Everywhere you turn, Gruenke's claims itself to be "fine dining". The entrance to the restaurant, the website, and ads all tell you that they are known for fine dining.
I disagree. Maybe Gruenke's is indeed the finest dining establishment in Bayfield, but if you're from even a medium-sized city, it's just average. I had a feeling the moment I walked in - the restaurant feels like a diner.
The first thing you see upon entering Gruenke's is the formica counter. Next comes the wood-paneled walls filled with kitschy memorabilia, and then the jukebox. The tables do have tablecloths on them, though, which may be their reason for being a "fine dining" establishment.
The food here isn't all that fantastic, either. Gruenke's does many traditional Northwoods Wisconsin dishes, which means a lot of fish. During summer you can partake in a fish boil, caught fresh from Lake Superior. I had a fried fish meal, and everything was very dry.
Gruenke's does offer beer and wine. They also serve all three meals every day, which is unusual for an Apostle Islands eatery. But, if you're looking for better food, try Sgt. Pepperoni's, which is just next door.