Wilson’s Restaurant and Ice Cream Parlor
9990 Water St, Ephraim, WI, 54211
Wilson’s Restaurant and Ice Cream Parlor Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Ephraim for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Ephraim for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
9990 Water St
Ephraim, WI, 54211 - Phone (920) 854-2041
- Website https://www.wilsonsicecream.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 11
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Touristy
Noise Level : Loud
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Mary F.
Great place would go back again. Crowded but they keep the line moving. I has a root beer float it was just like I remembered as a kid. My husband wished he had ordered it himself. Maybe next time buddy.
(4)Justine F.
Ahhhh Wilson's. Keep a place open long enough and you somehow earn the right to charge a ridiculous amount of money for your ice cream based on the fact that it's tradition. Catch a glimpse of the sun setting over Green Bay while you sit on their front porch licking away at the some of best homemade Mackinac Island Fudge ice cream in Door County. I can't wait for summer.
(4)Jonas S.
A door county classic, great burgers, great ice cream and good service.
(4)Ali H.
I make a point to come here every time I go to Door County. It would be criminal not to, really. We're talking about a classic ice-cream parlour right on the water in adorable ephraim that has decent ice cream, delish fried cheese curds, and homemade rootbeer. I came here once on a birthday trip with a friend and those are the exact elements that made up her birthday dinner! And it was perfect. The inside is very country-cute, and most/all(?) of the tables have their own little juke boxes... though the outside patio is a first choice for a summer day, if you're here on a dreary fall day you'll appreciate the fun ambiance inside.
(4)Karen B.
The ice cream is still the best around. If you come to Door Co., you MUST go to Wilson's. It will be a family tradition for years to come. Chocolate malts are served the old-fashioned way with the icy-cold stainless steel tumbler. Yummy! The staff recommendations for ice cream flavors are a great guide. Try the Caramel Explosion for a special treat!. We thought the hamburgers were not very good. Not what we remembered from past years. The patties seemed tasteless, but the condiments were fresh.
(4)Andrew M.
Great root beer! It's such a family tradition to go to Wilson's and play "Peggy Sue" on the jukebox over and over again. I want to be in Door County again...
(4)Mark B.
Wilson's Ice Cream Parlor is one of the must stop places in Door County. It is tradition. You do not have to stop every trip to Door County, but make it a stop at least on your first trip. Everyone should stop at least once in their Door County travels. Stop for ice cream or lunch, but ice cream in the evening is the best. Get a cone or dish, then walk across the street and watch the water activity or a great sunset.
(4)Brian D.
A thankfully permanent Door County staple. Wilson's has been here in the exact same spot since my parents were children. Stopping by at night and grabbing a cone to watch the sunset off the harbor is a great way to cap off a dinner.
(5)Emily C.
My family decided to make a stop at Wilson's Ice Cream Parlor in Ephraim as we were driving along the Door County Peninsula. The place was very cute and very typical diner. It was a little chaotic though as we were trying to decide what flavors to get because they have numbers you take and we weren't quite ready when our number was called. However, after we figured that all out we were able to enjoy delicious ice cream. We got Caramel Collision (DELICIOUS!), Sneaker (malt ice cream was alright but my sister loved it), Makinac Island Fudge (YUMMY), and Strawberry Cheesecake Yogurt. Go here if your looking for something to cool down on a hot day it is worth the drive!
(4)Jim K.
When you step in the front door of Wilson's in Ephraim, you are stepping into Door County as it was 50, 60, perhaps 100 years ago. While other establishments try to stay fresh and up-to-date, Wilson's takes extreme care to preserve the soda fountain ambiance and diner atmosphere that existed the day it opened. The ice cream counter offers all of the traditional hard-packed flavors and sundae varieties, and the line out the door speaks to their popularity. But more often than not, we choose to order off the lunch/dinner menu which features traditional diner fare reminiscent of the time when Richie and the Fonz frequented places like this. Don't get me wrong, it is certainly not fine dining, to be sure, but there are times when a hand formed cheeseburger in a basket and a side of homemade chili are just what is needed. The root beer comes in a genuine frosted mug and the shakes/malts here are the best I have had in at least 20 years. Sandwiches typically come with potato chips but can be upgraded to fries, or cheese fries if you really want to splurge. In typical diner fashion, the restaurant is small and the staff is always working hard, but they always seem to serve even the grumpiest customer with a smile on their face. The parking lot is minimal so I suggest that you find on-street parking and walk on up. For a unique historic atmosphere and carefully prepared food, we always bring visitors to Wilson's in the summer for a bit of Door County nostalgia.
(4)J B.
Being going here for many years on family vacations. Have never been disappointed. Food is just fine and ice cream sundaes are heavenly. Been here several times after a play in the woods at American Folklore Theatre. This place can be busy so prepare to wait or get there early.
