This was my second time coming to this restaurant, and it was definitely an improvement over my first visit when I wasn't really impressed by the food. The service has been a bit of a mixed bag both times. While the staff is friendly, the check ins themselves are okay. This time around, the food was much better. I really enjoyed the burger I ordered, and our appetizer was great too. They also have a fantastic outdoor patio that is easily one of the best parts of the experience. My main hesitation is the price point. It feels pretty pricey for what is essentially bar and grill food. Our bill came out to over $100 for just one appetizer, two beers, one kids' meal, and two sandwiches. For that price, I'm not entirely sure it's worth it for me to come back for a full dinner a third time. That said, I would absolutely come back just to hang out on the patio for an appetizer and a beer, or hit it up if I'm using the water equipment rental next door! read more

I honestly don't even know where to start with this experience at Bugaboo's. The food came out wrong the first time, and when it was brought back out, there was hair in my food AGAIN. Not just a tiny strand either -- I found multiple hairs in my food. I've attached a picture because I couldn't believe what I was looking at. At that point, I was completely disgusted and had absolutely no desire to keep eating. When you go out to eat, especially somewhere that isn't exactly cheap, the LAST thing you expect is to find someone's hair in your food. Having it happen twice is beyond unacceptable. It completely ruined the meal and honestly made me question the cleanliness of the entire kitchen. The drinks were okay, the service was okay, but nothing about the experience was what I would consider top-notch. The prices were way too high for what we received, and there are plenty of other places where you can get better food, better prices, and much better overall service. And to be clear, this is not directed at the bartender or waitress personally. They were doing their jobs, and I have no disrespect toward them. My issue is with the overall experience, the food, the quality control, and the fact that I paid good money for a meal that I ultimately couldn't stomach because I was so disgusted. Finding hair in your food is gross enough once. Finding it again after the food was corrected is absolutely disgusting and something a restaurant should never let happen. Unfortunately, this was a huge disappointment, and I definitely won't be rushing back. There are better options out there that are cleaner, more reasonably priced, and provide a much better dining experience. read more

Bugaboo's Bar and Grill - New American Near Me - Cedar Lake, Indiana

Not sure why this place isn't 4 stars. It's situated right across the street from the lake - so if you're into outdoor dining with lake views and beautiful lighting then this is your place. But let's get to the food. Also I've only been here once but we'll be going back. We started off with a mixed drink for the lady which she had two and thought they were incredible. And I had an IPA from one of the craft brewers they have - lots of good choices here. We started off with an appetizer of the fried filet Mignon. We had mixed reviews but I would skip it - over priced and the breading was too heavy (wish they'd put the steak on a skewer with Greek seasoning) As for the entrees I was highly impressed with the "industrial" sandwich. The steak on it was almost like Philly steak and flavored great and the toppings and condiments worked really well with it - the fries were fries - they worked. We also had the margarita pizza and it was flavorful - the touches of pestos made it speak! Anyways - great spot so far! read more

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Decent atmosphere, service not so decent, had a waitress that didnt come back to the table, for drinks didnt ask if anyone that joined table needed food, drinks, app ect. Then the food came expecting a decent size patty melt which had onions not cooked and swiss cheese, not american. Fries ok nothing to make my friends and I want to come back...Also my partner had a ter burger for prices it was not even a quarter lb....very disappointed, w service and the burgers were just meh no seasoning and got sick when i arrived home...Much better places to eat and drink prices for a burger not worth the view....I hope you take this review to heart..... read more

Parking lot a bit rough (loose, muddy gravel). Entrance clean. Sunday football afternoon. Revelers in full response to games on several TVs. This place can use an infusion of customer service standards. Before discussing food, I need to explain. 4 of us for lunch. Waitress opted NOT to write down our orders but commit to memory. Yikes. You know at that point your order will not be 100% and her return twice to clarify the orders. I ordered the house premier 1/3 pound burger. Menu says Waygu. Doubt it. My burger was cool, fries cold and lacked flavor.Three strikes. Apps were table shared onion rings and cheese curds. No rave on any of it. Great place, simply needs a tune up that I feel would start with training customer service. Hot food should be served hot. Our server was "in a hurry" but not observed waiting other tables. Between apps and meal, we elected to stack dirty plates on adjacent tables. Other tables that were vacated by previous guests had dirty dishes left on. All could be understood / realized if the place was packed and the servers overworked, not the case here. We again will try this place out but I know to specify how I want my service. read more

Bugaboo's Bar and Grill - House special burger and side salad. - New American Near Me - Cedar Lake, Indiana

It's normally a place we love to go... but today we had a member of our wait staff "not our waitress" come to make a scene because we moved an umbrella from a empty table... this is after we informed our waitress what we did. This redheaded little girl made such a screen that our waitress apologized and seemed bothered by this... keep in mind the offender was Not management.... We paid for our drinks and apps.... We left. We as a group have frequent this establishment but finding that the Light House, Sand Bar or really any where else will get our business... read more

Wow ,this time is bad, I had to go up and get our own beer,and my boyfriends twice . Then he comes back with attitude WOW !!!!!! My beer is also warm!!! Your service totally depended on your six dollar tip, when the bill was almost $100.Sean you were the worst read more

Kinda dumpy and totally overpriced. SMALL overpriced drinks in particular, $25 for a super small margarita, no thank you.

