While vacationing in Boulder Junction we like to go out to dinner one night through the week and Headwaters has been out go-to the last few trips. This year we found that they don't accept reservations so we decided we'd just bump up dinner and arrived with a group of 14 at 5:15pm. Upon arrival we were greeted quickly and they began preparing tables for our group. We weren't able to sit in one table together but we had 3 tables all next to each other so we were happy with it! Our waitress greeted us with water and took our drink order within a few minutes of us being seated. They brought bread and we got the cheese curd appetizer. Some of the best cheese curds I've ever had. All of us ordered dinner at the same time and they managed to get everything out quickly, correctly, and all 14 meals at almost the exact same time which is impressive considering there were other guests being served as well. Highly recommend the roast duckling and the parmesan crusted grouper. Both were delicious! read more

Your quintessential Northwoods restaurant. Great for lunch, a light snack & drinks and dinner. Been going there for years and always decent. We usually stop there once or twice a trip read more

Headwaters Restaurant & Tavern - Your staple Wisconsin Northwoods fish fry! Perfect - American Near Me - Boulder Junction, Wisconsin

Food was good as usual, definitely a wait but as to be expected during a peak holiday week and we are ok with that. The waiter serving us knew what he was doing but had minimal patience which is the biggest turn off when going out to eat. We get it, you're busy and I'm sure some people you served weren't nice either but let's not take it out on others prepared to be nice and tip well. The fish fry being offered as a staple menu item is appreciated and the prime rib is always great. The woman behind the bar was nice as was the gentleman bar backing and the other gentleman helping bus and set up tables. read more

Went for dinner tonite. Waited several minutes No service even tho we were the third table on a Saturday night at 7 pm We left when apparent no one was paying attention to us. Understand there is new owner. My prediction: will close soon read more

I wish we would have stayed home actually. My WI Fish Fry was mediocre. The buns were stale, portions were less than average. However, my daughter had the roasted chicken which was good, my grandson had the steak/shrimp which he said was delish - out of the 9 of us those dishes were great, the rest so-so. We were not greeted nicely by the hostess. I had called for a reservation and she stated first come first, so we made a point to arrive early (4:30). When I asked for a table of 9, she huffed and said let me check. There were only 3 tables with people at them. When I asked, if that was a problem, she huffed again. To make a long wait short, she had to add a couple of chairs and complained - I won't have enough chairs now! Anyways, after we got our own high chair we finally were waited on by a very nice waiter in his Brewers shirt. He did well, even after the kitchen had a "mishap" and my youngest grand had to wait much longer for her food. It's not what it once was, that is certain, but is anything? Not sure customer service will ever be what it once was! Sad! read more

Ordered the hamburgers medium rare. Came well done. Baked onion soup was very good. I don't like 2.75% charge for using my credit card. That should be restaurants business expense. Previous owners had wonderful home cooked specials for very reasonable prices. Bakes chicken, pork chops, meat loaf and fish which left restaurant almost standing room only. Yesterdays visit saw very few customers, checking out was absurdly slow. Sorry, we locals won't be back! read more

Food was good. Lady Bartender was very nice and helpful. Drinks were ok. Thought it was funny that a restaurant that advertises that its a "Wisconsin Supper Club" would not have a bread basket and a side salad available at the table even if it were for a price with an entree dinner. Even asked for a piece of bread and was told they didn't have it. Hmmm... read more

First, and most importantly, the food here was fantastic. My wife and I had the pan fried walleye and it was delicious. My daughter-in-law hesitantly ordered the prime rib on a Tuesday evening, but it was perfectly cooked and flavorful. Headwaters has probably the best cheese curds in all of the Northwoods and I've eaten them pretty much everywhere. The only two negatives I would say are the cocktails were not good and the service was bizarre. Attentive, but The owner seemed like he would like to be anywhere else but there. Ambience is perfect for a Northwoods eatery. read more

I was not impressed Dinner Menu most dishes had some kind of sauce maybe Menu might have 12 dishes you better like sauce of some nature I finally decided on fried fish nothing to write home about. Trying to be a high end supper club how about the butcher paper on the tables very tacky as far as I'm concerned had to keep pulling it out of the way place mats a better idea.Been there twice will give you guys one more try neither time a dining experince. read more

Food was delicious. Server was very attentive and the place has a nice atmosphere. Beef Dip sandwich was our favorite! Will definitely come back. read more

Excellent food and service. The ribs were "fall off the bone amazing!" So good that we came back a second time during our short visit to Boulder Junction. read more

Kaelee was our super friendly and attentive server and we loved their fish fry and old fashioned with a gorgeous view off the deck!

