Lake Tomahawk: Small Town, Big Flavors

By K. Woodzick, Editor
Some of my favorite summer childhood memories are from Lake Tomahawk. I remember sitting with my parents on summer nights watching snowshoe baseball games. I sat waiting eagerly for the rogue cantaloupe to be pitched and squealed in delight as it inevitably exploded. (Fun fact: my Great-Aunt Helen used to sing the national anthem at these games and even met her second husband while performing.) This past weekend, I headed back to Lake Tomahawk to go exploring with my tastebuds.
My first stop was The Butcher’s Wife. I tasted their cold brew coffee a few weeks before and had been dreaming of it ever since. I ordered an ice-cold vanilla Mookah. I asked what scones were available and the options were dark chocolate raspberry, white chocolate macadamia and blueberry (which were so fresh they hadn’t even been glazed yet!)
I chose the dark chocolate raspberry scone, and I was not disappointed. In fact, I’d go as far as to say as this was the best scone I have ever had in my life. The dark chocolate drizzle is decadent, but not overpowering. The flavors of rich chocolate and tart raspberries dance perfectly together in a symphony of pastry (or cake, depending on how you choose to classify your scones.) This scone is tender, light, sweet, filling, and complemented by the rich notes of my cold brew beverage.
I’ll definitely be back to try the Spicy Cowgirl, which is made up of cold brew, milk, chili syrup and dark chocolate topped with their house-made vanilla sweet cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. If you want to save time, you can order ahead online. There is a ramp to access the entrance, as well as a few steps. There are tables outside where you can enjoy your beverage (or ice cream) and watch the world go by.
If you’re not a coffee drinker, there are several tea options as well as Lotus drinks. The shop is filled with mindfully chosen goods that feature local, independent artists. Word spreads quickly about the unique gift and home offerings, so each time you stop by, you’ll discover something special. The Butcher’s Wife is open daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
I walked around Lake Tomahawk, Mookah in hand (the scone disappeared quickly). When it came time for lunch, I called in a carryout order to the Shamrock Pub-n-Eatery. Their menu is beautifully formatted online. I ordered two sandwiches: the Pretzelwich and the BLT. And…YUM. The pub smelled incredible as I walked in to pick up my order.
The Pretzelwich features braised, shredded pork and Monterey Jack cheese on a pretzel roll. It is served with BBQ sauce, which I appreciated that they put on the side. The pretzel roll cradles the flavorful pork like a delicious pillow of dough.
The BLT is served on their house-made herb Focaccia bread, which is heavenly all by itself. The applewood smoked bacon is cooked to ideal crispiness and accompanied by just the right amount of lettuce and sliced tomatoes. But the star of the show is the basil pesto mayo. It brought this sandwich to a whole other level.
I ordered sweet potato fries with the sandwiches, and each came with a side of refreshing coleslaw. My dad and I enjoyed half of each sandwich and there wasn’t a crumb left. The kitchen hours for Shamrock Pub-n-Eatery are Mondays and Tuesdays from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm, and Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm.
- Pretzelwich from Shamrock Pub N’ Eatery
- BLT from from Shamrock Pub N’ Eatery
There are so many wonderful places to eat in the Northwoods. We can’t wait to keep visiting them! Where should the Northwoods Foodie visit next? Email your recommendations to news@northwoodsnews.com.
Oh–and don’t miss this season’s snowshoe baseball games!
K. Woodzick is a life-long theatre artist and has over a decade of experience as a non-profit marketing professional and writer. They live in Woodruff with their silver lab, River.