ATV Trail to Table: A Culinary Ride Through Ontario’s North Country

Northern Ontario is ATV country, and it’s where I love to ride. Trail systems run through old-growth forest, over hills and along lakeshores, linking small towns that are always happy to see riders roll in.

For some riders like me, the meal at the end of the day is as much a part of the trip as the trail itself. In this region, you can eat well: freshwater fish, wild and foraged ingredients, and dishes shaped by food traditions Indigenous communities have kept alive for generations. Some of the lodges and resorts that cater to riders take their kitchens just as seriously, cooking from scratch with fresh, quality ingredients. Knock off the trail dust and sit down to a well-crafted meal full of local flavour. Trust me, it’s worth the ride!

Join me as I take a culinary ride through the north country on my trusty ATV, from trail to table. Off-road adventure never tasted so good!

Marten River Lodge: ATV Tours and a Resident Chef in Northeastern Ontario

Our first culinary ATV trail stop is Marten River Lodge, located in Northeastern Ontario, a place where fine dining built its reputation, and ATV riding opportunities have only enriched the experience. Marten River has a resident chef of more than a decade, Hans Peter Binz, who thrives on filling up hungry guests after a long day of ATV rides. Using only high-quality ingredients, freshly made salads, breads, savoury meats and fresh vegetables, Chef Binz leaves guests wanting more, with a deliciously satisfying meal after a day in the fresh air. Marten River’s dining facilities are open for those who choose the All-inclusive American, Deluxe, The Bucket List or Modified Meal plans.

Meet the Chef at Marten River Lodge

Chef Binz’s culinary expertise stems from over 40 years of experience in kitchens across Europe and North America. Back home in Switzerland, Peter began his training, education and apprenticeship, rising to acclaim among international celebrities. During the 1980s, Chef Binz served as personal chef to American country artist Johnny Cash when Johnny toured in Europe.

Guided ATV and UTV Tours at Marten River Lodge

Marten River Lodge is one of the few lodges that have guided ATV/UTV tours available exclusively to their guests. The lodge uses top-of-the-line Hondas that are fully automatic with 4-wheel drive and can carry up to 4 passengers and a driver. Marten River has access to hundreds of miles of old logging roads and hydro lines right from their driveway. They generally plan to have a little extra food on hand for the UTV tours, and Chef Binz is always ready to serve! Talk about the ultimate.

Jolly Roger Inn & Resort: Organized ATV Rides in Parry Sound

As I await my upcoming visit to the awesome Jolly Roger Inn & Resort in Parry Sound, let’s look at how this resort’s organized ATV rides serve as the quintessential ‘trail to table’ adventure. Whether you’re seeking an adrenaline rush or a scenic ride through breathtaking landscapes, Jolly Roger’s top-quality ATVs are perfect for all adventure levels. Cruise their rugged trails or lush forests and create unforgettable memories. No experience? No problem! The Jolly Roger team provides safety briefings to ensure a fun and safe adventure for everyone.

Dining at the Jolly Roger Restaurant & Bar

To complete the perfect ATV trail-to-table experience is a fabulous meal enjoyed at the Jolly Roger Restaurant! Jolly Roger Restaurant & Bar, located conveniently on-site, is equipped with big-screen TVs with all the sports action each day, plus pool tables, a fireplace & a licensed patio. The food and drinks in the restaurant have been carefully crafted to meet the needs of guests. They only use fresh, seasonal ingredients and are happy to cater to different dietary requirements. The resort even caters to large-scale weddings, offering a beautiful venue and meal options. I cannot wait to visit this resort with Mrs. Outdoors Guy. Blending the thrill of ATV riding during the day and fine dining in the evenings, the perfect trail-to-table adventure is something I live for!

Mattawa River Resort: ATV Access to the Voyageur Multi-Use Trail System

The last stop on our culinary trail-to-table adventure is the famous Mattawa River Resort, one of my fav ATVing launch pads. This lodge is geographically advantaged with easy access to the Voyageur Multi-Use Trail System, a favourite among off-roaders.

Dinner at the Cardinal Restaurant

After a long day on the trails, give your body a break and enjoy the ‘table’ portion of your culinary ride at the resort’s Cardinal restaurant. The on-site chef prepares menu options from scratch, and their spacious dining room will accommodate large groups of famished ATV enthusiasts. This resort regularly caters to ATV riding enthusiasts who look to savour the trail-to-table experience in one of the Ontario hubs of riding activity located near Mattawa.

Trail-to-Table Recipe: Stuffed Baked Brook Trout

While enjoying your culinary ride, be sure to give this tasty brook trout recipe a try. Featured in my Canadian Outdoor Cookbook, this recipe is the perfect dish to enjoy after a day of exploring the trails.

Stuffed Baked Brookies (Serves 4)

• 4 brook trout, cleaned, not filleted
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 6 cups sliced mushrooms
• 1½ cups finely chopped onion
• 1 celery rib, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• ¼ cup melted butter
• salt and pepper to taste

In a cast-iron skillet, heat olive oil, and then add mushrooms, onion and celery. Fry, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms brown and oil has been absorbed. Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper; set aside. Preheat oven to 350º F (175° C). Coat baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Fill trout cavities with mushroom mixture and sprinkle with lemon juice. Brush trout with butter and lay on baking sheet. Bake trout for 15 minutes until golden brown and the fish separates easily from the bone. Serve hot and enjoy!

What To Pack: ATV Snack and Shore Lunch Tips

Travelling food supply tips to consider for long days of ATV riding: be sure to pack well-secured snacks and water on/in your ATV. I always have an assortment of fresh fruit, snack bars and plenty of fresh water stowed in my ATV storage compartment. If I happen to be on an ATV fishing or hunting adventure, I’d also tote vegetable oil, flour, spices and a cast iron skillet. The trail to table experience may sometimes involve a hearty shore lunch as well. For more tips, check out my wild game Field to Table feature.

Enjoy your culinary ride from trail to table, and perhaps I will see you there!

Showing 'Edited Body' is no longer supported.