The Chocolate Moose
101 N Central Ave, Ely, MN, 55731
The Chocolate Moose Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Ely for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Ely for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Ely for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
101 N Central Ave
Ely, MN, 55731 - Phone (218) 365-6343
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
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.
Jennifer K.
Seemed like a hot spot-and we met someone at the hotel that said it was the best place to eat in Ely...Hmm. Not exactly our experience. I got the Rueben soup-which was just kind of gloppy, cold, and gross. The corn bread was good though...I was glad I could get a half salad-and ordered a Northern Cobb-which was a Cobb salad with smoked salmon. The dressing tasted homemade-and wasn't bad. My husband got a Thai Chicken sandwich. I would have given it three stars except the soup was such a fail.
(2)Margaret M.
Ate here one night and was pleasantly surprised. I had the walleye and was very pleased. Definitely would go back. Went back this year and ordered the white fish again. Loved it last year and it didn't disappoint me this year either. Great waitress too!
(4)Sarah Z.
My visit to the Chocolate Moose today was a huge let-down compared to the blissful experiences I had here as a child. Every year, my extended family would make the trek to Ely for the week, and one day we would visit the Chocolate Moose. It was delicious for years until they got a new chef. Today, I was reminded of that new chef. And a new employee... who was not adequately trained to handle the lunch rush on a Wednesday in the middle of July. It took about 15 minutes after ordering to receive a chai latte, and about 15 more minutes to get our food--which had obviously been sitting for a while. I couldn't tell if she (our waitress) didn't know how to handle the work load, or if she really wasn't trained well. I felt bad for her because I called her out on some bad cornbread, which was WAY too dry to serve, and my lukewarm smoked turkey wrap. She dealt with it well and removed the cornbread from our bill. So snaps for that, but I wasn't impressed with how she had handled my party up until that point. I was also unimpressed by the food. The cornbread, as previously stated, was dry. So dry that I picked it up and crumbled it in my fingers no prob. Not okay. For an entree I ordered the smoked turkey wrap with a side salad. The salad had lots of nice fresh greens, and my choice of dressing--pretty standard. The wrap was huge, but sent me a curveball. The flour tortilla on the outside had been crisped up on a griddle so I thought the wrap would be hot, but the whole dish was lukewarm. The turkey wasn't hot, and it wasn't cool like it should have been if it had been sitting in a refrigerator. (Someone call the health inspector?) Crunchy-room-temp-wrap is not appetizing. Though, the ingredients were fresh and tasty on their own, I kind of think this is something I could have made at home. It needed a little more love. Top it off with a long wait to get in, and the fact that I was a little touchy from leaving family vacation, and voila. Also, they use Blue Bunny ice cream and Ready Whip. The venue and reputation of this restaurant scream happy homemade food. But my friends, the truth is otherwise.
(2)A K.
Comfortable and upscale with north woods charm My partner and I enjoyed a wonderful dinner here during our recent visit around New Year's. They have a nice local beer collection like many local Ely restaurants which was enjoyable to try. For an appetizer, we had the very tasty and very fresh bruschetta and I ordered a crusted walleye and wild rice dish. The walleye tasted so fresh, and the crust (pecans, I think?) was done to perfection with just the right amount of crunch with the walleye flesh still moist and delicious. I had also heard a lot about Ely's wild rice (it grows in swamps or something?) and it didn't disappoint with with great flavor and texture. Even the vegetable side dish of tomato slices (almost my favorite part as they had been brined or put in vinegar which greatly pleased my taste buds) and parsnips with celery was artfully prepared. For dessert, we finished with a slice of blackberry pie which was just the right amounts of sweet and tart all at the same time. The food was delicious, and well worth the price, we would definitely visit again.
(3)Mary H.
This is a really cute, northern decor, cozy place to eat in downtown Ely. We enjoyed eating lunch here. We ordered the walleye sandwich & it was delicious. Also had a cup of tomato basil soup which was very tasty. We topped off our meal with blueberry & blackberry pies a la mode. Very good. The waitress was friendly. There is also outdoor seating.
(4)Bob G.
Poor experience. Waited over 40 minutes for breakfast. No update. Food arrived cold. Other places in Ely that care.
(1)Brad D.
Again, as the other reviewers stated, remember that this is Ely. I've never had a better meal in Ely in all of the years traveling in and out of the BWCA. The staff is wonderful, the menu is creative, the atmosphere is ideal (outdoor seating) and the food is always fresh and amazing. It's still hard for me to imagine getting some of the dishes/ingredients this far out of mainstream America in the backcountry. Kudos, Chocolate Moose! We stop here for the "last supper" before paddling in. Great way to "splurge" on a great meal before the trip. Of course after the expedition, all I crave is a big, fat, juicy burger (Bucky Burger from the Steakhouse) and an ice cold beer.
