The dinner and service at Smokey's was divine, yet, I want potential customers to know that ALL of the servers and the hostess are not required to wear facial masks during this pandemic. Wearing a mask is a sign of consideration for others. They have hand sanitizer at the door with the instructions to use it coming into the restaurant and leaving, but, don't believe that the management knows that the COVID virus is airborne. The tables are not spaced 6 feet apart, as well. This morning, I am praying that my server was COVID free. read more

Had dinner here. This place was awesome. I had the walleye and the portion size was perfect. Crab cake, lobster all the food was very good. Food, service. This place was outstanding read more

We visited Smokey's for the first time a few weeks ago. My husband had the prime rib which was spectacular. I had the maple glazed salmon which had a fishy taste. We returned this evening with family specifically for the prime rib. Shortly after arriving we were told that the prime rib was no longer available, sold out. Apparently people reserve the prime rib when making reservations. Had we been told this when making reservations 10 days ago, we would have reserved our plate. While waiting for our meal (ribeye-just average) we watched plates of prime rib coming out of the kitchen. If you plan on eating at Smokey's and having prime rib, make a reservation and reserve your slice of meat-otherwise you will be disappointed. read more

Very good overall for such a remote area. Live grand piano player who could handle requests, ample service beginning to end, outstanding food quality, less expensive than I would anticipate for such high quality ingredients. We ordered steaks and they were comparable to the Chop House here in Chicago. We had a great time with a somewhat full house, yet we did not have to wait. Something about the location catches you off guard when you realize what's up in there. Impressive. (Not a BBQ place, FYI) read more

I had the chance to get back to Smokey's last summer, with the same couple who were with us when the "unfortunate" waitress was there. Manager Jim was there and when I introduced myself, he remembered me and proceeded to get us better seating, and I am sure he prepped our waiter about us! We had the best food, and even better service. I noticed too, that all the servers seemed to know how to treat the diners who were there for good food, good service, and great ambience. We certainly hit the trifecta this time. More than made up for the other experience and would go back when in the area. Jerry and Diana Jansen Madison, WI Mesa, AZ read more

Great food, quality meats. Very nice, old school supper club. They make the best old fashioneds.

The best restaurant by far in the north woods. The service is wonderful, with excellent bartenders who are a lot of fun. Good quality fare in a beautiful setting. The restaurant has more of a suburban vibe than north woods, clean, modern and upscale. The food is consistently good with a great atmosphere, you will not be disappointed dining at Smokey's! read more

The service is top notch here. The food is also very good. The prices are a little higher than average, but it is well worth it. There is a lot of delicious food and my family all took part of the meals home (which the staff boxed up for us). The atmosphere is casual yet elegant. There is a pianist which was such a nice touch to the ambiance. I have two young boys and they too enjoyed the food and the ambiance. A good experience!! We were here in the fall of 2012. read more

This is probably the best restaurant in the north woods area. I'm not sure how "Fred" can complain about this place, but then I read all his reviews.....just a negative guy. Go there and enjoy! Not only is the food superb but the service is top notch. We were lucky to have Gloria serve us and she was amazing. I had the seafood oscar & my husband had the scallops, both dishes prepared to perfection. Great atmosphere and we cannot wait to go back. The price point is a bit higher for this area, but in my opinion it is worth it. read more

We have been to Smokey's 4 times. We were there on July 21, 2021. The menu has changed. Always looked forward to the New York strip. No longer on the menu. Prices are very pricy for the amount of food. Use to serve a veggie tray which we didn't see. Had the rib eye. Was very thin and tough. Didn't feel the special service we were use to. We won't be back. read more

My husband and I visited Manitowish Waters this past week and stayed at the Lodge. I must say after reading some of these reviews I am quite shocked to say the least. We were up snowmobiling and decided to get a nice meal somewhere. We saw Smokeys and decided to give it a try. Best decision EVER! The staff was every welcoming! Melissa and Tom were our bartenders and were extremely friendly ( mind you we were VERY casually dressed) and the appetizers we had were to die for. Thank you for the laughs and making our experience wonderful! Melissa read more

Thank you to Smokey's for always being there. The salmon was excellent. The ribs - order the full slab!!! Left overs if you can't finish. The soup is worth it. The salad is premium. However, the best part of Smokey's is the service. They are a true Northwoods gem. I also really appreciate their consideration and care of the locals. Going out of their way to bring happiness to Northwoods families. Jim -Thank you!!! read more

We stopped by again this winter. We found that the 'Snowmobilers' policy previously mention was not exactly the case. It was a mis communication on the part of errant staff. They will and do place your snowmobile gear in the basement. This is because they don't have much room in the foyer. We had a good meal that is a cut above the normal fare in the Northwoods. We will be back and may even stop while on snowmobiles. They are right on the trail and the last place to get a beer on our ride home. read more

Always have a good meal at Smokey's. Fresh and high quality food, with great service and pleasant ambiance. The Walleye is outstanding!

