Best salmon ever!!!!! Thank you. I stop everytime near Duluth. Service is exceptional too.

My own personal mistake should not be a ding against the excellence that is Russ Kendall's Smoke House. Those who listen to my cautionary tale may end up fairing better for themselves should you decide to make the trek and find yourself at this magnificent smoked seafood counter. But first, for the love of god, if you are here you are a stone's throw from Lake Superior which is perhaps one of the best places for fish in the country. You may like salmon. Russ Kendall may do a great job with salmon. But don't sleep on those fish that were plucked from these frigid waters. This mindset had me eyeing the walleye and the jumbo whitefish sections. I wanted to buy both, but this was just one of many smoked fish destinations on my list for the week. I hate wasting food, and there is only so much my family can eat. Despite what others may suggest, I am not about to freeze beautiful smoked fish. My hope was that pieces in the case might be able to be cut down. But those hopes were dashed. I get it. That's fine. Policy. Mess. Time. Workflow. Yadda yadda yadda. The walleye pieces were big, but the helpful clerk found a smaller one just for me. Now, as the fish selection process was happening, more and more people were funneling into the shop. My wife was getting antsy. She wanted me to make up my mind and leave. And she had a point. However, that smaller piece was from the meaty and lean tail end of the fish. In a panic I gave the piece a thumbs up, and the clerk wrapped it up for me. This was my one great regret. Not just of this shopping trip, but of my whole vacation. I should have opted for a larger piece that was fat and juicy. That same helpful clerk did indeed find me a gorgeous hunk of lake whitefish that was delightfully fatty, and eating it made me smile with delight. Of course, different people can prefer different pieces of fish. Just like there are some chicken wing lovers who prefer the drummette and others who prefer the flat. If everyone liked the same thing, the world would be a pretty dull place. I guess what I'm saying is don't panic. Know in advance the cuts in the case are the cuts that are available for sale. Find the pieces that call you. If it ends up being a little more fish than you wanted, so be it. This stuff is so good you'll find a way to get it down without denigrating it to the freezer. For those who need crackers, like my wife and kid, there are sleeves for sale. As far as I'm concerned, those crackers are just taking up space in my belly that could be used for more fish. One last thing. Okay, maybe a few last things. Let's call it a lightning round: This isn't a restaurant. It's a takeaway smoked fish shop. It's small. It's busy. It's efficient. It's a regional treasure. Get there. Eat local smoked fish. Salmon isn't local to Minnesota. Get it fatty. Do not fear heads, or skin, or bones. The good stuff takes a little extra work, but it's worth it! You've got this. Now eat well. read more

We stopped by right before closing for a really late lunch. There's a good selection of smoked fish. We got a salmon and white fish. We liked the salmon better than the white fish. There is a good selection of cheeses and cheese spreads. I did like that they sell crackers in individual sleeves instead of whole boxes. One sleeve was perfect for us. We also liked the onion and chive cheese spread. They have some fun pickles and jams but the jars are so big. It would be nice if they had some smaller selections of those items for people like us that are picking up something to eat while exploring the North Shore. I was asking for recommendations and didn't get a clear answer and the gentleman helping us seemed put off by our questions. It was our first time getting smoked fish like this. It could have been that there was an influx of people coming in moments before closing. There is no place to sit, which is not a problem. Just putting it here so if can help someone. We thought it was a lunch spot and didn't realize it was more of a speciality store. There was a picnic table/bench right next to the parking lot where we sat and ate. read more

Russ Kendall's Smoke House - Seafood Markets Near Me - Knife River, Minnesota

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I love smoked fish & this could be the best I've ever had. not too salty, smoked perfectly, the price extremely reasonable, white fish awesome and the black cod magnificent! wish you were in San Diego read more

I've been coming to Russ Kendall's since I was a kid during trips to the North Shore or BWCA. As I got older, I wasn't able to make it up here as often from KC, but a friend of mine took annual trips to the BWCA. I convinced him to stop here on his way back to KC and bring me 3-4 pieces of fish each time. They freeze great, and would be a special treat any time I'd get them out. I was recently able to get back to the North Shore, and it was exactly how I remembered it. The staff were friendly and helpful as well. Inside is small, but packed with lots of goodies. I got a large piece of salmon and some trout as well. I froze them, used pieces multiple times this fall with charcuteries or with smoked salmon dip. I brought the smoked salmon dip to a party, and it was gone almost immediately. Awesome fish, must stop. If you can't stop, twist someone's arm you know that is headed this way to bring you some back. read more

Russ Kendall's Smoke House - Seafood Markets Near Me - Knife River, Minnesota

We drove out of our way to eat here. We walked in the door and the gentleman behind the counter, went over to the entrance of the restaurant/ back area, and slammed the door shut We asked him if we could eat at the restaurant and he said that they had no restaurant. Very rude. Do not recommend wasting your time. read more

We walked in not expecting NO seating just a carry-out counter with cold smoked fish. This place blew our minds. We had the classic smoked Lake Trout and Sugar glazed Walleye. BEST-FISH-WE-HAVE-EVER-EATEN!!! We are now considering...for us...it's only a 14 hour round trip to come get fish here more often...or considering relocation. THAT's how good this one place is. Go there! read more

Great people & delicious smoked fish! Love the help in selecting the right fish for my flavor buds. Russ Kendall's is a must stop for a truly wonderful Up on the North Shore experience! Great local fare BESIDES the fish read more

Worth the short drive from Duluth to get smoked fish. Great variety at reasonable prices and it's a nice shop to visit. Always friendly and helpful. read more

Best smoked trout we ever had. Reasonable prices for the quality of fish. I wish we lived closer and could go back often.

