Highway Dhaba Bar & Grill — Restaurant in Town of Burke

Prepare for a long one! 3 strikes... You are OUT Pine Cone! Such a disappointment. I visited 3 times in the past 2 weeks and each time was reminded why nobody should give them your business. Frazzled and overwhelmed waitstaff (even with only 6 or 7 tables for 2 servers) are unable to refill a simple glass of water and the kitchen staff (well, cook anyway) was very rude ( I could hear him arguing with the waitress from my seat!) He gave grief about every single order request from every guest including me if the order was not EXACTLY as described in the menu. I simply substituted fruit instead of a potato which was allowed per the menu and I heard him gripe to the waitress who responded, " yes, I know to charge him extra".

To start, My first visit was for a Friday fish fry and was told they were sold out and given chicken instead which I can live with. I get if you sell out you sell out.. Happens..my fault for not being there sooner. HOWEVER the chicken was terribly overcooked and dry. My server was running around like a chicken with her head cut off and only had 4-5 tables including myself who dined alone. I couldn't stand the burnt chicken. Still hungry, the bakery display caught my eye on the way out but don't be fooled! It looks too good to be true and is. Though the size of the treats are impressive the flavor and freshness was terrible. My Chocolate Eclair was old and stale (you should not need silverware to dig into an Eclair!) While I was led to believe they were baked fresh daily, these were days old at best.

I chalked my bad experience up to me being late to the fish fry and bad luck...I returned the following Friday and even called ahead to reserve some fish just to be sure. When I arrived I MADE SURE to avoid the previous server from the week before becaue she was so bad. I told them I was the one who called ahead and was somewhat shocked to hear that there was no need, they are not in danger of running out IN FACT the gal told me she couldn't believe I was turned away the week prior because they always have plenty. Strange... Well, I was excited to try it as it was an all you can eat. ..Listen to me when I tell you I can see why they don't sell out- the cod was BURNT crispy, like Clark Griswold Christmas Vacation burned turkey crispy. The server even commented on how terribly prepared it was when she brought it to my table and brought it anyway! I got the feeling she was afraid to reject it to the cook because of how he would react to the criticism. I remembered the kitchen staff from the previous week but as this is an AYCE fry asked for a reorder less crispy. My fish came out with the batter still RAW and near white in color on the second try. Again, I could hear the kid in the kitchen moan and groan but in Wisconsin fish frys are so common I can't believe they had let this kid run it and do it so terribly! He obviously had zero training on how to properly fry food. The the waitress was complaining about her lack of tips to other tables while I sat there for 15 mins waiting for my water glass to be refilled which she forgot about because she was so busy gabbing. Again disappointed, I paid my tab and left.

Third Try! This time I did not order fish or come on Friday night but Monday. No sign of the terrible waitress from my first visit and I see a different face in the kitchen. So Far So good! Well, all until I ordered. I heard the kitchen complain AGAIN from my seat about my fruit choice. I was given unripe csntelope on the rind. Whatever. Make it or don't. The waitress was very positive and upbeat which kept my spirits up till this point, but nothing good lasts forever. I'm two thirds of the way into my meal when low and behold that same waitress shows up for her shift (the same Frazzled old waitress from visit #1) and with no communication takes over my side of the diner's tables. With no greeting, hello, or intro whatsoever approaches my table and begins clearing it and takes my meal away while I'm still eating it! She didn't even ASK of it...

This restaurant used to be called the Pine Cone, a chain restaurant found at truck stops all over the country, or at least here in Wisconsin. For many years, my brothers and I made it a tradition to eat here every Thanksgiving and Christmas. They always have a special menu on those days. We have been joined by various others throughout the years as well. Then Covid struck and our tradition was broken, until now....

Pine Cone went out of business for some time and is now under new ownership, which of course includes the new name, Highway Cafe.

We renewed our tradition this year and we did so with a party of 11, significantly more than usual. Eight adults and 3 kids: 13,10, and 2 years old. I felt it was important to give the back up info to paint a picture.

I went in before the rest of our party arrived and told them about the size of our party. They were all very friendly and accommodating. Immediately 3 people got to work putting tables together and gathering enough chairs to seat everyone. Eventually, everyone arrived and our dinner began. Mustafa, our server, did an absolutely AMAZING job! Every order was taken correctly, including the 10 year olds, who has a lot of food allergies. He was super friendly and engaging and was even great with the kiddos! 🙂

All the food was served correctly. It tasted great and our wait time was impressively minimal, especially given the size of our party. The atmosphere was friendly and inviting. Even if I were forced, I don't think I could find anything to complain about or criticize.

I hope I spelled Mustafa correctly. It's imperative to me that he gets the recognition he deserves for his exemplary service. He checked on us frequently enough to prevent drinks from going dry, which is something I especially appreciate. I strongly dislike not having a beverage handy. In addition, as is usually the case with larger parties, he did have assistance delivering the initial food and drinks. However, for the most part, he single handedly took care of all our needs.

If you get to read this, Mustafa, THANK YOU!!! You did an absolutely fantastic job!!!

One more detail I appreciated: most restaurants automatically add a gratuity for larger parties. Usually it's 18% for parties of 8 or more. However, they did not do this. As a 40 year old who has worked customer service jobs most of my life, I'm a firm believer in tipping generously, and even moreso when the server does an exceptional job. While I understand the automatic gratuity, I prefer the freedom of deciding the amount without being forced. That said, our bill after tax was $127.63. We gave Mustafa a $50 tip because he absolutely deserved it. That's 39% for those who are curious. I don't tell you this to receive praise, but rather to encourage others to be generous as well, or at least fair. Servers are generally underpaid significantly.

Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read all this, for those of you who did. I highly recommend this...

Highway Cafe in DeForest, Wisconsin is a convenient stop for travelers, especially those coming off Interstate 39/90 and Highway 51. The location offers plenty of parking for trucks and trailers, making it an easy place to pull in if you are on the road with larger vehicles.

Unfortunately, the overall experience inside the restaurant leaves a lot to be desired. The building is very outdated. The floors were noticeably dirty, and the tables had a sticky surface that did not feel clean. The wallpaper is old and peeling, the paint is worn, and the windows looked like they had not been washed in a long time. The entire space feels like it has not been deep-cleaned or maintained in years. These issues go beyond simple cosmetic problems and contribute to an uncomfortable dining environment.

One bright spot was the staff. The servers were kind, attentive, and seemed genuinely welcoming. They provided quick service and made sure guests were checked on and taken care of. Their effort was appreciated and stood out in contrast to the condition of the building.

The food was fast and typical of a small roadside diner. It did not appear to be homemade and lacked any real flavor or presentation. Most items seemed to be frozen or pre-packaged. If you are just looking for something quick to eat and are not expecting quality or freshness, it will do the job. However, anyone hoping for a home-cooked meal or anything beyond basic diner food will probably leave disappointed.

Highway Cafe could be a solid spot if ownership invested in cleaning and updating the space. A deep clean, some repairs, and a more thoughtful food approach would go a long way. As it is now, the convenience of parking and the kindness of the staff are not enough to outweigh the poor condition of...