Wayside — Restaurant in Town of Lafayette

I have been coming to our family cottage on Lake Wissota since the mid 80's. I have been to several bars and restaurants and always appreciated the small town feel and hospitality. I decided to try something different than the more popular spots around the lake and in Chippewa Falls... The Wayside is NOT hospitable. The bartender (a short, older lady with blonde hair) could not have been worse. I asked for a Margarita and she literally said, "are you going to mix it yourself?" So I'm a go with the flow kind of guy... I said, " how about a gin and tonic?" She made me a watered down drink that tasted like old dishwater. I didn't even drink it. Then I put down my card to pay and get the hell out of there and she said loudly in a rude voice... "WE ONLY TAKE CASH!" I was there maybe 20 minutes and never saw her smile once. Everyone else in there seemed to be regulars. They all stared at me when I walked in. Maybe I was too clean cut and they thought I was FBI... that's how it felt. Like I was intruding and bothering them. Don't waste your time or money at this dive. Especially if you aren't from here. I took myself and my money right down the street to The VIEW. Everyone there is always happy, kind and helpful. If I could give Wayside a 0 review I would....

Walked in to just look at menu to see if they had things my family would enjoy, I asked the bartender for a menu not even sitting at the bar and he instantly treated me with disrespect saying if you aren't 21 you can't even sit at the bar. First off that wasn't even my question and my kids (21, 18 & 16) weren't even sitting at the bar. He then with attitude handed me the menu and we then went to go sit at the area not near the bar. It was dark and very dingy, looked as though it hadn't been wiped down that day. We ultimately all very crabby because of the way were treated decided not to eat there. Writing this review for families, even though it's listed as a resturant on the website and social media just avoid it. If you want a dark environment for some lonely drinking then this place would be great for you, but definitely not a great experience...

I stopped in here after I was finished cleaning and airbnb. I was by myself. I never go into a restaurant or a bar by myself. Unless I know someone in there. I knew absolutely nobody, but I was hungry. And it looked like a nice place. I ordered the hot beef and onion rings. There's a lot of things to look at in the bar it's a nice place. I like it a lot and I felt comfortable sitting there alone. The food was really good. I love love. Loved the onion rings. The bar tender was really nice, decent prices and a good atmosphere. I would definitely go back there alone or...