(5)Hannah L.
Four stars. Unless we're talking about the Chocolate Moose Pie...in which case you can keep talking while I sneak another bite off your plate. Or two....So, then five. Stars, that is. Or bites. Whatever. This is a small-town restaurant institution, right next door to one of Ely's nicer outfitters (Piragis) where you can browse while you wait for a table. Indoor and outdoor seating, offering a family (and vegetarian) friendly menu with some nice twists (BLT with fresh mozzarella and basil, a pizza special with roasted corn and green chilies) along with more subdued Northern fare (bison burgers, walleye sandwiches). Sure, it isn't the foodie paradise you might find in a bigger town. But for Ely, it's positively gourmet, and far superior to the Pizza Hut or various supper clubs on down the strip. I've been coming here since I was little, and although my tastes have evolved over the last twenty years, they still make a great bison burger. And do it rare. Plus, what other restaurant has a specials board with quiche, soup, iced tea and desserts (many fresh fruit pies, plus the phenomenal Moose Pie) on one side, and a list of used canoes and kayaks on the other? Fulfill your desires, Boundary Waters-style!
(4)Chuck S.
Great food. Great service. Great atmosphere. We go every time we vacation in Ely. The restaurant is located in a log cabin and also has seating outside on the deck. It also happens to be connected to my favorite store Piragis.
(5)Christine B.
We loved The Chocolate Moose! The bison burger was awesome, the kids cheeseburger was made from some of the best beef I've ever tasted. I ordered the spring rolls off the appetizer menu and they were a perfect spicy meal. Loved it! Great place to eat in Ely!
(5)Alicia Q.
I really loved the food at this place. I had a burger which was juicy, and of course I had to have the pie of the day!
(4)Paul H.
Atmosphere-5 stars-log cabin just what the tourists want when visiting Ely. Food is trendy, with small to medium portions, all overpriced. Good service with friendly wait staff. If you have never visited Ely, you will probably want to go here, otherwise there are better places to eat.
(3)Mandy M.
Such a cool place, quick, friendly staff. And the best walleye sandwich I ever had! Great place for a beer after a long day or many in The Boundry Waters!
(5)Dave R.
We've enjoyed the Moose many times over the past years. The food has always been very good to excellent; with a bent toward fresh, local & creative. The service can be spotty but has never been unfriendly. Wide selection of drinks and beers. Great desserts.
(5)Kevin A.
Excellent meal with great service. Burgers and soup are highly recommended!
(5)Valerie H.
It's a Saturday in stormy, late spring, Ely, MN. Thundery, rainy but the tourists are starting to pour in anyway, looking for whatever it is they are looking for. Just had din din here and am absolutely beached. Must...stop....eating...but....can't... It's THAT good. I had TWO BIG BOXES of "TO GO" stuff with me on my way out too. What did I have, you ask? Well, let me tell you. Tonight on the specials board they had prime rib....which caught me off guard. Not something I would do at a place like this normally. It just doesn't seem, well...like they would know how, frankly. They do quiches and pastries and stuff... Shut the front door, was I wrong. Best prime rib EVER. (What, Kobe prime plus or something?) This had to be a losing cut for them - best marbling, MASSIVE cut - probably up there in the "Top 5" of beef I have had - ever. Every bite throughout the entire slab was uniformly tender, and the salty bark on the outside was crisped to delicate perfection - sea salt, noted, and topped with a few.....perfect....mushroooooooms. Paired with a melange of sauteed vegetabled including multi-bell peppers, celery and fiddle heads (!!!!!YES!!!!!) and a robust portion of the most sublime mashed sweet potatoes on the face of the earth....I have died and gone to heaven. Couldn't finish it so I packed up half to take home to my housemate. He was aghast - did I eat ANY of it? It's HUGE! I didn't stop there. I had a piece of cherry peach pie for dessert. That I ate all. I couldn't stop - it was perfectly sweet/tart...oh dear god...my mouth is watering thinking about it and I'm so full I'm almost going to be ill. I posted the photo of the moose, and I will post a photo of the prime rib as soon as I get it downloaded from my phone. If you are wise - and I know you are, be patient, or go during off days or off hours. Don't be demanding - chances are you are on vacation, so relax. If you are in a hurry, then do The Chocolate Mousse some other day - they are running to catch up most of the time. The wait staff is always super busy because this place is very good - they make pretty much everything themselves - pastries, quiches, salad dressings, cookies - and apparently the best Prime Rib EVER.
