When carpenter Ernie Ritari and his family moved to Squaw Point from Brainerd in 1917, they made their way through jack pine and hazel bush to get here. Back then the east side of Gull Lake was just a gravel road - a half days ride by horseback from Brainerd. Ritari, an immigrant from Finland in the late 1800's, did not allow vodka on his camping and fishing resort due to his bitterness against the Russians.
His wife Edna tended bar and cleaned cabins while their dog Toby enjoyed ice cream before every guests drink. Ernie rented ten boats and usually had five families mainly from Minneapolis and Iowa join him during the summer months. Ernie, Edna and Toby were among a few who stayed year round at East Gull Lake. The Ritari's were famous for their community pig roasts and later built two cabins and installed house keeping equipment.
These days the staff and ownership of Ernie's strive to maintain the high standards established by Ernie Ritari and his family! Please feel free to contact us with any questions or comments you may have regarding Ernie's on Gull.
Hours of operation:
Contact Us:
Restaurant:
Lunch 11 am to 5 pm - daily
Dinner 5 pm to 10 pm - daily
Breakfast (Saturday & Sunday Only)
- Open at 10am
Bar:
Sunday - Thursday 11 am to 2 am
Friday & Saturday 11 am to 2 am
(Subject to change)
Ernie's on Gull
10424 Squaw Point Road
East Gull Lake, MN 56401
Phone: (218) 829-3918
Zac Swarthout
(Owner)
Mike Foy
(Owner)
Chris Foy
(Owner)
Ernie's on Gull • 10424 Squaw Point Road • East Gull Lake, MN 56401 • (218) 829-3918
