Reviews for Thirsty Otter Tavern and Resort in Balsam Lake, WI

I didn't eat but the food looked good. It was a great old school bar. Great people and staff. Make great drinks...bartenders are... good. Read more

Great (cod) Friday night fish fry, excellent service, cool place with live music. I wanna come back during the day to see the... lake view! Read more

Thirsty Otter is always busy for people like to collect and hang out with others. I went there with three people I know to... discuss things we've covered before but over different menu choices. This time I ordered the grilled cheese sandwich which wasnot your ordinary cheese sandwich with two slices of bread but had three slices with two different cheeses and chips which canbe upgraded at a cost fries or waffle fries. We also ordered cheese curds which by restaurant standards seem to be a smallamount. The grilled cheese was grilled and cheesy. If you're looking for a grilled cheese there's a place on Highway 8 moreWestward which was way better. Look for that review. The cheese curds were cheese curds just a small amount though seems like ahalf an order. I had the rest of someone else's waffle fries and those were very good the regular fries okay. The drinkselection is standard bar Fair. Lemonade is some canned something which is nothing to write home about. We sat outside and itwas noisy even outside so if you're hard of hearing you may want to bring some hearing aids or sit close. Never got a chance tolook at the dessert menu it was never offered. The waitress we had was very friendly and stopped by occasionally to refilldrinks. Nothing was missed in the order which is what to expected. Read more

Nothing but great things to say about this place. OTTER BURGER AND BLODDY MARY WILL NOT BEAT IT . friendly staff gorgeous... setting on the lake great music great times recommend to anyone passing by or in the area . Hands down it's the spot to go!!!!!! Read more

Beautiful view, friendly staff, good food and bingo is fun!

This has been one of our favorite places in the area for years. Not anymore. We were there on Thursday for the rib special. My... wife ordered soup, and I ordered ribs. Almost an hour after ordering, we asked the bartender (Dawn) where our food was. sheapologized and said she forgot to put our order in, and that it would be out shortly. We sat and watched customers who sat downover an hour after us getting their food - including ribs. After an hour and a half, our food came out. Soup and a tuna melt.Ordered ribs, not a tuna melt. Eventually got ribs, which were very good, but did not make up for the horrible service and thewait time. And then we wanted to pay our tab - and Dawn was nowhere to be found. Located another waitress to pay our tab (nodiscounts - free "additional drink" if we wanted). Absolutely the worst restaurant experience we have ever had. We will never beback again. Being short staffed does not excuse this kind of service. Order not placed, and people all around us getting theirfood - including what we had ordered. Unfortunately, we will never be back again. Just one dissatisfied customer, and youprobably don't care. Read more

Nicole was a great server, working so hard on the 4th of July. Sat outside on some awesome deck chairs, sturdy, the kind you can... stand up and not rip your legs! Potstickers were perfect. Read more

Our group of 6 individuals had dinner here earlier this week, and it was fairly quiet - just a handful of other customers... inside. Our waitress was nice and attentive. The food took quite a while to come out (I?d at least 25 minutes). Overall, it waspretty tasty, but definitely on the heavier and greasier side - your typical bar/tavern food. They had a shrimp special, and theshrimp was huge!! If I?m ever back, I?d definitely go for that. Read more