KEWAUNEE, Wis. (WFRV) – Cassie and Jason Jelinek’s Supper Club is now serving up four times the plates from nearly two years ago when the Dish on Wisconsin Supper Clubs first visited.
To accommodate all the extra business, they had to expand the dining space in the building, which dates back to the 1800s.
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“We use it for baby showers, anniversaries, smaller weddings, wedding rehearsals,” explained Cassie. “Private Packers Parties during the winter and Packer season. So, there are just a lot of different opportunities to adjust the room to your liking.”
Jelinek invited Local 5’s Michele McCormack to return during a special Sunday event that brought together supper clubbers from all over.
From Supper Club Chasers Jim and Michelle to Supper Club Enthusiasts, including founder Shawn Niemann of Luxemburg and orange cone creator Jill Paul of Appleton, many individuals contribute to this vibrant community.
The group first met through social media during the COVID-19-related lockdowns. When the supper clubs opened up again, they placed mini orange construction cones at their tables to spot each other when out and about.
Cassie’s aunt, Angel Davis, is the house manager and says it’s been fun connecting with many groups that love supper clubs.
“Oh my gosh, we are so excited,” Davis exclaimed. “We have had an opportunity to meet so many wonderful people who join us with their orange cones. We love seeing them.”
Davis says they’ve had new customers from Alabama, Florida, Michigan, and Minnesota.
Jelinek was a caterer when she and her musician husband purchased the place around the same time the COVID-19 pandemic hit. They forged ahead with help from Aunt Angel, her husband, Chef Adam, and other family.
“Before we could count on our busy time being six to eight,” said Chef Adam. “Now we’re opening the doors, and they’re lined up. We’re putting out four times the number of plates we used to.”
The Wildflower has always thought outside the box with its sashimi and fresh fish offerings. But it respects what classic supper clubbers expect, from the relish tray to its award-winning soup.
The menu changes three to four times a year, with new specials every week.
“One of the big ones we started doing is every other Saturday smoked or wood-fired grill night,” added Chef Adam. “So you can come every other Saturday to get smoked prime rib, and the other Saturday, we’re either doing rib or a wood-fired ribeye, prime cut, even Tomahawks.”
The Wildflower says joining forces with Facebooking groups that share their dining experiences and becoming part of the Supper Club Guide, which offers discounts, has helped them ride the wave of resurgence in this beloved tradition.
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“We were all born and raised in Wisconsin,” said Cassie. “We loved going to super clubs. We love having our family be a part of our businesses. This is the best way to showcase our talents and what we love to do. We love to feed people. We love to make them happy. It’s just something we enjoy, and I’m glad we’re here.”
The Wildflower Supper Club is located at 306 Ellis St. in Kewaunee. It is open from 3 to 8 p.m. on Monday, 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. The business is closed Tuesday through Thursday.
They’re hosting an “End of Summer Seafood Boil” on September 22nd.
Other Supper Club events include:
N.E. Wisconsin Old-Fashioned Fest at the Resch Complex on September 21st.
Meat: The Science, History, and Art of Your Supper Club Experience at Cattails in Winnebago County on September 24th. Pre-registration by September 9th is required.
