Our first stop after we got settled into our hotel room was Okoboji Store. Known by the locals as a favored place for entertainment, this has not always been a restaurant. Upon reading the back
Our first stop after we got settled into our hotel room was Okoboji Store. Known by the locals as a favored place for entertainment, this has not always been a restaurant. Upon reading the back of their menu I gained a better understanding of how iconic this establishment has been the past one hundred thirty-six years.
A Slice of Okoboji History
Originating as a skate rink in 1884, the Okoboji Store was at one point a general store, and even a post office! Just as they did over a hundred years ago, today residents can dock their boats alongside the restaurants board walk along the lake. In fact, the waters of Okoboji Lake were busy with traffic from steamboats and fishing boats, to even lakeshore bathing.
With over one hundred years of history, I obviously cannot get into detail on how influential the waters around Okoboji have been to creating and sustaining this tourist destination, but if you’d like more information on its history, please visit their website (https://theokobojistore.com/)
We will also be diving (pun intended) further into lake lore and myths as we progress further into this series, but for now let’s get back to the current role the Okoboji Store plays, a loved and respected restaurant.
Wonderful outdoor atmosphere
Upon arriving at the Okoboji Store, and wanting to enjoy the evening breeze, we opted to sit outside on the patio. The seating arrangement reminded me of the street-facing outdoor bar seating we experienced in Key West on our honeymoon.
With a view of the boat dock, we were entertained with post-Fourth-of-July boat traffic, gossip, music and partying. We both agreed, we could sit here all evening and enjoy the show, but we also wanted to order our food after the two-hour car ride up here from Sioux City.
Innovative menu items!
We decided to order three appetizers to share, Pulled Pork Sliders, Honey Asian Chicken Wings, and Brussel Sprouts, and we were not disappointed. I have to give a huge shoutout to the chef, because these plates were highly creative and they all tasted amazing. In addition, we absolutely loved the originality of our dessert, Smore’s, which came with a mini “campfire in a mason jar”. How cute is that!
Walking off our dinner
After our meal, we decided to take about a mile-long relaxing walk down the boat dock and back. This was a perfect introduction on what to expect during our stay here in Okoboji. Personally, I prefer lake-life over living near the Ocean. I spent my childhood Summers in the Ozarks, so the creaking sounds of the boat docks swaying with the calming waves, and the fresh breeze coming across the water, sends me right back to my roots.
We will have to make a trip back to snag some souvenirs from the Okoboji Store, specifically. We also want to see what the bar and interior design look like. In fact, I may even have to drive up one day in the Fall when there is less traffic, thus dedicating a full day of sightseeing in this lakeside town.
Plan your visit
Check out their website (https://theokobojistore.com/) for more information on seasonal hours of operation, and read more on the history of this iconic and original location. Also, check out their creative menu, and plan your next trip! Finally, visit their facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/okobojistore) for upcoming events, concerts and daily offers.
712-332-5628
1404 US-71
Okoboji, Iowa 51355