(5)Mac P.
atmosphere: Great welcome, friendly staff, great place to go after a boundary waters canoe trip. Place is a warm log cabin. food: burgers were tasty, vinaigrette on the salad was subtle, vegetable plate was very well seasoned, blueberry pie was great and the portion was 1/4 pie (!), cheese ravioli had a very good balance of pasta to filling service is prompt and friendly prices: not cheap but reasonable, expect $20 for an entree and a great desert
(4)Kelly R.
YUM. Just go, you won't be disappointed, I promise!
(5)J S.
We've been eating here for years as this is a must visit for lunch on our summer trips to Ely. The food is consistently good with generous helpings and friendly service. We've tried many of their entrees but the highlights are the Summer Salad with goat cheese, dried cherries and roasted walnuts, the Classic BLT featuring thick double-sliced bacon on delicious thick sliced bread and the Smoked Turkey Wrap. We always end up with a slice of the fresh pie dessert and are never disappointed. While the wait for a table can be slow on a busy summer afternoon you can always shop while waiting next door - they will come call you in the store when your table is ready.
(4)Sue R.
Awesome food and great service! We ate here twice. Once before we went camping in BWCA and once after we got back. I had an excellent omelette, toast, hash browns and a great cup of coffee. The second time I ate here I ordered the walleye sandwich which was also scrumptious. The waitresses were really nice too. So, if you find yourself way up north in Ely, Minnesota, just know that your choices are very limited. You will be happy that you stumbled into The Chocolate Moose. I highly recommend it.
(5)Aaron S.
Beers were good, food was fantastic, and the price you can't beat! $30 for food for 2 adults and 2 kids. My bison burger was a perfect mid-rare and seasoned to perfection...next year when I return to Ely I will definitely come back!
(5)Christian C.
The grilled salmon $11 was very good. Kids enjoyed Mac N Cheese. My lunch service was very good but the table next to us left because the meal was taking to long. They finally have A/C!
(4)Diana V.
We have a summer home in Ely area and The Chocolate Moose is my favorite place to eat ANYWHERE!.. In the winter, when we aren't there, I think about the the pesto/provolone/tomato sandwich & wish I could have one!
(5)Betsy W.
An unexpected pleasure in Ely. A little disappointing that they were changing over to lunch menu just as we got there, which caused a bit of a serving delay, but the sandwiches were great. Nice fat mug of chai latte took the edge off a bit of a summer cold snap. Good service, the kind that's unobtrusive with just the right amount of Minnesota nice. Solid menu with a bit of foodie in it.
(4)Mill V.
We went there for breakfast on probably the best summer day a late indian summer could give you. We stopped there while having our oil changed next door. We ordered the french toast with berries and chocolate sauce, and a side of sourdough cornmeal pancakes. The french toast was made with bread with wild rice and cranberries. To be honest, you can't taste either. The french toast itself was 2-3 stars. The toast was frenched enough for me. But the pancakes, YUM!!!! I never had ones like this really. And they were so big. I wish I just ordered that as my main entree.
(4)David S.
OK, first off this is Ely, MN. The last stop on the road before you descend into the wilderness of the BWCA. To most foodies in Big Cities the Moose would rate a solid 3 Stars for most menu items and a four for a few. In Ely they are a four. We actually ate there twice in the same day recently. The salads are very good as were the tacos, quesadillas and fish sandwhich that our party had during lunch. Traditional dinner items were more of a struggle for the small restaurant but still pretty good for civilizations last stand. The pies are excellent in any geography.
(4)Kristian T.
Great pie. Sit out on the patio if you can.
(4)Trent M.
When I was younger I came up to Ely every summer and looked forward to one thing more than anything else - the ice cream at the Chocolate Moose. While the ice cream is still great, the other food isn't as good. It is a great place to stop before you go out into the BWCA and treat yourself to some ice cream (and pick up everything you forgot next door). A mainstay in Ely by my standards.
(3)Tanea M.
When in Ely, we have a few stops we frequent and one is certainly Chocolate Moose. We love their breakfasts, from the homemade blueberry scone that melts in your mouth to the unique scrambles you cannot possible choose from. I have tried them all. De-Lish!!! Also great that they have a ton of Gluten Free options, even GF toast, love that that is a consideration in any a Ely restaurant. The only reason that this cute log cabin restaurant does not get a 5 star rating is the service, while always polite and courteous, it is a bit slow. Overall a great stop in Ely!
(4)Leah O.
