The Chocolate Moose in Ely, Minnesota, was a beloved eatery located at the ‘end of the road’ since the 1980s. This prominent location at the corner of Sheridan and Central, was where locals and visitors alike grabbed wholesome, homemade eats before or after a day spent enjoying the wilderness.
Millie and Barry Bissonette and Nancy and Steve Piragis opened the restaurant with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Ely’s mayor and many well-wishers on June 17, 1985.
Word quickly spread about the hearty soups, whole-grain breads, locally-caught fish, and many more delicious menu items at the Chocolate Moose. Before long, people were waiting in line during busy summer months for their chance to experience the cozy atmosphere with their friends and family.
After the Bissonettes left the business, Piragis Northwoods continued to own the building and lease out the restaurant to different operators, then sold the building, and finally repurchased it in 2019. A supper club opened in the space that year, but business closures and fewer tourists caused the operator of that venture to move on.
In 2021, another couple took over operating the restaurant with more success as tourists returned to town. Sadly, their lease was not renewed by Piragis, and the restaurant closed for good in 2024. The Piragis Northwoods Company Bookshop is expected to take over the space.
Recipes from Chocolate Moose
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