Backwoods Bar & Grill — Restaurant in McGregor

First of all, the name of this place is NOT McGregor Landing Bed & Bath. It is Backwoods. And backwoods it is! A more appropriate name could not have been chosen. And second, how this establishment has a 'very good' rating is completely beyond me.||||My experience from October, 2021:||The door to the building was locked when I stopped by about 3:15 after a late lunch. I was “greeted" if you could call it that, by a woman who during my time with her, never once said a kind or welcoming word. She never introduced herself. She never said 'thank you.' Hey -- I’m a guest here. How about you make me feel welcome? How about you make a good impression about your tiny historic town? I am supporting your business by staying here. She didn't do any of that, BUT she did make very certain to tell me that check in is at 4:00 but she said she’d check me in anyway. (Oh. Okay. Thanks so much for doing me a favor.)||||By the way, as we all know, most hotels/motels do have a later check-in time, but in my travels which are reasonably extensive, I have never been locked out. Not providing some kind of explanation as to why the 4:00 check-in time is hard and fast to potential guests is completely unacceptable. If it had been noted in their email that the establishment is closed between 2:00 and 4:00 for lack of business, that would have been helpful. (also might have been very telling). There are ways to communicate your particular house rules to the public in a friendly and professional manner, provided you care and you want to remain in business. ||||So continuing with her very brusque attitude -- you’d think she was paying ME to stay there -- when I got out my credit card to pay, she proceeded to tell me (again, in an extremely condescending and rude manner) that they only take cash or check — and she had a whole speech at the ready to tell me that it says at THREE places on their website that they only take cash. (Wow. Three places!)||||(So, regarding taking cash: I checked out her claim later on and at the very bottom of the page, the very last item under “house rules” it does mention it. Once. The first email I received after booking has nothing about payment constraints but the 2nd email does and, again, at the very bottom of the email. That position is fine -- it's their rule -- but incredibly disingenuous given there are ample opportunities right up front to mention the cash rule. (Not to mention the fact that this is 2021 and most places stopped taking checks and cash decades ago and travelers are reasonable in assuming this transaction will be similar to others they've made.) But that aside, clearly, because of her attitude and having her little cash speech at the ready, this is an issue and probably a surprise to many of their guests. Maybe they should amend their information to be more forthcoming. That is, if they care.||||Once again, I’m in the wrong. Twice now and I’ve only been there about 5 minutes! Continuing... she was incredibly impatient with me and couldn’t have been any more unfriendly. I tried to be friendly. I tried to make conversation but my attempts were ignored. And once I got cash from the on-site ATM ($2.50 fee) and handed it to her, she made me wait several minutes to get the change. No one else there (they're closed, remember?). Nothing else or no one else to attend to. That was just her demeanor. Putting me in my place I guess. Oh, yes, I'M the problem. All in all, I went to my room feeling completely unwelcome — like I was an inconvenience. It put a damper on my day for a little bit (not too long). But I was very sad that I had chosen to stay there and that I gave my hard earned money to such a place.||||Going to the room: Stayed in Room #2 on a Monday night and it was mostly quiet. Fairly narrow, unpainted stairway (with bird poop on several stairs) leading to the 2nd floor where the rooms are located. Bees are swarming around their nest at the top of the stairs. Wide porch that overlooks the small triangle-shaped park below and some of the historic buildings across the main road which was a nice view. (One bright spot in the stay.)||||Management did make a bit of an effort by placing fall wreaths on the exterior doors facing the street. Initially, the room seemed sort of okay. Upon entering I noticed a wastebasket sitting on a chair just inside the door. An omen of things to come I guess. Low voltage bulbs in the overhead light cast a dim light but I noticed two lamps on either side of the bed. One didn’t work and the other’s cord was wrapped a couple of times around the headboard post letting me know it wasn’t plugged in. (Later swapping light bulbs, I realized the two lamps were attached to the same extension cord. I guess they couldn’t be bothered to prepare the room by plugging in the lamps. Lord knows they didn't dust. Anyway, the lamps both worked when I plugged them in.) Coffee maker with coffee and tea. Tea bags from a box are scattered loose in a basket for who knows how long or how many people have touched them. Small flat screen TV in the corner. One window with a ripped window shade. Mini fridge. Two wooden chairs. One was broken. Feeling was dark and dingy. Very sad.||||There is somewhat regular train traffic (the tracks run right behind the hotel) but not late at night and I actually like the sound. A train came thru about 6:30 am and activity downstairs started soon after. Bed was acceptable. Pillows were okay. WiFi connection was good. Bedskirt was ripped. Bathroom seemed clean but looks like some mold on some edges on the tub surround. Remnants of something dripping down the bathroom door and also on front of the refrigerator. The ‘fridge had something black inside on the door — I couldn’t tell what it was and wasn’t going to touch it to find out.||||Initially I was a bit irritated with the late check-in and early check-out but after staying here, I actually couldn’t wait to leave. I was up and out of there early! As you might imagine if you’ve read this far, I cannot recommend this place. In fact, because of the lackluster treatment and the state of the room, I actually hope they either make a decision to clean up their act, or go out of business. I have never ever said that about any other place I have stayed -- and I venture to say that I've never left a review as bad as this one -- but this place deserves it and it therefore warrants a strong statement. There should be a minimum baseline for acceptable treatment of guests and a minimum baseline for cleanliness and this place is not even attempting to make an effort on either point. ||||Clearly, I'm never staying here again. I’ve actually stayed in nicer, friendlier places for less than the $90 they charge. (Plus the $2.50 ATM fee.) No thanks. I am not that difficult to please if someone is just nice. Take a moment. Slow down, stop the pre-rehearsed speech and look at your guest like they are a real person. Be human. ||||With Marquette 2 minutes away and Prairie du Chien just a few minutes more, there are plenty of other places to stay with a better value and kinder reception awaiting. No need to subject oneself to this. This experience left a really bad impression of McGregor in my mind which is terribly sad and unfortunate. I’m sure there are good people in that little town, but first impressions...

