Maggie's — Restaurant in South Lake Tahoe

Update December 2024:

3 stars this last visit but this may have been an anomaly so still definitely recommended as I expect a rebound to a 4-5 star experience next time.

This is one of the best semi-kept secrets of great places to eat in Lake Tahoe that is a somewhat unique atmosphere that isn't inexpensive but also not insanely priced like many places in the area for 'elevated' cuisine (pun sort of intended due to location.) It is one of my favorite discoveries and I visit Maggie's a couple times a year usually to bring visitors with me.

The location is unique on the 3rd floor of a small boutique hotel a stone's throw from the casinos and feels almost treehouse-like . The food in my experience has been top notch and for the caliber of cuisine one of Tahoe's best values. Really the only downside is seating space, outdoor or indoor, is limited so reservations are practically a must in the busy seasons (holidays/weekends in the Winter and most all Summer long), especially for dinner. Indoor seating is a bit cramped, or shall we say 'cozy'. The dining room is actually separated into two separate spaces. The better space is the one not accessed through the main entrance that you feel like you are dining in a treehouse with floor to ceiling windows. They have a brunch menu every day instead of separate breakfast and lunch menus.

However, with a heavy heart, my lunch today was a huge disappointment. There were 4 of us and we spoke so highly of Maggie's on the way there having eaten one if not the best burger and fried chicken sandwich in prior visits amongst other great menu items.

I'm not sure if some of the menu items have changed due to a new chef, cost cutting, or a bored chef that wants to change for the sake of change. There's a saying, "if it ain't broke don't try to fix it."

To start, our beers came out room temperature. The burger, one of the best I've ever eaten, was good but closer to average instead of the previous exceptional (according to my fellow diner who always gets the burger.)

The fried chicken sandwich was thinner and drier than in the past and instead of sort of a Korean style sauce with a slaw, that was so good it competed with the best Hot Chicken sandwich in Nashville, it was slathered with a thick coat of what resembles a rich cream cheese or goat cheese and guacamole. It wasn't bad, but a far cry from the earlier version that was thick, juicy, and flavorful with that crispy slaw. I hate cheese like cream cheese/goat cheese but if you like it, your opinion of the sandwich would be higher.

I did eat the sandwich almost gagging on the cheese (some of it I scraped off) and was still hungry when I left as the portion of lukewarm homemade fries they served was very modest (and over salted.) There chicken patty was so much smaller I had considerable bun left. We were frankly embarrassed that we built the place up so much to the people we brought with us.

I hope this is just an isolated incident. But I need to be honest with my latest rating. I wouldn't necessarily dissuade anyone from trying the place but when looking at reviews I'd be careful to make sure it is sorted starting from most recent.

To their credit service is good, albeit can be a bit slow when busy, and they did give a discount on the bill for mentioning the warm beers. That took it from 2 to 3 stars...

This is my second visit to Maggie's since October. Having previously had many lovely experiences, I waited to write a review because our previous visit was not pleasant and I was hoping this one would be better. It was not.

Our reservation was for 6pm. We arrived about 10 minutes late, but had called to indicate this. The couple joining us was about 5 minutes behind us. We were seated, but were given no menus nor did a server ask us if we wanted drinks. Instead, we sat and waited for our friends to join us. When they arrived, the server then brought us menus. She was pleasant and professional.

We ordered drinks. I watched as a gibson was made and placed on the bar, whisky was poured into a glass that sat on the bar. Rather than serve them, they sat on the bar and warmed while the keg was changed, tested and, ultimately beers were poured (about 2/3 full).

We ordered arancini and octopus. We received 3 arancini and one octopus leg. Why were we not served 4 arancini? We ordered salads that were supposed to have poached pear. We hunted for the pear and found about 2 slices.

We attempted to order wine. A request to taste the wine required that one of us go to the bar to do so. The bottle we ordered arrived shortly after our entrees. Our entrees included tagliatelli with prawns, filet minon (2) and the short rib. The servings were small. The food was good. Everyone seemed to be happy with their dishes.

We ordered a second bottle of wine with the intention of enjoying it during dessert. We waited and waited for the dessert we had ordered as well as a server to check on us. When she finally did, we decided to ask for the check. The dessert never arrived and was not included on the check.

Up to this point, the experience at Maggies was very similar to our previous one during which we had gone for brunch. It wasn't until I got home that the food poisoning set in. I was in extreme pain and incredibly sick for about 6 hours, then dehydrated, exhausted and weak for three days. This restaurant is...

The food here was great. You can see the cooks in the back making your food and the intimate setup makes this a perfect brunch location. The servers and employees are kind and understanding. I heard a customer say they were allergic to flour. The server not only asked the chef what they could do to accommodate. When the dish the person wanted was not possible he offered alternative ways to get what she wanted to accommodate her requirements. There was a lady there who I assume was the manager or owner. She was showing the dishes being brought out to people who had not ordered to give them glimpses of what was available. She did everything with a smile as all the staff did. The 4 star was for room because in the main dining location it was cramped and we had to avoid the staff and other people. it's not a negative on the location. I feel the positives about this place has made it busier than the location allows. There are patio and alternate locations with more space if needed. The cold bothers me so I went for indoors. Even the bathroom was clean and well maintained They had pads and tampons as well as a baby changing station. The option of air drying and paper towels are something I appreciate. Overall I will take more people to this location and want to see what more of the menu Has to offer. I got the fried pork belly with gravy and biscuits. My friend said his eggs were amazing and I have to say the biscuits are quite good. Especially with the gravy.

Keep up the...