Since our usual stay in Rice Lake is only for a single day or night, we have little opportunity to try many new places to eat – “old stand-bys” are generally the way we go. However, our most recent trip allowed for a slightly longer stay and a chance to try an additional venue at which to have dinner. And a fortuitous choice it was. Located right on Main Street in downtown Rice Lake, WI is a venue named Drag’s Restaurant & Roman Lounge.
Serving Rice Lake Since 1959
I had always wondered where the name of the restaurant originated… According to an article I found on a website called VolumnOne.org, in 1951, “Kas and Clara Draganowski opened the Enchanted Inn Supper Club in Barnes (WI). A decade later, they opened Drag’s Restaurant and Roman Lounge in Rice Lake.”
(Note – according to Drag’s website, the restaurant has been “serving Rice Lake since 1959.” That’s a very long time for any restaurant to stay in business – they have to be very good at what they do. Drag’s obviously is.) I had also always wanted to try the place, as it had gotten very good reviews from the local people I knew from the area.
Huge U-Shaped Bar
Monday night threatened more snow, but we were hungry for pizza and ventured out anyway. The restaurant itself is smallish, with seating for perhaps only 30-40 diners if the place is packed. When we entered, it was quite empty, so we headed to the rear of the establishment where the Roman Lounge is located.
Here there is a huge U-shaped bar that would seat perhaps twenty patrons, and a number of tables that would handle at least that many more. We added ourselves to the 8-10 folks already there in the lounge and took seats at the bar.
Favorite Spot
By the looks of things, this is the favorite spot of most customers and, although dark, it was easy to see that the place was essentially spotless-clean. It was quite well taken care of for a place of its age. The bartender was friendly and easy to talk with. She frequently stopped to chat with several of those sitting at the bar.
Orders were taken and then conveyed to the kitchen via telephone. Most seemed to be orders of pizza, although at least one pair munched on what appeared to be pasta, sauce and garlic bread.
Just Plain Excellent
We ordered a small (10”) sausage and mushroom pizza and a basket of fried lake perch with fries (although I was really tempted to order the Veal Parmesan), as well as a tossed salad. The salad was huge, with plenty of fresh and crispy lettuce, slices of tomato, black olives, carrots and croutons.
The pizza was absolutely perfect: thin and crispy crust, just the right amount of marinara sauce and plenty of sausage and mushrooms. Many times, pizza comes with an abundance of oil/grease. This was definitely NOT the case at Drag’s and it made the pie even more appealing. The flavor was just plain excellent; give the pizza an A+.
Made to Order Fries
The lake perch basket gets an A+, too. Lightly breaded and perfectly cooked, the six fillets were a perfect exclamation point on the visit to a new restaurant for us in Rice Lake. And the accompanying fries were home-made, hot and crispy – definitely made-to-order.
One of Lauren’s Favorites
The menu offers something for everyone. In addition to their specialty (home-made pizza), there are 16 different appetizers, 6 salads, 14 pasta dinners, 14 “American Favorites” (ribs, chicken, shrimp, etc.), 14 sandwiches, a kids menu and a number of desserts – including Tiramisu, which is one of Lauren’s favorites.
Prices were reasonable and the food was excellent. I only regret one thing: that we have waited so long to try Drag’s. Put it on your list – it most certainly now has a permanent place on mine! I give it 4½ Zins. We’ll be back!
Your Table is Waiting…
Ralph Pancetta
Drag’s Restaurant and Roman Lounge is located at 511 S Main St in Rice Lake, Wisconsin.
Lauren’s Links
- VisitRiceLake.com – Online guide to restaurants, shops and things to do in Rice Lake, WI
- Recipe for Spaghetti with Northern Pike (OntheLake.net)