First of all, the name of this place is NOT McGregor Landing Bed & Bath. It is Backwoods. And backwoods it is! A more appropriate name could not have been chosen. And second, how this establishment has a 'very good' rating is completely beyond me.||||My experience from October, 2021:||The door to the building was locked when I stopped by about 3:15 after a late lunch. I was “greeted" if you could call it that, by a woman who during my time with her, never once said a kind or welcoming word. She never introduced herself. She never said 'thank you.' Hey -- I’m a guest here. How about you make me feel welcome? How about you make a good impression about your tiny historic town? I am supporting your business by staying here. She didn't do any of that, BUT she did make very certain to tell me that check in is at 4:00 but she said she’d check me in anyway. (Oh. Okay. Thanks so much for doing me a favor.)||||By the way, as we all know, most hotels/motels do have a later check-in time, but in my travels which are reasonably extensive, I have never been locked out. Not providing some kind of explanation as to why the 4:00 check-in time is hard and fast to potential guests is completely unacceptable. If it had been noted in their email that the establishment is closed between 2:00 and 4:00 for lack of business, that would have been helpful. (also might have been very telling). There are ways to communicate your particular house rules to the public in a friendly and professional manner, provided you care and you want to remain in business. ||||So continuing with her very brusque attitude -- you’d think she was paying ME to stay there -- when I got out my credit card to pay, she proceeded to tell me (again, in an extremely condescending and rude manner) that they only take cash or check — and she had a whole speech at the ready to tell me that it says at THREE places on their website that they only take cash. (Wow. Three places!)||||(So, regarding taking cash: I checked out her claim later on and at the very bottom of the page, the very last item under “house rules” it does mention it. Once. The first email I received after booking has nothing about payment constraints but the 2nd email does and, again, at the very bottom of the email. That position is fine -- it's their rule -- but incredibly disingenuous given there are ample opportunities right up front to mention the cash rule. (Not to mention the fact that this is 2021 and most places stopped taking checks and cash decades ago and travelers are reasonable in assuming this transaction will be similar to others they've made.) But that aside, clearly, because of her attitude and having her little cash speech at the ready, this is an issue and probably a surprise to many of their guests. Maybe they should amend their information to be more forthcoming. That is, if they care.||||Once again, I’m in the wrong. Twice now and I’ve only been there about 5 minutes! Continuing... she was incredibly impatient with me and couldn’t have been any more unfriendly. I tried to be friendly. I tried to make conversation but my attempts were ignored. And once I got cash from the on-site ATM ($2.50 fee) and handed it to her, she made me wait several minutes to get the change. No one else there (they're closed, remember?). Nothing else or no one else to attend to. That was just her demeanor. Putting me in my place I guess. Oh, yes, I'M the problem. All in all, I went to my room feeling completely unwelcome — like I was an inconvenience. It put a damper on my day for a little bit (not too long). But I was very sad that I had chosen to stay there and that I gave my hard earned money to such a place.||||Going to the room: Stayed in Room #2 on a Monday night and it was mostly quiet. Fairly narrow, unpainted stairway (with bird poop on several stairs) leading to the 2nd floor where the rooms are located. Bees are swarming around their nest at the top of the stairs. Wide porch that overlooks the small triangle-shaped park below and some of the historic buildings across the main road which was a nice view. (One bright spot in the stay.)||||Management did make a bit of an effort by placing fall wreaths on the exterior doors facing the street. Initially, the room seemed sort of okay. Upon entering I noticed a wastebasket sitting on a chair just inside the door. An omen of things to come I guess. Low voltage bulbs in the overhead light cast a dim light but I noticed two lamps on either side of the bed. One didn’t work and the other’s cord was wrapped a couple of times around the headboard post letting me know it wasn’t plugged in. (Later swapping light bulbs, I realized the two lamps were attached to the same extension cord. I guess they couldn’t be bothered to prepare the room by plugging in the lamps. Lord knows they didn't dust. Anyway, the lamps both worked when I plugged them in.) Coffee maker with coffee and tea. Tea bags from a box are scattered loose in a basket for who knows how long or how many people have touched them. Small flat screen TV in the corner. One window with a ripped window shade. Mini fridge. Two wooden chairs. One was broken. Feeling was dark and dingy. Very sad.||||There is somewhat regular train traffic (the tracks run right behind the hotel) but not late at night and I actually like the sound. A train came thru about 6:30 am and activity downstairs started soon after. Bed was acceptable. Pillows were okay. WiFi connection was good. Bedskirt was ripped. Bathroom seemed clean but looks like some mold on some edges on the tub surround. Remnants of something dripping down the bathroom door and also on front of the refrigerator. The ‘fridge had something black inside on the door — I couldn’t tell what it was and wasn’t going to touch it to find out.||||Initially I was a bit irritated with the late check-in and early check-out but after staying here, I actually couldn’t wait to leave. I was up and out of there early! As you might imagine if you’ve read this far, I cannot recommend this place. In fact, because of the lackluster treatment and the state of the room, I actually hope they either make a decision to clean up their act, or go out of business. I have never ever said that about any other place I have stayed -- and I venture to say that I've never left a review as bad as this one -- but this place deserves it and it therefore warrants a strong statement. There should be a minimum baseline for acceptable treatment of guests and a minimum baseline for cleanliness and this place is not even attempting to make an effort on either point. ||||Clearly, I'm never staying here again. I’ve actually stayed in nicer, friendlier places for less than the $90 they charge. (Plus the $2.50 ATM fee.) No thanks. I am not that difficult to please if someone is just nice. Take a moment. Slow down, stop the pre-rehearsed speech and look at your guest like they are a real person. Be human. ||||With Marquette 2 minutes away and Prairie du Chien just a few minutes more, there are plenty of other places to stay with a better value and kinder reception awaiting. No need to subject oneself to this. This experience left a really bad impression of McGregor in my mind which is terribly sad and unfortunate. I’m sure there are good people in that little town, but first impressions...