A Delightful young lady cheerfully answered all of my queries and packed us off for a picnic . We had moist and not too salty Whitefish, Black Cod (she described it as buttery) which were both maple smoked/sugar cured and were fantastic. The Cisco/Tulibee was short and cute. In the future, I will not pass by French River without stopping in. Exceptional..My Grandpa peddled smoked fish 96 years ago in St.Paul. I've eaten boat loads of smoked Whitefish so,trust me! read more

Received 4 pieces of Smoked fish after a friend went to Duluth, Smoked salmon, very good, nice and moist with lots of flavor, I will be sure to visit if I am ever in the area. Can't speak to the service or price since the salmon was a gift, but the taste of the product was excellent. read more

Year in and year out Russ Kendall's has the best smoked fish on the North Shore. I always say if I drive by without stopping I think my car might blow up! read more

wonderfully smoked fish... fully cooked yet moist and tender. Taste is flawless. Altogether a great complement to the unique ambiance of a Northshore vacation. Our family, on driving up from St. Paul, usually rendezvous at this place, load up with stuff, and then proceed on to the lodge...assured of a well stocked larder for the weekend. Don't forget crusty bread, lots of butter, cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced cucumbers, and a bit of sweet pickled onions. And cheese.. lots of good stuff (no pre-shredded stuff)! Napkins are useless.. go with paper towel rolls. Wine (or a good Beer) will help the cause. Burp. ...and I just learned that they do ship... but then you will miss out on the Northshore experience! read more

Amazing. My #1 for food on the North Shore. Grab some sugar cured smoked sockeye salmon from Kendall's. Add Ritz crackers, Boursin herb cheese spread, and grapes from the Super One. Make a tray. Sit by the water. Live your best life. read more

Amazing smoked fish at reasonable prices and not astronomical prices like a lot places and they know a lot about everything they sell and are more then happy to answer any questions you have about everything 10/10 place to stop for fish and cheese def recommend the smoked salmon and the salmon spread wish i would have gotten more when I was there they also descale the fish before smoking it so the skin is also pleasant to eat or a good treat for my dog read more

Russ Kendall's Smoke House - Seafood Markets Near Me - Knife River, Minnesota

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The place to get the best smoked fish products on the North Shore. They also have a selection of frozen cryovac'd fish; the smoked salmom mousse' shouldn't be missed, lots of ferfigerated foods to buy as well, don't miss it. read more

Every time we take the scenic route from Duluth to Two Harbors we stop at this Fish Smoke House. Delicious smoked fish, and great customer service! The busier it is the more people come up out of nowhere read more

Russ Kendall's Smoke House - Russ Kendall's Smoked Fish - Seafood Markets Near Me - Knife River, Minnesota

This place is always busy because their products are amazing. We have stopped many places with smoked fish but the balance of flavors are perfect here and the service is top notch. read more

This is not just smoke fish, this is fish you can die for. This store is so good. Any time I'm in Duluth, I'm stopping there. I always but a lot, but next day I feel sorry I didn't buy even more. I can eat their smoke fish 3 times in a day and repeat. Thank you guys for so good business. Very recommend. read more

Russ Kendall's Smoke House - Seafood Markets Near Me - Knife River, Minnesota

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This small smokehouse on the North shore of Lake Superior is by far the best place to get smoked fish in Minnesota! The dudes behind the counter are friendly and helpful with recommendations. My favorite smoked fish is their smoked black cod, but you can't go wrong with their two options for smoked salmon either. Props to them for using locally sourced fish by the way read more

Writing about Russ Kendalls Smokehouse Review, I can't pin down how long they have been in business, but I certainly remember stopping there with my dad 60+ years ago.  Long an institution on the north shore of Lake Superior, about 15 miles north of Duluth, Kendalls smokes and sells herring, walleye, lake trout, ciscoes, cheese, and other goodies, as well as selling locally produced preserves, honey, and craft beer. I went for the ciscoes, because it's what we always used to purchase, and just like back then, the fish comes wrapped in newspaper and freezer paper.  What's a ciscoe? Sometimes called small lake herring, they are actually a member of the Salmonidae family. They are lightly smoked, it's easy to pull out the entire spine intact, but watch for small bones the size of hairs. Not really a "fishy" taste, but the flesh feels a little oily, just an FYI. Best eaten with your fingers, atop a cracker if you wish, Kendalls offers a number of different kinds, including Scandinavian flatbread, which would be ideal, but we didn't need that kind of quantity, so we just got a sleeve of saltines. Parked ourselves along the lake on an agate-strewn beach, and polished off the fish and crackers in no time. Glad I got back there, glad they were open, they had a pretty severe fire a few years back but were able to rebuild after some time and difficulty.  Imagine they'll be there still 65 years from now! read more