(4)Emily K.
Stopped here on a gorgeous Saturday for lunch. I ordered the hamburger with chips and a chocolate shake. The shake came first and it was fantastic. When you order they should tell you it is more like 2.5 shakes with the amount they bring to the table. It was chocolate heaven. My husband and a flavored soda and it had cherry pie filling in it which was a fun surprise. We both had the burgers and they were done perfectly and rather large. Overall I would recommend you stop in for a taste of the old days and quality food. Will be back!
(5)Brian C.
Yum. Yum. Fantastic texture as far as the aeration goes. Flavor is good, sweetness is good. It easy melt point screams no thickeners and preservatives agents. Wonderful. The food is better than middle of the road, the atmosphere fun. I usually eat custard, and Wilson's is a wonderful option to change things up when I'm up in the Door.
(4)Christina G.
What a great little blast from the past! Wilson's is definitely retro! We came here after dinner to try the ice cream. I never had the food, so can't comment on it. There were a few people ahead of us when we got there, but the wait wasn't too long. They had a bunch of flavors of ice cream, and I was having trouble picking one. Eventually, I went with a favorite stand by of mine - strawberry. Even though I only ordered one scoop, my cone was piled high! It probably was the equivalent of 2-3 scoops I'd scoop myself. The ice cream was great, very fresh tasting. I did end up biting onto something and was confused until I found out that Wilson's serves every ice cream with a jelly bean hidden in it. How fun! They have a few items for sale, like t-shirts with the Wilson's logo and other Door County souvenirs too. I ended up purchasing a few postcards for $0.30/piece to send to family. They were perfectly retro looking too. Definitely worth the stop in for a great frozen treat.
(4)Amanda D.
This place is great! Loved the root beer float and my fiance ice cream was good too! It's in a really cute town with a beautiful view of the lake!
(4)Brandon S.
Perfect for lunch. Had the all American cheeseburger and a root beer, Delish! Service was professional and VERY quick. Waited 10 minutes from the time we ordered until we ate. This is a must on any DC vacation!
(4)Shantell S.
This is our second time at Wilson's. Husband and I both had the fish basket and YUM!!! Got the chocolate malt! Sat outside. Was greeted by our server in a polite cheery manner! Got waters! Got food! Server checked in on us! Waters refilled! Wilson's will be a place we frequesnt
(5)Tanya K.
Besides the place being small, it is really cute. Stopped on a Saturday afternoon and it was packed. You need to take a number when you walk in and they call by number. We waited about 15 minutes. Got the maple nut and then the chocolate peanut butter explosion, both were delicious and huge! One scoop is plenty for a normal person!
(4)Kate T.
The only thing I had at Wilson's was their lemon sorbet with pecans. It was good and I know my family loved the ice cream they had. I appreciate the fact that they had sorbet as an option. However, we never ate there for dinner due to the limited menu for vegans and vegetarians.
(4)Brian K.
A fantastic ice cream parlor that is a throw back to the past. The line was crazy long so decided to eat in the parlor. I thought the price of sundaes was steep but was a huge serving since and absolutely delicious. The whole family loved going so is a two thumbs up for me.
(5)Jennifer E.
We always make it a habit to stop here while we are up in Door County! They food is good, but nothing special. But let's be honest, we all go there for the ice cream! Love the chocolate milkshakes! In the summer, make sure to get there early or you will have a wait! Definitely will be back!
(4)Erin M.
Love the food here. This place is a total door county tradition. Love the tables with the little jukeboxes at them and the ice cream is delicious. I always get the chocolate milk shake.
(5)John V.
A must stop when in Door County... Pros: Good food and great ice cream. Cons: small place and didn't care for the root beer...
(4)David R.
Pros: World-class ice cream. In particular, the Sneakers flavor (malt base with caramel ripple and chocolate-covered peanuts) is indescribably delicious. Cons: The ice cream counter is small, causing cramping and chaos during busy periods. They have tried to mitigate this with a deli-style numbered ticketing system, but that hardly helped us. Their freezer doesn't display the ice cream like most places do, and it is difficult to read the menu board past all the milling and bobbing heads. Plus, most of the flavors are not described in detail: only names are given. Worst of all, they don't give samples! How am I supposed to decide between three tantalizing options?? Fortuitously, I had read about the Sneakers ahead of time and took a leap of faith. If you want to try more than one flavor, come with a group so that you can swap around. Oh, and one more thing: apparently they stash a jelly bean in every serving of ice cream. So as you are finishing a glorious cone of frozen ambrosia, you chomp down on a nasty fruit-flavored jelly bean, completely ruining the mood--literally souring the entire experience. It's like a giant middle finger from Wilson's to your taste buds. What the hell!? So, even with three really annoying negatives, they still get four stars--which should tell you something about how spectacular the ice cream is.
