Fish Boil-Door County Style

The Village of Ephraim is nestled along the Eagle Harbor Bluffs.
The blend of Moravian and Norwegian heritage is reflected in its
architecture and traditions.

 We made reservations at The Old Post Office to experience
a traditional fish boil.
It is a must when visiting Door County.

Fish boils are a tradition in the area dating over a hundred years.
Lake Michigan whitefish is cooked outside over an open fire
just as it was done one hundred years ago by the
Scandinavian settlers of the Peninsula.

The menu for the traditional feast includes:
steaks of fresh Whitefish, small red potatoes served with lemon and melted butter,
 little white onions, homemade
breads, coleslaw, and fresh cherry pie.

This fish boil looks fitting for Halloween, while actually it is a Door county tradition

that has lasted for years and knows no monthly October limits.

However, we did partake on October 25th.

To start a fish boil a large kettle filled with water is placed on a wood fire. 

Salt is the only spice added. 

The red potatoes are boiled first.

The fire is made hotter with recycled deep fryer oil poured onto the wood.

The small white onions are added next.

Fish boils originated as a means to feed large groups of people on a budget. 

The Whitefish is caught fresh by local fishermen from Lake Michigan.

After several minutes of cooking the vegetables, 

Whitefish steaks are added to the kettle. 

More water is added to the boil.

Fish oils rise to the surface of the boiling cauldron.

The boil master creates the "boil over."

When the Whitefish and vegetables are finished cooking, 

a small amount of kerosene is tossed on the wooden fire under the pot
 to force a boil over.
The great burst of flames causes the boil-over thus spilling
the fish oils over the sides of the pot.

The wire baskets containing the Whitefish and vegetables are removed from the kettle

 and brought into the restaurant. 

The fish is steaming hot and ready to serve.

Table side views of the waterfront.

Our servers came and expertly removed the bones from the fish.
The meal was delicious and always ends with Door County Cherry Pie.