Great place food is awsome Atmosphere is great it gets a little busy The loaded bloodys on Sunday are awsome it's whole meal by itself read more

The location is great. A super view of the Southern end of Cedar Lake itself. Large outdoor seating area which in nice weather is usually completely filled. The interior is eclectic and features photos and drawings of some modern and past times tattoos. Bar service was great. Large selection of premium and craft beers. Great liquor selection. Dining room for family service. Food is good pub food with surprisingly reasonable prices. The taco special was terrific. A safe place as there were couples and singles and groups of women filling up the bar area. Occasional live music too. I would highly recommend Bugaboo's. read more

Flatbread was delicious. We sat outside which had great ambiance. Will definitely go back to try more food.

I went here with my mom and sister over the weekend and we sat on the patio. The view is really pretty on the patio as it looks out to the lake. Our server was friendly but the service was slow. We ordered the Irish nachos for the appetizer. It came out late and we were unimpressed. Basically it was a small portion of fried tater tots with some canned cheese on top with a tiny amount of bacon, sour cream, and some green onions. I could make this at home myself for way less and it would have tasted better. Not worth the $13. Now come the entrees! My mom ordered the pulled pork and it came with seasoned fries. She really liked it. My sister ordered the avocado chicken sandwich. She said the chicken itself was okay but did like the avocado mayo. I ordered the meatball sandwich and just like the rest of the entrees, it came with seasoned fries. The bread was fresh, meatballs were really good, and I liked the marinara sauce they used. All in all, the portion sizes are small and the prices are high. You are paying for the nice view really. I might come back if the service improved and they gave you a better portion. read more

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Service ok but food not so much Ordered onion rings over cooked and nasty Chicken nachos blah Fish and chips ok Pork tacos blah read more

Too expensive. Servers have attitude when giving the food out. It's a nice location but for the price definitely not worth it and never coming back here again. -10/10 experience read more

Food is always amazing! Service can be updated a bit. I usually sit at the bar and, understandably, they're busy with everyone at the bar and making drinks but I've had times where I sit at the bar and the bartender doesn't talk to me or ask if I'm ok for probably 10/15 minutes. I usually have to grab their attention for something. But overall, clean restaurant and very cool outdoor patio. read more

This place could be great with a new or better trained staff, a new bar manager and a more hands on owner. It doesn't matter whether it's busy or slow the service is always horrible. You wait forever for a server, you wait forever for your drinks, you're lucky if they come back at all for your food order but if they do, you might as well get any extra drinks you may want and ask for your bill or you'll wait forever for that too. The bar manager Sarah is rude and has a bad attitude The location is probably the only reason it stays open. Across the street from the main bar/restaurant they have a nice seating area on the lake with kayak rentals and a bar that's never open in the afternoon, so you have to walk across the street to the main bar to get your drinks if you want to sit there, seems pretty ridiculous on a beautiful Labor Day weekend not to at least have it open just to serve some basics like draft beer. There were plenty of boaters out and the overflow from main outdoor area that want to just sit outside and have a cold beer and enjoy the lake could go over there freeing up more tables for people eating. Place could benefit from some basic management skills. read more

Went for lunch on Sunday. Beef sandwich & Southwest chicken salad, iced tea & water cost almost $45 AND they add a fee for using a CC. The food sucked. I'm trying to figure out why the placer is busy. I have to assume there were many first timers like us because I don't think most would return a 2nd time. If this dive were not on a lake they would never get away with these prices. BTW, fries & tots are the same price on the menu but they charged me $1.50 more because I asked for tots. "It comes with fries, you could have had wedges for no upcharge". The waitress didn't bother to tell me that. There's even more to tell but I'll leave it at this; Bugaboo's is a terrible overpriced dive bar trying to act upscale and it ain't working. read more

Everyone raved about the food actually. I had a simple BLT, but it was very good with the season fries. My wife had the chicken wrap. And said it was very good. It was the option of having it as a wrap or a sandwich. She chose the wrap. My daughter said it was the best Patty Mel she's ever had so I'd say it was a winner all around. read more

Good food friendly place to go enjoy a beer and good meal prices r alittle high but what isn't high anymore