(4)Ster D.
Ice cream is not available for sampling. I got a scoop of "Door County cherry" - natural flavor, but WAY too sweet. On the positive side, scoops are large, scenery across the road is spectacular, adjacent park with playground. I wish I went for "Not Yet Licked" further south.
(1)Andrew D.
Keep up the good work. Love this place. We go often as our home is close, but its not convenience that keeps us coming back. Its the good cheeseburgers and of course the ice cream. Total throwback joint with good classic tunes and an awesome family environment.
(5)Bill T.
Best chocolate malt bar none. Malt and a hamburger listening to tunes on the juke box, Killer!
(5)Derrick A.
This is a staple for anyone traveling through Door County. The food is good and the ice cream is always great! Not to mention they make their own root beer!
(4)Kelly K.
I love to visit Wilson's every time I come to Door County! The food is pretty good and the service is fast. I recommend it for a quick lunch. The real reason to visit Wilson's is for the ice cream. Large portions and delicious. Their sundaes are also really good.
(4)Lise S.
Great spot to grab some ice cream. Watch out for the stripped red and white awning. There are benches across the street on the water to sit and eat your cite cream and watch the sailboats
(4)Suzy L.
Ice cream was good. A lot of flavors. The scoops are huge! Neither my husband nor I finished the singles. Cool, old fashioned vibe on the inside.
(4)Andrea W.
I get that this place is 100+ years old, but it's worth noting that this place is NOT handicapped accessible. When I asked how to get my wheelchair-bound mother inside they said they can let her in back by the dumpsters and through the kitchen. 1. That's gross. Who wants to wait by the dumpster before they eat to be let in? 2. That's not sanitary to have customers going through the kitchen. 3. I don't think they have any clue about the regulations laid out by the American Disability Act regarding turning widths, grade changes, or doorway clearances, all of which were inadequate to get inside. Ultimately, ended up sitting outside in the parking lot eating sub-par ice cream that I had to get and bring outside. Not worth the humiliation.
(1)Jim S.
Wilson's, like Al Johnson's, is a staple of northern Door County. The issue with Wilson's is that it's more of a novelty than anything else. The ice cream and the floats are by far the best items and I would highly recommend them. However, the food is average at best and the restaurant is dirty and sticky almost all the time. Further, there are bees and flies all over the place in the outdoor area so eater beware.
(2)amy w.
Our family was really excited to visit this historic restaurant. We went for lunch and was seated right away, that was a plus. We ordered cheeseburgers a nacho for my celiac child and a giant root beer. The root beer was yummy but comes without ice which I thought was weird since it was room temp. The burgers where big and thin which I like but.. Here comes the ugly. They are the prefrozen beef pattys. One of ours was raw inside and I tried to send it back. I wish i would have taken a picture it was that bad! The waitress took it to who I assume was an owner tall thin woman with dark hair. When I went to pay it was still on my bill and I told the cashier we sent it one back without a replacement. That's when the (owner ?) lady came up and said no it was just a little pink and I offered to replace it. Ummm really she was so unbelievably rude I was floored! An older woman who mans the host station had to tell her to calm down its fine take it off. I didn't make a scene whatsoever I just couldn't understand why I received such hostile behavior for something so simple. I will never go back!! The food is not good they are selling the history factor and slamming out crap food. ...Btw nacho cheese in not gluten free and my son was sick that night, I assumed they had a special cheese, nope just regular nacho cheese,I should have asked but they had it marked gluten free(you have to ask for the gf menu)
(1)Erin J.
Delicious ice cream! Lots of choices and flavors. Huuuuge glasses of root beer. Decor is all vintage old signs and things, very cute. Was raining when I went so not busy at all. Little jukeboxes at each table. Classic Door County tourist spot.
(5)Jessica M.
BRING CASH if you aren't ordering a lot of ice-cream, as there is a $10 debit/CC minimum. We all had trouble choosing a flavor, because they all sounded so fun. I settled on black magic, which tasted just like those dark chocolate covered berries TJ's sells (yummy). Coconut Joy & Playdough were also well appreciated by my group. PROS: Fun flavors, H U G E scoops (CRAZY BIG), jelly belly treat in the cone CONS: no samples & seriously crowded
(4)Daniel B.
I don't understand the 1 or 2 star reviews. Wilson's is an old fashion ice cream parlor and in summer of course there are going be lines, screaming kids, etc. And some of the comments on portion too small are laughable! They give you a lot of ice cream and toppings for the price. And it is ALL SO GOOD!!!
(5)Jeffrey D.
