It was a warm Friday night in Kenosha. My husband and I were joined by another couple and their 2 young children. We set out during the dinner hour with plans to go to a popular bar/burger joint in downtown Kenosha. That quickly proved to be a big mistake after we observed the crowd literally spilling out into the street. So we walked around looking for alternatives.
We came upon The Boat House, which had the look of an old family restaurant. We saw people seated at tables by the window being served plates of golden battered fish, French fries, and coleslaw. My husband, always a sucker for a good fish fry, suggested we give it a shot. There was a moderate line of people waiting to be seated, which was expected given the time and weather. The restaurant was bustling--families, people of all ages, servers and bussers running this way and that--so we felt we had made a good choice. We thus patiently waited 15-20 minutes to be seated.
We were seated at a large table inside, which gave us full view of the nautical decorations. We mentally noted that the restaurant was aptly named. We examined our menus and waited a few minutes until our server appeared, after which she took our drink orders.
Over the next 15 minutes, we continued to observe the same scene--families, people of all ages, servers and bussers running this way and that. We saw our server on multiple occasions walking back and forth to other tables, punching orders into the computer, etc. The only thing missing from this scene was our drinks.
In fact, our server never returned to our table and our drinks never arrived, so we all agreed to hoist anchor and shove off. We took our business and our appetites to another place down the street. Suffice it to say, we have sailed over the horizon and are not coming back.
We recently had breakfast at the Boathouse. Â It was very affordable - short stack, side of potatoes and a side of bacon was $6.50. Â Â Breakfast is pretty simple, but my pancakes were light, fluffy and buttery tasting - the O'Brien potatoes were FANTASTIC - just as good as I can make them at home - done perfectly and crispy on one side and seasoned just right. Â They also have a breakfast buffet that is $5.99 if you purchase a bloody mary. Â We skipped the buffet as the food was set up in the outdoor dining area (which honestly, grosses me out - impossible to ever keep flies away - they should move it indoors), and it was too early to start drinking. Â Our server was polite, but it took longer than expected for our food to arrive. Â I think it was 20 minutes or so before our food arrived - and while 20 mins. is usually an acceptable time to wait - it seemed long for breakfast considering the place wasn't that crowded. Â We would eat here again.
Review Source:It's really hard for me to rate this place. Â The food can be great one time and almost frozen to microwaved another. Â The service is usually forgetful but nice. Â The wait time for the food is consistently very long. Â They have such a wonderful location and a large restaurant/bar, I've often wondered how much better they could do with a real focus on the operations. Â Luckily for them, the location takes care of problems that would probably sink it elsewhere. Â Go for the view when you have a lot of time. Â Don't expect a lot and you might be very pleasantly surprised.
Review Source:My husband, son and I went here for dinner Sunday night. Â We had the worst service I ever experienced in a restaurant. Â We waited 20 min. inside for a table outside. Â That was fine. After 20 minutes outside, we noticed the servers taking orders from others seated after us. Â No one ever gave us menus or acknowledged us until we asked. Â We ordered 2 appetizers and 3 dinners. Â After waiting a long time the dinners came, but no appetizers. Â We told the waitress to forget about the apps. Â She brought them anyway, 15 minutes after our meal. Â We refused them at that time. Â The fish and ribs were good. Â The fish would of been better had she brought tarter sauce and lemon slices. Â The manager offered free dessert, but we told them no thanks. Â They tried to charge us still for the apps. Â The view is NOT good. Â You have to look past the parking lot to see the lake. Â I would never go there again.
Review Source:The fish is fantastic. Â I love the Long Island Ice Tea and the many varieties of other Teas. Â The atmosphere is very interesting with all the nautical items. Â Being able to take a nice walk down the pier is also a big plus. Â I have been there many times and have never been disappointed. Â Prices are very fair.
