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Generations of drivers on Wisconsin's Interstate 94 have taken exit 88 for one very delicious reason: the pie at the Norske Nook.
This family restaurant with a quirky name is an institution in Wisconsin, a place where the pie is elevated to an art form. People drive for hours to visit the Nook, and while a couple of other locations have opened up around Wisconsin, the original cafe in Osseo can't be beat. It's a place that's even found its way onto the presidential campaign trail, and every candidate who stops at the Norske Nook is a winner.
Here's why.
The Norske Nook was founded in 1973 by Helen Myhre in the heart of Osseo. It served some traditional Scandinavian favorites, and word of its pie quickly spread.
Norske Nook prides itself on making all its pies from scratch. (Facebook/Norske Nook Restaurants and Bakery)
So what's the secret to this delicious pie? Everything is made from scratch. Bakers are hard at work early in the morning to produce these magical pies.
According to the restaurant, everything in the Norske Nook is made with "love, care, and attention to detail."
This beautiful slice is also made with lingonberries and sour cream.
The lingonberry pie includes sour cream. (Facebook/Norske Nook Restaurant and Bakery)
Several of the restaurant's pies have won awards at the Annual National Pie Championship in Florida. You'll understand why after you taste their chocolate mint pie.
Norske Nook's chocolate mint pie is an award winner (Facebook/Norske Nook Restaurants and Bakery)
They are playing a different game at the Norske Nook and they have many pies you may have never tasted. Have you ever seen a pie as over-the-top as this Sour Cream Raisin Meringue?
The sour cream meringue pie is a feat of architecture as well as confection. (Facebook/Norske Nook Restaurants & Bakery)
The bakery features some traditional Scandinavian desserts, like sandbakkels, rosettes, and almond cake. They are all amazing, but truthfully, you may never make it past the pie case.
While the original Norske Nook is in Osseo, you can also find locations in Rice Lake and DeForest. The restaurants pride themselves on great customer service and Old World touches - the servers all wear traditional Scandinavian apparel. Wisconsin has a ton of great places for homemade desserts. If you're on the other side of the state, you might want to swing over to OJ’s Midtown.