Eaten there 2 times. Both excellent. Rack of lamb very generous. Bottles of wine reasonable. Great service from Laurie L. Slightly pricey for northwoods. read more

Yum, yum! Had dinner at smokey's for girls weekend. Drinks were great - vodka gimlet with Titos and a pear martini. Dinners were enjoyed all around. The catch of the day was halibut which was really good paired with root veggies. My friends had scallops and filet which were perfectly cooked. The pre dinner tray of crackers with toppings was good. Salads fresh. One friend had the bread pudding for dessert which was a really nice end to the meal. The tia Maria after dinner drink was awesome - coffee but in alcohol form - can't go wrong with that. Lori, our waitress was so nice!!! Kudos to her!!! Thanks for a yummy dinner! We will return next year. read more

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Extremely rude staff We called to see if we needed a reservation for 5 at 5 and where told it was not needed. Just to arrive and told they could not seat us until 8:45. Mind you they had three tables of two people each seated and two couples at the bar. The rest where empty tables. I understand waiting if need be however to turn customers away in such a manner is bad for business. read more

I have to cast my vote with those who say this restaurant doesn't quite make it. The menu, white table cloth decor, wait staff all promise a high end restaurant experience. Unfortunately, the food doesn't quite live up to the promise. The soups were over salted and the vegetables a little over cooked. I had the crab cakes which were small and not very flavorful. The pork tenderloin was good but the onion/apple garnish was mush. If the prices weren't big city, you could forgive these nits. But as they are, gotta give it only 3 stars. read more

Heard this was supposed to be great - but it is just over-priced, tries to give the impression that it is up scale but the food just is not very good. Has the feel of a place where the owner focus is on the look. Not the food. Maybe they just don't know what good food is. read more

We were at Smokey's on Easter Sunday during the virus restrictions and only takeout orders were allowed state wide. Considering the circumstances, and topped off by a major winter storm, the folks working there were very courteous and provided an excellent Easter dinner. They really came through both with good service and tasty food. So, call in for takeout if you are lucky enough to be in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. read more

Nice and fancy, sure. Good tasting, ok. Spending $15 for a burger in a place that is situated in a location that has, at last census, less than 600 people...yeah, not so much. Service was fantastic and the comment another reviewer had about filling up water glasses is spot on (never had to ask). If you can afford it, by all means, go. I will stick with the more pedestrian and less pricey options. read more

I never imagined there could be such a nice and fancy restaurant in this remote place. We were on a trip to Porcupine Mountain state park and on our way back to Madison. Actually we were having a hard time even finding a fast food place, like McDonald. However, we stopped outside this place wondering what this was for. Quite surprisingly, we found it was a fancy restaurant which offered fine food. It offered crackers with salmon cheese, cheddar, etc as a starter. The bread was also warm and soft. We ordered ribeye and lamb respectively. We had potato and ham cream soup, and steak and vegetable soup. The first one was creamy and rich in flavor, and the second was also quite tasty. We shared steak and lamb, both medium cooked. I must say that the meat was very juicy and fresh, and the quality was very good! Somehow the lamb was a little bitter, but quite satisfactory overall. The dish was very large and we were quite full but still asked for dessert. We had tiramisu cheesecake. OMG, this was almost the best cheesecake I ever had. It was amazing!!! I wanted to try some more desserts, but my stomach stopped me. Oh I forgot to say, the service was really good! The waitress was very warm-hearted, and super friendly. The atmosphere here was cozy and comfortable. Just a perfect ending to our 'red leaves' trip! Enjoyed it! read more

