Iron Horse Grill & Saloon — Restaurant in Cokato

We've been going to the Iron Horse for around 8 years; it was of our favorite places to eat. My family has taken relatives here, and celebrated anniversaries and birthdays here, etc. The food is always good, and service is usually top notch - usually being the key word.

Our last visit was a nightmare. Right away, all the tables were filthy, and we sat at a dirty booth for ten minutes before the server/bartender came up to greet us. After asking, she did wipe down the table and bring menus. She didn't seem overly friendly or focused on our order - she was more worried about the bar and other tables, it felt like. We ordered, expecting our usual service.

An hour and fifteen minutes later, our food arrived.

It has NEVER taken the Iron Horse this long to prepare food. When we asked about the progress of our order, she immediately got defensive, explaining about other tables, and the full house downstairs at the main bar and dining room. All she could say was "We prepare food in order," and walked away. No apology, no offer to refill our drinks, just a very defensive response.

My food came and it was not prepared properly. It was missing sauce, which I waited ten minutes for as she checked other tables. My chicken was burned, and my brioche bun was absolutely soggy. Our entire table ordered burgers and the bread was cold, soggy, and tasted day-old. My sandwich, particularly, called for a grilled and buttered brioche - what arrived to me was neither. When I asked her about it, the server left MID-SENTENCE, and just stalked off without word.

I was flabbergasted. She returned a few minutes later and in passing reminded me that the cook, "Said it was absolutely grilled," before walking away to another table. She didn't apologize, or even stop at our table to explain. She mumbled and couldn't be bothered to make eye contact. I responded (to her back as she was walking away) that there was no way the soggy, cold, and flat brioche I had been given was warmed in any way. Years in the food industry had taught me that much.

Finally, after tossing our check rudely on the table without so much as a "Thanks," or direction on where to proceed for payment, we'd had enough. We walked up to the bar to pay and tell her about our experience, and ask just what exactly her issue with us was. We weren't trying to be rude throughout our visit, but after a long day of working on the farm in the heat, we'd expected to at least be treated with professionalism, and eat what we had ordered from the menu. Mostly, however, I was upset that she had just walked away from me while I was talking, and couldn't give me the time of day as a customer with a legitimate complaint.

She was angry. She told us to never come back, and that if we called her boss, he would vouch for her as an employee and tell us to take our business elsewhere. That is REALLY hard to believe, especially after just surviving almost a year of COVID-related lockdown. She told me I was rude and unpleasable, and I ended up telling her she was the worst customer service representative I'd ever encountered, and that had I treated customers like she treated me in the 10+ years of serving experience I've accumulated, I'd be flat on my butt out the backdoor without a job. She stuck her tongue out at me like a prepubescent toddler, and took my bill.

She even gave me the wrong change. Worst experience at a restaurant I've ever had, which is a shame, because we've loved eating there for a long time. Won't be going back anytime soon, unless the waitstaff changes. Save your money and go the next town over for good food and...

This place has great food and a fun, biker atmosphere. The location is kind of tucked away in downtown Cokato, a quarter mile South of 12. If street parking is full, there is a lot around the corner. It is a walk-in, seat-yourself, sit-down restaurant & bar. There is a nice screened-in porch where you can sit if you're a smoker, or if you don't mind the smell of tobacco smoke. You can find a barrel of peanuts by the bar with metal bowls on top so you can take some to your seat if you want. They have a standard selection of beer with some favorites and some more well-known local brews in the mix. The unique selection of burgers are very good. They have wraps, salads, and other items if you aren't in the mood for a burger. One very good side that I have had there is the mac & cheese bites: macaroni, bacon pieces, and pepper-jack cheese breaded and fried - very tasty. The quickest that I have been in and out of that place at lunch is about 25 minutes, but obviously that depends more on you than them. The way this bar is set up makes it a less than ideal place to bring kids, especially little kids. There are not a lot of large tables, many of the seats are stools, and I haven't ever seen a booster seat or a highchair but they may be hidden. All around, this is a great local place to eat if you happen to be...

Saw a post about their special on the local Facebook group, so my husband and I decided to try it out. I have not been to Cokato in the eight years that I have lived in Minnesota, so I was pleasantly surprised.

The restaurant space is called upstairs, and the bar is downstairs. It was quiet and the ambiance was great. I did not catch her name, but the lady working there was incredible. She was the only one helping the customers, but she did it all with grace. Shout out to her!

For the food, we got their special which was the flame grilled steak and grilled walleye. They were delicious. I did not expect the portion to be that big considering it was $23 for the two meals. We also got their Mac Bites appetizer. Those were good as well.

I started following them on Facebook after this meal. I hope to catch more special deals here! 😊

Tip: It looks like the deals start at 5PM. If you are in a hurry, come as close to 5PM as possible. The...