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Iron to Iron Butchery

5.0 (1 review)

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9 months ago

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Russ Kendall's Smoke House

Russ Kendall's Smoke House

4.8(122 reviews)
60.4 mi
•$

We stopped by right before closing for a really late lunch. There's a good selection of smoked…read morefish. We got a salmon and white fish. We liked the salmon better than the white fish. There is a good selection of cheeses and cheese spreads. I did like that they sell crackers in individual sleeves instead of whole boxes. One sleeve was perfect for us. We also liked the onion and chive cheese spread. They have some fun pickles and jams but the jars are so big. It would be nice if they had some smaller selections of those items for people like us that are picking up something to eat while exploring the North Shore. I was asking for recommendations and didn't get a clear answer and the gentleman helping us seemed put off by our questions. It was our first time getting smoked fish like this. It could have been that there was an influx of people coming in moments before closing. There is no place to sit, which is not a problem. Just putting it here so if can help someone. We thought it was a lunch spot and didn't realize it was more of a speciality store. There was a picnic table/bench right next to the parking lot where we sat and ate.

My own personal mistake should not be a ding against the excellence that is Russ Kendall's Smoke…read moreHouse. Those who listen to my cautionary tale may end up fairing better for themselves should you decide to make the trek and find yourself at this magnificent smoked seafood counter. But first, for the love of god, if you are here you are a stone's throw from Lake Superior which is perhaps one of the best places for fish in the country. You may like salmon. Russ Kendall may do a great job with salmon. But don't sleep on those fish that were plucked from these frigid waters. This mindset had me eyeing the walleye and the jumbo whitefish sections. I wanted to buy both, but this was just one of many smoked fish destinations on my list for the week. I hate wasting food, and there is only so much my family can eat. Despite what others may suggest, I am not about to freeze beautiful smoked fish. My hope was that pieces in the case might be able to be cut down. But those hopes were dashed. I get it. That's fine. Policy. Mess. Time. Workflow. Yadda yadda yadda. The walleye pieces were big, but the helpful clerk found a smaller one just for me. Now, as the fish selection process was happening, more and more people were funneling into the shop. My wife was getting antsy. She wanted me to make up my mind and leave. And she had a point. However, that smaller piece was from the meaty and lean tail end of the fish. In a panic I gave the piece a thumbs up, and the clerk wrapped it up for me. This was my one great regret. Not just of this shopping trip, but of my whole vacation. I should have opted for a larger piece that was fat and juicy. That same helpful clerk did indeed find me a gorgeous hunk of lake whitefish that was delightfully fatty, and eating it made me smile with delight. Of course, different people can prefer different pieces of fish. Just like there are some chicken wing lovers who prefer the drummette and others who prefer the flat. If everyone liked the same thing, the world would be a pretty dull place. I guess what I'm saying is don't panic. Know in advance the cuts in the case are the cuts that are available for sale. Find the pieces that call you. If it ends up being a little more fish than you wanted, so be it. This stuff is so good you'll find a way to get it down without denigrating it to the freezer. For those who need crackers, like my wife and kid, there are sleeves for sale. As far as I'm concerned, those crackers are just taking up space in my belly that could be used for more fish. One last thing. Okay, maybe a few last things. Let's call it a lightning round: This isn't a restaurant. It's a takeaway smoked fish shop. It's small. It's busy. It's efficient. It's a regional treasure. Get there. Eat local smoked fish. Salmon isn't local to Minnesota. Get it fatty. Do not fear heads, or skin, or bones. The good stuff takes a little extra work, but it's worth it! You've got this. Now eat well.

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Russ Kendall's Smoke House - Inside store

Inside store

Russ Kendall's Smoke House - Sugar smoked trout

Sugar smoked trout

Russ Kendall's Smoke House

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Iron to Iron Butchery - butcher - Updated October 2026

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