Bibinger's Bar & Restaurant — Restaurant in Town of Polk

I just left the restaurant. I made reservations for 5pm Saturday February 3, 2024. Myself and my wife drove from Oshkosh we were meeting another couple from Milwaukee. The arrival was great. We entered the establishment about 4:20 and headed to the bar for one of their well architected old fashioned. We were not disappointed. The bartender was amazing, she was engaging and had all the answers. Later we found out she was very new to being behind the bar but it was barely noticeable. The other couple arrived about 4:45 and we were able to be seated. The hostess was helpful and guided us to our table. The waitress came over within a minute or 2 and took our drink orders. Our waitress was on top of everything making sure we were taken care of. We all ordered and away to the kitchen things went. We received or meals and everything came out as ordered except my meal. I ordered the special which was a ribeye. It was drowning in some sort of think sauce. I gave it a try with a couple bites and it was rough. This was not what I ordered but thought I would give it a shot and it was not working. I looked again at the menu and the “special board” and there was nothing showing this would be swimming in sauce. Our amazing server came back over and I told her this is not what I ordered and she quickly took my order for something else. She came back and said I would still be charged for what I didn't order (the steak swimming in sauce) because the “boss” said so. I asked to talk with the “boss” and she seemed shocked I would want to talk to the “boss”. I mean sure i'm reasonable I just want what I ordered or something different. The “boss” came over and explained how they cannot just take the steak off cause I ordered the steak. I explained this steak is not what I ordered, that it's not shown on the special board or menu swimming in sauce and he clearly didn't care. After a couple minutes of asking for something new he refused to replace the incorrect order and said he would sell me what I didn't order for half price of $22. The “boss” was devaluing and discounting my concerns simply saying “I don't want to argue” AKA I don't want to take care of my mistake. I conceded wanting to enjoy the evening with friends I rarely see. I get it i'm not a regular just come down every couple months but you would think an easy fix would be a good way to promote the restaurant. When everyone but the “boss” jumps thought hoops to make sure everyone is taken care of its not difficult to see where the challenges are within the organization. I might be back it's just so disappointing when you ask for someone to simply fix a mistake and all the “boss” has is excuses for their lack of attention to detail as...

As I grow older, I find that, more and more, I hate dressing up for dinner. Well, if you're like me, you will enjoy Bibinger's folksy, informal atmosphere and rustic decor.

When I arrived about 6pm on Sunday evening, I was surprised to find the parking lot jam packed with cars. While that usually means a long wait for a table, it also means the place is popular and that good food can be found within. To my good fortune, I was wrong about the wait, but right-on about the food.

Bibinger’s bar serves up an impressive assortment of domestic and craft-brewed beers, along with first-rate Bloody Marys and numerous variations on that Wisconsin supper club standard, the Old Fashioned. Had I not been dieting, I’d have had two or three of those . . . but, alas, I digress.

Bibinger’s menu is extensive, offering a wide range of complete dinners and entrees, along with delightful dinner salads and deli-style sandwiches, and daily specials, like the baked half chicken dinner, on which I ultimately settled.

Not to be nit-picky, but what arrived at the table wasn’t quite what I expected; four individual pieces of deep fried chicken encrusted in a thick batter coating, not the baked half-chicken chicken the waitress told me about. Granted, the meal was tasty enough, although I found $15 a plate more than a little pricey for a drumstick, two thighs and a wing served alongside a scoop of whipped potatoes and a cornbread mini-muffin, all of which I could have gotten at KFC for around $7.99.

The total bill for five people, including an appetizer of delicious black bean nachos with home made tortilla chips and a couple rounds of beer came to $105.82, about 30% more than I’m used to paying for comparable fare. The bill might have been higher, save for the fact that Bibinger’s ran out of the carrot cake I selected for dessert course, and the pear torte I selected as a substitute.

None of this is meant as a complaint. I will most certainly return to Bibinger’s to try their fish fry and more of their dinner choices. But in this particular night, Bibinger’s earned a grade of B- with room for...

Summary: Fantastic new restaurant right outside West Bend. Great place for a date night, a casual lunch/dinner with a group of friends and family, or to grab a beer and catch the game.

Food: I've now been to Bib's more than a handful of times and have tried a number of menu items (e.g. cheese curds, meatballs, Bib's burger, steak, short rib, pork schnitzel). Definitely start with an order of the cheese curds. They're some of the best I've had and come with a choice of house-made dipping sauces. For dinner, my personal favorite is the steak. I cook steak quite often at home and am pretty particular, which makes me somewhat hesitant to order a steak at restaurants. I can say this steak dish far surpassed my expectations. The meat was a perfect medium rare and the accompanying mashed red potatoes were delicious. If you want a true German dish, try the pork schnitzel.

Atmosphere: The place is caked in history and shows it with the original support beams from the barn and classic signage from both local and national businesses. The downstairs is very comfortable with a large bar for additional seating. I've heard the upstairs is also available for event rental. There are a number of TVs for watching sports/events.

Service: Every time I've gone, I've been met with a welcoming smile. The first time I went (first week after opening), there were still some kinks to work out, but it's clear from each subsequent visit that the service has greatly improved and continues...