by David Brierley
Most supper clubs rely on attracting business from patrons who live nearby – the locals who regularly frequent the restaurant. You’ll find the same guests seated on the same bar stools, dining at the same tables, week after week, year after year.
Other supper clubs position themselves as a destination and draw customers from further away. They may only be a once-a-year visit for many guests, and you’ll likely only find a few true locals there amongst the visitors.
This month’s supper club is a little different from either of these. Sure, it draws its share of locals from the small town of Clintonville and the surrounding area. But it’s also located at a unique spot on the map that makes it common for people to stumble upon it by chance, or choose it as their meeting point.
Mathew’s Supper Club sits on the western side of Cintonville. If you read reviews about the restaurant online, you’ll find plenty of accounts of people who were driving to or from a destination and found themselves hungry in the middle of nowhere, and were delighted to find a high quality meal.
If you ask any of the staff, they’ll tell you stories about people who were looking for a place to meet between Wausau and Appleton, or between Green Bay and Stevens Point, or any combination of these cities. Clintonville happens to be a halfway point in the center of all of these, so Mathew’s is frequently used as a place in the middle to meet for an evening out.
The supper club is across the street from an inlet of Pigeon Lake. The single story building is sided in white and blue, with windows all along the front and the main entrance in the middle. To the right side, the roof continues so it looks like there should be more restaurant, but there’s actually open space reminiscent of the covered parking at old drive-in restaurants. It wouldn’t be surprising if that’s what Mathew’s was in the past.
As you walk in the main door, you’ll be greeted by the host stand directly to your left where you can check in with your reservation. Beyond that to the right is the dining room, and to the left is where we’re headed next – the bar.
The barroom is warmly lit and feels cozy, but large relative to how small the building looks from the outside. Order a cocktail – the old fashioneds are top notch – sit back, and relax. Your bartender may even be the supper club’s owner, Mathew himself. He’s usually present and frequently behind the bar slinging drinks.
As you enjoy your beverage, take a look around and soak in the barroom atmosphere. On the walls all around the room you’ll find framed, autographed photos and other memorabilia from athletes and other famous people.
Above the bar, check out the collectible ceramic decanters of famous people from U.S. history. Paul Revere, George Washington, Betsy Ross, and others can be found proudly displayed. Also on top of the bar, you’ll see beautiful wooden curling stones on display. It turns out that Mathew was a talented curler and even participated in Olympic games.
Once you’ve fully taken in your surroundings, it’s a good idea to check out the menu while you sip your drink. Mathew’s offers a wide selection, so you’ll want plenty of time to make your decision.
Appetizers like shrimp cocktail, beer battered mushrooms, mozzarella logs, onion rings, chicken wings, and zucchini sticks start things off on the right foot.
Moving along, you’ll find the true supper club classics – steaks and seafood.
For steaks, you can choose from a tenderloin, rib eye, New York strip, top sirloin, or tenderloin tips. All but the tips can be ordered in three sizes: petite, regular, or house cut. For a small additional fee, you can enjoy your steak one of three ways:
- Ala Matt – Featuring Mathew’s original brandy mushroom sauce
- Italian pepper – Smothered with sauteed pepperoncini and shallots with a hint of garlic
- South of the border – Featuring fresh salsa, sauteed with butter and garlic, topped with mozzarella
Prime rib is available on Saturdays, of course, and can be ordered “Ala Mat” on the side.
The seafood selection is equally impressive, including lobster tail, surf ‘n turf (lobster and tenderloin), ale battered shrimp, Canadian walleye pike, jumbo gulf shrimp, stuffed shrimp, shrimp scampi, fried or broiled scallops, and scallops Mornay (baked en casserole with Mornay sauce and swiss cheese – too delicious to pass up).
Pork entrees are simple: Broasted pork chops or barbecued baby back ribs. Pasta dishes include a primavera available with chicken or seafood. And poultry has its own section on the menu with broasted chicken, chicken Italiano, chicken kiev, chicken marsala, and chicken oscar. One item that’s hard to find in restaurants these days, Mathew’s also serves veal in marsala, oscar, and parmesan forms.
You’ll also be able to choose from a selection of lighter options, as well as creative specials displayed on a board near the host stand. There’s really something for nearly every palate here.
Entrees include a salad, vegetable, or soup, and a choice of potato, plus a bread basket. The ranch, crumbly blue cheese, and hot bacon dressings are all made in house, so you know they’re tasty.
Your server will come take your order at the bar, and once your table is ready you’ll be seated in the small but efficient dining room. The tables are set with green paper placemats and green cloth napkins – very supper clubby.
The staff at Mathew’s does everything right to make your dining experience exceptional, the food is served hot and tastes incredible, and all this comes at a relatively low price – a small miracle in today’s world of rampant inflation.
If there’s anywhere you’ll want to save room for dessert, it’s here. In addition to the regular options offered on the menu – cheesecake, Reese’s chocolate peanut butter pie, the big blitz, and Irish cream bash – you’ll often find unique homemade desserts on special.
Between the outstanding service, extensive menu, and dinner and dessert specials, there’s plenty to make you want to be a regular at Mathew’s. If you don’t believe me, check it out for yourself on the supper club’s Facebook page. You can also find Mathew’s on Google Maps to read the reviews and know what to expect.
If you haven’t already, don’t forget to join our Supper Club VIP group; you’ll be entered in our monthly drawing for a $50 gift card to an area supper club. You can also check out our past articles, as well as an interactive map that shows the supper clubs we’ve visited to find one near you. And, as always, there will be plenty more supper club fun to come.
Where in Wisconsin is this supper club?
Address: 155 8th St, Clintonville, WI 54929
Nearby landmarks: About 50-60 minutes from each of these cities: East from Stevens Point, southeast from Wausau, west from Green Bay, and northwest from Appleton.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100021330413353
Three can’t-miss features:
1. Extensive memorabilia collection
2. Central location
3. Made-from-scratch desserts