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    The Gardens

    2.4 (61 reviews)
    ModerateDesserts, Bars, Diners
    Updated over 3 months ago

    The Gardens Photos

    THE GARDENS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Live music
    Very loud
    Good for groups
    Happy hour specials

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    This lettuce looks like it's gone ten rounds with Mike Tyson.
    K W.

    It never gets any better. This restaurant is living proof of how difficult it is to get decent lettuce in these parts...it's not isolated to just this year either. The food quality at this place is simply sub-par...period. Even our teenage boys complained about it and if you have teenage boys you know this to be an anomaly. What this place has going for it is a fantastic location but i will promise you that ,for the money, there are many other places to eat around the lake that are better on their worst day than this place. Service,well...it's a summer spot and so many of the people that work here are high school and college kids so you just have to expect there to be some bumps as far as that goes. My best suggestion is that if it can be fried beyond recognition-it's probably a better bet than anything you would get here that is supposed to be "fresh"-just sayin"....

    The water I still don't have

    Seated ourselves outside on a half empty patio. Waited 20 minutes and watched newer patrons receive drinks and even food before we were able to find anyone to take drink orders. 30 minutes and we still don't even have waters. The appetizers we finally got were okay, still don't have a drink though. They aren't busy enough on a Thursday afternoon to be this absolutely horrible with service.

    Brian B.

    Good beer selection, great view if the lake. We didn't other food but looking around at plates revealed delicious looking meals and appetizers!!!

    Trying the beer from West O.

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    6 years ago

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    6 years ago

    I would be scared for any pure minded child to walk in here. Great pizza though! "It was just okay", however the view was great.

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    8 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Wow, food was very bad. Fish tacos were from a microwave. Great view but find a different place.

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    6 years ago

    This place had amazing food and a great band! We got cheese burgers and fried shrimp! Beautiful view of the lake.

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    9 years ago

    Horrible selection of food. Waited forever to be served and then was told another hour before we could get food. We left!

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    7 years ago

    Steakhouse???? Below average bar food. Great tap beer. Service below average. Very casual place.

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    14 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    9 years ago

    Great afternoon on the deck - good food and great service by Scarlet - she did an amazing job.

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    14 years ago

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    Page 2 of 2

    Ask the Community - The Gardens

    Okoboji Brewing Company

    Okoboji Brewing Company

    3.6
    (14 reviews)
    2.6 mi
    $$

    During my recent annual stay at the Iowa Great Lakes, I had the chance to visit both West O and the…read moreOkoboji Brewing Company (OBC) Tap Rooms. Northwest Iowa is truly blessed to have both of these quality brewers here for the good beer-loving citizens to enjoy. The OBC facility is clearly visible from US 71, but takes a little more maneuvering to get here. I hope that partially explains the low attendance that I've seen here, as it's your loss if you haven't stopped in. West O seemed to be better patronized, and that might be partially explained by the occasional availability of live entertainment, proximity to the Taco House, easier access from US 71, and perhaps a more prominent social media presence. I tried the OBC IPA which is very good and a lot smoother than the "Total Domination" version that you can get at West O. Actually, I like the West O style very much, but at the same time was pleasantly surprised and impressed by OBC's vision of this classic. Like West O, unlimited peanuts are available at the bar or table and food can be brought in from the outside. I found OBC room a little more homey and appreciated that there was a soft drink option available for anyone who didn't wish to imbibe. OBC also has a complete line of home brewing supplies for home enjoyment..

    A large beer selection with a handful of house brews and many Iowa brews. We've been here a few…read moretimes and they always have one or two of their own taps run out, but maybe it's because we always visit on the major holidays when Boji is busy. We haven't been here while they have their food truck outside "Farm to Fork", but the waitress spoke highly of it. You can pick up Papa Murphy's next door and cook it in the brewery's oven as well.

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    Okoboji Brewing Company
    Food truck menu, only available certain days.
    Food truck menu, only available certain days.
    Food truck menu

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    Food truck menu
    Okoboji Barn Bar & Grill

    Okoboji Barn Bar & Grill

    3.7
    (11 reviews)
    2.1 mi

    I FINALLY made it here to check out the renovation and the amazing food. I wanted to try…read moreeverything. We had chicken crackling, which is like boneless chicken wings except better. The breading was incredible and it's made with chicken thighs so it's still tender. My prime rib chislic with this chipotle aïoli was very tasty, my mom's Smashburger was huge and you could tell it was made from scratch. Finally, this Montecristo sandwich is so unique that you almost have to order it. It comes with Cherrywood ham, turkey and cheese between two slices of brioche bread perfectly browned served with warm raspberry jam as a dipping sauce. And not only do they have good beers, check out this house old-fashioned. They have an event venue upstairs, line dancing on Tuesday nights, live music, and an awesome sand volleyball complex outside. The staff was great and the vibe was unique.

    Sunday afternoon. 2 parties in the restaurant during my visit, one was me the other, a party of…read morethree. One server working, seemed right given the time of day, but she seemed more interested in talking at the bar than getting me my drink and a plate for the salad bar. Finally got a plate (very small plate) and one that is at the salad bar...she could've said help yourself....and I wouldn't have had to wait. A few bites into my salad and the smashed burger arrives. Literally a smashed burger (burnt) on a semi soggy bun, some cheese and a house sauce. Sauce was alright but the burger was super dry and no lettuce, pickles, or tomatoes offered. Had to pepper the burger for some kind of flavor. Server then doesn't come back to refill my drink or see if the meal was good after I'd started eating, you know how it's usually done in a restaurant. Probably because after a resumed conversation at the bar, 3 times playing with a TV in an unoccupied part of the restaurant and a long conversation on her phone in plain sight of patrons, she was too busy for her job. She finally came back and asked how it all was, and I simply shrugged to which she said wasn't the burger good, I shrugged again and she says and I quote "well, you ate it all" in a sparky voice while turning and walking away. When I first sat down she asked if I'd been here before to which I said I had but before the new ownership. She says, yeah well it's a 360 degree change, better food, service etc.... I think she needs an explanation on degress. 180 is a turnaround, 360 is right back where we started. She's wrong, it was better food before from my memory. The menu is small and still can't get a simple burger right. I likely won't come back, at least until another 360 degree, I mean 180 degree change is made. Disappointing

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    Okoboji Barn Bar & Grill
    Chicken cracklin
    Chicken cracklin
    House old-fashioned

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    House old-fashioned

    The Gardens - desserts - Updated August 2026

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