The Chocolate Moose held my hand as I clawed my way back to civilization. Realizing 20 minutes into a 5-day canoeing and portaging adventure that you actually don't like lots of canoeing, and hate portaging with every fiber of your being, is unfortunate. So is getting desperate enough to begin praying that birds grow big like something out of Lord of the Rings and fly you far, far away from the bloodsucking mosquitoes whose number can only be described as infinity. Knowing the Chocolate Moose is waiting for you on the other side with big soft chocolate chip cookies, and pieces of ripe blueberry and peach pie with ice cream, and juicy bison burgers to restore your red blood cell count is juuuuuuuust enough to keep a handle on your sanity. Just enough. They have a couple of big porches that you can sit out on while you nurse your wounds, and indoor bathrooms that are clean and cool (and did I mention inside?) and bear absolutely no resemblance to the 9th level of hell of BWCA latrines in high July. It's like throwing your whole body a "Welcome Home" party. Enjoy.
(5)Mary W.
We loved this. The food, the service, and the ambiance were all spot on! Everything we ordered was fresh and bright, the servings were large and filing without being overwhelming, and did I mention that the food itself is delicious? Oh, and don't forget the pie! Even if you're full after your meal... take a slice (or two) to go. You won't regret it!!
(5)Isaac A.
Growing up in Ely, I've always held the Chocolate Moose to a high standard. Their food and service are both great and the location is ideal. It can be difficult to find a seat in the summer or when it's raining, however. I wish they grilled lobster outside like they used to back in the day!
(4)Meghann F.
Yum Went there on a whim on a camping weekend on the north shore - "let's go to Ely today!" Stopped in right away for lunch - basically when they opened and got our choice of table. Nice cozy spot on the porch where we could enjoy the weather. I had the walleye sandwich which was pretty spot on. The hubs received the hot beef sandwich, which was also really, really good, gravy, mashed potatoes, perfect. I had the iced tea - which was perfect and we split a peanut butter cookie of massive proportions for dessert. We left very satisfied!
(5)Steven B.
Had my first meal here after a week in the Boundary Waters. Chips and Salsa as an appetizer was delicious (guacamole could have a little more flavor). Enjoyed be glazed pork for dinner, and a piece of chocolate mousse cake for dessert... AMAZING!
(4)Anna W.
Absolutely delicious! I had breakfast here and it was fantastic! I had a veggie scramble with breakfast potatoes and wild rice cranberry toast (which was my favorite part of the meal!) The patio is perfect and the service was quick!
(5)Stephen S.
I have yet to find anything poor on this menu. The meals are great and portions generous -- though do yourself a favor and save room for dessert. There is a wide assortment of delicious pie, as well as a tremendously rich chocolate cake. Call ahead to skip the wait.
(5)Alana F.
The chocolate mousse has a very creative menu, for me to eaters and vegetarians alike. I'm a vegetarian and got the portobello quesadilla, it was to die for with fresh guacamole, sour cream and a little salad with salsa. They also serve many different types of burgers and other great items. The town favorite. A great little find in the middle of Ely!
(4)Shane M.
We stopped here on a long drive thinking it would be a good restaurant but we were shocked with how poor the service was. The food took over an hour to get to the table and we only ordered burgers. The check we were given had extra charges on it as well. The food was mediocre, but by the time the food arrived we had all lost appetite. The manager also did nothing to help. All together a horribly ran restaurant.
(1)Kori H.
Ate lunch here. I had the BLT with fresh mozzarella and basil. Fresh squeezed lemonade was tart and refreshing. My guy had the smokin burger and added blue cheese and bacon. He did not speak after the food arrived. Only elicited a few moans of happiness. Nice local beer selection and good consistent food.
(4)Nathan B.
We have been coming to Ely and eating at the Chocolate Moose for years. We have seen the ownership change many times. Currently the service has left something to be desired. Food is still good, but service is horrible. This place needs better management and/or someone to take charge. For instance, my wife and I stopped by for coffee and pancakes this AM and we were promptly seated. However, after 10+ minutes we still had not seen our waitress, or any coffee. We did see several tables served that were seated after we were. Disappointed. We won't be going back anytime soon...
(1)B L.
Meat loaf was fantastic! And the portions are not small. Made the mistake of ordering a bowl of soup with my meat loaf and could not finish it all.
(4)David B.
Had an amazing lunch with my family. Huge portions, luckily we saved room for the amazing desserts and treats! The cookies could feed an army. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Matt M.
All of us were quite pleased with our orders. I had the turkey, gravy, potato sandwich. My wife had the walleye sandwich, and she loved it. The pies were good, but the crust was a little thick and difficult to get through. On the day we were there, they ran out of ice cream and an employee had to make a run to the gas station, we were told, for more ice cream. So we went sans ice cream.
