WAUPACA, Wis. (WFRV) – Since 1932, Simpsons, located at the corner of Main and Badger Streets, has been serving dinner to generations of locals and tourists.
Although the owners are no longer the Simpsons, they are practically family.
“I’ve known them forever,” said Brynn DeHaye, who bought the place with her husband, Danny, just before the pandemic-related shutdowns.
Brynn credits Danny’s leadership with keeping the supper club afloat with to-go orders until it could reopen.
They say they never considered changing the name.
“The Simpsons means a lot to Waupaca and the surrounding area,” Danny acknowledged. “I’m really happy to be a part of it.”
During a recent visit by Local 5, Danny was bartending and Brynn was visiting with the Wisconsin Supper Club Enthusiasts Facebook group, which formed during the pandemic shutdown and now meets in person at a different supper club each month.
“It’s a club in the sense of a local community,” Brin explains. “It’s so nice, we have people from Illinois who come here in the summer and run into people they know. It’s definitely a club of sorts. Not a cult, but a club.”
Prime rib was a popular menu item this Sunday, but the DeHayes say seafood will also be a main focus.
“A lot of our seafood is fresh and we source it as in season as possible,” Danny explains, “Right now we’re sourcing Copper River Salmon from Alaska. Our favorite dish is the baked haddock. It’s not something we usually order, but when we do, it’s our number one recommendation.”
Brynn added that it comes with The Simpsons’ special white wine and butter sauce.
We had the traditional relish tray as well as our speciality garlic spread which was a big hit.
You might notice when you step inside the mushroom carvings outside the shop: that’s because they’re avid mushroom hunters who serve up special dishes when mushroom spores are in season.
“The people in this area know how special and rare it is,” Danny says, “so we put it on our Facebook page and then they call and ask to save one for themselves because they know it’s here today and gone tomorrow.”
When you visit, make time to visit the bar before or after dinner.
The staff is highly regarded, including John Kruger, who was voted Waupaca’s best bartender.
“I’m very proud,” Kruger said. “It’s been a great experience. The people I’ve worked with all this time, the owners I’ve worked with. Without them, I probably wouldn’t be here for 35 years!”
If you’re wondering if the tradition of serving Tom and Jerry cocktails on Christmas Eve continues, the answer is yes!
Simpsons seems to have the perfect blend of tradition and freshness that’s drawing a new generation to the corner of Main and Badger in Waupaca.
Simpsons is open 365 days a year: Monday to Saturday 3pm to 10pm, and Sunday 3pm to 9pm.
