Sunsets At Paradise - Balsam Lake

On July 3, 2024, I am shocked that this restaurant was able to receive even one star. If zero stars were an option, I would have gladly chosen it. I had to wait for hours for my food, which arrived cold. There was no offer of compensation. Perhaps if the manager wasn't busy drinking shots at the bar, my experience would have been better.

I had an absolutely terrible experience at this restaurant! The food was mediocre and definitely not worth the price. Our patty melt came with cold, unmelted cheese and a thin, frozen patty that was much smaller than the bread. The California burger was just as disappointing, featuring the same frozen patty on an undercooked bun and lacking mayonnaise. We waited over 40 minutes for these unsatisfactory meals. Save yourself the hassle and go to Thirsty Otter by the boat landing instead, where the food is far superior. Such a letdown!

Now that the restaurant has new owners (four of them), we decided to give it a try. I looked over the menu and noticed it was small and seemed manageable for them to deliver great food. The Saturday special was prime rib, so we waited for an hour until dinner service began. What a disappointment! The dinner roll was just pulled from the refrigerator and was cold, accompanied by four cold pieces of asparagus. The au jus was also cold and flavorless—just watered-down beef bouillon. As for the prime rib? It was tough and bland, with an overwhelming taste of liquid smoke, and served cold. It definitely didn’t taste like it had come fresh from a rib roast. This was a complete letdown and a waste of money. I’d recommend avoiding this place and going somewhere you actually enjoy. When we got home, my wife and I couldn’t shake the taste from our mouths—it was so bad that it felt like we were licking the cat's litter box to get rid of the lingering flavor!

In my previous review, I neglected to mention that none of the servers were wearing masks, either indoors or outdoors. There was also no sanitization process for the tables or chairs, inside or outside. This is a significant oversight regarding COVID safety!

Delicious food, friendly waitress, and a beautiful location right by the lake!