These 8 Wisconsin Steakhouses Still Serve Old-Fashioned Relish Trays Before Dinner
Pickled herring, kidney bean salad, and cottage cheese can all show up on the same plate before a steak dinner. That plate is a relish tray, and it still lands on tables across Wisconsin.
One spot spreads house-made braunschweiger on its tray. Another lists cinnamon rolls on its menu, right next to the steaks and cheese curds. I love that a dinner can kick off with radishes, pickles, and a bread basket before anyone even mentions a ribeye.
The tray is basically the opening act. It gives you something to crunch while you talk, and it sets a slower pace for the whole meal. Nobody rushes a supper club dinner, and the relish tray seems to be the reason why.
So which steakhouses still bother with this old habit? I went hunting for the ones that keep the tradition alive, and the list made me very hungry.
1. Dreamland Supper Club | Steakhouse
Pickled herring, cottage cheese, and kidney bean salad on one tray? Up in South Range, that’s how dinner starts.
Dreamland’s relish tray is one of the most old-fashioned spreads you’ll find. It can also include corn or pasta relish and a carrot salad.
That’s not a garnish. It’s practically its own course.
And courses are the point here. This northwestern Wisconsin supper club serves multi-course meals built around steak and lobster tail.
After the relish tray, you might see chicken dumpling soup. Then comes salad with homemade dressings before the main plate lands.
Steak options include a 10-ounce sirloin and filet. Petite cut prime rib au jus is on the menu too, along with pork steaks and seafood.
Scallops and shrimp also show up for anyone craving surf over turf. Pairing tenderloin with shrimp is an easy way to have both.
Hours are limited, so check before you head out. The club opens Thursday through Sunday, with a noon start on Sundays.
That Sunday afternoon opening is handy for a family dinner. Kids are welcome, and there’s a kids’ menu.
The mood leans casual and historic, with a quiet side. It’s an easy place to linger, especially when your relish tray has five different salads on it.
Address: 4368 County Rd E, South Range, WI 54874
2. Five O’Clock Steakhouse
Some restaurants brag about being old school, but this one has been searing steaks in Milwaukee since 1946. That kind of track record earns a little swagger.
Your dinner here doesn’t start with the steak. Before the main event, you get a relish tray, bread, salad, little breadsticks, and butter.
The salad comes with homemade dressings, which is a nice touch. French bread arrives too, so pace yourself before the big plate shows up.
And the big plate is serious business. Steaks get seared at a blazing 1,800 degrees, which helps explain the flavor and the crust.
The menu leans classic and confident. You’ll spot the Porterhouse Steak Five O’Clock Cut, crab cakes, and surf and turf.
Sides keep things traditional with mashed potatoes and asparagus. Save room for the creme brulee, because skipping dessert here feels like leaving a concert early.
The dining room has a wood-accented, historic feel with an upscale mood. It works well for a date night or a special celebration with family.
A private dining room is available if you’re planning a bigger gathering. Live music also pops up, which adds to the supper club charm.
Planning matters with this one. Reservations are required, and the restaurant is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
It sits on West State Street, close to downtown Milwaukee. Valet parking is offered, so you can skip circling the block and get straight to the relish tray.
Address: 2416 W State St, Milwaukee, WI 53233
3. The Steakout
Charcoal does the heavy lifting at this Greendale steakhouse. The bone-in ribeyes are big, thick, and grilled until the outside gets a deep caramelized char.
Before any of that hits your table, though, a relish tray arrives. A generous bread basket comes along with it, and both are included with your meal.
That’s a big deal for value. A ribeye dinner here includes the relish tray, bread, your choice of soup or salad, and a side.
Side options cover the supper club basics. Think baked potato, hash browns, or penne pasta, depending on your mood.
The room is dimly lit, with wood and brick setting the tone. It’s a small dining room with a bar, so it feels personal instead of sprawling.
If ribeye isn’t calling your name, you’ve got choices. The menu includes a junior filet mignon, char-broiled shrimp, and a wedge salad.
Here’s a perk many steakhouses skip. The Steakout serves lunch on weekdays, so you don’t have to wait for evening to get your fix.
Dinner runs every night of the week. Friday and Saturday evenings tend to be the busiest, so a reservation is a smart move.
Kids are welcome, and there’s a kids’ menu for younger diners. That makes it easier to bring the whole family for a classic Wisconsin night out.
The address sits on Industrial Loop, which sounds very unglamorous. Trust the charcoal, not the street name.
Address: 6300 Industrial Loop, Greendale, WI 53129
4. The Milwaukee Steakhouse
Hot sourdough bread is a strong opening line for any restaurant. At this Bluemound Road steakhouse, it shows up alongside butter and a relish tray before your meal.
The setup gives a steakhouse menu a supper club soul. You get the polish of a traditional dining room with that classic Wisconsin warm-up course.
Angus steaks lead the way here. Seafood and classic American dishes round out the menu for anyone in your group who wants something else.
Prime rib fans have a fun option called the Lovers Cut Prime Rib. The name alone makes it a good pick for date night.
The 20-ounce boneless ribeye is another heavyweight. Bring an appetite, or plan on a very nice lunch tomorrow.
