Russ Kendall Smokehouse

Russ Kendall’s Smokehouse is a landmark along the North Shore Drive and Old Hwy 61 and is Open For Business!

“Russ Kendall’s Smoke House sells the best smoked fish on the North Shore. Period. I have tried quite a few different places, but none can compare to Kendall’s; especially for the price. I live in Washington State now, where I pay double for smoked salmon and not quite as good. It is a small, family owned business that has been around for years. I used to go there as a kid and now it is the first place I stop when I travel home. Great people, great customer service, great prices and they still wrap it up in a news paper like I remember! A must stop if you like smoked fish and a beautiful drive up the North Shore!” – Dave C – Oak Harbor, WA

 

History

Russ Kendall’s Smokehouse has its origins in the 1920s when, as the legend goes, one of W.T. Kendall’s jobs was to deliver fish from the North Shore to Duluth. One day his truck broke down in Knife River; not wanting the fish to go bad, W.T. started selling them along the road — and the store was born. His son, Russ, eventually took over the business that now bears his name. The operation also included a dance hall and tavern, before fish — smoked whitefish and herring, sugar-cured salmon and lake trout — took precedence. Russ’ daughter, Kristi Olson; her husband, Gordy; and their family started working at the smokehouse, and they continued the business after Russ Kendall died in 2007 at age 85.

Already well-known locally and regionally, the smokehouse has drawn wider acclaim in recent years thanks to mentions on TV and online. Twin Cities-based chef and food writer Andrew Zimmern, host of “Bizarre Foods” on the Travel Channel, is a fan and featured Russ Kendall’s on his show. He also included it at No. 1 on his nationwide list of “12 Favorite Bites on the Road.”

Phone Number  (218) 834-5995

Fire Damages Smokehouse Article – May 2014
Russ Kendall Smokehouse

…After devastating fire in May (2014), Russ Kendall’s Smokehouse is open again!

Content the property of Duluth News Tribune and reports Peter Passi and Mike Creger, and Yelp.

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