
Wisconsin’s Oldest Restaurant Has Been Open Since the 1840s!
A restaurant doesn't last for nearly 180 years without doing something right. Hell, restaurants don't generally last five years unless they're doing something extremely well. But for a restaurant to start all the way back when President Zachary Taylor was in office, the 12th President of the United States if you need a reminder, there's something truly legendary behind it.
Wisconsin is known for their supper clubs. These are higher-class restaurants known for their soft, domestic lighting, cozy interiors complimented by wallpaper and carpeting, and a menu full of hearty dishes resembling home-cooking. The concept of a supper club has dramatically changed over the last several decades, but Wisconsin's oldest of its kind has still keep its trademark features in tact.
Since opening their doors in 1848, the Red Circle Inn has literally been around before there were parking lots. Horse-drawn carriages used to pull up to the eatery, with hungry passengers in tow.
The Red Circle Inn became an instant hit for travelers between Milwaukee and Watertown. Located in Nashotah, WI, the restaurant survived a fire in the 1910s, but rebuilt swiftly into the historic mecca that it is today. Furthermore, the restaurant has changed hands numerous times, with new owners taking over as recently as 2022.

The Red Circle Inn boasts a variety of soups, sides, and meat dishes, including their famous steaks. The restaurant serves several different types of steak, including prime rib and Angus beef filets, as well as lamb chops, pork chops, and roasted tenderloin.
If you can save room for dessert, you could opt for a boozy one. My mouth is already watering at the thought of their Grasshopper, or even the Pink Squirrel, made with crème de noyaux, crème de cacao, and vanilla ice cream.
Read more about the Red Circle Inn's rich history on their website. The Red Circle Inn is located at N44W33013 Watertown Plank Road in Nashotah, WI.
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Gallery Credit: Anuradha Varanasi
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