Adorable old country feel, love the decor. Both Paninis sandwiches not Hot! Dry not really buttered. Corned beef cold in the middle: Should have more sauce on the side. Potato chips, not fun. A nice fruit option would be tastier. Tomatoe Bisque Soup should be red not pink with chunks of vegetables? That's not Tomatoe Bisque. I know Im a cook I make it. Soups luke warm. Potato cheddar, not hot either. Potato chunks should be smaller. $3.50 for tiny cup?? Too high priced:(( Make some changes please. Bring cash or 4% for card. read more

Ginny's Cupboard - Reuben Pinini Tomatoe Bisque - Sandwiches Near Me - Sparta, Wisconsin

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Went there for coffee. There was only three other customers in there. Seemingly only one person working behind the counter which I wasn't in a hurry so I didn't mind that. However, I wasn't treated by the person yelling out to me : you here for breakfast or lunch? I replied, just a coffee. She said, ok be with you in a minute. I was walking around checking out the decor and space, because I've never been there before. Looking at the pastures. The woman stopped what she was doing and stood there staring at me, no smile, just an irritated look on her face. There was no sign 'don't walk past this point' but due to her just standing there staring, not waiting on the other people, I went back by the door (like 5-6ft away) and just stood there. She then went back to waiting in the people. I got my coffee which wasn't too much better than instant. I'm an older person and was dressed nicely - so not looking like a thug. Perhaps that person was having an off day, so MAYBE sometime when I'm bored I'll try it again to see if it's a better experience.....or maybe I'll just go to one of the five other coffee places. read more

Service, well to start we ordered an iced coffee and the waitstaff staff said.she didn't specifically state that, not true. It is the only kind of coffee that the person drinks daily and everyone else at the table heard her but the staff person. The tomato bisque soup was watered down tomatoes. The two coffees offered were terrible, instant was better. The Carmel cinnamon roll was sweet! read more

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Staff was really nice restaurant was adorable and clean but the food was a hard pass absolutely no flavor what so ever. I've never eaten anything more bland in my life the butter on my bread had more flavor than my soup read more

Soup was bland milk. Both potato and tomato. The salad sucked. The panini was good! Had the veggie. Very cute spot. Attentive staff

Good place for a lunch while in Sparta. It wasn't exceptional but did the trick. I had the ham and cheese panini. All the elements were there. Good bread, ham, cheese and mustard. Nicely toasted, etc. It was just a little on the smaller side. For a restaurant, at least. The chips were your basic Lays or the like. Fine, nothing great. My husband got the chicken salad sandwich and declared it fine, not great. Everything was... Fine. The restaurant is a bit kitschy and fun. They also have some sweets at the counter like pies and things, and I have to say, they looked pretty good (I wasn't in a pie mode so didn't get anything, just eyed them as I passed by). All in all, not a bad place for a meal but also nothing that's going to be super memorable either. read more

What a cute little place for a quick lunch. Stopped in while in Sparta and had friends in the area join us. Great food. I had a sandwich with sun dried tomatoes that was delicious and the picky 5 year old cleaned his plate. My girls did half sandwiches and salads and they love it as well. We grabbed ice cream to go on the way out and service was fast and friendly. It's been a few months and we don't stop in Sparta that often, but I'd jump off the interstate for another lunch here! read more

Been here a couple times for lunch and its good!! Always busy and everyone is really friendly! I love the beef sandwich and tomato bisque.

One of the best reubens in Wisconsin, and I can see why. Well balanced and properly cooked. I liked the panini style and inhaled it very quickly. We ordered everything to go and included the chef salad (not bad, but expected a bit more), the Reuben, buffalo chicken sandwich and one other. We called ahead of time and everything was ready right on time. Counter service was very friendly. Food was enjoyed by all and will be back to try out more when back in town. read more

Ginny's Cupboard - Reuben sandwich - Sandwiches Near Me - Sparta, Wisconsin

I really do love this place. We traveled to Sparta for the weekend. Im new to WI and wanting to experience all it has to offer. I love small towns!   My chicken salad on sourdough was fresh and just might be the best I've ever had. I'm always in search of a GOOD chicken salad sandwhich. I actually tasted the sourdough! Im from the San Fransisco area, sourdough is a big deal to me. Most places say sourdough and it and lacks flavor. The tomato  bisque soup was made from scratch. It was very good!   I gave four stars because the soup was not hot and the staff has too many responsibilities to offer excellent customer service. The blame does not fall on the staff. They seem to do the best they can. They are friendly and keep a smile on their faces but you can tell they have a hard time. It seems very stressful. If management delegated the work to individuals, instead of dumping every title (host, server, buser, dishwasher, food runner) on every member, I think the servers would have an easier time offering upmost customer service.  I felt bad for the staff. The owners put a lot of effort into the antique decor and it was VERY clean. I did not see one cob web or dust bunny with all that decor. Its a great place. I do recommend it to family, friends. I'd go back for lunch everyday if I lived in the area. I do think stress on staff should be addressed in order to make this place perfect! read more

