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    Tom Sawyer's Bar & Grill

    3.6 (53 reviews)
    ModerateBars, Burgers, Mexican
    Closed 7:30 am - 9:00 pm

    Tom Sawyer's Bar & Grill Photos

    Business Info

    TOM SAWYER'S BAR & GRILL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Live music
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Tom Sawyer's Bar & Grill

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    Fish 'n' Chips, Fries, and Coleslaw
    Damian C.

    Tom Sawyer, Tom Sawyer, Tom Sawyer.... My first time ever being there, and I have to say I was excited....at first. This place reminded me of Castaway's across the road from the decor. They have a nice outside patio, and was a great place to gather. I don't know what it is with different places lately, but the employees certainly are not welcoming...no smile, no hello how are you..very cold and unappealing. When we entered, the woman behind the bar with dark hair and a nose piercing almost seemed "bothered" that we were there and asking questions. I literally said out loud, "boy, she seems friendly." I think she heard me because she changed her tune real quick when she waited on my husband and I. She THEN became very friendly...for a little bit anyways. We were meeting another friend, and so we ordered fried cheese curds and a couple of drinks while we waited. I had a Bahama Mama, and my husband had a Captain Morgan and Diet Pepsi. The cheese curds were really good and they give you a lot of them! We waited awhile before we ordered so that our friend could order food with us, but when she got there she said she wasn't hungry. When my husband and I ordered food, I had what was normally a grilled chicken sandwich that's normally on sourdough bread, and I swapped fries for scalloped potatoes, and I excluded the bread. I asked for the BBQ option, and it was almost as if they just plopped cold BBQ on the chicken once it was done because instead of at least cooking the BBQ on the chicken, it was just sitting on top with American cheese under it. It wasn't seasoned, very bland, and the chicken seemed rubbery, oh, and my scalloped potatoes were bland and under seasoned! My husband's meal was at least decent. He got fish 'n' chips and coleslaw. Did I mention my entire meal was cold, lukewarm at best almost as if it was being held under a heat lamp until the other meal was done. From the customer service to the food, this was not a good first impression. Even if the food wasn't good, my lasting impression would have been so much better if the people were at least kind, particularly this waitress. When I did tell the waitress I didn't like my food, her wonderful comment to me after I said I didn't like it but my husband likes his was, "well 1 out of 2 isn't bad." She didn't even apologize for the food not being good, she was just like, "do you want something else, and said it so snobbish. I looked at the menu again, but by that time from her nasty attitude, I was done and just didn't want anything else, not even a drink, which the drink was actually good. They did take off the meal, and of course no one said that they did, it was just handed to us. The rest of the time another waitress took over, so either the previous waitress didn't want to wait on us anymore, or she bounced. Either way, it would have been nice to have the heads up that someone would be taking over. It makes me sad to be treated in such a way. I wasn't looking to go there for a "free meal," but if it's wrong it's wrong. I didn't even order anything else, so what am I really getting out of it besides a poor attitude? I would say Castaway is a much better option for great food and attitudes! I think just the attitude alone doesn't make me want to go back to Tom Sawyer. I wanted to like this place and wished for it to be a homerun, but instead I got a foul ball.

    tables and umbrellas
    Dean W.

    I can't believe it's been over 4 years since my last time here. Again I give Tom Sawyer's 5 . The staff was very friendly. The Tom Sawyer burger was great. Very pleased. I enjoyed sitting on the back patio enjoying the view.

    Bloody Mary
    Marcia S.

    Stopped for breakfast and a Bloody Mary. Nice place, good food and the waitresses were very friendly.

