Ponderosa - Beaver Dam

I recently returned to a Ponderosa Steakhouse for the first time in years, and I was pleasantly surprised! The standout dish was the potatoes with beef tips, which I really enjoyed, and the pasta salads were tasty as well. They offer a wide variety of desserts, and the coffee was excellent. The service was fantastic too—the staff made sure my drink was never empty! Overall, I’d rate this visit a solid four stars rather than just three!

I can confidently say that the buffet deserves a solid 5 stars! Everything I tried was fantastic, and they rotate the food frequently, allowing you to sample a variety of dishes. You are required to wear a mask unless you're sitting at your table, and they provide gloves that must be worn while at the buffet. The mac and cheese was particularly delicious!

Many might scoff and say that it's not the best dining option, but for us, it’s a trip down memory lane. Sure, you can find better food elsewhere, but we were there for the experience. The dinner rolls were just like I remembered them, and the chicken had that familiar Ponderosa-style preparation. There’s something magical about it, and it’s iconic in its own right. As we walked in, we were greeted by the sight of the old Panasonic cash registers and the vintage menu board—we even took some photos! The salad bar was well-stocked and offered a good selection. It was great to see this old establishment again. However, we realized that you can’t go back to places like Chi Chi's anymore; it just isn’t the same. Bonanza was also a fun spot from my childhood where I spent almost every Sunday. The chicken tenders with freshly squeezed lemon used to be my favorite. Regardless of the crowd, if you’re looking for a nostalgic trip or just a satisfying lunch, this place has both covered. I wish there were more Ponderosa locations around. Thanks for making our visit a bit more iconic!

We love this place! We're from Green Bay and stopped here on the way home. This is the closest location... 93 miles from GB. Our server was very polite and helpful. Tap your servers well all! Especially those who go this extra mile! Kirstin was the best!