So what about that diner you ask? The last time Beth had anything to do with a restaurant was in college as a server. If you had told her then, that she would OWN Don’s Dinky Diner, she would have thought you were nuts. But there the building was for sale, and Beth and Ashlee were looking for a change in careers. So, in 2021, (with a little gentle convincing) she and Ashlee became partners in what would be an unbelievable journey of renovation, learning and creation. The Toad in the Hole became a reality. Ashlee develops the recipes, cooks and runs the show, Beth makes the sauces and gets to taste test and controls the crowd. How many mom’s get to say they get to work with their daughter? Doesn’t work for everyone, but it works beautifully for them!

Beth (yes, she’s the mom) was born and raised in the Northwoods. Her parents, brother and grandparents all lived within a mile of each other in Conover. She met her high school sweetheart, Russ, at Northland Pines HS, and after graduation (like a lot of small-town kids) left to see what the rest of the world was all about. She graduated from the School of Nursing at UW-Madison and in 1990 Russ and Beth were married in Eagle River.

Their first child, Benjamin, was born in 1991, and Ashlee came screaming into the world in 1993 (early of course, because she had things to do!) Their family resided in Waukesha for a few years and then bought their first home in Sheboygan. Both kids graduated from North High School and Beth continued her nursing career at St. Nicholas Hospital while Russ worked on the road as a union pipeline inspector.

Once both kids were out of school, Beth retired from nursing and went to work on the road with her husband. They travelled all over the United States during this time and were able to see places they never imagined, but home was always calling. In 2014 the home and property right next to were Beth’s parents still lived came up for sale and that was the sign they needed to come back to the Northwoods.  There truly is no place like home!

Born in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, and raised in Sheboygan, Ashlee discovered her passion for cooking over 15 years ago with her very first job at an art museum's cafe. Rather than attending culinary school, she chose to learn directly from the kitchens she worked in—seeking out restaurants that could teach her the specific techniques and styles she wanted to master.

Over the years, Ashlee has built a diverse culinary background that includes pizza throwing, wok-style cooking, bakery and pastry work, cake decorating, candy making and beyond.

Her career eventually brought her to Milwaukee, where she continued honing her craft and expanding her expertise in a variety of cuisines. In 2021, Ashlee and her husband moved to Vilas County to open the restaurant with her family, bringing her years of hands-on experience and creative passion to their local community.

Above: Roderick Building (circa 1924)
Below: Railroad Street (July 4, 1917)

Source: Eagle River Historical Society
Special thanks to Vito Bortolotti for the images and history.

Our building's rich history dates back to 1888 when three brothers from New York - Henry, William, and Jasper Roderick, settled in Eagle River. In 1890, William opened the first business on this site, a modest barbershop. Joined by his brother Jasper, the brothers transformed the space into what was then known as a tonsorial parlor, which welcomed customers with comfortable barber chairs, running hot water, and shelves lined with balms and beard oils, and sometimes, visitors could sample fine liquors while they waited for service. 

William soon stepped away and Jasper independently maintained the business. In 1924, the original structure was replaced with the current building you see today and it continued to act as a social hub in the Northwoods until 1929 when it was sold. Despite the change in ownership, new life was given to the historic spot and it was made into a dazzling jeweler's shop through the 1930's and into World War II. Following the war, Len and Sig Merkel opened the S+L Lunch Counter, the buildings first food-based nod. In 1951, the building received it's iconic stone veneer, a notable feature that highlights its continued charm. 

In 1957, the building was then sold to James "Jim" Adratkas and his wife Mary who immigrated to Eagle River from Greece. They proudly operated Jim's Cafe until 1975 serving comforting classics. The building later evolved once more but continued to honor the tradition of being a small local eatery in the space when it became Don's Dinky Diner, Faye's Dinky Diner in the 1990's, and Jen's Dinky Diner in 2015. 

In 2022, Toad in the Hole hopped in, marking a cherished continuation of a family-owned business.  More than a century after the Roderick brothers first set up shop, the site remains a place for community, conversation, and history to thrive. Through time, hundreds of hot meals have been shared within the walls of 121 S. Railroad Street, and we are proud to carry the legacy forward of this storied building through food.