(4)David S.
OK, first off this is Ely, MN. The last stop on the road before you descend into the wilderness of the BWCA. To most foodies in Big Cities the Moose would rate a solid 3 Stars for most menu items and a four for a few. In Ely they are a four. We actually ate there twice in the same day recently. The salads are very good as were the tacos, quesadillas and fish sandwhich that our party had during lunch. Traditional dinner items were more of a struggle for the small restaurant but still pretty good for civilizations last stand. The pies are excellent in any geography.
(4)Kristian T.
Great pie. Sit out on the patio if you can.
(4)Trent M.
When I was younger I came up to Ely every summer and looked forward to one thing more than anything else - the ice cream at the Chocolate Moose. While the ice cream is still great, the other food isn't as good. It is a great place to stop before you go out into the BWCA and treat yourself to some ice cream (and pick up everything you forgot next door). A mainstay in Ely by my standards.
(3)Meghann F.
Yum Went there on a whim on a camping weekend on the north shore - "let's go to Ely today!" Stopped in right away for lunch - basically when they opened and got our choice of table. Nice cozy spot on the porch where we could enjoy the weather. I had the walleye sandwich which was pretty spot on. The hubs received the hot beef sandwich, which was also really, really good, gravy, mashed potatoes, perfect. I had the iced tea - which was perfect and we split a peanut butter cookie of massive proportions for dessert. We left very satisfied!
(5)Steven B.
Had my first meal here after a week in the Boundary Waters. Chips and Salsa as an appetizer was delicious (guacamole could have a little more flavor). Enjoyed be glazed pork for dinner, and a piece of chocolate mousse cake for dessert... AMAZING!
(4)Anna W.
Absolutely delicious! I had breakfast here and it was fantastic! I had a veggie scramble with breakfast potatoes and wild rice cranberry toast (which was my favorite part of the meal!) The patio is perfect and the service was quick!
(5)Stephen S.
I have yet to find anything poor on this menu. The meals are great and portions generous -- though do yourself a favor and save room for dessert. There is a wide assortment of delicious pie, as well as a tremendously rich chocolate cake. Call ahead to skip the wait.
(5)Alana F.
The chocolate mousse has a very creative menu, for me to eaters and vegetarians alike. I'm a vegetarian and got the portobello quesadilla, it was to die for with fresh guacamole, sour cream and a little salad with salsa. They also serve many different types of burgers and other great items. The town favorite. A great little find in the middle of Ely!
(4)Shane M.
We stopped here on a long drive thinking it would be a good restaurant but we were shocked with how poor the service was. The food took over an hour to get to the table and we only ordered burgers. The check we were given had extra charges on it as well. The food was mediocre, but by the time the food arrived we had all lost appetite. The manager also did nothing to help. All together a horribly ran restaurant.
(1)Tanea M.
When in Ely, we have a few stops we frequent and one is certainly Chocolate Moose. We love their breakfasts, from the homemade blueberry scone that melts in your mouth to the unique scrambles you cannot possible choose from. I have tried them all. De-Lish!!! Also great that they have a ton of Gluten Free options, even GF toast, love that that is a consideration in any a Ely restaurant. The only reason that this cute log cabin restaurant does not get a 5 star rating is the service, while always polite and courteous, it is a bit slow. Overall a great stop in Ely!
(4)Leah O.
The Chocolate Moose held my hand as I clawed my way back to civilization. Realizing 20 minutes into a 5-day canoeing and portaging adventure that you actually don't like lots of canoeing, and hate portaging with every fiber of your being, is unfortunate. So is getting desperate enough to begin praying that birds grow big like something out of Lord of the Rings and fly you far, far away from the bloodsucking mosquitoes whose number can only be described as infinity. Knowing the Chocolate Moose is waiting for you on the other side with big soft chocolate chip cookies, and pieces of ripe blueberry and peach pie with ice cream, and juicy bison burgers to restore your red blood cell count is juuuuuuuust enough to keep a handle on your sanity. Just enough. They have a couple of big porches that you can sit out on while you nurse your wounds, and indoor bathrooms that are clean and cool (and did I mention inside?) and bear absolutely no resemblance to the 9th level of hell of BWCA latrines in high July. It's like throwing your whole body a "Welcome Home" party. Enjoy.
(5)Mary W.
We loved this. The food, the service, and the ambiance were all spot on! Everything we ordered was fresh and bright, the servings were large and filing without being overwhelming, and did I mention that the food itself is delicious? Oh, and don't forget the pie! Even if you're full after your meal... take a slice (or two) to go. You won't regret it!!