Review Source:Boathouse is ok. The location is great, right off the lake. The food is always mediocre. The service varies from poor to pretty good depending on the night. We used to eat here when I was a kid and I remember it being a lot better than in recent years. They do have good long islands but Ron's are much better. It is ok if you are looking for a bar but the restaurant is not up to par.
Review Source:The manager (maybe owner?) with the dark hair is a joke. He's never once been in a good mood when I've seen him. (I've been there about 100 times, that's not a joke.) I feel bad for the kids that work for that guy. The employees are always polite and try their best. It's tough to learn an industry with little or, in this case, no help.....A LITTLE SMILE AND A POLITE "HOW ARE YOU TODAY?" go a long way in the service industry. If you read bad reviews on this place it's most likely because of the management. Time for the owner/manager to look in the mirror, scratch his head and wonder why he's got a revolving door. Â I will take my money elsewhere from now on though. There's many friendly establishments just a stones throw away. Good luck to you BOAT HOUSE.
Review Source:The menu said that the ribs are cured and hickory smoked or smoked and BBQ in house. I didn't get that, what does that mean. I ordered them anyway. I thought they might have a BBQ smoker and I was going to get fresh BBQ ribs. What I got was something that tasted like a pre packaged BBQ slab. Had I knew this I would have went to Texas Roadhouse or Famous Daves. I can't speak for the rest of the menu but the side of clam chowder that came with the ribs was good compared to the ribs. Service seemed slow, they couldn't find the soup. Ribs were ready but they said the soup was still on the way 10 minutes later?. 30 minutes for the ribs 40 minutes for the soup. The place was only open in the back bar so the rest of the place was closed and empty. I wonder if they went to the Marina Garden diner next door for the soup.
Review Source:okay, it's probably only really worth 4 stars, but I'm giving it 5 for the good memory/good times factor. Â This place has great food, and simply the BEST long islands in the known universe (no kidding). Â The service could be better depending on the time of year (they employee college students and service can increase and decrease depending on if they are working). Â The bartenders are great, the atomophere is a mix of laid back adult and a slightly more wild side by the windows facing the harbor. Â Not wild by many bar standards, but for a place as nice as this it is. Â There is also plenty of eye candy. Â :)
Review Source:In Kenosha for a spell? Looking to wet yer whistle with the finest hard teas that Wisconsin has to offer?
SETTLE DOWN, will you? Seamen love to drink the hard stuff. For sailors on fair Lake Michigan, their poison is the Long Island Iced Tea.
Boat House's Tea Party boasts 32 oz. renditions of the boozelubbers favorite ranging from the traditional Long Beach to the more obscure Strawberry Tide, a blend including creme de strawberry, banana and a strawberry/kiwi juice.
I, for one, have swigged the Pink Pelican (grade A for pink lemonade- can't go wrong) and the Roll-out-the-Barrel (grade C for bitter root beer aftertaste- bad experiment).
Ate the food, and she's nothing to write home about. Guzzle your tea and be merry!
Yesterday two friends and myself were on a day trip along the lake from Chicago. We were not impressed with the food but what really got us grossed out was while we had just finished our lunch we witnessed a mouse running along the floor! We alerted the staff and the reaction from them was 'oops, sorry." Â Like it was no big deal but neither did the other patrons so maybe its happened before. Tasteless food and mice...no, no, no.
Review Source:went here for a holiday party. Â they did a great job serving such a large group. Â the food was great. Â started with bruschetta and a cheese/salami/crackers - simple but very good. Â steaks were nicely done. Â would be willing to try this again for just normal dinner. Â outside patio sounds great in the summer!
Review Source:Very acceptable food plus outdoor eating with lake view
For a nice summer day or evening, the Boat House is a casual choice with a nice view of the harbor. Â They offer full dinners, sandwiches, salads, appetizers, and desserts. Â I enjoyed the grilled tuna sandwich and the red potato salad. Â On a summer Sunday evening they were quite busy so service was a little slow, but, of course, this isn't a fast food restaurant. Â Slow down and enjoy the warm breezes on the back porch!
