Heading back west from a meeting with a client in Boulder Junction, I asked Lauren if there might be any place special she wanted to stop for dinner. Her response was quick in coming. She said: “I have these Restaurant.com coupons for a place not far from Rice Lake called Cedar Lake Grill. I have been saving them for a long time – let’s go there and use them.”
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A Plan is Hatched
Since we were headed in that direction already, It sounded like a plan. Besides, I knew of several hotels near and even in Rice Lake where we could stay the night after dinner.
First Impressions: A Bad Omen
It was a Friday and I expected busy. It was not – at least not when we arrived at 6:00 PM. Ya know how every now and then you get a feeling in the pit of your stomach that something is not quite right? Walking through the front door, I got one of those feelings. Later, I discovered that Lauren had an identical feeling. We should have listened, turned around and left right then, as what followed was not a pleasant experience.
A Series of Missed Steps
• First of all, the website for Cedar Lake Grill is abysmal. Not a whole lot of useful description there… But wait, there’s more.
• We were actually seated immediately by, I assume, a hostess and were handed menus. That employee then left us, without so much as a word about specials or anything even remotely pertinent to what to expect next.
• A full fifteen minutes later (6:15 PM), a server stopped by and asked if we would like something to drink. She did not ask if we would like water, if we were aware of the Friday Fish Fry, or what other specials might be available. Just a missed op for upsell…
The Service Debacle
It took another fifteen minutes – it’s now 6:30 PM – to get the beverages we ordered (a glass of Chardonnay and an Old Fashion). We then placed an order for two Fish Frys (Cod). Another missed op for upsell…- For the next forty-five minutes, no one else approached or stopped at the table – for any reason – and we waited… and waited… and waited. Oh, wait. Another server did stop – and asked if someone had taken a drink order. Apparently no contact or meaningful communication among employees.
- Aside from an unruly and obviously unhappy and tired small child (having been placed on the floor) causing a fuss, along with other patrons laughing loudly and talking loudly, the experience was getting difficult as the distractions mounted.
- At 7:15 PM – and not having received our dinners or being told why not – we got up from the table, paid our bar tab, and told the bartender we were leaving.
- Right next to us, there was a party of four who were apparently just as disappointed and disgusted as we were, because they were walking out as well. I’m sure there would be more.
Beyond the Food: A Disappointing Atmosphere
Lauren and I have visited more than 200 restaurants and I have reviewed more than 180 of them. Of all those reviews, I can recall only one… or perhaps two occasions when I have awarded a “One-Zin” rating to a restaurant. I am always uncomfortable doing that. The reason? That rating is more an insult than a rating for a job poorly done.
This experience, however, actually “took the cake.” Cedar Lake Grill is really nothing more than a bar that just happens to serve food. And I am quite glad that we did not stick around to see and/or taste what kind of dinner that would have come to our table.
Questionable Professionalism and Hygiene
Nothing very good or much more to say when I have to resort to getting up and leaving a restaurant… for ANY reason. As a final observation though, it was difficult to tell the difference between the customers and the employees. The employees were dressed in jeans or shorts, tattered tops… and flip flops with bare feet. I am left to wonder: what would the health department have to say about that? Oh yeah, the bartender had long hair (not tied back) that she continually played with…and then made drinks, handling/holding them from the top of the glass. Can you say NOT very impressive? I knew ya could!
The “One-Zin” Verdict
To no one’s surprise I’m sure, Cedar Lake Grill get a much deserved One Zin rating. Unsure what that means? Check it by following this link. I cannot recommend the place, and I promise I will not return.
Cedar Lake Grill is located at 2670 27th Street in Mikana, WI.