In September 2022, I was with a group visiting McGregor and we stopped at the Backwoods Gar & Grill for lunch. This review is based on the overall experience for our group.

One person at our table had ordered the veggie patty to be included with a salad. She didn't like that the patty seemed not very hot and not as thoroughly cooked as she usually prefers. She asked our server if they could get a patty that was cooked more thoroughly. We thought the request was being taken care of. A while later, an upset cook came to our table to argue with us about the patty and he insisted it was cooked properly. The cook seemed to think the request was a negative critique of their skills. It was just a request based on preference for a slightly more cooked patty. I've never encountered that type of situation before where a restaurant refuses to serve food according to a customer's preference. Because of this, I was going to just give a 1-star review. That's what this member of our group said the restaurant deserved. However, the experience of the other people at the table was much different. So, the final rating of the restaurant reflects the average of everyone at the table.

I ordered a non-sweetened iced tea because that's a fairly predictable drink with most places having the same type of iced tea. The tea tasted very odd, as if something else in the drink fountain got mixed in. So, I asked the server if I could just have the cup emptied and rinsed. She was initially confused by my request, but wasn't rude about it. I explained I had my own coffee in a thermos I could drink, but the empty cup would be nice to use. It's too bad the tea wasn't better.

Those were the negative parts of the lunch visit. Now let me explain why the rating went from a 1-star to a 3-star.

I'm not a meat eater, which makes it harder to find food options. Some restaurants don't have any veggie options. I was thankful that the Backwoods Bar & Grill offered a veggie patty as an option.

A lot of businesses have closed due to short staffing. Businesses that make the effort to be open are typically doing so out of a genuine desire to serve their community and visitors. At times like these when it's hard to find employees, and maybe there are fewer customers, and smaller profits, I appreciate people continuing to work and serve, when the work is harder and the pay is lower.

So, the veggie options and not being closed are two big positive considerations.

Regarding the food... I ordered the "No Meat Supreme" sandwich described on the menu as: "On grilled dark rye served with pepper jack and American cheese. Topped with green peppers, onions, sliced tomato and mushrooms." The cost was $16.99 which may seem higher than expected for a lunch sandwich, but it also included a huge serving of sweet potato fries. I had them add the veggie patty, normally not included with that sandwich. I asked our server to bring me some mayonnaise on the side. The reason for the mayonnaise is because it can be used to improve the flavor if needed. At an unfamiliar restaurant I didn't know what to expect, but I wanted to give the sandwich a try before making any changes... the sandwich was amazing. Fresh grilled onions. Fresh grilled mushrooms. The sandwich was juicy but not greasy. The bread was perfect golden brown crispy and buttery with great rye flavor. The patty was a perfect complement to the other ingredients. I was half-way through the sandwich and realized I hadn't touched my mayonnaise. I shared the sweet potato fries with the group, and everyone at the table agreed they were delicious. The perfect balance of crispy and fresh.

The other people at the table in our group liked their food and drinks.

For the reasons I mentioned in this review, I've increased the rating...