Revised, good food, fairly quick. Started out poorly with seating issues and flies in our booth but finished strong.

Ernie's is a family favorite. We eat there once a year when we're up at Gull Lake. We typically go a little before 5:00 on a weeknight so its very family friendly. Not sure about later. The kids love boating over and the food is pretty good. The only downside is that they seem (?) to have re-done the menus and bumped the prices up significantly. The walleye fingers are great, but pricey for an appetizer. Bottom line: It's not cheap for what you get, but it's tasty and fun. And the view is great. read more

Great food and great sights! We sat out on the patio and took in the beautiful view of the lake. Our waitress was amazing, she went above and beyond (Carrie), it was a nice change of pace to other restaurants where the staff are just serving another table. Food was quick to the table and tasted perfect! Great job by all! read more

Ernie's is the perfect place for an afternoon drink on the lake. They have a ton of patio tables set up in addition to Adirondack chairs right on the lake. I did not try the food, but everyone who did seemed to enjoy it. As far as I am concerned, this is the only place to enjoy a lakeside drink when you are in or around Brainerd. read more

Outstanding food choices, creative chef, craft beers and warm atmosphere. Would definitely suggest trying it!

Very nice lakeside stop. Lobster bisque was a bit salty but walleye sandwich, buffalo shrimp and kids meals were great!

Blackened Walleye was fantastic!!! Great atmosphere and excellent food!!!

Very good food and service. Pricey joint but the view and surrounding territory make it worth it.

I like this place. Went in the winter, so I haven't experienced in full summer/outdoor mode. I'd say 3.5 stars, but bump it up to 4 stars for the area. Much better than similar restaurants in town. Fish tacos were tasty. read more

Service is great. I'd stick to American fare. Tried the Ramen Bowl and Poke bowl. Rice was cold and hard and used can pineapple. Ramen seemed to leftover meat and taste was not great. read more

Ernie's is a boat friendly haven for weary vacationers. Kind staff. Good food. Terrific view from a beautiful dining room. We've been coming to Gull every 4th for 20 years. We've tried all the local favorites and Ernie's tops them all. read more

This sure was the happening place to be when we came. Boats pulling up right to dock. Can eat outside or inside. Great food! Service was great. Love how it's right on the lake!! read more

Fun place ! Went twice on our recent visit . Highly recommend the Walleye fingers - great appetizer .

Was that Ernie's on Veterans Day Sunday the food was cold the potato wouldn't even melt butter send it back once came back the same never again there read more

Called 7 times to get takeout, phone not answered once, drive there to place order for two orders of fish and chips. Got my bag of food after 25 minutes to get home and find two plastic containers with 3 fish sticks in each, no fries and 25 mustard pouches. Never again! $30 for 6 fish sticks. read more

We were there on Monday 9/17 in the evening. Great service, great food! Beer was good too! It was out first time and we will be back when the sun is out. Would have rather sat outside but the weather wasn't cooperating. read more

Great spot! Blackened walleye was very good. We were recommended this place and would definitely come back to Ernie's. Service was great.

I have enjoyed eating at Ernie's for years and would definitely consider myself a regular patron. Today has set a new low for the bar of service. We have been waiting now for our lunch for 90 minutes and the waitress just thanked us for our patience. Now, as we approach dinner, I'm not sure I still want that lunch order. I feel like I am watching the rise and fall of the Ernie's empire. read more

Good food and nice lakeside setting. Always have had good service. I probably would have rated Ernie's four stars, but factoring in the lakeside setting raises it up a bit for me. read more

Gorgeous view of Gull Lake, fun atmosphere and fantastic service. Oh, and the food's good too. We started with a light appetizer of basil pesto hummus, naan bread and fresh veggies. I order the blackened walleye dinner, which was served over a delicious bed of risotto and a cup of lobster bisque that hit the spot. My husband ordered the fish and chips, but was likely more impressed by the awesome beer selection. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the Brainerd / Gull Lake area. read more

This is a great "on the lake" place. Fun atmosphere with good food. Fun dining not fine dining. Reuben sandwich was very nourishing.