We just recently started to go to the Boat House - it is becoming a favorite spot. We have always been served quickly, good food and drinks. Great for take out as well!
If it is busy it can take a bit to be welcomed and seated at a clean table (esp. outside on the deck - a bigger deck would be great at this spot!).
A Kenosha lakeside/harborside mainstay in the northern part of downtown. Â The Boathouse used to be one of the most popular bars in town when it first opened, and still draws a good crowd on the weekends. Â It has a great atmosphere, huge long islands in many flavors, and is a good meeting spot to start your night off.
As far as a restaurant, this place has come a long way in the last 10 years.  I remember  dreading going to this place when I was underage.  I couldn't drink, it was way smokey, and the food was sub-par.  The music also tends to get very loud in the front bar due to wood floors mixed w/ pounded tin/copper cielings.
Recently, I have atteneded to 2 wedding rehearsal dinners in their newly remodeled banquet hall addition. Â The rooms are nice and the buffet was a quite a spread of good food.
As long as you stick to the fish dishes and sandwiches, you should be safe. Â Although, my wife went out a few months ago w/ a few friends for dinner and had some partially uncooked fish on her plate. Â Yuk.
If you are just looking for a good view of the harbor and want to chill on the back indoor/outdoor patio, then stop by the Boat. Â Try any of the long islands to get your night started right. Â Decent pub fare as far as the menu goes. Â If you are looking for fine dining on the lake, try the Lighthouse Inn (Kenosha Yacht Club) right over the bridge.
I was here for a county held function and my filet mignon was delicious! I enjoyed the atmosphere,the server was quick and polite and helpful! They had karoke that night..but it was fun and the lady could actually sing who ran it..suprise!All in all I would go back and had a really good time!Oh and since my prior husband and still wonderful friend works here as a cook..I think it makes it even better to stop in! I also had lunch and a long island here a week ago..(10/09)these long islands will knock u off your chair...geez..
Can be impossible to sit on the deck in nice  weather though.And that is the best spot!
The Boat House is nice place for lunch. Â I'd recommend their Long Island ice teas which come in many varieties served family sized. . . the decor is typical Wisconsin/Lake Michigan nautical themed. Â The food is not bad but priced appropriately. Â The atmosphere is nice and on the few occassions I've been there in the evenings they had live music in the bar.
Review Source:As a former Kenoshan, I can vouch wholeheartedly for the Boat House. Â It is one of the few places in town where you are guaranteed a booth or table for up to twenty (if you want it), huge 42 oz Long Islands (for under $10!) and lots of greasy bar/Wisconsin specialties. Â When I am drinking, I generally zero in on the cheap, messy beef nachos, which are more than enough to share with your friends. Â Of course, the same could be said about the Long Island...but that somehow never happens. Â If you are in the mood for more of a full meal...having taken the time to travel across the border...go for the Lake Perch platter or one of the sandwiches or wraps. Â The food is pretty generic, but still pretty good for a bar.
The Boat House usually has a live band on Friday and Saturday nights...not necessarily a good live band..but a band just the same. Â They have plenty of beers on tap, and pitchers will only run you about $5-$10. Â To put it all into perspective...I recently reunited with about 20 high school friends for my engagement party at the Boat House....several Long Islands (during happy hour), at least 5 pitchers and a few plates of nachos plus tip, a table for 20 and 4 hours later...we were only down about $100+ change. Â Try and find that in the Windy City!
A good bar and grill near Lake Michigan. The late lunch (3pm) crowd was still hopping. Â The food was average. Â The Pizza and Wings were above average pub grub. They had a decent club sandwich and an above average BBQ Pork sandwich. The nachos looked amazing, but we didn't get them. Â Their big cups, beer selection and a specialty in Long Island Ice Tea, make the Boathouse a great summer destination. Â It is very accessible to marine traffic. Â I would recommend the Boathouse for afternoon of drinks and lunch to compliment it.
Review Source:
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