Ginny's Cupboard - The best chicken salad on sourdough I've ever experienced! - Sandwiches Near Me - Sparta, Wisconsin

I always enjoy my time at Ginny's Cupboard. It's small, very unique, and the food is usually amazing. I get a panini every time and you really can't go wrong. Their soups & ice cream are both amazing as well. Never have had a serious issue here. read more

Ginnys is a staple in downtown Sparta. It has a 1950s decor with a small town feel and will keep your eyes busy looking at the decor. The sandwiches are very good, enhanced by their homemade breads. They have soda jerks serving up hand made sodas and scooped ice cream. Perfect lunchtime choice. read more

Food was good especially the bread. Service was very good too. Very cute decor. Old fashioned soda fountain was fun to see.

Excellent coffee, terrific pastries. A great place to sit and relax (and they encourage you to sit and relax) after biking. Please note, that the kitchen doesn't start serving till 10 AM, so this is not a breakfast place. Extremely warm and inviting place. read more

Thanks Carys for making our visit to Sparta so welcoming!! And you make an excellent Reuben sandwich ! The next time we come through Sparta, we will remember that your kitchen closes at 3:00 ! read more

Spendy but classy. Makes you feel nostalgic. Where can you find a "soda jerk" these days? I mean really, it's a neat spot to eat when you have a little extra and don't care about spending it on an enjoyable experience. You get what you pay for. If you leave without trying one of their shakes, you're either on a diet or on a budget. read more

Ginny's is a nice little place for lunch with sandwiches and paninis. They have excellent soup as well - their white chicken chili is always a favorite. They also have a lot of ice cream possibilities and they are right in downtown Sparta so it's a nice place to stop off while you're going through town. That being said - this is not a place to Harlan a "quick" bite. Often I have come for lunch and have waited as long as 45 minutes for a sandwich and chips. Sometimes, I've waited 25 minutes before anyone has even come over. I'd like to add that Ginny's is not overly busy during these times - slow waits are understandable when there are a lot of people there, but these were normal days with limited patronage. A lot of times, it feels the place is being run by high school kids who aren't paying attention as people walk in. You seat yourself so it almost feels like you have to make a spectacle of yourself in order to get noticed at all, otherwise you'll sit and wait for ages. read more

Excellent place to stop by and enjoy what good food is all about, excellence customer service and take you back in time what an original Fountain Soda Shop is all about. read more

Ginny's Cupboard - Sandwiches Near Me - Sparta, Wisconsin

Waited over an hour for an omelette & couple eggs. Waitress advised us that cook dropped are plate and he was remaking our breakfast. It never came, kept telling us cook was making it now, even told us they would pay for our breakfast, never came. We finally left! Terrible, won't go again. Not recommended!!! read more

I got an egg salad sandwich there yesterday that was missing most of the egg! It was full of shredded lettuce and there were lots of chips but not even half an egg! I paid over $7 for lettuce and mayo on thick bread. They could have saved the red and blue pokers-- there was no danger of anything falling out of that sandwich! NEVER AGAIN!! read more

This is a nice little jem of a place. Met a friend from out of town for a bite and met him here it was like a halfway point for us both. The atmosphere is fun and nostalgic with a great 50/60 vibe. Ordered a large mocha as I waited for my friend arrive and loved it. When my friend arrived we both ordered a sandwich which was super delicious. Am looking forward to my next stop. read more

Excellent cafe that serves sandwiches, salads, soups, and desserts. I had a chicken salad sandwich that was made fresh and a cup of soup. I also had a chai latte. It was all good and I enjoyed chatting with the staff. There are not many choices for fresh food in Sparta and this is probably the best. read more

We stopped in while driving through town back in April and I'm so glad we did. All three generations of us were seated comfortably in this fun restaurant with the nostalgic interior. Friendly, attentive service and great food had by all. We plan to return the next time in in the area. read more

Love their ice cream and their sandwiches! Cute little shop to sit and enjoy the small town feel.