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Smokey's - Manitowish Waters at the Corner of Hwy K and W - we've driven by for years but Ron Faiola's highlights in his Wisconsin Supper Club book peaked our interest and encouraged our first visit. Wow are we glad we stopped. From my first email with Jim, who responded promptly, to the minute we walked in the door, we were greeted by Lori, our expert bar tender - with genuine Wisconsin hospitality - professional, and efficient. At the bar Lori serves up some of Wisconsin's best Old Fashioneds and introduced us to their private blend of bar/ nut snack mix - WOW! - we left with four 1/2 lb canisters - it's delicious. Kellie, our hostess had our table ready and waiting - with a delicious trio of apricot marmalade, olive tapenade, and port wine spread served with flat breads, Wisconsin cheese and grapes - a meal in itself. Our server coincidentally was a "Lori" as well...equally as efficient and professional with the evening's specials and presenting the features of the Smokey's fine menu. She tried the pan fried walleye with a side of jumbo sea scallops served with Chef's baby reds and a house salad - all were served perfectly by Lori and were delicious. I tried the filet, butterflied at Lori's recommendation, served with the Chef's baby reds and cup of the house clam chowder - again, Lori did an outstanding job and her service was impeccable as was the food. If you don't have your Wisconsin Supper Club book yet, Smokey's has them available including a cookbook. Make sure when you stop, have Jim, Kellie, Lori, Lori - sign your book as a memento of a wonderful visit to one of the Northwood's finest restaurants and supper clubs - Smokey's in Manitowish Waters! Enjoy, we did. read more

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What a great place! Went Saturday night and we loved it. Great atmosphere, Great food and friendly staff! I called in advance to let them know I eat plant based (it's very hard to eat out in our northwoods with all the meat, dairy and fried foods in the bar restaurants). The chef took my request to heart and made me an absolutely delicious healthy dish! Thank you thank you! It's so nice to have a beautiful upscale restaurant to go to. We will be back for sure! read more

First time in the area, first time here. Went for dinner with friends and found the room, service and food very nice. Warm wood and soft lighting made the dining room peaceful and inviting. Server was delightful and very helpful. Food was prepared and served well -- the Smoked Ribs were especially wonderful. How can you come to a place called Smokeys and not get the smoked ribs? I'm leaving 1 star for the wine list and would love to come back to see how that might improve. Fantastic first time --Thanks, Northwoods! read more

Polite staff, great drinks and delicious entrees! Don't forget to get a dessert before leaving!

We love going to Smokey's when we are in Manitowish Waters. Excellent food, excellent service, clean and comfortable. Our waitress, Lori, was wonderful. Had the filet mignon which was excellent. Have never had a bad meal here. A bit expensive, but it's worth the splurge from time to time. read more

I definitely will be making reservations again. We were seated immediately.upon arriving at the table there was a cheese plate for us to enjoy while looking at the menu. The wait staff was so friendly and very attentive. The food was fabulous. I ordered the prime rib definitely will order that again!!! Make sure to order the chocolate lava cake. read more

From making the reservation, to asking directions, to the dining experience, all very excellent. This was our second visit and we were not disappointed. The bartender was friendly and pleasant and she knew how to pour my bourbon "neat". The piano player in the bar was entertaining and his music fits the atmosphere. The waitress took very good care of us. The cheese and crackers, which are waiting for you at the table are good and the appetizers have never disappointed us. My prime rib was outstanding and my wife's seafood ravioli was excellent. The wine menu is good and fits their food offerings. We were treating my father-in-law for his birthday. He ordered a filet and likes it a certain way. His steak was exactly as ordered. The desserts were excellent also. The cheesecake was home-made and the size was generous. All in all a very good experience. We don't frequent the North Woods as often as we would like but this is the venue for Saturday night from now on when we are up north. Kellie and Jim are very friendly and thoughtful, Jim took our coats and hung them for us. A crackling fire in the fireplace would have been great. For Saturday evening I would suggest dress/casual attire. I wore a sport shirt and jeans but wish I would have dressed a bit more to match the ambiance. I was not looked down on nor did I feel totally uncomfortable, just a personal thing. read more

Excellent food..excellent service. A rare combination of sophisticated dinning and northwoods atmosphere If you are pinching pennies or looking for an all-you-can eat...don't go. read more

My husband and I visit Manitowish Waters every year and our trip would not be complete without a visit to Smokey's - at least once or twice. There are so many things to choose from on the menu that we always have to go back. Everything is always delicious from the complementary appetizer they bring to the dessert and everything in between. We are always delighted. The staff is friendly and helpful and the restaurant is beautiful read more