(5)Kori H.
Ate lunch here. I had the BLT with fresh mozzarella and basil. Fresh squeezed lemonade was tart and refreshing. My guy had the smokin burger and added blue cheese and bacon. He did not speak after the food arrived. Only elicited a few moans of happiness. Nice local beer selection and good consistent food.
(4)Nathan B.
We have been coming to Ely and eating at the Chocolate Moose for years. We have seen the ownership change many times. Currently the service has left something to be desired. Food is still good, but service is horrible. This place needs better management and/or someone to take charge. For instance, my wife and I stopped by for coffee and pancakes this AM and we were promptly seated. However, after 10+ minutes we still had not seen our waitress, or any coffee. We did see several tables served that were seated after we were. Disappointed. We won't be going back anytime soon...
(1)B L.
Meat loaf was fantastic! And the portions are not small. Made the mistake of ordering a bowl of soup with my meat loaf and could not finish it all.
(4)David B.
Had an amazing lunch with my family. Huge portions, luckily we saved room for the amazing desserts and treats! The cookies could feed an army. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Matt M.
All of us were quite pleased with our orders. I had the turkey, gravy, potato sandwich. My wife had the walleye sandwich, and she loved it. The pies were good, but the crust was a little thick and difficult to get through. On the day we were there, they ran out of ice cream and an employee had to make a run to the gas station, we were told, for more ice cream. So we went sans ice cream.
(4)Isaac A.
Growing up in Ely, I've always held the Chocolate Moose to a high standard. Their food and service are both great and the location is ideal. It can be difficult to find a seat in the summer or when it's raining, however. I wish they grilled lobster outside like they used to back in the day!
(4)Margaret M.
Ate here one night and was pleasantly surprised. I had the walleye and was very pleased. Definitely would go back. Went back this year and ordered the white fish again. Loved it last year and it didn't disappoint me this year either. Great waitress too!
(4)Jennifer K.
Seemed like a hot spot-and we met someone at the hotel that said it was the best place to eat in Ely...Hmm. Not exactly our experience. I got the Rueben soup-which was just kind of gloppy, cold, and gross. The corn bread was good though...I was glad I could get a half salad-and ordered a Northern Cobb-which was a Cobb salad with smoked salmon. The dressing tasted homemade-and wasn't bad. My husband got a Thai Chicken sandwich. I would have given it three stars except the soup was such a fail.
(2)Mary H.
This is a really cute, northern decor, cozy place to eat in downtown Ely. We enjoyed eating lunch here. We ordered the walleye sandwich & it was delicious. Also had a cup of tomato basil soup which was very tasty. We topped off our meal with blueberry & blackberry pies a la mode. Very good. The waitress was friendly. There is also outdoor seating.
(4)Bob G.
Poor experience. Waited over 40 minutes for breakfast. No update. Food arrived cold. Other places in Ely that care.
(1)Mac P.
atmosphere: Great welcome, friendly staff, great place to go after a boundary waters canoe trip. Place is a warm log cabin. food: burgers were tasty, vinaigrette on the salad was subtle, vegetable plate was very well seasoned, blueberry pie was great and the portion was 1/4 pie (!), cheese ravioli had a very good balance of pasta to filling service is prompt and friendly prices: not cheap but reasonable, expect $20 for an entree and a great desert
(4)Kelly R.
YUM. Just go, you won't be disappointed, I promise!
(5)J S.
We've been eating here for years as this is a must visit for lunch on our summer trips to Ely. The food is consistently good with generous helpings and friendly service. We've tried many of their entrees but the highlights are the Summer Salad with goat cheese, dried cherries and roasted walnuts, the Classic BLT featuring thick double-sliced bacon on delicious thick sliced bread and the Smoked Turkey Wrap. We always end up with a slice of the fresh pie dessert and are never disappointed. While the wait for a table can be slow on a busy summer afternoon you can always shop while waiting next door - they will come call you in the store when your table is ready.
(4)Chuck S.
Great food. Great service. Great atmosphere. We go every time we vacation in Ely. The restaurant is located in a log cabin and also has seating outside on the deck. It also happens to be connected to my favorite store Piragis.
(5)Sarah Z.
