Tempt your taste buds at Dovray’s Log Cabin

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DOVRAY — Millie’s girls are back and having the time of their lives in their joint business venture.

Cynthia “Cid” Fitzgerald and Cheryl “Cheri” Thompson were born and raised in Currie, where their mother, Mildred “Millie” Hansen, still lives. The sisters are now co-managing the Log Cabin restaurant in Dovray, where they say the town has welcomed them with open arms.

“The support has just been wonderful,” Fitzgerald stated. “The people of Dovray and from around the area have been warm and welcoming and enthusiastic.”

About two years ago, both women moved back to Currie — years ago, Fitzgerald had moved to Montana and Thompson had headed out to Iowa.

Last summer, they made the decision to lease the empty restaurant and immediately went to work cleaning, painting, updating equipment and preparing to open for business, which they did in early November.

Through mutual friends, they met Donny Fischer, the former owner of Valhalla Steak House, and put him in place as the head cook at the Cabin.

“He is incredible,” Thompson stated.

And she’s not kidding. The menu features Black Angus rib eye and sirloin steaks, broasted chicken, barbequed ribs, a seafood platter, and walleye that make the mouth water.

The prime rib, made in a special prime rib oven, is special indeed. But the feast doesn’t end there. Chimichangas, enchiladas and nachos and a variety of appetizers, sandwiches and burgers — including the “Log Cabin burger” — round out the menu. There are nightly specials, such as Wednesday’s Mexican and Margarita Fiesta and Sunday’s Burger Bar.

“We try to add new things and keep changing things to keep it interesting and fresh,” Fitzgerald said. “Over the winter we had a soup buffet, but this summer we hope to open up the deck and maybe fire up the grill out there and do something fun with that.”

The long winter has been a challenge for everyone, so over at the Cabin there’s been Caribbean Night and Cabin Fever Days, along with a few other special events. Coming up on March 18, customers can warm up their vocal pipes with some karaoke when Movin’ Melodies hits the Cabin.

“We’re trying to do our part to keep everyone from going stir-crazy,” Fitzgerald laughed. “Will this winter ever end?”

When the sisters set about giving the Log Cabin their own stamp, they opted to keep the bar aspect of the restaurant “cozy, like the cabin,” Fitzgerald explained. The back area of the restaurant, which is divided into two rooms or can be opened into one large room, has more of a lodge feel. A large fireplace stands stately against one wall and banquet tables line the rooms.

“We can seat up to 100 people,” Fitzgerald said. “It gets used a lot, for parties, conventions, that kind of thing.”

Thompson and Fitzgerald fill “jack of all trades” roles, handling the salad bar, waitressing, bartending and sharing the paperwork.

They consider themselves fortunate to employ a variety of other local staff who are hard-working and great at what they do.

“Again, the support of the town is just incredible,” Fitzgerald said. “I had a gentleman tell me the other day, ‘If you need anything in here, you be sure to let me know.’ I just can’t say enough about how great the people in this area have been.”

Fitzgerald and Thompson also offer catering services under the name Sisters Catering. They handle events such as weddings, graduations, or any kind of party.

“We’ll handle any kind of gathering, and do whatever kind of menu a customer is looking for, from ham sandwiches to prime rib to veggie pizzas,” Thompson stated.

The Log Cabin is open six days a week, closed on Mondays.

The bar opens at 4 p.m. each night, and the kitchen is open from 5 to 9 p.m. The kitchen hours will extend to 10 p.m. in the summer, Fitzgerald said.

For more information about banquet rentals, Sisters Catering or nightly specials, call the Log Cabin at (507) 274-5477 or stop by during business hours at 251 Woodman Ave., in Dovray.

Tags: news, business, log, cabin, restaurant, cynthia, cid, fitzgerald, cheryl, cheri, thompson