A Brief Ely Update

In the Summer Times, we mentioned that Ely really needed a taxi service. Yay! Someone took us up on that.(OK–maybe it was their own idea.) So Ely now has safe rides for those who want to party hard, require transportation to the Duluth and Hibbing airports (save on parking!), or need to bring home groceries but don’t have wheels at the moment. Service is available from 8am to 1:30am, and rides can be booked in advance–first come, first served. Call 218-288-7433 or see ElyRideService.com for more details.

We also announced the exciting news that Ely schools won the Disney contest to be the only Minnesota school granted the rights to produce Frozen as a high school musical. As of this writing in November, rehearsals are well underway, sets are planned, and there will be a fundraiser to help with the rather extraordinary expenses. Do you have any idea how much it costs to bring snow to a stage? And costume a snowman? And pay directors who are working their hearts out for about $.50 an hour? Get a preview of some music and dancing on December 2nd, 7pm, at the First Presbyterian Church and meet these young stars who are so proud to be in this production.

Producing this is a challenge. Disney put many rules in place, such as nothing can be cut or changed from the materials they provided. Costuming and sets are fairly elaborate. But director Mike Rouse is up for it and has a history of some pretty awsome productions. The show will be at Washington Auditorium January 19-21. It would be a good idea to get your tickets as soon as they go on sale because this is likely to attract people from all over the region, maybe even the state. Check local newspapers to find out when tickets are available.

Write this number down and keep it in your car or put it in your phone. Even if you don’t need it this winter, you may come to someone who does. Don’t try to push a car out of the ditch yourself. First responders have had too many calls from people who were injured that way. These guys are awesome–fast, skilled, safe, and much cheaper than an ER visit.

For years the Ely Community Resource (ECR) raised money by having an art auction for which many local artists and other supporters donated their work to support the important programs ECR provides to Ely youth. Initially it was held in the basement of the Community Center, then moved to Grand Ely Lodge, but even that became too small. Then the pandemic caused the auction to shift to an online bidding process that wasn’t as much fun, although the items were still top notch. Hooray! This year it is back in person with a spirited MC, hearty appetizers, a cash bar, and auction items from hand-crafted jewelry to luxurious dinners at private homes to locally made ceramics and fine woodworking. If you’d like to donate your talents as a product or service, call 218-365-5254 or email julie@elycommunityresource or stop by before April.

Call (Area Code is 218) or check websites and FB pages for hours and menus. Price ranges are for a meal. C: children’s menu, V: vegetarian meals, # is location on the maps, page 70. Most places have take-out, and some still do curbside delivery if you request it.

The Boathouse Ely’s only brewery also serves seasonal brews and tasty food in the family dining room or bar. Duck wings, steak bites, and many more appetizer choices. Burgers, walleye, Cuban sandwiches, and salads to satisfy big appetites. Beer in growlers and BW containers. Sports on big TVs. Full bar. 47 E Sheridan St., 365-4301 $11-17, C V #68

Brainstorm Bakery Did you have a crappy morning? If not yet, stop in and add some healthy fiber to your diet with locally made granola, yogurt parfaits, smoothies, fairtrade coffee, and fresh-baked treats. Expanded seating for coffee with friends. Granola for gifts in pun-filled packaging, bumper stickers, and Tshirts. 402 E. Sheridan, 235-6161 $5-8 V #89

Evergreen Restaurant & Antlers Lounge at Grand Ely Lodge overlooking Shagawa Lake. Extensive dinner menu, b’fast and lunch specials, appetizer specials during Vikings games. Pasta specialties, salads, walleye, and steaks. Open 365 days a year. 400 N Pioneer Rd. 365-6875 for reservations and take-out. $10-31 C V #37

Ely’s Bars

Peanuts, Pizza, & More

Catz Billiards - 29 E. Chapman

Dee’s Bar - 17 E. Sheridan

Antlers Lounge- 400 N. Pioneer

Kwazy Wabbit - 11 N. Central

Samz Place - 1203 Old Winton Rd.

Zaverl’s Bar - 509 E. Sheridan

Gators Grilled Cheese

Emporium Comfort foods and healthy alternatives, full breakfast menu. Grilled sandwiches and burgers, homemade soups, and salads. Little Free Library inside and out. Takeout pasties once a month, order ahead. Catering. Open for b’fast and lunch. 955 E. Sheridan St. 365-7348 $7-17 C V #39

Insula This popular dining spot serves many locally-sourced and organic ingredients. Daily featured pasta special, market catch, and butcher’s cut. Expand your palate with fresh flavor blends, or choose old favorites. Casualdining ambience. Specialty seasonal cocktails, beer, and wine. Open Tues-Sat. 145 E. Sheridan St. 365-4855 $9-34 C V #82

Northern Grounds Coffee and wine bar. Espresso, single-origin coffee roasted on site, tea, chai, and mocha. 50+ by-the-glass fine wines, craft beers, and specialty cocktails on tap. Charcuterie, fresh-baked breads and pastries, smoothies, soup and sandwiches. Wine tasting events upstairs in Society Hall. 2 W. Sheridan St. 365-6162 $5-8 V #63

Ely’s restaurants have struggled to find staff recently, so there are fewer options for eating out than in pre-pandemic years. You may need to do a bit of searching, but know that when you find your dining spot, the food will be delicious and the wait staff friendly. Summer will see the return of Ely’s food trucks, a new restaurant at the former Mantle House, and the return of Britton’s, the Steak House, and hopefully Rockwood.

Grab Something Quick

Dairy Queen - 1441 E. Sheridan

Ely State Theater - 238 E Sheridan

Log Cabin Coffee - 1340 E. Sheridan

Mitska’s Market - 141 E. Chapman

Subway -1520 E Sheridan

Zup’s Deli - 1500 E. Sheridan

Domino’s Ely’s late-night option, you can eat in, pick up, or get delivery until 1am every day. Of course there’s pizza, but also salads, sweets, and many appetizer choices. Find coupons there and at Dominos.com. 32 E Sheridan St, 235-6262 $6-26 V

Oriental Orchid Warm up with a selection from more than 100 authentic Vietnamese and Chinese menu items. Call ahead for faster service. Eat in or take out. Weekday lunch specials and dinner combinations. 506 E. Sheridan St, 365-7502 $11-$21 V

Sir G’s Italian cuisine with hand-made pasta. on site Appetizers, pizza, salads, desserts. Wine and beer. Call ahead for faster take-out or curbside delivery. Ask about delivery in town - it varies with staff availability. 520 E Sheridan, 365-3688 $10-19 C V

Stony Ridge Ely’s biggest burger selection (50 kinds!) Walleye, reubens, and much more. Full bar with specialty cocktails. Cozy dining room or order to-go. Saturday breakfast menu includes custom-made stuffed hashbrowns. 60 N. Lakeview, 235-9441 $15-30 C

Happy Wanderer Reopened this fall for those taking the scenic 22-mile drive from Ely toward Isabella. Open 7 days a week serving polish, pasties, and pizza. Plans are to be snowmobile accessible by next winter. 10502 Hwy 1 365-2137 $5-8.