head to the Old Post Office Restaurant where they do fish boils every night except Sundays beginning in mid-May. The Old Post Office Restaurant services locally caught Michigan whitefish cooked over an open fire with small potatoes and onions. Their servers also remove the fish bones from your whitefish before serving. Stop out early to watch the boil over in action!
Before heading out from your Bay Shore Inn suite, you might want to call ahead to your chosen fish boil destination as these meals are popular events and fill up fast.