My grandmother lives in Sparta, yet for some reason this gem somehow eluded my attention until just recently! The ambiance of Ginny's is wonderful! It's very rustic, antiques are the main decorations, and it makes you feel like you're eating in a nice small town restaurant, which are pretty much the best kind since you almost always feel like you're in a home away from home. The staff were so friendly! It's like in the movies where everyone knows everyone, it felt really nice! I only ordered a malt (I was on my rare cheat day for my diet haha) but from what I saw on the menu and from what my grandmother tells me the good is wonderful. The malt literally made me feel euphoric. I've never had one so creamy and delicious, I want to know what secret trick they use on it! Nice and cold, smooth consistency, I was in love. If you're passing through Sparta (it's somewhat close to La Crosse and right next to the interstate) stop here! You won't regret it!! read more

Nice place. Great sandwiches. I would like to go here and just get a coffee (good) without the server seeming annoyed about it. Sparta could use a nice coffee shop but this isn't it. read more

I have seen these types of little spots in alot of revitalized downtown areas of small towns. With antique decor that serves quality lunch style food. This one sets itself apart in the food department. The bread they use on the sandwiches is homemade and it is delicous! They also make some great soups like the tomato bisque which really compliments the sandwiches they make. I am here for a few days for business and I see no reason to go anywhere else for lunch. I would be a regular if I lived in the area with their fair prices and great selection. read more

Ginny's Cupboard - Rueben and tomato bisque. - Sandwiches Near Me - Sparta, Wisconsin

My wife and I Went in with 3 children. We had the chicken salad sandwich, kids meals, chili, tomato bisque, and turkey panini. Everything was great. The place has a lot of cool vintage things to look at, and an old school vibe. The service was amazing, we would definitely return. read more

I came near closing time and got a salad, a cup of tomato bisque soup and a malt shake. The malt shake was awesome! The salad was typical and the tomato bisque was different. Chunks of tomato in it, not what you expect from tomato bisque. I'd go back just for the shake. Place must be super popular and busy during the summer, I came towards end of winter and it was like -8 degrees. read more

What a wonderful experience ! What one would expect in a small Wisconsin town but so much more. Food is fantastic and the people are so friendly I felt like a regular and I just got to Wisconsin ! All I can say is I will be back ! Thank you !!!! read more

Third visit and and another great lunch. Had the fresh homade bread with soups. Large slice with ample butter on side. A great touch, veggie bread was awesome, wheat also. Great service and food was quick. Second visit. Quiche on special, cheddar and sausage, with fuit, muffin and coffee. Great price, good foods. Most All homade. The service was smooth, freindly and fast. Thanks for another great brunch. read more

Table was dirty. Tea came in a french press..too bitter to drink.soup was cold.and I ordered a panini got a sandwich. .sad

Just finished a Turkey and Cheese Panini with Sundried Tomatoes. The sandwich was hot and tasty. I had it on the vegetable bread and it was great! Dipped it in a bowl of white chicken chili! Very nice staff and comfortable deep padded booths with a view of the Main Street. I was very pleased with this visit and I will come again! read more

I'll start by saying I am a little partial because I am from Sparta; but let me tell you, there was nothing better growing up in that small little town, than getting a couple of bucks from mom and dad and riding our bikes down to Ginnys to get an Ice cream soda or a coke. The business is very involved in the community, and the owners are known and liked by everyone in the town. All that aside, I can still attest to the great fresh and homemade quality of their food. Hands down, it is the best customer service you will find in the industry. The "jerks" or ice cream counter workers remember all their regulars by name AND order, and the owners are always around talking to one of their many guests. And perhaps their best attribute is the indescribable sense of stepping back in time when you walk through that door. The antiques that decorate the walls and the authenticity of the shop (from the original shake maker to the fountain coke) makes one feel as though they are getting to witness a little piece of history. That being said, I still feel as though I have not done them justice. The only way to experience their incredible food, ice cream, customer service and atmosphere is to drop on by. I can confidently say you won't be disappointed. I recommend their Chai tea. :) :) read more

Cozy atmosphere, funky decor. Food was good as was the service. Sparta is a nice little town. We would return on our next trip through. Had the beef and mozzarella panini and white chicken chili. read more

Loved this hidden restaurant in downtown sparta! Customer service was great and food was good too!

I have mixed emotions about this place. Gosh, it is everything I love about an antique style restaurant. The decor with all the antiques absolutely blows me away! The little childrens play section with all antique toys. So cute and great to occupy the kiddos. The food is wonderful and delicious! Everything is homemade!! The coffee is phenomenal and the only place in this small town I've found good espresso. They've got me hooked on the redeye and I'm usually there getting my caffeine fix at least 2-3x per week! By golly, I want more than anything to give this place 5+++ stars...really...I do! Unfortunately, I can't do that because there is one HUGE piece to the puzzle that is missing and that is their customer service. I am in here often and they are usually relatively nice, but WOWZA does it take FOREVER! The first time I went to lunch with myself and my 3 young children. Ummm we almost had to leave after an hour of waiting for 3 PB & J sandwiches. However, my Reuben was delicious and the espresso was out of this world so I went back. My mom and I went to breakfast on Sunday and the one waiter seemed so overwhelmed and we waited so long we ended up leaving and taking our food to go because our 2 hour time limit was up! They really need to get more hands during their busier times and have one person at check out, one or two cooking and 2-3 waiting tables...oh and a bus boy too! Instead of one person waiting 10 tables, cooking, cleaning, doing the register, coffee and ice cream bar all at once! If this matter was fixed this place would be 10 stars for me!! read more

