The John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon has a long history in the Northland, as this year celebrates its 40th race. Established in 1980, the Beargrease has run every year since 1984 except 2007 and 2012 when it was canceled due to a lack of snow in Duluth. As the race has changed over the years, so has the way in which the public can interact with the mushers and sponsors of the event. Whether you’re a musher, support team member, interested person, or just a foodie, Billy’s Bar in Duluth, Trestle Inn in Finland, and Island View Dining in Grand Portage have been involved in the Beargrease for years, and provide vital checkpoints along the way. There’s a lot to think about on race day, but where to warm up and fill up shouldn’t be hard to decide if you check out one of these deliciously unique restaurants.
Billy’s Bar, Duluth
It’s difficult to think of anything more energetic than the starting line of the Beargrease Marathon. The dogs are rested and fed, desperate to run, and the air is filled with a cacophony of yips and barks and cheers as mushers work to hold back their teams. It is a lively scene as team after team approaches the start and the dogs are finally released to do what they love: run.
Billy’s in Duluth has hosted the start of the Beargrease since the route was reworked in 2019, and the public is invited to make a day of it. On race day, Billy’s opens at 7 a.m. with breakfast and lunch options. They’ll have a heated tent (with limited seating), a bloody mary bar, and hot and cold beverages for patrons to enjoy as they cheer on the teams embarking on their race.
Regularly, the Billy’s menu includes a lot of what you would expect: uniquely delicious burgers and an assortment of sandwiches, soups, and salads. A sports bar at heart, Billy’s opens early on the weekends to serve breakfast. The menu leans toward diner-style platters of eggs, hashbrowns, and toast. They also serve a kid’s menu and three-egg omelettes. If you come later in the day, you may be lucky enough to catch wing night or a coney special. Their regular burger menu includes items like the Musher, with a whole pound of patty, two kinds of cheese, grilled onions, jalapeños, and cheese sauce—sure to keep you full on the trails.
Trestle Inn Food and Saloon, Finland
The Trestle Inn marks the finish line for the Beargrease 120 race, generally considered one of the most competitive mid-length races in the lower 48 states. Contrary to its name, the Trestle Inn is no inn at all, but rather a Minnesota story of exploration and ingenuity. The Trestle Inn is built out of repurposed timbers from the Hoist Creek trestle bridge. It was last used in the 1920s, and in 1980, Lee and Kurt Schumacher snowmobiled upon the abandoned bridge. In 1983, construction of the Trestle Inn began (with permission from the Forest Service) as the Schumachers disassembled the old trestle, wrangling the timbers, measuring, cutting, and placing them carefully to create a restaurant and saloon for snowmobilers and explorers. It opened in 1985. Under the ownership of Susan Butler Rian since 2000, the Trestle Inn is still serving patrons from all over the world.
The Trestle Inn provides a meeting place for the community, hosting CPR classes, fundraisers, and informational meetings for the area. Fall and winter hours are limited, so be sure to check their Facebook page, where you can also find information about local gatherings, clubs, and snow conditions. Plates at the Trestle Inn are full. They offer half-pound burgers like the Minnesota burger, topped with tater tots and cream of mushroom soup. Of course, you can get a plain ol’ Trestle burger if you like, but if you’re the adventurous type, you should try a Trainwreck with Casualties. It’s a sort of “surprise” burger where you are guaranteed a beef patty, bratwurst patty, bacon, and cheese, and the rest is up to the chef. The result is a pretty epic burger.
Island View Dining, Grand Portage
After days of running and riding in the winter air, mushers and dogs complete the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon at Grand Portage Lodge and Casino. The finish line is an exciting place to be, waiting in anticipation to see the teams glide in. Regardless of a team’s placement, arriving at Grand Portage Casino is worthy of celebration—and a hot meal.
Island View Dining is the main restaurant at Grand Portage Lodge and Casino. When I asked Steven StandingCloud, manager at Grand Portage Casino, what is special about Island View Dining, he reiterated that “Island View Dining is a family restaurant that offers specialized menu items every day of the week over breakfast, lunch, and dinner, in addition to our regular menu items that are ever changing to accommodate the tastes of our customers.” One of their specialties is wild Lake Superior fish, caught by local fisherman. They also claim the best pizza on the North Shore.
You’ll find daily specials for both breakfast and lunch at Island View Dining, and if you want food to go, they offer broasted chicken and take-and-bake pizzas. With views of the great Gitche Gumee, Island View Dining boasts a cozy and relaxing environment, perfect for a warm meal after a long cold day.
The John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon is a beautiful tradition in the Northland, and I can only hope that the snow this year will cooperate for a successful race, (I wouldn’t mind a healthy cross-country ski season, too). If you plan to cheer on the mushers and dogs, to send them off or watch them finish, keep Billy’s, the Trestle Inn, and Island View Dining in mind.