An historic throwback establishment located along the bay in beautiful Ephraim. Friendly staff provides excellent service. The 'Take a Number' system seems to work well for those buying beverages or ice cream to go. Outdoor seating arrangement is somewhat confusing, as the system is 'First Come, First Serve'. Needless to say, there was plenty of line skipping among perfect strangers. Perhaps an explanatory sign could be posted? Standard menu offers decent meal choices. Ice cream is delicious, and perhaps the best in Door County. In particular, the 'Chocolate Peanut Butter Explosion' is excellent. Wilson's Restaurant and Ice Cream Parlor is a true fixture and landmark in beautiful Door County. A must-stop for residents and visitors!
(4)Up S.
Ice Cream Sundaes are awesome! Food is great! Always packed to the gills. A great stop in the most picturesque town of the peninsula.
(4)Joe P.
Descriptive phrase: classic ice cream joint. When you're driving back down the Door Peninnsula after a day on Washington Island, there's no better stop on the road than Wilson's Ice Cream Parlor. Go in, order some ice cream (one of their many flavors), tip the young whipper-snappers behind the bar in one of the tip jars decorated with their school names, sit out on the porch and dig in while looking over the calm bay. It doesn't get much better than that. The ice cream is great (even though it's not custard), the portions are ginormous (one scoop bigger than my face). Oh, and don't miss the surprise at the bottom of the cone!
(4)Camille R.
What a cute little spot! Even though they don't make their ice cream, they get a thumbs up for serving local ice cream. I totally agree with the gals below that the portions are super huge and it's too bad they don't offer a smaller size because it's wasteful. At the same time, considering the portion you really get a great deal and the price isn't bad at all. I usually get a scoop in a cup with a cake cone on top. They don't have cake cones here... that blows. So, I got... a different cone and found a little jelly bean underneath it. They say a hundred years ago they would put a jelly bean in the cone to keep the ice cream from melting through. They now know that's a load of shit, but have kept the tradition. A present for me: yelp.com/biz_photos/wils… We sat outside to enjoy the view, but between the birds and the bees it was hard to do so. Hey Wilson's! You might wanna scope the area, there's a hive nearby.
(4)Bob L.
Best ice cream parlor in Door County A must stop if you are in town. Great views of the lake too. Generous serving sizes. A bit pricey, our bill for 5 of us was around $30 for just ice cream! What the heck, your on vacation, the ice cream is wonderful.
(5)Mica H.
Everyone just LOVES Wilson's Restaurant because of the ice cream and the fact that it "takes them back". It's nostalgic.... I'm not one of those people. I didn't really care for it. We started off ordering our food. The burgers are frozen patties. They are small and lack flavor. They aren't good at all. You can't choose ice cream flavors... Yes... You read that right. We ordered 2 different sundaes, including a banana split. Out of their 10+ ice cream options, I asked if I could customize my banana split. I was told, "No, we only make it one way." I asked again......"I can't just choose 3 different flavors to include in it?" I was told again, "No, it comes with chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry ice cream." As far as I'm concerned, telling a customer "No", when I am specifically asking for something that is easily within the limits of the establishments and an easy request to fulfill, is a big NO-NO. This turned me off the place instantly and I will never return here. It's a shame too. This place has a great view and so much to offer, but it is a big let down. Spend your money elsewhere and invest in a Door County establishment that actually cares about its patrons and pleasing them.
(2)Jessica O.
I'm with A.A.Y. - Wilson's goes way overboard with the ice cream portions. There needs to be a mini junior scoop or something for those of us who don't want to leave feeling like we're in danger of slipping into a diabetic coma. A single scoop comes as a barely manageable mountain of ice cream confection piled on a teeny tiny sugar cone. I spent the first few minutes barely enjoying the flavor as I did that frantic...lick-it-into-a-manageable-shape-before-Âit-melts-all-over-you routine. Wilson's was the first stop for us when we got into Door County, and even though no one in my family finished their cones, all of our flavors were so overwhelmingly sweet and super-sized that we didn't get dessert for the rest of the trip. Any time it was brought up, someone went, "No thank you! I'm still recovering from that ice cream!" Wilson's may be a Door County legend, but if you want to enjoy it, order a small scoop and split it amongst...I don't know...ten people?
(2)Mallory S.
Black cherry ice cream. DO IT. I love this ice cream place, but be prepared for LINES. LOTS AND LOTS OF LINES. Not to mention they tend to run out of some ice cream flavors just because of how crowded it is. There's not a large sitting area and the wait is pretty crazy. Make sure to grab a number when you get in because thats how the ordering process goes. The food was pretty good, but most come for the ice cream. A must-go in Door County.
(4)Tom Z.
