A hot and hearty lunch on a frozen lake in Wisconsin

The food truck held its own on a lake so cold ice vapors swirled around it. Yellow letters on a red sign both identified its product and offered a spot of color on a gray horizon stretched wide.

The tableaux told the story of Midwestern resolve, innovation, recreation and industry.

Inside the truck, Dale and Katherine happily dished up hot treats for a lake full of people ice fishing. The whole scene delighted me, and so did the food.

Ice fishing on Shawano Lake has been a popular sport since Menominee tribal members first began spearing fish through frozen water thousands of years ago. They taught European settlers in the area, and the sport took off.

These days, trucks pull shanties out on the lake as soon as the ice freezes over. Wander out onto the ice on a Saturday in January and you’ll find all kinds of winter anglers — serious sportsmen, whole families and those who use their time around the tip ups to toss back a few beverages and relax.

Generally, people pack their snacks for their day on the lake. But, who wouldn’t want to enjoy a nice, freshly grilled brat or some hot chili without having the leave the ice?

Enter The Lunchbox – Hailstone Mobile Eats, a food truck dedicated to the creation of great smash burgers and to the memory of Marilyn Storm. The former is a house specialty, the latter a beloved mother who passed away in 2022. Marilyn raised 11 children, including Katherine, who owns the food truck and runs it with Dale.

We met them Saturday afternoon when we swung by their food truck in the middle of Shawano Lake. The novelty of that very Wisconsin situation drew us out onto the lake. Also, I was really hungry.

I ordered the chili and I’m happy to report that it was meaty and delicious with just the right amount of kick. My husband Vince ordered a brat and he said it was tasty too.

I’d have stayed to chat but I wasn’t dressed right for our spontaneous trip out onto the lake and my poor bare ankles were freezing.

I can’t promise the truck will be out on the lake next Saturday. With the air temperature forecasted to be -20 I know I will not be out there. But, you can check out their Facebook page to see when and where they’ll pop up.

In the meantime, how about a hand for hardy Midwesterners serving hearty food with heart?