I started this review off trying to be serious, but I just can't do it. I can't. I have to say what's really on my mind, and what's really on my mind is this: Disneyland. I live in a suburb of LA. I've lived in the same area my whole life. My town is cute and relatively quiet... but it's still a suburb of LA. We're surrounded on all sides by other cities, and traffic, and noise, and, well... it's nothing like this. The only place I've seen something this cute is on Mainstreet USA, and that's at Disneyland. I knew that Walt Disney modeled Mainstreet off of the town he grew up in, so I vaguely understood that places like that existed somewhere else in real life, but it was outside of my radar. Much the same way as I know James McAvoy is a real, living, breathing man, walking around with an awesome Scottish accent and being almost as good looking as my boyfriend, but yet I've never met him. For all I know, this McAvoy guy and towns that looks like Mainstreet USA could have been made up completely, and I was only seeing figments of someone else's imagination. I'm sorry, I have a lot of weird things floating around in my head. Anyway, this place is very real, and very cute. I texted everyone I knew from my seat on the inside telling them "I found Disneyland in real life. I FOUND IT!" I mean, I guess Disney's real hometown was in Missouri, but it's close enough. We did, however, end up spending a lot more time here than we originally meant to. They were out of the soup I initially ordered, so I ended up ordering a different soup. When it came to my table, though, it very clearly had cheese in it. I almost just decided to fill up on the crackers it came with, but Dan's disapproving stare sent me to order a salad instead... But they accidentally brought me the sandwich version of the salad. I felt really bad, so I said I'd just eat it. Except, well, then the server said "yeah, and it's got all kinds of good stuff on it, like CHEESE, and blah, and blah, and blah"... I didn't hear anything else after cheese. I could hear my boyfriend's face palm. My face broke in to a very sad, very sorry smile. The server stopped talking in response to our reactions. "I'm... So... Sorry." I started. "But I can't eat cheese." In Wisconsin, mind you. I'm sitting in a restaurant in a state that is known for cheese, and I'm telling them I can't eat it. That's like being in Iowa and telling them you don't eat corn. Or being human and telling people you don't eat meat. The server apologized, and I apologized, and everything was just one big giant apology, which was topped off by my boyfriend looking at me with such deep sad pity as he said "you live a hard life, don't you, sweetie?" And then my salad was brought out, and I ate my lettuce as only a bunny like me could. In silence and shame. Haha, not really. The salad was fine, but damn did it take a long time to get to it. I also ordered some loose leaf apricot tea, which was pretty good. I got a few ounces of it to go for the tea party I was throwing a couple days later. The overall experience, looking back on it, was kind of funny. The servers were all really sweet, and I was sorry for all the trouble, but yeah... it was funny. And on that note, I end the review of the only restaurant I've ever eaten at in Wisconsin. read more

The food is good but not exceptional. The resturant has a very classic style to it that I enjoy very much. Also the soad foutain is pretty cool too. Service is just like every down to earth place, good and very kind people. read more

We had a bad experience here. If you have more than an hour to spend waiting for your soup of the day or a panini, then this is the place for you. We waited a full half hour for food to arrive at our table, but received nothing, not even a cup of soup... I did have a cup of coffee in that time. Our first issue was that the address is wrong, they are at 127 North Water, NOT South Water St. When we did find them a couple of blocks north of where Yelp has them listed, we were told that the locals have no problem finding them... Hmmm, ok that doesn't help me because I am not local. We ordered 2 panini sandwiches on their veggie bread and a cup of soup of the day. Ordering was a fiasco because panini's come on different bread? I'm not really sure what the confusion was there, we just wanted hot sandwiches on veggie bread, but the waitress actually had to rewrite our order, and I'm guessing that she forgot to write down the soup the second time around because we never got that. We finally left after realizing that we weren't going to have any time to eat by the time we got our food. So, we stopped in and enjoyed ourselves for about 20 minutes taking in the atmosphere, which is pleasant, but left after 10 more minutes of wondering when we would be served. There was no early warning that it would be so long of a wait to eat, only after 25 minutes were we told it would be a few more minutes. I'm still hungry as I write this and upset that I fell for the ruse of this place being a restaurant. It is a coffee shop and malt shop. Food is secondary and don't make the mistake I did of thinking that the food service was a primary interest of this business. Hungry customers do not write nice reviews unfortunately. I think that if I had people paying to eat food I prepared, I would be a little more hospitable, perhaps by actually feeding them! read more