I realize the history and longevity of the place. However, as nostalgic as it is for those who went here as a kid, the ice cream is average at best. First, ice crystals in the ice cream tells you they skimp on the proper ingredients. Second, and most important, they have too many "no" rules. No tasting flavors! What? I have never been to an ice cream store ever where that was the case. What if you don't like the flavor. Too bad? Splits are done their way only? I am sure they think these are good rules for some reason. Most likely because nostalgists still keep returning and they have a nice location on the bay. Didn't have any sandwiches, but from appearance of some they seemed underwhelming. They have a view and a nice location, but I'm sure there is better ice cream somewhere else in Door County.
(2)Jared W.
I'm perplexed by some people's inability to understand something for what it is. Ignore the one and two star ratings for Wilson's, because the writers of those clearly don't get it. Yes, it's likely that Wilson's will be crowded when you go there. Why is it crowded? Because it's GOOD. Duh. Even with the large number of people they serve every day, they get you your food very quickly, and it's always good. I don't even like root beer, but I love theirs. This place is a staple of Door County for a reason.
(5)E S.
Came here for ice cream! I had the sneaker extreme since everyone on yelp said to get it....and I was disappointed... Nothing special. My boyfriend got the mud ice cream, which was chocolate ice cream with soft oreo pieces, that was sooooo good!!! I hated the jelly bean at the bottom of the cone, but oh well, just threw it out. The ice cream is definitely creamier than other places. I'd come back to try other flavors. It's $3.50 for a single scoop and they are very generous on their scoop. It's really like a double scoop from baskin robbins.
(4)Brad B.
Classic ice-cream parlor that is a great stop for a snack or lunch while in the upper Door County area. The ice cream is your normal ice-cream, but the amount is not. One scoop is probably a two- to three-scoop cone I would normally make and there is always a surprise at the bottom of the cone for you. If visiting in the summer, it can be extremely busy especially if you want to eat inside or at the outside cafe style seating. Few people notice the great little park just behind the restaurant where you can sit at the picnic tables and enjoy the views of the bay.
(4)Anita B.
the best ice cream my fam has every had and huge portions! get the peppermint or coconut chip
(5)Loki C.
Fabulous ice cream. They didn't even blink when I asked them to clean the scoop (despite how busy they were) because I have food allergies. The lady who scooped my ice cream was very nice about it. Worth the wait!
(5)Dave P.
Stopped in for a root beer and milk shake. service was great- very friendly waitress. Shake and root beer was delicious. Prices are decent. Definately will be coming back.
(5)Tony W.
Generous scoops of ice cream, nothing out of the ordinary. Has great views of the lake.
(2)A.A. Y.
I feel a bit bad/weird writing this, because I've been going to Wilson's since I was a kid and I feel like I'm slamming the family friend down the road... But... I ordered a single scoop ice cream cone (as in the kind you lick). Not a pint of ice cream on top of a skinny cone that's flipped over into a dish. After trying to stop the server mid-flip with no luck we sat at the counter and spooned the ice cream out of the dish and back into the cone. The server told us they have to put the cones in dishes now because people were losing the scoops all over the floor. Well, maybe that's because you're putting too much ice cream on top. I know. First world problem. But no one needs a pint of ice cream on top of a cone. Less is more, people. Find another place in door county to plunk down your $3 for a simple cone and save your mid-section the aftermath.
(2)Courtney F.
I can only review the dinner food (I did not have any ice cream or shakes). My boyfriend and I decided to go to Wilson's for dinner our last night in Door County. We both ordered burgers/fries, an order of cheese curds, and a cup of their homemade chicken dumpling soup. The burgers were incredibly disappointing. The meat was flat and honestly seemed to be the quality of frozen burger patties. The cheese they slapped on tasted like a Kraft single (we're in Wisconsin, we can do better than that...). Even the sesame seed bun was on the thin side. The cheese curds were decent, but how hard is it to screw-up a fried ball of cheese? I was also disappointed with the homemade chicken dumpling soup that the hostess said we just "had to try." It had some black specks that looked like burned residue off the bottom of the pot and honestly was nothing special. I expected the chicken dumpling soup to be creamy but it wasn't. The consistency was that of thin, watery broth. I wouldn't recommend eating here for dinner. Maybe just stick with the ice cream?
(2)Colin U.
I absolutely love this place and have been coming here since I was born. The food is great! and the Ice Cream is SPECTACULAR! I love the old-school style of the ice cream parlor type establishment and the location so the everyone can see it! It is always busy no matter what time of year you go and it is right on the bay! It isn't breaking the bank and it is just down right fun! I feel some people have misjudged this place based on one experience there and need to know that they have been doing what they have been doing since 1906. You just MELT into a different time HAHAHA see what I did there? Melt.. cause... *clears throat* anyway... it is a must stop if you are passing through or staying in Door County! Bring out that inner child!!
(5)Ally J.