Russ Kendall's Smoke House - Store front, vintage neon - Seafood Markets Near Me - Knife River, Minnesota

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Small, quick, great selection, friendly, most of all delicious!! We got the smoke salmon and smoked string cheese. read more

Not a place that I would think of as a tourist staple (more local business) along north Lake Superior (ie not fancy decor/been there for years, etc). But my husband (the driver) insisted on stopping on our way down Scenic Drive. I was not impressed UNTIL I nibbled on some of the smoked lake trout he bought. Holy smoky! Ok, now I'm hooked and see why this spot merits stopping. Stop by and try it. Don't be a tourist on the North Shore, be a local! read more

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This is a deli with a few picnic tables outside, some homemade jams, cheeses and trinkets etc. inside. It is a cute shop. This came up as a restaurant on my map app which it is not. We stopped in looking for smoked fish and wow, we were not disappointed. They had sugar cured and original fish. Today they had salmon, white fish, walleye and a few others. The service was quick even though it was busy. Exactly what we were hoping for. (Ps. they sell sleeves of crackers for your goodies). read more

Russ Kendall's Smoke House - Sugar cured walleye, original salmon, olive cheese spread, 10 year aged cheddar. - Seafood Markets Near Me - Knife River, Minnesota

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Kendall's had frozen Lake Superior white fish, not smoked, which we were looking for. We sauteed it. It was tremendous! I need to do some research, but it had bones that I cut out. And skin that I had to remove. But it was so good. I'll definitely be back for more! read more

Great fish particularly the smoked salmon in knife River on Lake Superior. Great fish particularly the smoked salmon in knife River on Lake Superior. read more

Hands down our favorite place to stop... great smoked salmon, lake trout and white fish. This time we tried the smoked beef jerky. Wish we would have bought more... love love this place read more

Smoked walleye, smoked sockeye, authentic smoked ciscos - well bronzed.... Appropriate prices, great venue All went very well

Excellent service and smoked fish plus iother goodies We will be back Definitely worth going here read more

Great smoked fish, reliable and friendly service. I love lakers and silver salmon, yummy !!! read more

I rushed here right before it's closed. The lady in the shop is super nice to let me take my time. I bought a bunch of different fishes to try, oh my gosh, everything is awesome. Price is very reasonable. No wonder it's highly recommended! read more

Fish was delicious. Could be a line. Very popular for smoked fish. Straight forward fish market. Service was good.

Best smoked fish on the shore. Stepping inside getting the smell of smoked fish brings me back to being here as a kid. White fish fave. And the salmon maple/sugar cured is moist and yummy. Don't forget a sleeve of crackers and why not get a bag of squeaky cheese curds. All good. read more

Without a doubt the BEST smoked salmon that I have ever had! Oddly enough until a few years ago I had never heard about Russ Kendall's. As much Yelpsearch, research and TV shows that I watch, this was a new place for me. In fact thanks go to our friends who enlightened us to the best smoked salmon anywhere. We used to make an annual trip up to Duluth for the day. We'd get some smoked salmon and some crackers then go to the boardwalk or sit by the water and enjoy our fish. Then life gets in the way and we didn't visit for a few years. Well that changed this year when my nephew was in town. We took a trip to Duluth and Russ Kendall's was one of our first stops. The first time I was here was before their fire. They are still in the same location and a lot of the building looks the same. Walking into Russ Kendall's is walking into a real smokehouse. It reminds of going to Calumet Fisheries a few years back where they smoke fish. It should smell like smoke. You definitely smell the smoke at Russ Kendall's. Russ Kendall's is a no frills place. You go it, you get your smoked fish, and you will like it! No you'll love it! We picked up a chunk of salmon and barely made to he parking lot before we opened it up and began eating. It was just as great as I remembered. Their salmon is sugar cured so it has a sweet taste to balance the richness and smoky flavor. Really its a perfect food. I have had smoked salmon from several different places in several different states. Russ Kendall's is by far the best smoked salmon I have ever had! read more

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Simple...it's Fabulous! The fish is moist, sweet, tender, and flavorful. I purchased the whole whitefish and the sugared lake trout. Yum and yum. To repeat an oft used phrase "I'll be back!" read more

We love the smoked lake trout! Our favorite!! Salmon spread is pretty darn good too! Never had a bad fish there, ever!!

Great smoked fish, friendly service, beautiful scenery! Had the lake trout and herring- both were delicious. We will come back next time we are going to the North Shore. read more

Great fish and service, sugar cured salmon is the best, add some cheese curds toske a great lunch.

I am forever dreaming of the brown sugared cured salmon from this place. Seriously, it's like chasing the dragon. So ridiculously delicious, it got me hooked on smoked salmon. The spread was good too. Very authentic place. read more

Russ Kendall's Smoke House - Seafood Markets Near Me - Knife River, Minnesota

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