Prairie du Chien residents are so lucky to have so many great options for dining! Depending what you're in the mood for, Prairie truly has a choice for every taste and price point. You'll have to visit multiple times to try them all, but here are some recommendations to get you started in the right direction.
Jones Black Angus
White tablecloths. Carpet. Ambiance. Old Fashions. Steak. Seafood. If you want to experience a traditional Wisconsin Supper Club, you can't go wrong by choosing Jones Black Angus. This renowned restaurant has an impressive menu of high end items, a giant wrap-around, elevated bar and a grill station where you can watch the chef sear your steak to perfection. Make reservations as this dinner-only restaurant is VERY popular. Located just on the South edge of town, make the short jaunt to check out this vibey and YUMMY restaurant! Oh guess what - the same people own the Blackhawk so you'll see SOME similarities, and the same high quality! 608.326.2222
The Barn
Out of site, but definitely NOT out of mind, is the Barn Restaurant just North of Prairie du Chien. Having grown up in Prairie du Chien, as a kid, it was always a treat when I got to go to The Barn. As an adult coming back to the area, I still love to visit The Barn for dinner with the family. In addition to great food, the eclectic decor is my favorite thing. Mix deer heads, antiques, ornate lighting, rustic wood and large spaces, and you get a truly unique experience. The Barn always has a large and full salad bar, fish specials and traditional dinner items. The menu is family friendly and the views are beautiful. Stop by the large golf course bar for a drink before dinner! Menu here.
The Blackhawk
I've said it before, and I'll say it again - I love the Blackhawk! I'm a sucker for great appetizers, and the Blackhawk always features a great selection of staples, (like fried bluegill bites!!) and chef specials. The dinner menu is not huge, but they have a variety that would please even the pickiest eater. Check out their routine specials, like all-you-can-eat wings or fish, Thursday & Friday respectively, or try one of the chef's signature dishes (when offered) like Bourbon Glazed Shrimp! The Blackhawk's ambiance is that of fine dining mixed with supper club mixed with speak easy. Hide away in on of the big U-shaped booths, sit up by the bar and band or at a regular table in the dining room. No cloth napkins or tablecloths here, but plenty of personality and great food! Ask for Becky as your server, she'll steer you right!
Muddy Waters Pizza
This pizza is the BOMB!!! If you love fresh, homemade pizza with incredible sauce and crust, look no further! The restaurant is open Thursday & Friday nights and Saturday day and night for dine in or carry out services. The inside of Muddy Waters has a rustic feel with vintage newspaper wallpaper, a big rustic bar with a nice beer selection, good music playing and a view of pizzas being created in the kitchen. They have several specialty, fur-trapper themed pizzas or you can build your own to your liking. Bonus - if you're downtown enjoying music at one of the many bars and are feeling hungry, call them and a Muddy Waters staffer will walk a pizza over to you! :) My favorite pizza is the Oktoberfest! See their menu on their Facebook page.
Fort Mulligans
Another solid choice is Fort Mulligans Grill Pub, right downtown and across from the Blackhawk. Fort Mulligans, or just "Mulligans" for short, has a large menu with everything from burgers, wraps, soup, salads, pasta, fish and specials. I've said it before, and I'll say it again - GET THE CHEESE CURDS HERE!!! The ambiance has a rustic and historic vibe to it, with brick walls, tin ceilings, vintage newspaper ads, metal signs and art scattered across the walls. They have a large and beautiful bar area, lots of booths for private dining and a large additional dining room with tons of table seating.
The Drake
I have to mention Prairie's newest dining establishment, The Drake. While this is technically a "piano bar", The Drake has been continually expanding their menu to offer a charcuterie type experience for dining. Pick between an impressive selection of sharing trays that feature savory meats (left), veggies with dips, cheeses, nuts and more. These menu items are best ordered with friends where you can get more than one selection, and everyone shares and nibbles while enjoying drinks and music. The overall space is on the small side, but it adds to the intimate and upscale ambiance of the setting. No matter where you sit, you'll have a good view of the grand piano, and the bar is large enough to house a giant spread of food between you and your friends. And the drinks!!! The signature drinks served at The Drake are ones you won't find anywhere else! Note: The Drake is only open Thursday through Sunday 4pm-10pm, so plan your visit accordingly. View their menu here.
Los Aztecas
If you're in the mood for Mexican food, Prairie has two equally great options. Los Aztecas and Acapulco Bar and Grill. Los Aztecas (shown left) is BIG and the restaurant is styled inside and out with traditional Mexican flair - stone, big, bold wood, bright colors, a beautiful bar with MANY tequilas, and a giant menu. As expected, the salsa and queso are great, and I haven't had a menu item here I didn't like. Portions are LARGE and the service is fast. The restaurant can easily accommodate large groups and families, and they have a beautiful season patio - perfect for enjoying margaritas outside!
The Acapulco Bar and Grill, which is located in the strip mall South of town by Wal-Mart, is REALLY good too. My family has debates regularly on which food is better, and it's a toss up all the time! Acapulco is smaller, and while the interior ambiance is still Mexican inspired, it has less "flair" than Los Aztecas. I like going there for lunch, and they do a great job with takeout. Try them both!
Stay at the Corner Cottage
After a full day of golf at one (or more) of the many options in Prairie du Chien, head back to the Corner Cottage Vacation Rental, conveniently located just one block from Prairie's downtown River District. This mid-century modern, four bedroom home comfortably sleeps eight guests and features a private patio with plenty of off-street parking for your vehicles and boat.