I'm totally obsessed with this place. The ice cream is fantastic and the servers do their jobs good. Every time we go it is always busy but the turn over rate is good and we usually dont have to wait that long for a table. I have been coming here every summer for my whole life and I just absolutely love this place.
(5)Mike N.
When I was a kid I was hooked on A&W root beer floats. I revisited my childhood today with one at Wilson's made with their homemade root beer. Yum. Eat in or outside. Don't miss this throwback from the past!
(3)Craig W.
My Door County series continues with a visit to this classic ice cream parlor, soda fountain and diner that made a cameo appearance last season on "Brain Games," a National Geographic TV series. Diners can sit outside and watch the sun set over Ephraim's harbor, one of the most picturesque views in America, or sit inside and imagine what it was like to enjoy burgers and malts to the classic gold hits in the 60s and 70s. The diner fare is diner fair -- solid, not spectacular -- but the experience is worth a visit. Remember that it's in Ephraim, a dry town, so you'll want to come for lunch if you enjoy a beer with dinner. Come back later to savor a sundae and a sunset.
(4)John D.
This is a must-stop for ice cream while in Door County. It's not good for much else, really, but the ice cream is excellent. I came here as a kid a long time ago and it hasn't changed much at all.
(4)Lindsey W.
This place is a Door County staple. I would forgo the ridiculously long line and get a table where you will get much faster service. Just as an FYI, you can't get a cone at a table...weird rule I know. I would highly recommend the Turtle Sunday or a Chocoalte Soda...so delicious! If you're feeling really abmitious you could take on the Banquet which comes out on a serving tray. The only downfall is that it is so much ice cream and toppings that it gets soupy and warm way too quickly.
(4)Debbie S.
Yes it's busy...yes there are long lines, but Wilson's is a must stop in Door County. My review is only for the ice cream -- in all the years that I have been coming to Wilson's, I have never had anything else but ice cream. Portions are huge -- the single scoop seems like a double at least and the flavors are good. Fast service and a pretty spot right across from the water. My favorite flavors? The Zanzibar Chocolate -- an incredibly rich dark chocolate and Chocolate Peanut Butter -- chocolate ice cream with mini peanut butter cups in it. Wilson's is a Door County staple. Expect long lines but they move fast. It's worth it...even if the lines didn't move fast.
(5)R T.
I don't see what all the fuss is about. Maybe I'm spoiled by the scrumptious and creamy ice cream offered by Chicagoland establishments but I didn't find anything inspiring about the flavors at Wilson's. I tried the coconut joy and the sneakers and while the quantities were plentiful and served in quaint sundae glasses, I didn't feel compelled to finish it. Maybe, it was the blues of a rainy day but Wilson's just didn't do it for me.
(2)Erin L.
It was our last full day in Door County and I told my husband (a first timer to DC) that we HAD to stop at Wilson's. He didn't understand why we had to stop here and I don't think you really "get it" if you haven't been to Door County before. Not stopping here is almost illegal if you come within 20 miles of this place. Their ice cream is amazing. They have something for everyone. Treat yourself to some and go across the street to sit and watch the beautiful water.
(5)Emmett F.
Simply the best. Amazing root beer floats, shakes, ice cream, popcorn, burgers... basically everything good about summer rolled into one place. Take a step back in time, enjoy the views of the lake, stroll around Ephraim, and thank me later! One of my worst memories was getting to Wilson's after it had closed one evening. Talk about disappointment!
(5)Roy H.
An old school ice cream parlor? YES PLEASE!!! When you walk inside its like going back to the 50s... tons of old odds and ends. I love places like this. Between my friends and I we got a couple Root beer floats and chocolate malts... you cant even get malts anymore it seems like. These were SO DAMN GOOD. They are made right, the old school way! only downside is I believe they had a minimum on credit cards or something a bit odd... I recommend just bringing cash.
(5)B C.
Dour County legend. Insanely good ice cream, with enormous servings. The Root Beer here is uber delicious. You gotta love this place.
(5)Scott K.
The ice cream is AMAZING! Be careful though...a scoop is enormous. I ordered a double and I easily had a pint of ice cream maybe a bit more. Definitely a "must stop" for everyone that enjoys some amazing ice cream.
(4)Nate J.
Just before stopping here we were having a discussion about how we'd never come across ice cream we didn't like. Wilson's proved us wrong. The ice cream is hidden (i.e., you can't see it) and they don't give samples. So after a glowing recommendation by the scooper I had the key lime pie ice cream. It was horrid. Tasted totally artificial and I threw out the entire cone (no refunds). Neither of the other flavors (cookie dough or peanut butter chocolate) ordered were any better. They don't make their own ice cream and won't tell you where it's from The place is crowded and tight. I understand the nostalgia factor but that only carries you so far.
(1)Courtney W.