Ernie's is a great place to go! Great selection of craft beers! If you go during happy hour you could get $1 beers by a pull tab? A very important evaluation is the cleanliness.....Ernie's has been consistently a clean place to eat! The restaurant is right on the lake and has a great view...winter or summer. I reduced the star because the restaurant can be a bit cold during winter. I love the variety of ever changing choices of menu items. This is a great local visiting watering hole! read more

We absolutely love Ernies! Such great food. Especially love the outdoor patio and area for the kiddos to play. I love the strawberry coconut chicken salad and the patty melt is amazing! My fav! read more

Make sure you know that even though the patio and deck are only 10 feet apart, one has a separate limited menu from the actual restaurant, and the patio does not serve the food listed in the reviews such as the highly rated lobster bisque...I would say "enjoy" but I didn't.... read more

If I could go to zero stars I would. I'm a local resident and understand I gave up 5 star fare to live by the lakes...but ... last night was the WORST meal I have eaten at a restaurant - ANYWHERE. I ordered a cup of Lobster Bisque... 1 pieces of "lobster", thin, not very warm and essentially lacking luster. Followed with Cesar Salad which was virtually undressed and tasteless. Had the special entrée which was special only for how bad it was. Pineapple Rice served under blackened shrimp. The shrimp was soggy, not blackened but coated in a oil soaked breading that someone spilled the entire can of Old Bay into. Terrible. The rice didn't have a hint of pineapple to it - neither taste nor chunks. Instead it was generously over spiced with the aforementioned Old Bay to the point where undissolved pockets of the spice were crunchy to the bite. Service was fine but I was at the bar and they didn't need to go far. Margaritas were redeeming - but I was desperate to wash the misnamed "Special" out of my mouth and now I will find it difficult to wash the experience out of my memory. Won't be back. read more

Just ate at Ernie's for the second time in a week! I knew I loved it in the summer and it was just as good in the winter! I have tried many menu options from entrees to appetizers at Ernie's and finally had the PBJJ Burger today! Yum!!!! Their selection of beer and spirits makes dining here an event each time!! Thanks Ernie's! When I come to the lake area my husband and I always choose Ernie's on Gull! read more

Ernie's was the best place we ate at during a recent vacation on Gull Lake. The menu is simple but the food is made with care and delicious. The BBQ prime rib sandwich special was excellent as were the house made potato chips (who does that? no need to "upgrade" to fries). The service also warrants special recognition for professionalism, friendliness, and efficiency. We were there on a sweltering afternoon and Emily refilled drinks and waters before we even had to ask. This is a first class operation, don't miss it if you're in the area. read more

Beautiful atmosphere, great drink selections (beer and mixed drinks!), good basic fish fare. The service was friendly, but the food took a little longer than we expected. read more

This is a great place! Friendly atmosphere and great food! Service was amazing! They didn't have the drink i wanted on the menu, but waitress offered to ask the bar if they can make it for me and they did! I was very pleased! A must try if you are ever in the area. read more

This is Date Night 101. I love their mojitos in the summer. Food is always good, but the real essence of Ernie's is the ambience--the sun setting on Gull Lake, real chill live music, great conversation and relaxing in the Adirondack chairs watching kids throw bread to the ducks. Everyone pulls their boat in and has a great time. Ernie's is hard to find but once you do, you'll never want to leave. Also a great, romantic spot at night to walk out and watch the Northern Lights. read more

I'm giving this four stars because I want to support the local establishment and I am hoping that our bad experience was just a fluke. I ordered the $27 walleye dinner. The soup was warm, but not hot. The walleye was overcooked and difficult to cut through. It was served with a wild rice risotto that was sloppily applied on the plate and I saw maybe 3 grains of wild rice hidden in there. It was VERY bland. I wouldn't be so frustrated if it wasn't a $27 meal. Could not believe they charge $27 for this, what a disappointment! My husband ordered an ernie's salad with no chicken. Of course it came with chicken. His beef barley soup had a large sharp bone in it. My husband ordered a drink with a double shot and we were certain there was not that much alcohol in it. The waitress also forgot my water, which isn't a huge deal, but still. For a meal that ended up costing us $70, we expected more. There are not many restaurant options in the area and it would be great if there was a place you could go and have a high quality meal. Anyway, I have high hopes for this place and pray that our next experience is better. read more

I went out to eat last night at Ernies On Gull, the Food and service are Excellent the bar has several tap beers and a full wine list that several of the people at the table tried from chardonnay to red ,white and rose' we also had several appetizers to begin with and a HUGE dinner salad almost too big but very tasty and by the time we got out main course almost everyone had to get "doggy bags" and then we all watched Comedy night, and it was hilarious, the last guy had been on Comedy Central in the past, i would recommend Ernies on Gull to anyone wanting great food, service and a great atmosphere. read more

I loved it. We were seated on patio right away, super comfy chairs and umbrellas were a good partial shade on a hot August day. Good bloodys, good service, food came out quickly. Very nice side salad and very good French onion soup as sides, we skipped the fries. I ordered the Walleye sandwich and it was awesome, so lightly pan fried and so yummy on a hot day. The food is a little pricey but it is above average bar food for sure. I would go back today if I didn't live far away! read more