The owners have done a wonderful job creating new and exciting events to bring people back to this wonderful location. It's right on an eddy that takes you out to Lake Wausau via the Rib River. You would never guess that this little gem of a bar/restaurant is just miles from downtown Wausau. It's tucked away nicely at the western end of Sherman St. They have a beautiful deck for the warmer months and they are conveniently on the snowmobile trail system for the winter months. Everything I have had to eat there has been wonderful and reasonably priced. read more

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Excellent fish fry. Staff are friendly and attentive. Nice atmosphere and in warmer weather nice outdoor seating by the water.

Best fish in town, especially their baked Finnish, sauced deliciously, or their poor man's. Sit outside along the river in nice weather.

I've been to 18 countries, 47 states and have never tasted better fried cheese curds anywhere.

Friday night fish was tasty and hot and the sides were good- exactly what you'd expect from a Northwoods fish fry. Will be back because of the service, the good food is a bonus. read more

What a great place for a fish fry. Honestly one of the best i have had. Our waitress was very funny and made it a warm environment. Definitely recommend for a Friday night if you are in the area. read more

they definitely do not know how to season anything!!! bland bland bland! fish was rubbery and overcooked! definitely not the best fish fry in wausau!!! bland fish, bland potato salad, bland coating, bland shrimp....wow!! service was great hence 2 stars! read more

Great fish fry at a great prize and great service. Would definitely go back. Very friendly too.

For 2 people, we were estimated to have an 1 1/2 hour wait to be seated on a Friday night, which almost turned us away but we only had to wait a little over an hour and it was well worth it. Our server was friendly and the food came quickly and was SO GOOD. I preferred the friend things but the poor man's lobster was still good! Amazing tartar sauce and cocktail (shrimp) sauce. We were told dogs are welcome on the patio on sundays. Will be going back! read more

Trails End Bar & Lodge - a plate of food - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Wausau, Wisconsin

Came for the breakfast today after a fantastic experience with the Friday fish fry. The food is again excellent, but the service made me want to throw my plate at the kitchen door. The same waitress who helped us last night greeted us in the dining room and welcomed us back. Our coffee arrived quickly - not so the creamer and sweetener we requested. After trying the coffee black, we waited some more. Finally, I went and grabbed some sweetener from a counter but could locate no creamer. They were seriously under-staffed with only the one waitress and seemed more focused on taking care of family members of an employee than us. They got their orders much quicker, a carafe of coffee, and creamer and sweetener (at the same time and before us even though they arrived later. Our coffee was almost gone before we finally got our creamer. We didn't get asked for a refill on our coffee until the meal was nearly over, and the toast came when our plates were almost empty. All of this made the quick service and carafe of coffee to the family of an employee even more infuriating. This is too bad. Our waitress was friendly but overwhelmed. After last night's opus, it is too bad that breakfast did not make me want to return (for breakfast). The gentleman who checked us out last night and talked us into breakfast was noticeably absent. As was the owner who paid such close attention to the small details last night. If all parts of the meal had arrived at the same time, I could score this higher than a 3. Sadly, it did not. I will give Trails End Lodge another chance at breakfast. Hopefully the next experience allows me to write a review that rivals last night's fish fry. read more

Everything excellent especially German potato salad,add delicious fish and yummy coleslaw.! We usually are tempted to add a couple of large shrimp to our order! My only suggestion is to call early in the day for takeout at supper time or you'll be out of luck read more

One of the best fish fries I've had. The potato salad was outstanding. Staff was friendly. And I loved the fireplace in the dining area. I would rate it very good. read more

Trails End Bar & Lodge - The outside. - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Wausau, Wisconsin

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Excellent food and service, I give it a ten! Drinks were perfect. Had the Haddock and German potato salad, fantastic, wife had shrimp, excellent. read more

Food is ok. Some of the staff are really rude.. some staff are nice. Just got to figure out when the good ones are working. Nothing real great about this place tho. read more

Trails End Bar & Lodge - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Wausau, Wisconsin

Decent fish fry, fresh and well cooked. Burger left something to be desired. COVID-19 has made for some interesting service (order in advance at a given time), but worth the wait. A great relaxing place to hang out (socially distanced, of course) by a beautiful section of Big Rib River. When the weather is good, grab a drink at the bar, a couple of lounge chairs (or one of the many tables), and enjoy the view. Like being on vacation, 5 minutes from downtown. read more

Went for Friday fish...got there and there was already a hour wait at 5pm....once we finally got our fish it was about a hour and 45 mins, but I'll tell you what....SO WORTH IT! Service was great and can't wait to go back again. Beautiful back seating area. read more

The best fish fry-second only to the Paul's Valley Inn which has not been in business for decades!

