Norton's of Green Lake — Restaurant in City of Green Lake

Worst “General Manager” Ever! Date of visit 8/25/2025

Best part of my visit to Norton’s was waiting for our table at the tiki bar outside, my drink was good and both bartenders were friendly. That’s it for positives: everything beyond this point in my visit was awful. The worst experience I have ever had in a restaurant of this stature.

This is going to sound like I’m raging on the waitress who the “General Manager” informed me was new but this awful experience really is a reflection on him and not as much her. Our waitress had the max volume was of a church mouse and we could barely make out anything she said during our meal. First thing was the drinks, asked for our dink orders and the other to ladies with me ordered sodas due to them not being drinkers. She wasn’t aware if they carried coke or pepsi but then stated pepsi so diet pepsi’s were ordered. 10 minutes later she returned and stated that its coke products so diet cokes were ordered. 10 more minutes later a regular coke arrived. Then we finally ordered our appetizers, the deviled eggs and escargot. When the escargot came out it was cold once she returned to check on us I asked if it was supposed to be cold and she stated “I don’t think so” then took the uneaten plate and walked away… that’s it, never got a new one or an explanation of what happened to it. Our tossed side salad come out as Caesar, the French Onion soup came out as Beef Stroganoff. Was never asked what our choice of potato was or what veggie we wanted so we got random options. But my breaking point was when an elderly gentleman sting alone with a desert in front of him stood up walk to an empty table and took the silverware from the table and stated to us “I can wait any longer for silverware, it’s been 20 MINUTES!!! At the moment I had to go way something to the hostesses. I told them everything that happened and all I requested was a new server.

This is where the “General Manager” come into play. He shortly approached the table and asked what the issue was. I informed him of everything, even the elderly man. He stated “She’s new, cut her some slack” I informed him that it inappropriate for him to tell me to essentially just deal with it. I informed him we got a sitter to come here tonight to come here and spend a good amount of money. He offered to comp the next round of drinks. He was informed that only one of us was drinking and he could comp my one drink and the sodas if he wants but were not looking for anything free, we just want a new server. He the stated “Work with me here, I’m trying to fix this” I again asked for another server but that must have been not an option due to the fact we never got another server. We then witnessed the very nice hostesses tell the “General Manager” everything we stated and More! He appeared to walk away from them. We then heard them talking to each other that “he’s not angry enough” even the hostesses this he’s an awful “General Manager”. Once the bill came the only thing removed was the escargot that we never ate. The “General Manager” then stopped over and with a smug look states “I took the liberty of removing the escargot” I relied “I hope so, I never ate any escargot” he kept smiling took my bill of the table. What a joke, he clearly must have had a personal relationship with the poor waitress. Because I still can’t understand why he refuses to give me a new one or even apologize for our bad experience. As we left the Hostesses apologized to us for both the waitress and the “General Manager”. Steer clear of this place! Until they get a manager who knows...

We came in at 5pm on 8/24/2025 and waited an hour to be sat, which was fine, we hung out at the tiki bar outside and the bartenders out there were great. The hostess that grabbed us to bring us to our table was great. When we did get seated our server didn’t come to our table for about 15 minutes. When she did she didn’t list off any specials or introduce herself, we could barely hear her. She couldn’t answer any questions about the drinks and didn’t even know if they had Pepsi or coke products. Our drinks didn’t come out for another 20 minutes and when they did they were incorrect. Another 20 minutes passed before it was corrected. We then ordered appetizers and they came out cold, and it was supposed to be served hot. We asked if the escargot was supposed to be cold she said no they’re not, and just grabbed the dish and left. Another 20 minutes passed before our order was taken. She forgot to ask if we wanted soup or salad and what type of potato, and when we asked If we get the option, she said no. Only for her to come back 10 minutes later and say actually yes you do. When the soups and salads came out every single one of them was incorrect. At this point, we were frustrated so we went up to the host and just asked for a different server. 10 minutes later, a manager came over and offered to buy us drinks, none of us wanted anymore but he could get the round we had currently and he asked what else he could do and we explained what happened and he said: “you should cut her some slack” The entrées came out on the colder side as well, and when we did get our bill, nothing was taken, except for the appetizer that we never ate, even though the manager had offered to take care of our drinks. Even the hostesses expressed how the manager wasn’t upset enough with the server for the poor service that us and other table she was serving were receiving. A nearly $200 night from food and drinks for terrible service and lukewarm warm/cold food. The other waitresses seemed great, the hostesses understood exactly where we were coming from. Do not recommend if it will be the same general manager...

Such a cool place! Neat atmosphere, very pleasant staff, and wonderful menu with great food. I don't usually order soup but I took a chance on the cream of mushroom soup and it was amazing! I could smother everything in it.

The entire meal was good from the soft wonderful rolls and butter which by the way was also the perfect temperature (I hate when butter is served so cold that you can't spread it) to both my cream of mushroom soup and my husband's baked French onion soup my both of our entrees. I had the roasted scallops which were served on a bed of kale and cauliflower puree which did seem to lack a little flavor but I think it's because I was spoiled after the flavorfull soup, but the the grilled cauliflower and tomatoes on the side were delicious. My husband had the filet work sauteed onions and a loaded baked potato which came with delicious brussel sprouts on the side. We agreed that the borderlaise sauce would be better on the side as the fillet could stand alone!

Our server was adorable and delightful and attentive. Our food came out quickly and was the perfect temperature.

Although my negative comments were my initial impressions I didn't want them to be at the beginning of my review, let me end by saying, don't let the overwhelming smell of bleach when you walk into the restaurant at the bar area turn you away. It does not linger into the restaurant area. Also if you are annoyed by the unfitting music that is playing in the bar area, that too was not noticeable in the restaurant area. Lastly, it is unreasonably cold in there but that seems to be a trend in every restaurant around here. Bring a sweater, wear long sleeves and pants - no dining out experience is enjoyable if...