My visit to the Chocolate Moose today was a huge let-down compared to the blissful experiences I had here as a child. Every year, my extended family would make the trek to Ely for the week, and one day we would visit the Chocolate Moose. It was delicious for years until they got a new chef. Today, I was reminded of that new chef. And a new employee... who was not adequately trained to handle the lunch rush on a Wednesday in the middle of July. It took about 15 minutes after ordering to receive a chai latte, and about 15 more minutes to get our food--which had obviously been sitting for a while. I couldn't tell if she (our waitress) didn't know how to handle the work load, or if she really wasn't trained well. I felt bad for her because I called her out on some bad cornbread, which was WAY too dry to serve, and my lukewarm smoked turkey wrap. She dealt with it well and removed the cornbread from our bill. So snaps for that, but I wasn't impressed with how she had handled my party up until that point. I was also unimpressed by the food. The cornbread, as previously stated, was dry. So dry that I picked it up and crumbled it in my fingers no prob. Not okay. For an entree I ordered the smoked turkey wrap with a side salad. The salad had lots of nice fresh greens, and my choice of dressing--pretty standard. The wrap was huge, but sent me a curveball. The flour tortilla on the outside had been crisped up on a griddle so I thought the wrap would be hot, but the whole dish was lukewarm. The turkey wasn't hot, and it wasn't cool like it should have been if it had been sitting in a refrigerator. (Someone call the health inspector?) Crunchy-room-temp-wrap is not appetizing. Though, the ingredients were fresh and tasty on their own, I kind of think this is something I could have made at home. It needed a little more love. Top it off with a long wait to get in, and the fact that I was a little touchy from leaving family vacation, and voila. Also, they use Blue Bunny ice cream and Ready Whip. The venue and reputation of this restaurant scream happy homemade food. But my friends, the truth is otherwise.
(2)A K.
Comfortable and upscale with north woods charm My partner and I enjoyed a wonderful dinner here during our recent visit around New Year's. They have a nice local beer collection like many local Ely restaurants which was enjoyable to try. For an appetizer, we had the very tasty and very fresh bruschetta and I ordered a crusted walleye and wild rice dish. The walleye tasted so fresh, and the crust (pecans, I think?) was done to perfection with just the right amount of crunch with the walleye flesh still moist and delicious. I had also heard a lot about Ely's wild rice (it grows in swamps or something?) and it didn't disappoint with with great flavor and texture. Even the vegetable side dish of tomato slices (almost my favorite part as they had been brined or put in vinegar which greatly pleased my taste buds) and parsnips with celery was artfully prepared. For dessert, we finished with a slice of blackberry pie which was just the right amounts of sweet and tart all at the same time. The food was delicious, and well worth the price, we would definitely visit again.
(3)Hannah L.
Four stars. Unless we're talking about the Chocolate Moose Pie...in which case you can keep talking while I sneak another bite off your plate. Or two....So, then five. Stars, that is. Or bites. Whatever. This is a small-town restaurant institution, right next door to one of Ely's nicer outfitters (Piragis) where you can browse while you wait for a table. Indoor and outdoor seating, offering a family (and vegetarian) friendly menu with some nice twists (BLT with fresh mozzarella and basil, a pizza special with roasted corn and green chilies) along with more subdued Northern fare (bison burgers, walleye sandwiches). Sure, it isn't the foodie paradise you might find in a bigger town. But for Ely, it's positively gourmet, and far superior to the Pizza Hut or various supper clubs on down the strip. I've been coming here since I was little, and although my tastes have evolved over the last twenty years, they still make a great bison burger. And do it rare. Plus, what other restaurant has a specials board with quiche, soup, iced tea and desserts (many fresh fruit pies, plus the phenomenal Moose Pie) on one side, and a list of used canoes and kayaks on the other? Fulfill your desires, Boundary Waters-style!
(4)Valerie H.
It's a Saturday in stormy, late spring, Ely, MN. Thundery, rainy but the tourists are starting to pour in anyway, looking for whatever it is they are looking for. Just had din din here and am absolutely beached. Must...stop....eating...but....can't... It's THAT good. I had TWO BIG BOXES of "TO GO" stuff with me on my way out too. What did I have, you ask? Well, let me tell you. Tonight on the specials board they had prime rib....which caught me off guard. Not something I would do at a place like this normally. It just doesn't seem, well...like they would know how, frankly. They do quiches and pastries and stuff... Shut the front door, was I wrong. Best prime rib EVER. (What, Kobe prime plus or something?) This had to be a losing cut for them - best marbling, MASSIVE cut - probably up there in the "Top 5" of beef I have had - ever. Every bite throughout the entire slab was uniformly tender, and the salty bark on the outside was crisped to delicate perfection - sea salt, noted, and topped with a few.....perfect....mushroooooooms. Paired with a melange of sauteed vegetabled including multi-bell peppers, celery and fiddle heads (!!!!!YES!!!!!) and a robust portion of the most sublime mashed sweet potatoes on the face of the earth....I have died and gone to heaven. Couldn't finish it so I packed up half to take home to my housemate. He was aghast - did I eat ANY of it? It's HUGE! I didn't stop there. I had a piece of cherry peach pie for dessert. That I ate all. I couldn't stop - it was perfectly sweet/tart...oh dear god...my mouth is watering thinking about it and I'm so full I'm almost going to be ill. I posted the photo of the moose, and I will post a photo of the prime rib as soon as I get it downloaded from my phone. If you are wise - and I know you are, be patient, or go during off days or off hours. Don't be demanding - chances are you are on vacation, so relax. If you are in a hurry, then do The Chocolate Mousse some other day - they are running to catch up most of the time. The wait staff is always super busy because this place is very good - they make pretty much everything themselves - pastries, quiches, salad dressings, cookies - and apparently the best Prime Rib EVER.
