The Greenwood Supper Club of Door County in Fish Creek, Wisconsin

Greenwood a Door County tradition for more than half-century
By Russ Hoelscher

Originally published in the Door County Vaction Guide July, 25 1995

 

These days, some business in Door County change hands faster than the peninsula’s weather shifts from hot to cold.But there’s a tradition nestled in some tall maples near Fish Creek that’s been around for more than sixty-five years.The Greenwood Supper Club, owned and operated by Rick and Susi Kwaterski for the last fifteen, is a monument to business longevity made possible when restauranting runs in a families’ veins, and when the long term goal is to provide a quality product in a pleasant atmosphere that folks enjoy. In the mid-thirties, Susi’s parents – Walter and Eva Ohnesorge – established the watering hole where John Dillinger reputedly “gassed up” before returning to Chicago. Formerly known as the Slipper, it was renamed the Greenwood because of its setting in the stand of maples. The Ohnesorges successfully ran the Greenwood for fifty-one years, until they sold it to their daughter and son-in-law in 1980.

Since then, the Kwaterski’s have continued the tradition of providing consistently good food, and prompt, friendly service that keeps visitors coming back, some of them for more than three generations.

“That’s what consistency does for you. The largest part of our success is repeat business; probably half of our customers have been here before. It’s satisfying to know that one family’s enjoyment gets passed on to their kids, and in some cases, passed on again to their kids,” said Rick adding, “ Having a great crew, and ace-in-the-hole Gary Sharrig – makes the impossible if not easy, well, possible.”

The Greenwood is legendary for its Black Angus or Iowa prime rib, and for its locally caught whitefish. Other favorite entrees include fresh lake perch, center-cut broiled pork chops, rib eyes and tenderloins, and Salmon a la Taylor (named for their son who hopes to skip dishwashing, and move right into cooking.)

On its busiest nights, the Greenwood has served over six hundred customers, and might serve two hundred pounds of prime rib, a feat made possible by a fully computerized dining room system, and an efficient wait staff.

“People shouldn’t be scared off by all the cars sometimes; the computerized dining room system, along with efficient help, makes sure that your wait won’t be that long;” said Rick, who then suggested that you visit with their friendly bartenders in the Greenwood’s large lounge.

The atmosphere at the county supper club is comfortable and casual. Knotty pine walls are adorned with Doug Ohnesorge’s oil paintings of Door County scenes, and the dining room tables were made by Rick and Doug, and are hand-routed with the Greenwood’s maple leaf logo. Tables in the bar are also hand-made, and have a variety of routed and burnt designs, again by Doug, depicting the logos or designs made famous by various distilleries.

The Kwaterski’s love of gardening is apparent from a number of window-side tables; at which repeat customers regularly ask to be seated. Door County perennials provide bursts of color, back dropped by a long expanse of green grass and the towering maples.

“It’s a pressure release for us, part of the yearly tradition, and the customers like the gardens,” said Susi, who handles the book work these days, makes sure that the dining room runs smoothly, and makes certain that Taylor minds his peas and carrots, and doesn’t pipe up to customers, “ Better eat at the Greenwood if you know what’s good for you.”

The Greenwood Supper Club is located two miles east of Fish Creek on County Road A; is open 5 p.m.