Burke's Lakeside

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The food and view are great but be forewarned the management is TERRIBLE. We had a reservation a month in advance for a party of 12 at Easter. You have to be very specific with your reservations at this restaurant. When we arrived there was a group with just as many people as us seated in the same dining area with 2 tables put together so that they could all sit together. For some reason they gave us 2 separate tables forcing us to break our group up into 2. We had family and friends that traveled from great distance to be together for Easter and it made it very difficult to talk with everyone. When we asked if they could re-arrange the tables or simply put them together the manager responded no with absolutely no explanation. When asked who it would be hurting the manager said, “Sorry we can’t do that.” Thank goodness my brother specified we wanted to be in the main dining area otherwise I’m sure they would’ve had us shoved in some dark corner. Keep this in mind if you use this venue for a big group or recommend it to someone so you’re not disappointed like we were. Let them know on certain terms exactly what you want because they will not try to accommodate you in the least.

We thought it was neat that the table had white paper on it over the linen, we thought it was for the little kids, until we realized that ALL the tables had it. We ordered a $5 kids grilled cheese plate, we got 1/2 a grilled cheese on plain white bread, no sides. We ordered a $5 chicken tender plate, we got 3 chicken tenders, no sides. not even french fries. Ordered a grilled chicken salad, the chicken tasted like it was dirty, like the grill hadn't been cleaned for quite some time. Food took well over an hour for simple things, and there were maybe 4 other tables who were being served. Not busy! The food is less than desirable, and you'd think that it would be more "upscale" considering the high prices. The service sucks, the waitresses are not informative as to what the restaurant has to offer to cook. Other restaurants, if you have a food allergy they bring out the chef. This one, they could care less. Owner was very argumentative, after several attempts to ask to speak to him about bad service. For their prices, you'd get more bang for your buck elsewhere and definitely better service. Even the fish fry is expensive, and you get way less food (not even potato cakes in this place!) than say a more reasonably priced such as Olympia. We will not return. I was more than disappointed!

the service is so bad it's frustrating...it has such a nice view of Silver Lake and could be something special but you can't overlook the service. The manager walks around and doesn't even greet people. They have changed their menu and it now is average at best. Plenty of other spots in the Lake Country that have better service and menu choices with views of water. I've been here a dozen times and it just doesn't get better.

My friends and I went to Burkes last week and after a short wait expected on a weekend, had great time. Food was good, service was friendly and prompt. Will definately go back and recommend.

Food was actually good, service was terrible. The waitress was just too young and inexperienced for this type of dining. She never checked back on us after someone else delivered our food. She was wearing a tank top, while other servers had dress shirts on??? She poured wine into a dirty wine glass, then took 15 minutes to bring a new glass. Took 20 minutes to get our check.

OWNERS ARE HORRIBLE TO STAFF!!!!

It is disappointing that Oconomowoc finally gets a new restaurant to witness its own destruction internally. Myself and other patrons and friends that live in the area have witnessed on more than numerous occasions the owner Sean Burke and chef: Shane Valenti dress down employees, threaten employees and mock employees. I have been ashamed to have to witness that at the table during dinner as my waitress was brought to tears by Shane and then mocked by Sean. Besides the elevated prices, the uncomfortable tension between management and staff strains the relaxing "dining out" experience. We witnessed the last straw tonight; reporting Burke's to the BBB. What a shame, but it is more shameful to witness this mockery of a "fun, relaxed, environment" and not proceed to do anything about it. I, along with others, will continue to dine and be relaxed elsewhere.

Twelve of us ate at Burke's tonight. From fish fries to ribs to steak everyone enjoyed their ample meals. Service and food all were excellent. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming. The view of Silver Lake is spectacular from the outdoor deck.