Butler Inn of Pewaukee — Restaurant in Village of Pewaukee

We went here for our 41st wedding anniversary, and it was a wonderful decision (our first time here). Being a Tuesday, it wasn’t crazy crowded, but it did fill up pretty quickly, which only confirmed that this is a great place to eat. Our server, Leah, was a gem. She was super friendly, attentive, and ready to share tips/tricks regarding menu choices. We wanted to try the haystack onion rings as an appetizer, and she told us that we would each be getting a generous portion of those with our steaks, so we might want to choose a different appetizer. We chose mozzarella sticks instead (wonton wrapped and very tasty). Later, when she was delivering an appetizer order of haystacks to another table, she stopped by and said “this is what you would have gotten”. We cracked up laughing; it was a dinner plate stacked at least a foot high with haystack onion rings. No way just the two of us seniors could have dealt with that.

I had read other Google reviews of this establishment, and a few folks complained about the dinner salad not having a whole lot of variety. Well, I asked Leah what all is in the salad, and she explained it was mixed greens, tomatoes, onion, and cucumber. I asked her if they had any croutons and she said “sure!” So, I would suggest you speak with your server and see if there are unmentioned options. (The tomatoes are the little grape variety, which I’m not crazy about – I prefer chopped regular tomato.) Same with my husband’s steak – I ordered the Louie’s 5 Star Filet, which comes with garlic herb butter on top. My husband’s ribeye didn’t offer that option on the menu, but he asked if he could get that same butter and Leah was happy to oblige. My salad was delicious, and my husband got the French onion soup which he said was outstanding.

The cocktails were very reasonably priced ($6 for an old fashioned, which was made just the way I like it – not muddled) and very tasty. One thing I will do differently next time I eat here, which I hope is soon – I will ask for my haystack onion rings to be served on a separate plate from my steak. Unfortunately they soaked up almost all of the juices from my filet. Despite that, my filet was phenomenal. I ordered the 16 oz. Louie’s 5 Star Filet, and it was amazing. It was cooked perfectly (medium rare) despite being an incredibly thick cut of meat, and I rarely encounter any restaurant that can do it correctly. There was no way I could eat 16 oz. of steak of course, but it made sense since the 16 oz. is only $10 more than the 9 oz. I took most of it home with me and I’m looking forward to reheating it for dinner tomorrow night.

The best part was the mind-boggling Brandy Alexander ice cream drink we ordered for dessert. It was delicious, but HUGE! I swear four people could share it and be totally satisfied. We shouldn’t have tried to finish it just the two of us, but we were successful. This meant we left there happy but overstuffed LOL.

Overall, we highly recommend Butler Inn of Pewaukee! Looking forward to going back with our daughter and son-in-law for my husband’s retirement celebration in August. (On that note, we have a 3 year old granddaughter, and we both agreed that this establishment is more geared towards adult dining – there is no kid’s menu and there were no children there the night we visited.) Another thing I should mention is that when I made the reservations using the online system they have, it asked if it was a special occasion or anything, and I mentioned that it was our 41st anniversary. When we arrived, I noticed that the handwritten book on the hostess’s desk also had a note about that. Nobody said anything or did anything special for us though. No big deal I guess, but I am curious why they ask about that sort of thing if they aren’t going to help you celebrate.

I just remembered another small detail - we were served a nice loaf of warm bread, but the butter pats were ice cold. I would suggest to the staff that they take the butter out of the fridge well in advance...

I wasn't planning to post a review online and was hoping to could talk with someone instead, but the email I sent in on January 30th still hasn't been responded too. This was the email sent. I wanted to message as the experience my group had yesterday left us with such a sour taste in our mouth and we felt that something needed to be said. We had a 4:30 reservation, a few people arrived a few minutes late, while we waited we ordered drinks from the bar, receiving terrific service for your bartender, when the rest of our party arrived a few minutes later we were sat. We were a larger group, 13 adults and a baby. They had 2 servers who were taking care of our table, and it was explained to the staff that we were there celebrating the birthday of one of the woman's husband who had recently and suddenly passed at a very young age over the holidays. There was a few things that we thought needed to be brought to your attention as the service was subpar at best. First, we were toasting the birthday and celebration of life for our late family member and one of the servers, while the toast was being given, says excuse me and places drinks down. Typically, this is no problem but the person who she stepped in front of was the one giving the toast! It was very rude, she could've waited the 15-30 seconds until he was done to put down 2 drinks. Second, we were rushed to order, once the ordering was done we did not see either server for refills for some time, once we finally saw one we had to wave her down to come to the table and ask we ask for refills. She said she could only take care of her side of the table, which I found very odd. You'd assume if they are splitting the tip they would want the whole table to be satisfied with their experience. The other server came a few minutes later to get the other side's refills. Third, no dessert menu was offered. We literally had to ask if desserts were offered and if we could get a menu. The second server never came back to the table to take dessert orders. Fourth, we were not "dilly dallying" by any means but we did go over the 90 minutes table limit as there was 14 people attempting to enjoy a nice meal. 90 minutes for large parties to order, have the chef prepare the meal, eat, order, prepare and enjoy dessert, make payment and just merely a moment to actually enjoy your experience is impossible. Lastly, the curly haired server was incredibly disrespectful to your host right next to our table, speaking to her in what looked to be a lecturing manner and at one point she literally grabbed her wrist to look at the host's watch. Right afterwards your hostess came over to inform us that was had gone over our 90 minute limit and people were waiting on the tables. The host was very sweet and you could tell was very uncomfortable doing this. Typically, I would not say anything, I would just choose to spend our money elsewhere that has better service but as a fine dining "supper club with a relaxed vibe" (taking from your description online) this experience was nothing of the sort and an awful experience not based the phenomenal food but bitter by the service that was provided. The bill between the first bar tab and dinner was nearly $1,000 and had the 20% tip added, which I understand with a larger party. But a tip is something EARNED based off service provided and unfortunately the service was atrocious. Clearly the servers knew they were going to get a huge tip regardless so they provided service as such. It really is very upsetting that a dinner in remembrance of a family member who passed away was so tarnished by the service your...

Went there for first time for Rib specialty last night.

If ever there was a place crying for a restaurant make-over, the Butler Inn is it. The interior experience is a cross between a bad, outdated all inclusive resort cafeteria and your parents 1960s kitchen. Horrid, dirty, crumb filled dark carpet tiles cover the floor, grandma’s vertical mirror tiles fill one of the walls, two out of place plastic Hawaiian palm trees🌴 with twinkle lights around the trunks are in two corners, tables and chairs seem to come from a yard sale in the 60’s and an otherwise blah interior await you as you are ushered into this very, very, outdated and awkward space. If they have been open for 40 years, I’m betting the inside hasn’t seen an update since opening. The space screams, “I haven’t put a dime into the restaurant space since we opened!”

The food and service were star-quality, however. Attentive service, friendly wait staff, quick water refills from the bussers. Portions are appropriate and lean on the large size. The ribs were fall off the bone tender, a nice amount of bbq sauce cover the meat, not overpowering. Chicken rice soup is flavorful with good sized chunks of meat. Bar service is quick, “tall” drinks are in pint beer glasses. The salmon was not filled with flavor, but prepared perfectly. Got out for under $100 with drinks and food. Value for my dollar was diminished by the overall poor environmental experience.

If you include a blindfold with your Covid PPE protection, this would be a...