Epic Restaurant & Lounge

Epic Dining in Superior

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New Dining Opportunity Shines on Tower Avenue

By Doug Dalager

Epic Restaurant & Lounge, Superior WI

Epic Restaurant & Lounge, Superior WI

I had the opportunity to dine recently at the newly opened Epic Restaurant & Lounge on Tower Avenue in the former location of Joe’s Pagoda née Cronstrom’s Supper Club. My wife Stacy and I treated my father and her mother to a finer dining experience right here in Superior and had a wonderful time doing so.

The restaurant, located at 3223 Tower Avenue, just opened a month or so ago, and the building has gone through an extensive makeover. As a former manager of a few Chinese restaurants, I am happy to report that they’ve managed to remove the distinctive aroma of soy sauce and fried food that is common to many Asian restaurants (not that there’s anything wrong with that!) The newly appointed dining room is beautifully remodeled with attractive wall paper, carpeting, and lighting, and is quite attractive.

The Epic has a large selection of tap beers, including many craft beers.

The Epic has a large selection of tap beers, including many craft beers.

My personal favorite is their outdoor dining area…granted the season is short here in the Northland, but I’ll take every chance I can get to dine (and drink) outdoors. While the deck is in the shade in the afternoon and evening, we’ve been blessed with a very warm summer and my wife and I have enjoyed a few libations and snacks overlooking the traffic on Tower and occasional Harley driving around the bend on the service road fronting the restaurant.

We dined on a Saturday evening in mid-August, admittedly a time of year when the “locals” abandon Superior for forays into the hinterland known as “the county”. Business was a bit soft, but the staff made up for it with their friendly nature and welcoming attitude.

Drink Selection at The Epic Restaurant and Lounge in Superior, WiMy wife Stacy and her mother Mary shared a bottle of Riesling, I chose a glass of Malbec from the wine by the glass menu, and my father Bill had a hand-crafted Windsor Manhattan. As an old bartender, I’ve noticed that while martinis are in vogue these days, the Manhattan has fallen on hard times.

Few bartenders know how to make a Manhattan properly, and my Pop can be a harsh critic of failed attempts. After a reset due to a misunderstanding by our server, the bartender did a stellar job of mixing up a delicious Manhattan for him, even adding a traditional dash of Angostura bitters and cherry juice. The Spanish cherry was an extra unexpected treat.

Cedar Planked Salmon at Epic Restaurant & Lounge Superior WI

Cedar Planked Salmon at Epic Restaurant & Lounge Superior WI

The ladies ordered the Cedar Planked Salmon, which they both loved…they were surprised how the cedar added an unexpected flavor to their salmon. My father, ever the fish eater, ordered the walleye with a baked potato. His taste in fish is so critical that only a chef catching the fish from a dock in back of the restaurant and then immediately cooking it would totally please him. Nonetheless, he enjoyed his walleye and cleaned his plate with a smile.

Although a bit of a skeptic when it comes to ordering baby back ribs “up north” I decided to give them a go and order a full rack. I have to confess that I was not just impressed…I was overwhelmed…they were fantastic! The rack was impressive when served, and even more tasty than I would have expected. +

Drinks-2The smoking was perfect, the sauce delicious, and the meat was tasty, tender, but firm. I am not a fan of “falling off the bone” ribs (maybe I’ll change that notion should I lose some teeth in later life), and I loved the way the pork yielded itself from the bones when bit into, but also had some substance to it. They were not in the least bit tough, the flavor was great, and I smiled throughout my dinner. I even had four ribs leftover to bring home and enjoy for lunch the following day!

Our server Britani (pronounced Bri-TAWNI) was a very sweet young lady who was eager to please. While it was apparent her experience was slight, her desire to please and her follow-up was terrific. When we asked her to bring us a bucket with iced water to further chill the bottle of Riesling, she was quick to react. At the close of dinner she did her best to convince us to indulge in dessert, but we were all to full to take her suggestion…perhaps next time!

Epic Restaurant & Lounge

R-L: Mary Koehnen, Stacy Dalager, Bill Dalager, and Doug Dalager at the Epic Restaurant & Lounge

Superiorites can be hard on new restaurants, but I encourage everyone to give the Epic a go, and help a local business succeed. We owe it to our city to support and buy local whenever possible.

Business Information:

Address: 3223 Tower Ave, Superior, WI 54880
HoursOpen today · 11AM–10PM

 




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