This is hands down the best fish fry in Wausau. Expect a wait but the service is always efficient and very friendly.

I was attracted to this restaurant by all the reviews that mentioned the fish fry. In fact, they don't serve fish at all except on Fridays. They otherwise have standard bar food on the menu. I will say that the food was excellent. The problem is the clientele ruins the experience. No one wears a mask (at the peak of Covid) including the wait staff. Lots of drunks and cussing. Many police in the parking lot as we left to break up fights. Not worth it even for the best food. read more

We are visiting from Colorado and were so excited that we would be here on a Friday because we'd be able to go to an authentic Friday Fish Fry! My parents knew just the place and they were right! The fish was hot and the beer-batter was light and crispy - not greasy. I loved the home-made tartar sauce, too. The staff was super attentive and friendly. Great place!!! read more

Not impressed at all!! Went for breakfast and waited over an hour for our food. Told the owner and it didn't even faze him. He barely apologized and said they have a small kitchen. My Mom is a regular there for fish. Her and friends sat only 10 min after their meal and they told her they needed get table due to the wait. I managed bar/restaurants for years and I can tell you, that's not how you run a place. read more

Best Fish Fry in Wausau! Great owners and staff and beautiful back deck right off The river.

Nice deck, friendly service. We had the sampler of fried stuff...onion rings, curds, mushrooms etc. All good. Food took a while but it was so pleasant that we didn't care. read more

Certainly one of our Friday night fish fry favorites! Family run establishment that gets good crowds consistently. The food is excellent and the prices are very reasonable! Full bar, capability to handle larger family groups and I think they even still make the dining room available for special events if you inquire. We've received that personal hometown touch every time we've visited and feel like we are not just customers but friends! We highly recommend it! read more

They stop serving food at 8:00 on Saturday nights (unsure about other nights). Bartenders are often rude or could care less about serving with a smile. Total shame as this place could be awesome with the lake access. read more

The onion rings? Yup, gotta have 'em. Same batter, I think, as the fish fry and its goooooooooodddd!

So far my most favorite place for Friday Fishfry! Also had the most excellent prawn/shrimp dinner! Their walleye is the best! Love coming back home to Wausau for this place. read more

Place was very clean, nice deck overlooking the channel. Food was very reasonably priced and good. Not sure if she was the owner or waitress, but she was very friendly:) read more

New Again but NOT worth the Wait... Yes, Trails End is now under new management. Although the new owners seem nice, there is little reason to eat there and we do not plan on going back. Since their sewer system is currently being dug up, men must use a porta-potty outside and women use the men's bathroom, which runs slow and is smelly. They always seem to be out of their famous Finish Fish when we go there, and this time they were also out of German potato salad and baked potato. We put our name in for a table at 6:30 pm and were told it would be a 30 minute wait. When we were still waiting for our food at 8:30 we decided we had waited long enough and so we went to Wiggly Field where we knew we would be served right away. Yep, 8 minutes after placing our order, we were eating delicious, hot fish at Wiggly's in Weston. Visited July 2015 read more

Great food but don't order food to go. Ordered 2 hours ahead and person on the phone said that is our busy time. No shit Dick Tracy...that is why I ordered 2 hours ahead. I arrived early and 35 minutes later went to check on my order and it had been sitting on a stool behind the cashier. I was told it wasn't more than 10 minutes. Really? Put yourself in my shoes. Got home to a cold fish fry. Good food but you better be ready for a wait. Carryout doesn't make you a customer I guess. read more

The fried cheese curds and fried lake perch were delicious and the atmosphere is laid back and pleasant. The service was also good.

The authentic, homemade German potato salad (5 stars for taste) could have been a bit hotter at this cozy, Northern Wisconsin lodge. But it is hard to find fault with a friendly joint like this -- and one that comps a generous piece of cream cheese frosting-topped lemon torte! Twice a week, a different complimentary dessert is added to the menu here - a short list of homemade sandwiches, salads, burgers, and pizzas. Frostman's Fish Market and other local fish mongers supply the main ingredient of their special Friday menu, a selection of pan-fried walleye, beer-battered blue gills and their house special - Todd's blackened catfish. If you have an extra 30 minutes to spare, the Finnish baked fish is worth the wait! This cabin-like eatery offers window seating along the Rib River. This is a great stopping point along the snowmobile trails in wintertime, and we're looking forward to summertime sipping out on their large, riverside patio! read more

if this is the trails end we used to call 'juices' in the early 70's / late 60's. it is the place to hang out. amazing memories. xcellent service, friendship and above all...goood drinks. i remember george and jimmy. only only place i know where bartender went deer hunting and next night he served us all turtle! i don't know....ha ha ha , wish i was there. skip b. read more