    My family of 4 adults and 3 kids decided to stop in here for a lunch on a Monday afternoon based on the recommendation of my aunt. What followed was the absolute worst dining experience of our entire trip to LaCrosse! Walking in the door, my elderly mother asked the man seating us if we could sit in the table by the window. Even though the entire restaurant was empty except for some bar patrons, he sarcastically said, "Well, do you have a reservation?" Of course she replied that she didnt, but she asked if we could be seated there. With a snarky sarcastic smile, he said "Well, you should've reserved it then, shouldntcha?" (I didn't hear this exchange, or I would've turned around and left right then.) He apparently told my mother that the window table was already reserved. (More on that later). The man then seated us at the table directly BEHIND the window table, and we were greeted by a friendly waitress who took our drink orders. We ordered the cheese curds ($9.99), and they arrived within 10 minutes, which is about the time we placed our food orders. The seven of us ordered: fried chicken dinner, a burger kids meal, a grilled cheese kids meal, a Philly steak sandwich, a steak sandwich, a chimichanga, and an adult cheeseburger. A full forty minutes later, we still had not received anything, not even the salad for the chicken dinner, nor was there a refill offered for any of our seven drinks in that entire time. (Here, I'll just point out that the waitress seemed to be the only one tending the entire place, so I can't blame her for the awful staffing). At last! An hour after being seated, we received everything at once. I'm just going to list off the TON of CONS here, because otherwise this review is going to be too long. My mom's salad was delivered AFTER her dinner plate. The kids grilled cheese was burnt. My steak sandwich was at least 30% gristle/fat. The Philly was dripping grease and soggy. The A1 sauce was diluted with water. The ketchup was a cheap brand. The prices were not proportionate to the quality of food served AT ALL. ($10 for a frozen burger?) After eating, we waited another 20-30 minutes with empty drinks for the waitress to bring the check. We were overcharged for two drinks which were supposed to be free with the kids meals (which was corrected). Oh! Remember the window table that was already booked?? No one used the table. There was no reservation for that table. The owner was just being a jerk. By this point, we didn't want to wait around another 20 mins to pay the bill, so my mother went to the bar with the check to pay it right then so we could all leave. The rude man from earlier asked her "How was everything?", so my mother told him very calmly that she was very disappointed, and then began to explain the list of reasons why, when the man snapped the ticket out of her hand, tore it up into pieces, and said "I'll take care of it then." Mind you, this was not done in any kind of apologetic manner, but rather he was acting quite angry and didn't even look her in the eye. He then immediately walked away from her, ignoring her as she tried to insist she was not looking for a "free lunch." But it doesn't end there... My mother, now literally in tears from having been insulted and completely disrespected by this man, told me what happened after we left the restaurant. I felt bad for the waitress who apparently wasn't even getting a tip from our entire bill of over $100, so I decided to walk back into the restaurant, and ask to charge $20 on my card so that she could at least get tipped, and a different bartender was assisting me in doing that. The RUDE OLDER MAN walked up, asked what he was doing, and then took my card out of his hand, THREW it down on the counter in front of me, and said "No, I'll take care of her." I replied "I feel bad that she's not getting her tip". He repeated, sternly: IT'S TAKEN CARE OF. WOW. I know, as part of a family of small business owners myself, that it is stressful and difficult to run a business, and there are sometimes days that you just don't have a ton of patience when things go wrong. But I would never, ever let the customer know that in my attitude. That man needs to learn how to handle his anger issues and maybe take a lesson in customer service. If it weren't for the terrible owner's treatment of my elderly mother, this place would have gotten three stars for the awful service and prices. Not only will we never return, but I'll make sure none of my friends or family endure a meal there, either!

    Mushroom Burger

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    1 year ago

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    8 months ago

    The food was great and our waitress Megan was even better! So attentive and kind. Stop in and have a Bloody Mary. We will be back!

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    1 year ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    6 years ago

    No one was wearing any masks, INCLUDING WORKERS! Food was really good though, the workers were nice!

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    9 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    10 years ago

    Great place. I love the burger, fish and wraps. The Jameson is quite tasty as well. Nice view of the Black River. Great staff

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    11 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    9 years ago

    View is beautiful. Food was questionable. Whats with a square burger???. Fries tasted like old grease. Service was good.

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    13 years ago

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    11 years ago

    Awesome food and service, will definitely be back! The buffalo chicken wrap was outstanding.

