Unfortunately, there is – at least as this is being written – no rating available between 2 & 3. But I’ll make an exception. Cousins Hide-A-Way, at least on this occasion, is certainly not a 3. That said…
Good Reasons – For Starters
Once upon a time I had a favorite restaurant in Haugen Wisconsin (about ten minutes or so north of Rice Lake) that topped my list of go-to restaurants in the area. This, for several reasons: 1) it was very close to where I would stop for the night on my way farther north, 2) they served an incredible blue gill fish fry, 3) they had an awesome salad bar and 4) prices were very reasonable. Those are four very good reasons – for starters.
The parking lot was always full, and the dining room was filled with mostly local patrons (although it was never just locals inside Cousin’s). To me, this always says a lot about the quality of any restaurant – and it’s all good. But then, something happened…
New Owners
A number of years ago, it began to seem as if things were “just not quite the same” at what was then simply called “The Hideaway”. The short version of the story is that 1) prices started climbing, 2) food quality went in the other direction and 3) we stopped going there. Those three reasons kind of negate the four good ones mentioned above.
Then we heard that the place had been sold – I was not surprised – and was under new management. In June of this year, we decided to return for dinner, as we had heard that things were different – and better – under new owners.
We Waited Several Minutes
Another fairly short version is the only way to finish the story. It goes like this. I was so excited to be returning to a former favorite dining spot! That excitement ended about thirty seconds after passing through the front doors…
We waited several minutes before anyone even said hello. So, we decided to have a cocktail at the bar and relax before dinner . However, the dining room was less than half full at the time. And that is never a good sign.
Not All That Clean
It took another five minutes or so for a bartender to even come over to us and ask what we might like to drink. We later found out that the bartender was actually an owner. He was the most incredibly impersonal person ever and did not seem at all happy to be there.
The bar itself – much like the rest of the restaurant – was not all that clean. The bar-top had definitely not been wiped clean for some time, certainly not before we sat down, nor after.
Dinners… and Effort
Blue Gills were still on the menu, but the price was now almost double what it was only three years ago. The portion size was fairly large – about six large fillets – but was exceeded by the size of the portion of French fries. The fries covered most of the plate and the ‘gills sat atop them. Lauren got the “All-You-Can-Eat Shrimp” dinner, requesting half broiled and half deep-fried.
The ‘gills were very good, the shrimp not so much so. Plating and presentation were totally absent. The salad bar was also just not quite the same as it used to be – far from the once-upon-a-time awesome. It now contained fewer items, and those items were not well-stocked. I’ll give the salad bar a “Three of Five” for effort…
Below-Mediocre Experience
Other than a fresh paint job inside, nothing else had really changed since our last visit. The dining room never did make it to half full – on a Friday night. That, in and of itself, should have told me all I needed to know.
But add to that the much higher prices for “just OK” food and smallish, higher-priced drinks as well. The result? A solid below-mediocre experience. So, if you are thinking of heading to Cousins Hideaway in Haugen, WI for a meal, you may want to think again. Perhaps Cousins Hideaway should remain hidden. Based on my opening statement, I give Cousins Hideaway a solid 2.5 Zins – I know there are much better choices nearby in the town of Rice Lake.
Your Table is Waiting…
Ralph Pancetta
Cousin’s Hide A Way is located at 209 County Highway SS in Haugen, WI. Currently, they do not have a website.