We have been coming here since they opened great atmosphere and views we wer there in a Saturday night they had a DJ loud music there was 6 of us and the bartender and young male bar back told us we wer to loud and needed to quiet down we wer sitting at a table laughing and talking i spoke to a older woman who was a manager she said she had no clue , i have called twice to speak to a manager left my name and number to discuss the events with no return calls also the DJ came up and told us we had to leave!!!! Never going back food is horrible cook looks like he doesn't shower!!!! Food is bad bartenders are not professional read more

The service was awful! Server never brought me my food! Aaron brought the check and was charging us for items we never receive. He definitely had an attitude and really did not seem to care or exhibit the skills needed to be in the customer service industry. read more

Good food, Great Lake view. Went for lunch and it was quiet, but that was perfect as we wanted to talk without shouting at each other read more

Service straight up stinks here. I wanted to wipe the disgruntled scoll off the face of every person that was working there. 0-2 as I gave it another try after shitty service the first time. PS. The pre cooked bagged chicken is really dry. And if you have a big draft beer selection as a server maybe know even what's on tap. Nobody cares you hate beer. read more

Not kid friendly. Music was, wow, cursing and just bad. Food service was extremely slow.

The reviews I've always read were iffy. Decided to try for myself. Loved the decor. Service was good. Drinks were great and appetizer was good. Definitely willing to try again. Could def like this this place. read more

Where do I begin. It took us 3 hrs to eat here. Could not even get glasses of water refilled. Couldn't get our drinks. The food came out sporadically. When it did, it was either cold or missing something. Couldn't even get the bill right. There was NOTHING good about our evening. To make matters worse my husband got sick on the way home. I think I know why. The glasses were just rinsed at the bar. I don't think they were clean. read more

Really great hamburgers & appetizers. Awesome view of Cedar Lake. I only like going in the summer when I can sit outside, but that's just me. I love the patio Atmosphere. It's a great place for good food & good fun read more

Good afternoon hangout sitting by the Lake enjoying a Saturday afternoon. Service and staff were awesome

Fun place to eat and see the lake from your table or the bar! Nice menu and large drink selection! We had a fun waitress who recommended what food and drinks were best! read more

Service is always friendly but slow, food is always worth the wait. Sitting on the patio is nice. I highly recommend this place!

The food was super good I got the burger and the grease and juice was so perfect for the burger. The service was nice and quick right when we placed our order we had to wait maybe 5-10 minutes! The Ambiance was super nice it looked beautiful inside there was so much stuff to do like Jenga! read more

I always give a great review. Don't slip. The burger was still great but shredded lettuce was concerning. I stated you had the best burger east burger f Mississippi. Hope to continue that review. read more

It was okay, first time there. Expected it to be better, ordered a burger and cheese fries which by the way "fries were very good" topped with bacon, just disappointed that the burger was so bland with no flavor. Other then that the young girl that was the waitress was very attentive and super pleasant! read more

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Used to come a lot to sit at the bar and Sarah the bartender was awesome... (moves out of state) Last visit, sat outside and only 2 of the 4 entrees were brought to the table... Finally got all drinks and food.. paid $30 bill with a $100 and only got $25 back... Had to track down waitress and get proper change read more

I visited as part of a group of four on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. I was surprised to see that, despite the sunny day and great location, there were hardly any people on the patio. Now that I see these reviews, I think I know why! We personally had no problem with the service. Our server was friendly and attentive. I will say that the food took some time to get to us once we ordered. The food was lackluster. My friends who live in the area warned me that the kitchen has trouble cooking meat to the appropriate level. They tend to undercook it. My friend who ordered a steak sandwich ordered it medium rare and his steak was definitely rare rare. My flatbread pizza was fine. Nothing to write home about, but I've been eating a lot of really good pizza lately. I might be a bit biased. All in all, the view is great and the food is fine. A nice place to sit on a sunny day. read more

Bugaboo's Bar and Grill - View from the patio. - New American Near Me - Cedar Lake, Indiana

The food is ok. The ambience is nice with an outside deck. It could've been the day that I was there, but the bartenders and servers seem to be a little short when I asked questions. I will go back there, but in my opinion, it's a take it or leave it type place. read more

The service was outstanding, our waitress was so attentive. At 5 o'clock prime dinner time, my appetizers and food came out in literally 5 minutes!! Sat on the front patio overlooking the lake and enjoyed discounted Thursday Tito's drinks. Everything was fantastic and I cannot wait to come back! :) read more

I've been going here since March 2022. My Friends been going for Years? Great Attentive Servers, Great Meals from an Awesome Chef. Nice Patio overlooking Cedar Lake, with Nice Sunsets. read more

Food is ok. Staff cannot make the mixed drinks on the menu the same way twice despite it being their signature concoctions. They don't even follow the ingredient list for the drink that's on the menu. Love the decor and openness but that's it. Just an overpriced biker bar in a nice location. read more

Delicious food and drinks!!! Perfect location overlooking Cedar Lake. Peaceful but at the same time FUN!!!!! Was back within a week