LITTLE CHUTE, Wis. (WFRV) – The Hartjes family holds onto the village they grew up in, where everybody knows everybody, no matter how the population grows.
It’s Tuesday evening, and the bar at Village Limits quickly fills up. Nobody’s in a rush. This is a traditional supper club, where you are expected to fill up at a slower pace.
The Dish on Wisconsin Supper Clubs: Where legendary Packers lived and ate
“We just try to give good food, good service, and a good time,” explained co-owner Paul “Skin” Hartjes. “We serve Tuesday through Sunday, four to whenever. We usually finish up at eight or nine, sometimes 10. It depends on the business. Whatever people need, we can do. We’ve got room for 100 and some people. We have 30 barstools and 30 chairs. People can rent it out in the afternoons if they want bridal or baby showers. Some come in for class reunions and luncheons. We open the doors for anything.”
Paul, or “Skin,” is behind the bar and the first one to greet you.
He and his co-owner brother, Bruce, transitioned into the supper club business more than 20 years ago after owning a popular bar together.
Bruce travels from the bar to the dining hall while their sister, Jane, holds down the fort in the kitchen.
Bruce says every day is special with a wide-ranging menu and a popular salad bar featuring Jane’s homemade chicken salad.
“I have people come in, and they order a meal and say, ‘Just package it up because I’m going to have about four or five plates of that,’” Bruce said, pointing to the salad bar.
It seems everybody’s got a favorite.
For Dish correspondent Michele McCormack, it was the free cheese and crackers.
Longtime customer Kevin raves about the deep-fried green beans.
Local 5 photojournalist Carrie Legg couldn’t help but zoom in on the eye-popping taco salad special. Even regular customers struggle to get through everything they offer.
“Ya know, if the cheese and crackers don’t fill you up, then they’ll have a sandwich,” Bruce said. “Even though we have specials, you can still get almost anything you want here. We have pasta to stir-fry and steaks. We also have a lighter-side menu with 10 different sandwiches. Our fish fry is any day of the week.”
When you visit the dining room, you’ll notice the tribute to their mother, who left behind a very dear poem recalling the time when Little Chute was a place where everybody knew everybody and sincerely cared about how your day was going.
“You can hear it,” Bruce said with a wide smile. “Everybody socializing.”
Frequent customer Amy Schmese of Kimberly, Wisconsin, agrees.
“This place is great. I’m telling you. We’ve probably been here at least four times already this month.”
No matter your entrée, there’s always a side of laughter that makes the Village Limits Supper Club a destination for decades.
The Dish on Wisconsin Supper Clubs: Village Limits in Little Chute
Village Limits is located at 1721 E. Main St. in Little Chute.
For more information, click here.