Best ice-cream in Door County!!! I had to go twice! The service was great and I couldn't believe how big the portions were! The chocolate fudge was the best. You can walk across the street and sit on a bench on the water and enjoy a spectacular view. They even put a jelly bean on the bottom to prevent the ice cream from leaking through the cone, how thoughtful. This place isn't to be missed when visiting Door County!!
(5)Susan S.
Wilson's looks like something out of a Norman Rockwell painting. It's the epitome of how a small town ice cream parlor should look. It's a vintage white wooden building with a red and white striped awning, with diner-style booths inside and seating in a covered outside patio area as well. It is right on Route 42, in the very heart of Ephraim, right across from the water. I think Wilson's is one of the main reasons traffic slows to a crawl on this stretch of 42. Picturesque as it may be, Wilson's is not perfect. First of all, it's always crowded. You have to deal with a lot of aggravation, irritation, being pushed and shoved, etc., just to place your name on a wait list for a table or to order an ice cream cone at the counter. Also, you can't sit at a table if you're just ordering an ice cream cone. You have to be having a fountain creation/sundae or entree in order to be waited on at a table. Finally, the place is loaded, and I do mean loaded, with tourists, so if that annoys you, consider yourself forewarned. When you are finally seated at a table, it is pleasant. The food menu is nothing special -- hamburgers, hot dogs, club sandwiches and other diner-style offerings, and the quality is average -- but the ice cream is good, and it's a lot fun to eat a banana split or turtle sundae under the striped awning while watching sailboats in the bay across the street and the crowds of people passing by. Servers are very young, but enthusiastic and friendly. It's worth a stop if you aren't put off by crowds, and if you want to feel like you've gone back in time 100 years to an old-fashioned ice cream parlor. Wilson's is on par with Al Johnson's as one of the touristy places in Door County that everyone should probably visit at least once, just for the experience.
(3)C S.
This place was overpriced, had small portion sizes and it was NOT clean. In addition, some of the employees (the hostesses) were not welcoming (they had Attitudes!) and were actually down right rude. I think back now and am amazed that we didn't just turn right around and walk back out the front door. But, we've been to Door County many times and thought we'd finally try this place out. I, personally, cannot believe this place stays in business. We had a terrible experience and would never recommend it to anyone. It was a total waste of money!
(1)Alex G.
Visit for the nostalgia but the ice cream was disappointing. Too many ice crystals for me but maybe this isn't an issue when they are busier during the summer. If the ice cream sells faster it doesn't get a chance to form ice crystals. And even though it was about 50 degrees, our car was covered in flies. Still a fun experience given the history.
(3)Karen P.
Who can dislike the ice cream?! 20 different kinds of churned ice cream including one that was fat and sugar free (why bother?!). Portions are generous. Plan to wait as lines are long during the summer season.
(4)Dan N.
Yes there are long lines in the summer, yes it can get crazy, but there is a reason for it....its GREAT! This place screams nostalgia, its like going back in time in a good way. These non corporate chain places are few and far between and should be cherished. The food is dinner fare, fresh and homemade but the ice cream steals the show. The portions are huge but that what vacations are all about excess...isnt it!. There is not a better lunch spot in Door County that Wilson's sitting in the porch area enjoying the view and the fresh air, it makes everything taste better.
(4)Jill A.
This is by far the best place for peppermint ice cream!!!
(5)Kris P.
"Best Ice Cream EVER"?? I don't think so. If you really think this is the greatest ice cream in the world, you need to try the freezer section in the grocery store - it's better than what Wilson's has to offer. This place has average ice cream - fun flavors (a lot of PB and caramel and fudge mixes) but nothing spectacular. In fact, it was ICY. Not creamy nor smooth, but had ice crystals in every bite we took - bleh. That is not my idea of good or even decent ice cream. Don't waste $5 on the Cappuccino Cooler too - the "crappuccino" is from a can and they add 2 scoops of icy vanilla ice cream to it. We took about 4 sips and wanted to throw it away. Starbucks bottled frappuccinos are better than what we got. They gotta get a different brand of cappuccino to make that thing worthwhile. I added 1 star b/c (1) it's an institution that's well-maintained and keeps the homeyness of the past and (2) our ice cream boy was patient and friendly. I'd still recommend for people to go visit and try it out - not for the ice cream, but the experience of being in a 100+ yr old ice cream parlor. Hopefully I just had a bad batch...but what a disappointment. Next time I'll bring my Ben & Jerry's with me to Door County.
(2)Linda N.
Terrific place! The line was out the door for cones, but we walked right on to the patio and order lunch with a cone for dessert. Had the mushroom burger and it was delish. Like others had said...way to much ice cream. I can't even imagine anyone ordering more than one scoop.
(5)Sara R.
