Waterfront Lakeside Grille

On my two (2) recent trips here, in the summer of 2024, I experienced a restaurant that does some things well, and others, not so much. I am being generous and reasonable with a four (4) star rating.

The atmosphere of the place is perhaps one of its strong suits, with wood beams and wood appointments comprising the interior, and stained glass too. The views of the lake are delightful also.

The service was personable and reasonably attentive, and overall was good, even if it is on the brusque side, and more like what one would see at a diner. In one occasion, my request for a substitution of a side item in exchange for an upcharge was rejected by the server. On another occasion, the server couldn’t tell me what kind of marinade or sauce they sautee or broil the perch with.

So, I didn’t order the more expensive perch. Instead, I ordered a $17 half portion of pork back ribs. And let me tell you, they were five diminutive ribs from the small side of a slab. The smallest rib was maybe 2.5 inches long (see my uploaded photos of the rib bones). The redskin mashed potatoes were decent, with a noticeable note of garlic salt, which I didn’t mind, though I would have preferred fresh garlic, or at least garlic from a jar.

On a previous visit, I had a corned beef reuben sandwich on marble rye, and the meat had a decent pile/portion. And I didn’t think I could find a decent sandwich like that in these parts.

I would consider returning again, but will probably stick with some kind of sandwich, or a burger. I’m really not sure what kind of steak or lobster I could find here.

Wheelchair accessibility: From what I can see from the entrance I used to enter the place, the accessibility here is horrendous. There is a significant flight of steps to go from the front entrance up into the restaurant, which is on a second floor, apparently to garner better views of the water. Perhaps there is some wheelchair accessible back entrance I didn’t see?

Also, I’ll note that the parking lot has a very odd “throwback” feel in that apparently lacks any handicapped / disabled placard parking spaces.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Caesar Salad

Great food on the water. Took my boat in. Nice dock, lots of parking spaces. Ate outside on the patio. We had a party of 6 and nothing that was ordered was subpar. Wonderful lakefront dining!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Website shows Monday's special is chef's choice. When I arrived on Monday to eat and purchase 3 gift cards they were closed. I rechecked the site and it did state open Tuesday-Sunday, to bad I hadn't seen this and saved myself a trip.
I returned on Thursday and ordered the walleye shrimp special. The walleye was overcooked and dry. The shrimp was battered and of poor quality, it seemed like they were frozen and then heated up. I expected better for the price.
I decided not to purchase gift certificates even though the location of the Waterfront is convenient.

We were a party of eight this evening. Young man with handlebar mustache was our waiter. He did not know the specials for the day. I asked him what the soup was and he said it had chicken in the soup. I asked for eating utensils and he never brought them so I asked a female waitress. I also let her know that he had an attitude, as though he did not want to be working. My broiled walleye was a little undercooked. This young man needs training in waitering. He had a really bad attitude and this was reflected in the tip he received.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 2

The best dishwasher works there

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Justin killed it behind the bar. It was super busy the night of July 3rd but he was calm and efficient all while still being personable. We will definitely be returning.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Have family in the area so have been here many times. Food and atmosphere is always great, love the glassed in patio. We had a mistake on our bill and they were quick to contact me, apologize, and correct the mistake.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

So good! So so good food, great atention too.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Very good food. Spendy but good atmosphere

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

It was our first time there. The service was great & we loved the view of the lake. My dad said it was the best Walleye dinner he's ever had. ? The nachos were fantastic & the Walleye fingers were cooked perfectly. We will definitely be back.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I have been a regular customer of Waterfront for many years and have always had great food and service at reasonable prices.However, a few weeks ago I came in with my wife and we had dinner and I ordered a Filet Mignon and I requested it to be medium well which should be pink in the center. My order came and when I cut into it the entire center was dark red, completely rare. I told the waitress to send it back and have it cooked the way I wanted. She did so and it came back the same way again. I told her to send it back again and it also came back the same. I was not very happy. and I left without eating it. I told my wife that they must have a new chef because this was not the normal meal served here. This last Sunday night on 4/21/24 my wife and I decided to try the waterfront again. I ordered the same filet Mignon again only this time I specifically told the waitress about my last experience and even told her I wanted it to be pink in the center. Well, guess what? My steak came back and I told the waitress to stay there while I cut through the center of it to find it exactly like my last experience. I told he to take it back and cook it the way I wanted it. She left and came back a short time later and it was slightly cooked on the surface that I cut but when I cut through it again the inside was completely rare. Since the steak was rather thick I suggest that the chef "butterfly cut" the steak and cook it to make it thinner and easier to cook. She had no clue what I was talking about and was very annoyed by my request and said the chef had gone home. I think the Waterfront has hired a new chef and has no idea how to cook. I ended uptaking my dinner and the steak home with me where my wife cooked it exactly the correct way. We probably will not go back there to dine again. This last waitress was also not very good and we hardly saw her. I think she is a new waitress also.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 1

Service: 1

Good food and the staff are always friendly!

Tiger shrimp and ribs are so good!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Service was quick. Our server was very courteous and conscientious. Our food was excellent. The view of the lake was awesome.

Usually Waterfront has good food and service, unfortunately our last visit was terrible on both accounts. Our visit was Sunday Aug 6th. Seating was quick and our waitress was prompt to begin with, it was a train wreck after that. Our salads & bread never arrived. Took way too long to get our food. My crab legs were overcooked & the steak was dry. For $50 a plate I expect better. My wife's steak was ordered medium and was overcooked, her lobster tail was good. My kids Mac & cheese looked like it was made several hours ago. When I pointed out the salad & bread issue, the waitress offered to bring them, but no offer to make it right was offered. We took soup to go in lieu of a salad after the mediocre meal. When we got home we found a very small serving of soup and one breadstick each. The soup was pretty good.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 1

Service: 1