Starters include French onion soup and lightly dusted calamari. Both make a solid bridge between the relish tray and your entree.
Side dishes stay in classic steakhouse territory. Creamed spinach, sauteed asparagus, and Brussels sprouts with or without bacon are all on the list.
The dining room includes a bar and an upscale feel. Outdoor seating is also available when Milwaukee weather cooperates.
Timing is worth checking before you go. The restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and opens at 4 p.m. the rest of the week.
Saturday evenings bring the biggest crowds. Grab a reservation, then show up ready for that bread.
Address: 6024 W Bluemound Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53213
5. George’s Steak House
A sing-along piano bar and a steak dinner make a pretty great pair. This Appleton spot has been serving steak and prime rib since the 1930s.
That’s nearly a century of supper club tradition. And yes, the relish tray is still part of the deal.
Dinners here come with soup, salad, and a relish tray. It’s the full classic lineup, the kind that makes you loosen your belt a notch before the entree.
Steaks are the headliner, with the tenderloin getting plenty of love. Prime rib is a longtime specialty too.
Not a beef person tonight? The menu also includes haddock and coconut shrimp.
Soup lovers get choices like clam chowder and French onion. Both are hearty picks for a chilly Wisconsin evening.
Then there’s the piano bar. It’s the kind of feature you rarely see anymore, and it gives the place a fun, social energy.
The rooms have a historic supper club feel with an upscale touch. A private dining room is available for parties and family events.
Hours run Monday through Saturday, starting at 4 p.m. The place is closed on Sundays, so plan your craving accordingly.
Desserts deserve a spot on your plan as well. After a relish tray, soup, salad, and steak, you’ll need willpower or a friend to share.
Address: 2208 S Memorial Dr, Appleton, WI 54915
6. Schwarz’s Supper Club
Picture-perfect timing is the secret here. You order in the bar, and when your table is called, the salad, bread, and relish tray are already waiting.
That old supper club system still runs strong in New Holstein. It turns the wait into part of the evening instead of a chore.
Speaking of waits, plan for one. Schwarz’s doesn’t take reservations, and it’s usually busy.
The reward is a lineup of massive steaks. A 32-ounce ribeye is on the menu, which is less of a dinner and more of a project.
Sharing is built in, too. Prime rib for two and sirloin for two let you split a big cut with someone you like.
T-bones and a ribeye with baked potato fill out the classic choices. Salmon is there for anyone steering away from beef.
The bread deserves its own mention. Breadsticks join it, so the carb team is well represented.
A salad bar is also part of the offerings. Between that and the relish tray, you won’t be short on crunch.
The surroundings feel nostalgic and casual. It’s a long-standing spot that families and groups treat as a Wisconsin tradition.
Doors open midafternoon Wednesday through Sunday. Saturday afternoon into evening is the busiest stretch, so arriving early on a weekday can save time.
Address: W1688 Sheboygan Rd, New Holstein, WI 53061
7. 3 Mile House Supper Club
Braunschweiger on a relish tray is a bold move. In Hazel Green, the house-made version has fans who ask to take extra home.
That spread sits alongside fresh vegetables, cheese dip, and dill dip. Together, they make the relish tray the signature start at this traditional supper club.
The tray is listed right on the menu, so it gets real respect here. It’s not an afterthought tucked beside the bread.
Once the tray is cleared, the steak conversation begins. Hand-cut ribeye and filet are popular choices.
Lobster tail is available for a splurge. Prime rib and shrimp make another tempting combo.
Fish lovers have options too. Fried cod is a classic, and Friday fish is a big draw.
Other menu picks include salmon and tenderloin bits. French onion soup and a wedge salad round out the old-school lineup.
Dessert can get creative. Blueberry cobbler cheesecake is a sweet way to finish.
The supper club sits in southwestern Wisconsin, close to the Illinois and Iowa borders. It opens at 4 p.m. seven days a week, which is handy for road trips.
Friday and Saturday evenings fill up fast. A reservation helps, and so does an empty stomach.
Address: 370 WI-35, Hazel Green, WI 53811
8. Toby’s Supper Club
Cinnamon rolls sit on the menu right next to ribeye and cheese curds. Only in a Wisconsin supper club does that combo feel perfectly normal.
Toby’s keeps the pre-dinner ritual simple. A bread bowl and a small relish plate come out first.
Next, you pick soup or salad. Then your entree arrives with your choice of side.
That steady rhythm is part of the fun. You always know what’s coming, and something good is always on the way.
Steaks are a strong reason to visit. The T-bone comes lightly seasoned and tender, often with a generous pile of steamed veggies.
Seafood gets plenty of attention too. And the breaded cheese curds make a great early snack if the relish plate isn’t enough.
Not feeling steak? Pan fried chicken and a burger are on the menu as well.
The vibe is casual and lively. It’s a bustling spot with daily specials, and there’s usually a wait.
Reservations are accepted, which can help you skip some of that wait. The restaurant also serves lunch and opens at 3 p.m. most days.
It’s closed on Sundays. So save your relish tray craving for Monday through Saturday, and maybe grab a cinnamon roll for the ride home.
Address: 3717 S Dutch Mill Rd, Madison, WI 53718