After visiting all seven official Superior Picnics locations and taste-testing the lineup of picnic specials across Superior Country, we couldn’t stop thinking about each stop! Whether it was the flavour combo, the unbeatable location or the warm Northern hospitality, these are the tastes that stuck with us and should top your list too.
Let’s dig in!
But First…What are Superior Picnics?
It’s a selection of local restaurants offering delicious take-out picnic specials to bring to 7 picnic tables scattered throughout Superior Country in scenic locations.
Superior Picnics are your gateway to discovering the deliciousness that awaits at mom-and-pop shops and community-loved restaurants along the beautiful Highway 17 in Northern Ontario. Trust us when we say the beauty and vast array of green and Canadian Shield will take your breath away as you make your way around Superior Country.
#1 Dorion Picnic with Grill Shack Burger and Fresh-Cut Fries
Where to get your picnic: Canyon Country Co-op
Where to enjoy your picnic: Hurkett Cove Conservation Area
Get your tatebuds ready for this stop. The Grill Shack is a must-visit! When we arrived, there was quite a lineup of folks grabbing their summer dinners. We made sure to order their Superior Picnic special, the burger and fries! We know it may seem like another takeout stop, but trust us, these burgers are infused with unmatched local flavour.
Made with beef from Wolf River Farms, this burger is grilled just right and paired with crispy fries. It’s a straightforward but delicious meal that hits the spot, especially when eaten with a lakeside view at Hurkett Cove.
Get your taste buds ready for this stop. The Grill Shack is a must-visit. When we arrived, there was quite a lineup of folks grabbing their dinners.
We made sure to order their Superior Picnic special: the burger and fries! We know it may seem like another takeout stop, but trust us, these burgers are infused with unmatched local flavour.
This beauty is made with local beef from Wolf River Farms, just 15 minutes down the road. This burger was truly flavourful, fresh and grilled to perfection; it’s the kind of burger that’ll have you licking your fingers and wondering why you ever settled for anything less.
While you wait, check out the Co-op itself. It’s full of quirky finds, thoughtful gifts and local goodies worth browsing. Then, grab your meal and follow the signs toward the lake!
#2 Red Rock Picnic with a Blueberry Goat Cheese Wrap
Where to get your picnic: Melly Bee’s
Where to enjoy your picnic: Red Rock Marina
Sweet, tangy, crispy and creamy, these are the words that come to mind every time we think about this wrap! Melly Bee’s picnic wrap was just so tasty!
Melly herself is the chef and owner of Melly Bee’s and is extremely proud to be serving up this delicious wrap, which showcases all the local flavours from the area! Between the house-made blueberry preserves, Orangeville goat cheese and crunchy chicken, this wrap delivers a refreshing bite with a local twist. A short drive from the marina, this one’s easy to grab and hard to forget.
#3 Nipigon Picnic with a Smokie and Blueberry Lemonade from Ducky’s Diner
Where to get your picnic: Ducky’s Diner
Where to enjoy your picnic: Nipigon Marina
This stop is summer in sandwich form. The garlic smokie from Zechner’s Food Market is grilled to juicy perfection and paired with a handcrafted blueberry lemonade bursting with wild berry flavour. You’ll find your picnic table at the far end of Nipigon Marina, scenic, breezy and full of charm.
As part of the Superior Picnics lineup, Ducky’s serves up a local-favourite combo: the Smokie and Blueberry Lemonade. What’s that, you ask? It’s a juicy grilled garlic sausage from nearby Zechner’s Food Market, served up smokie-style with a bold savoury flavour Zechner’s is known for. Add a cup of handcrafted blueberry lemonade, bursting with wild berry goodness and you’ve got yourself a meal made for summer (or fall).
#4 Special addition: The Cherry Pie Sundae at Ducky’s Diner
Not a picnic special, but worth the add-on!
Pro Tip: Break up the savoury train with a little something sweet. Ducky’s does sundaes right and the cherry pie sundae is a decadent scoop of vanilla ice cream, cherry compote and sweet sauce that’ll make you wonder why dessert isn’t always served first! We also tried the strawberry rhubarb and blueberry lemonade sundae and it is a full confidence vote to say these were all 10/10.
Psst! Want more of that sweetness? Check out our recent blog about the Superior Pie Path.
#5 Schreiber Beach Picnic with a Breeze Assorted Sub
Where to get your picnic: Breeze Bakery & Café
Where to enjoy your picnic: Schreiber Beach
Hearty, handmade and stacked with fresh ham, turkey, salami, cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion and sub sauce on a bakery-fresh bun, this one is a can’t-miss. You’ll want to brace yourself for a world of flavour here! After grabbing yours, head to Schreiber Beach for shoreline views and a breezy spot to dig in.
Next up, we’re headed to Terrace Bay!
#6 Terrace Bay Picnic with Drifter Summer Berry Salad
Where to get your picnic: Drifters Restaurant
Where to enjoy your picnic: Terrace Bay Beach
You never knew a takeout container could hold so much deliciousness and joy! This salad was cool, colourful and packed with fruit. Tossed in was a berry salad mix of mango, strawberries, blueberries, cucumber and red onion with fresh greens and a citrus dressing that ties it all together. It was a sight to feast on, so effortlessly delicious and refreshing! This was the perfect addition to a warm summer day.
#7 Lenny Lou’s Bacon Bun and a BLT from the Clubhouse
Where to get your picnic: Lenny Lou’s
Where to enjoy your picnic: Manitouwadge Lookout
The Bacon Bun from Lenny Lou’s is the type of baked good that comforts the soul. This legendary bun is a swirl of soft dough, melted cheese and crispy bacon, baked fresh and served warm.
#8 The Classic BLT from Clubhouse Bar + Grill
Where: to get your picnic: The Clubhouse Bar + Grille
Where to enjoy your picnic: Manitouwadge Lookout
We recommend you also stop by The Clubhouse Bar + Grille to grab their classic (but elevated) BLT sandwich! It’s made using fresh-baked bread from Lenny Lou’s. This BLT features crispy bacon, lettuce and tomato turned into something nostalgic and satisfying. Take yours up to the lookout point and enjoy the best view in town.
Enjoy Your Picnic!
And just like that, we’ve completed our journey through the best Superior Picnic snacks and meals in Superior Country! Consider yourself an official Superior Picnicker: fully certified in beach bites, trail treats and lakeside lunches. With this delicious chapter wrapped up, it’s your turn to plan your route and chase down your next picnic adventure! We can help.
Superior Picnics: 7 Scenic Spots to Feast Your Way Along Lake Superior