(5)Christine B.
We loved The Chocolate Moose! The bison burger was awesome, the kids cheeseburger was made from some of the best beef I've ever tasted. I ordered the spring rolls off the appetizer menu and they were a perfect spicy meal. Loved it! Great place to eat in Ely!
(5)Alicia Q.
I really loved the food at this place. I had a burger which was juicy, and of course I had to have the pie of the day!
(4)Paul H.
Atmosphere-5 stars-log cabin just what the tourists want when visiting Ely. Food is trendy, with small to medium portions, all overpriced. Good service with friendly wait staff. If you have never visited Ely, you will probably want to go here, otherwise there are better places to eat.
(3)Brad D.
Again, as the other reviewers stated, remember that this is Ely. I've never had a better meal in Ely in all of the years traveling in and out of the BWCA. The staff is wonderful, the menu is creative, the atmosphere is ideal (outdoor seating) and the food is always fresh and amazing. It's still hard for me to imagine getting some of the dishes/ingredients this far out of mainstream America in the backcountry. Kudos, Chocolate Moose! We stop here for the "last supper" before paddling in. Great way to "splurge" on a great meal before the trip. Of course after the expedition, all I crave is a big, fat, juicy burger (Bucky Burger from the Steakhouse) and an ice cold beer.
(5)Mandy M.
Such a cool place, quick, friendly staff. And the best walleye sandwich I ever had! Great place for a beer after a long day or many in The Boundry Waters!
(5)Dave R.
We've enjoyed the Moose many times over the past years. The food has always been very good to excellent; with a bent toward fresh, local & creative. The service can be spotty but has never been unfriendly. Wide selection of drinks and beers. Great desserts.
(5)Kevin A.
Excellent meal with great service. Burgers and soup are highly recommended!
(5)Sue R.
Awesome food and great service! We ate here twice. Once before we went camping in BWCA and once after we got back. I had an excellent omelette, toast, hash browns and a great cup of coffee. The second time I ate here I ordered the walleye sandwich which was also scrumptious. The waitresses were really nice too. So, if you find yourself way up north in Ely, Minnesota, just know that your choices are very limited. You will be happy that you stumbled into The Chocolate Moose. I highly recommend it.
(5)Aaron S.
Beers were good, food was fantastic, and the price you can't beat! $30 for food for 2 adults and 2 kids. My bison burger was a perfect mid-rare and seasoned to perfection...next year when I return to Ely I will definitely come back!
(5)Christian C.
The grilled salmon $11 was very good. Kids enjoyed Mac N Cheese. My lunch service was very good but the table next to us left because the meal was taking to long. They finally have A/C!
(4)Diana V.
We have a summer home in Ely area and The Chocolate Moose is my favorite place to eat ANYWHERE!.. In the winter, when we aren't there, I think about the the pesto/provolone/tomato sandwich & wish I could have one!
(5)Betsy W.
An unexpected pleasure in Ely. A little disappointing that they were changing over to lunch menu just as we got there, which caused a bit of a serving delay, but the sandwiches were great. Nice fat mug of chai latte took the edge off a bit of a summer cold snap. Good service, the kind that's unobtrusive with just the right amount of Minnesota nice. Solid menu with a bit of foodie in it.
(4)Mill V.
We went there for breakfast on probably the best summer day a late indian summer could give you. We stopped there while having our oil changed next door. We ordered the french toast with berries and chocolate sauce, and a side of sourdough cornmeal pancakes. The french toast was made with bread with wild rice and cranberries. To be honest, you can't taste either. The french toast itself was 2-3 stars. The toast was frenched enough for me. But the pancakes, YUM!!!! I never had ones like this really. And they were so big. I wish I just ordered that as my main entree.
(4)