Backdraft BBQ at Gresham Lodge — Restaurant in Town of Arbor Vitae

First Impressions mean a lot! I just don't know... I think I'm going to have to go back ummm... At least five times in the next 3 months to decide if I like the place LOLOLOL. The flavors of all the smoked meats and the bbq sauces that are served with them are phenomenal!!! I've heard SO MUCH about Back draft BBQ at Gresham Lodge that I thought it was WAY past due to try the place out... It Does Not Disappoint!!! If you leave dissatisfied, it's your own damn fault! I would rank it as the top best BBQ that you can find in the North Woods of Wisconsin. The wait staff is VERY friendly and extremely accommodating. The drink options are awesome choices and are great standards for a Supper Club, but the atmosphere is SO Much More! Go check it out and be ready to be pleasantly surprised. OMG, the menu and food options are to die for and if you don't get at least three additional meals from your take-home containers then you are too much and your not going to be able to move from the tables. MAKE SURE YOU ENJOY THEIR (AGAIN) TO DIE FOR CHEESECAKE OR DESSERTS! You may just want to reserve some space for that. The Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake is a Killer!!! If they don't have any left you...

If you want good service, don't bother going here! We arrived and put your name on the list. After our first drink (30 minutes) we asked what number in line we were for a table, we were told the bartender did not know. So we hung out a bit longer and at the 1 hour mark we got another drink and asked what number we were now. Quoting the bartender "If I have to go back there to find out what number you are I can't serve drinks". Well, ok, sorry to inconvenience you by showing up here to eat! So I asked the waitress what number we were, and she told me she had no clue. Who is running this place? Obviously not the staff! We finally got a table at 1 hour and 25 minutes. My problem is not that we had to wait, it was that no one had a clue what was going on and they were giving us attitude for coming here and bothering them. After we were seated the food was decent, but not worth a 1 hour 25...

Let me say first that I rarely write a bad review. I like promoting restaurants up north. I understand and can appreciate a bad night. It takes a really bad meal for me to write something.

I went here with guests for Friday night Fish Fry. We were excited to try it. We were extremely disappointed. I dislike rye bread immensely and it was the best thing I tasted there.

The Shark Bites appetizer was fishy and the sour chemically mango dip was gross.

The fish fry was tough and fishy. The clam chowder was watery. The burger was dry.

For over $20 for the fish fry wasn't even close to worth it. I had two small pieces and left nearly one whole piece. It might be all you can eat, but you won't want to.

I liked the location, the new chairs and tables and atmosphere. The staff was friendly. That's all the positives that I can muster.

I wish them well but we won't be back unless...