I have been traveling to Door County since I can remember, and Wilson's is always on my list to stop at. This is definitely a restaurant that you should take your kids to. The food is pretty much average, but their ice cream is excellent. The portions are very, very large, so be aware of that. Your best bet is to stop by for some ice cream and then walk around Ephraim and watch the sun go down. Nothing else can really beat that!
(4)Tyler J.
Ice cream was good. Definitely not the best ever. however, the people behind the counter were not friendly at all. I said hello to them before any of the six employees said anything. It seemed like they did not want us to be there even though it was 30 min before closing. My dad put it best: if you want to go somewhere to be treated like an annoyance by a bunch of 16 year old girls to get average ice cream, this would be great. I hope that my experience was a rarity.
(2)Jeff P.
Excellent Ice Cream with great atmosphere! Love how they put a jelly bean in the bottom of the cone so its always a surprise to see what color you get.
(5)Robyn W.
No trip to Door County is complete without a trip to Wilson's. Huge ice cream cones with a jelly bean on the bottom...THIS is Door County at it's best! Sit on the front porch and the view of the lake. The dusty road sundae is to die for. (And the portions are huge -- so share!)
(5)Julia W.
So here's the story: after spending hours hiking nature trails and visiting light houses in Door County, Justin and I decided to find some lunch. Wilson's, right on the water in Ephraim, was too hard to pass up with its cute, old-tyme charm--besides, it was an ice cream parlor. Who passes up ice cream on vacation?? So we joined the throngs of folks eager for lunch or a cone and were finally seated. Strangely enough, an older couple was seated near us--the same couple we saw on the nature trail. And at the light house. And at the NEXT light house. Anyway, a chili dog, a cheeseburger and a shared order of fries and caramel sundae later, we tried to get our check. "Oh, actually," our cutesy high school server told us, "that older couple over there would like to pay for your meal. They said they've seen you all over the place today!" Moral of the story--enjoy the company of your traveling companions. You might come off as super cute and inspire some lovely, generous couple to spring for your tasty lunch and super sundae.
(5)Yvonne Y.
Very friendly waitress. You seat yourself in their outdoor section. Burger was ok. Not crisp on the outside. Chili was VERY salty. Amazingly, they didn't have hot sauce.
(3)Joanne K.
Such a fun, classic place. I'd recommend the chocolate ice cream soda with chocolate ice cream. If you happen to get a neo-scooper who doesn't know how to make it, opt for a cone though. Sprite on chocolate ice cream = not the best. If you do get the cone, get a kids' size. The "single" is more like a triple...
(5)Robyn T.
I'm not a big fan of long lines or waiting in cramped spaces for food both of which Wilson's seems to have. The long waits are justified though for tasty ice cream treats and a bit of Door County history. Peppermint ice cream is delicious with big chunks of candies mixed in. Chocolate peanut ice cream melted in my mouth. They put a jelly bean at the bottom of your cone to stop the leaking which is ingenious. Go across the street and sit by the lake to enjoy your sugary treat.
(4)Jason G.
Definitely the ice cream parlor with the best view. ANYWHERE. If you have time, grab a table on the porch and let them serve you in the old-fashioned fountain glassware. otherwise, grab a cone of sundae, to go, and walk across the street to watch the boats sail in and out of the harbor. The "sneakers" ice cream (malted milk with caramel and chocolate covered peanuts) is always a favorite flavor. Floats (made with their own micro-brewed root beer, tapped from antique soda fountains) are definitely the best around.
(4)Ginny E.
Wonderful all around. We actually really like the food, the BLT is everything it should be and more. Crispy lettuce, good tomato and lots of crispy bacon on good bread with good mayo! The burgers are quite tasty as well. Of couse you can't go wrong on the ice cream. We LOVE Wilson's!
(5)Hazel C.
i recommend the butter pecan ice cream
(4)Shefali M.
Ice cream for dinner? Yes, please! I satisfied this childhood fantasy last Saturday night at Wilson's. I ordered the "Three Kings" sundae--one scoop of vanilla, one scoop of chocolate, and one scoop of mint chocolate chip all covered with hot fudge, topped with a mountain of whipped cream, and garnished with a cherry. More than enough for two to three grown adults. Even though this was the only thing I ordered for my fantasy dinner, there were still leftovers. That's just how giant the scoops are at Wilson's! I've never had the food there so I can't comment on that, but the ice cream was what dreams are made of. The mini jukeboxes at each table are a nice touch too. Although it did eat one of my quarters without playing my song. :-(
(4)Todd G.
A Door Co historic stop. Great view, good 50's soda shop food and ice cream. Too crowded? Yes. But if you want spacious dining, gourmet ice cream in a modern setting...go elsewhere. This place is perfect for those who love WI history in a 50's style busy diner. We love it.
(5)