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    11 years ago

    Great fish burgers, chicken and salads. I eat there quite frequently and have never had a bad meal. The service is best in town

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    11 years ago

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    The Library

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    The Library. Wow what a fantastic bar! My absolute favorite bar in La Crosse. Nestled discreetly…read moreamong the bustling streets, Library Bar stands as a beacon of sophistication and charm in the heart of the city. Stepping through its unassuming entrance, guests are transported into a realm where the art of mixology intertwines seamlessly with the ambiance of a bygone era. The bar itself is a focal point, boasting an impressive array of spirits lining its shelves like prized literary volumes. Behind it, skilled bartenders craft cocktails with precision and flair, each drink a work of art in its own right. A bar with a bastion of elegance and refinement, not only prides itself on its impeccable cocktails and inviting ambiance but also on its unwavering commitment to responsibility. At the heart of this commitment lies Library Bar's zero under-ager policy, a testament to its dedication to maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for all patrons. And don't even get me started with bartender Tristan. To my glorious king Tristan, In the enchanting realm of libations, where cocktails reign supreme and creativity flows like a river of spirits, there exists a maestro whose mastery knows no bounds. Enter Tristan, the illustrious bartender of Library Bar, whose presence behind the bar transforms an ordinary evening into an extraordinary adventure. From the moment Tristan graces the stage, his magnetic charisma captivates all who are fortunate enough to behold his craft. With a twinkle in his eye and a flourish of his hand, he orchestrates a symphony of flavors, each cocktail a testament to his boundless imagination and unparalleled skill. Tristan is not merely a bartender; he is a virtuoso, a maestro of mixology whose creations transcend the ordinary and elevate the senses to new heights. With a deep reverence for the art of cocktail making, he approaches each drink as a blank canvas, ready to be adorned with layers of flavor and nuance. But it is not just Tristan's technical prowess that sets him apart; it is his unwavering passion and dedication to his craft that truly make him shine. Behind the bar, he is a whirlwind of activity, his movements fluid and precise as he expertly measures, shakes, and stirs with the grace of a dancer. Yet, amidst the flurry of activity, Tristan never fails to exude an aura of calm and composure, his demeanor as regal as a king holding court. Behind his confident facade lies a humility and warmth that endears him to all who cross his path, transforming patrons into loyal subjects of his kingdom of cocktails. In the realm of libations, Tristan reigns supreme, his creations a testament to his boundless creativity and unwavering commitment to excellence. To sit at his bar is to embark on a journey of discovery, where each sip is a revelation and each cocktail a masterpiece crafted by the hand of my glorious king of mixology. Long may he reign From timeless classics to inventive creations, the menu offers something to suit every palate, ensuring that every visit to Library Bar is a journey of discovery. He truly is one of a kind. (Ana is cool too) Library Bar totally emerges as a haven of sophistication and responsibility, where the art of mixology meets a commitment to integrity. From its impeccable cocktails to its inviting ambiance, every aspect of Library Bar is crafted with care and precision. With a zero under-ager policy firmly in place, Library Bar demonstrates its dedication to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for all patrons. Through its unwavering commitment to responsibility and excellence, Library Bar sets a standard of excellence within the hospitality industry, ensuring that every guest's experience is nothing short of exceptional. I find it extremely difficult to have a fun night in downtown La Crosse without stopping at the Library. For that reason, I give the bar a 5/5 star review!

    Da hell did I run into? I thought the library had books. Instead, I found alcohol hahahaha. So I…read morestarted drinkin and blinkin, see that rhymes. It's a nice little bar to drink at, especially on the weekends when them folks get busy. The floor is a little sticky but I managed, make sure you use the bathroom BEFORE you go in, otherwise you ain't gonna make it, that line get's long. The drinks taste good until your drunk but hey, that's what it's all about. Good job Don.

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    The Library
    The Library

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    Tom Sawyer's Bar & Grill - bars - Updated September 2026

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