Have come to the Nwoods for over 20 years and this was our first trip to Stormy's. Atmosphere is comfortable and service began immediately upon our seating. Wine list is limited, but acceptable. Full bar including draft beers. Was excited on the appetizer selections, where we found a sausage selection of bison, boar, and buffalo. Very satisfying. Full menu, and most of our group selected the special of prime rib. All found this to be typical. Tasty but nothing new. Sides included vegetables, potatoes, etc. Baked potato had a salted skin which the writer found excellent. So why a three star? While service started great, the waiter was lacking of knowledge of the menu. In addition, plates started to be picked up while people were still eating. Disappointing. Overall, I would go again. read more

My husband and I ate dinner here Weds. July 6th. Had a drink at the bar,then had the most amazing dinner I have ever eaten. We both had the tenderloin Oscar and it was seriously the best meal I've ever eaten out! The staff is friendly,the place is just great! I would highly recommend if you're looking for a higher end delish meal. I would recommend getting a reservation though. We didn't but they were able to luckily fit us in,but we arrived just as they opened at 4:30. I was very impressed. read more

What an amazing experience! Excellent food. Best service I've ever had. Ambience nestled in the North Woods was a memory that will last a lifetime. This is a must visit. So nice to be able to have a 5 star meal in a tiny lake town. Thank you Smokey's! read more

I went here last weekend, with my family and we were told that we could not be seated at 8:12 at night. Our party was 6 people, so it's not like it wouldn't have been worth their while to seat us...but I guess I was wrong. The snobby hostess told us that she just "simply could not seat us because the tables would not be turned over for at least an hour." There were about 8 open tables in the dining area and a half-empty parking lot. The menu looks fabulous, and given it was our last night in Manitowish Waters we were really in the mood for a great meal. After looking at several menus of restaurants in the area, we decided to go to Smokey's because it looked SO good. Regardless of how good the food may be, we will NEVER return, and will absolutely not recommend the place to anyone. Good customer service goes a long way. read more

My first visit here and I was disappointed. Nice atmosphere though I was surprised there weren't candles on the tables. It would have made the atmosphere a lot better! The cheese plate had some great pates but some of the crackers were stale. The entree, the special, was mediocre and priced $9 more than listed on the regular menu, I guess because it was the special and a lemon vinaigrette was added??? Our waitress was very nice but needed to stop saying "no problem" to everything, most of which was part of her job, thus it shouldn't be a problem. Another waitress who helped out could not have been nicer and was a wonderful plus. It is pricey and for me just wasn't worth it. read more

Adequate food that was totally out of whack on spices: squash soup so sweet it tasted like pie; mushroom soup so heavy on marjoram it tasted moldy; cloves on steak, c'mon! Very pricey. Gracious hostess. Excellent water glass filling--never once had to ask. Nice spreads to start--slight change to usual supper club relish tray--even though we had to struggle with waitress to keep it since it was so good we practically wanted to lick out the last dribs and drabs. Licking would have been a good idea since most of crackers were limp. read more

Great restaurant in the Northwoods! The staff was friendly & polite, top notch service, and the food was delicious! They also had a piano player - which was a nice added bonus! Everyone in our group left full and happy! Can't wait to come back! read more

Smokey's has been our favorite restaurant since we became local cabin owners in the area. Although the menu is not exotic, it does have a wide selection to please all tastes, and the chef does a great job with fresh ingredients, homemade sauces and ample portions. The service is always impeccable, especially if you get our favorite server Gloria, who is very professional, attentive, and knowledgeable of everything on the menu. Tom the bartender is another one of our favorites- with his bow tie and vest he aims to please and his manner is also impeccable. The live baby grand piano player is a valuable addition on the weekends and he has always come through on our requests. Atmosphere is warm and inviting, with light colored knotty pine walls and a large stone fireplace to keep it cozy in the cooler months. Strongly recommend reservations during the summer season, as they are pretty busy on the weekends. We have taken many family members here and everyone had a good meal and enjoyed their visit. My only suggestion for Smokey's would be to have a few different specials in addition to the prime rib type stuff. They did have some tasty BBQ specials in the summer, though, to be fair. Oh yes- don't forget to try one of the chef's homemade soups- we highly recommend the lobster bisque! read more

One of my favorite Vilas County restaurants. Always good food and service with a nice variety of food.