We came here one night and it was so good we decided to return for dinner the next night as well. We had the same server both nights and she was the best server I have ever had. She was very honest, friendly, and memorable. The first night I ordered the petite filet mignon with a salad and French fries. I ordered the steak medium rare and it was cooked perfect. The steak almost tasted as if there was a hint of bleu cheese in the butter, which sounds a little odd, but it was so delightful. The second night I ordered the special that consisted of the petite filet mignon and two lobster tails. The lobster tails were served with butter that was kept warm by a candle and it was very neat. I also upgraded to have mushrooms with the steak and they were very good. The food both nights were delicious and would definitely be the reason as to why I would return. This restaurant has wonderful food that is reasonably priced, the service was wonderful, and the environment of the restaurant was very laid back and enjoyable. read more

Headwaters Restaurant & Tavern - Steak and 2 Lobster Tails - American Near Me - Boulder Junction, Wisconsin

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Headwaters has always been the VERY BEST fish fry in the north woods in our family's opinion. We have tried virtually ALL of them up here. The northwoods atmosphere and the friendly wait staff make this a not-to-be-missed stop for dinner and/or drinks. It gets busy...so relax..there might be a short wait...so ... leave your entitled attitudes at home (to you 1 star raters out there!!) DON'T MISS THIS ONE!!! read more

had dinner and drinks two nights in a row while snowmobiling excellent service and cocktails. has some of the northwoods traditional menu item's and also kicking up the options, had pork cheeks one night excellent, 16 oz. bone in ribeye the next unbelievable. staff is very knowledgeable and fun read more

Great service and food choices at reasonable prices at this Northwoods restaurant and full service bar.

This place needs a serious rework. We stopped in there twice. We sat at the bar twice and both times we felt like afterthoughts. Apparently if you don't belong to the good old boys club, you're an inconvenience. I ordered a burger with the works. So what did the lady behind the bar ask? "What's the works?" She quickly told me what came with the burger. She didn't ask me how well done I wanted it. I should have told her regardless because the burger came back nearly raw. One part of the bun was soaked with red juice. But she did take it back and they cooked up a nicely done burger. I ordered the "taco" soup. It was not taco soup. More like chili.The fries were crispy. Beers came in nicely frosted glasses. The Spotted Cow was fresh. They have a nice assortment of beers. I guess if I were the owner I would make an effort to make guests feel welcome. We did not. read more

We loved this place in the past, come here every year. The food is good, very supper club and fun north woods atmosphere. But I'm very, very disappointed this time around. It was a complete and total failure this year. We called and made a reservation like good people do. We got there and spent 30 minutes being told our table was almost ready. There was no hostess, apparently, so all the waitresses were doing whatever they wanted. Twice one person said our table was about ready at the same time as a different waitress gave the same table to another group. We were there is a 5 y/o. We couldn't wait forever, and although we called other places, at that point nothing would have had a table for a long time (for us). So we left and went home for leftovers. I guess it's common knowledge that crazy waits are just part of going to Headwaters. Literally every group leaving (there were lots) commented/joked/asked if we had been waiting long. The worst part was the complete lack of sympathy or any form of caring from the waitresses. No one apologized, threw us some rolls, suggested we wait at the bar, or did ANYTHING to help us in any way shape or form. Actually no one even smiled our way. Frankly they hardly looked our way. I absolutely understand that they were busy and understaffed. But we left hungry and on edge with a little kid. Thanks so much for such a great last night in town! I'm honestly not sure we'll be back. read more

Headwaters Restaurant & Tavern - the menu - American Near Me - Boulder Junction, Wisconsin

Really enjoyed outdoor dining with my grandsons in2020. Con't wait for Wednesday specials in 2021. Not enough servers in Fall 2021, food average, spinach salad no longer on menu. Very possibly all Pandemic related. read more

Went for lunch on 9/13/2023, sat at the bar to have lunch about 1:30 p.m. Restaurant was not busy, and 4 people sitting at the bar eating lunch. Bartender made his way down to us and asked what we wanted to drink, I had a tap beer, my wife ordered ice tea, she asked for sweetener, he said,,, let me see if I can find some and also find you a spoon,,,you're a restaurant, you should have spoons!!! My wife ordered a chicken ceasar salad, bartender said,,just get a regular salad it's the same. My wife said no, she likes the romain lettuce, he said the lettuce is all the same, then she said she likes the ceaser dressing, he replies,,Ceaser and Ranch are the same thing, at which time I replied, NO THEIR NOT! I ordered a cheese burger with tomato and onion only, the Grand Finale!!!! Sakad shows up with NO CHICKEN, my burger shows up with NO ONION OR TOMATO. The bartender is wondering around outside on the deck, I head out to get him, he walks in and I give him the news, NO CHICKEN AND NO ONION OR TOMATO! He apologies and heads back to the kitchen, comes out with a piece of chicken on a plate and a second plate with a piece of tomato and onion on it. We have heard so much about this restaurant, but I doubt we'll be going back!!! read more

Waited 26 minutes at the table for the waitress to take the first drink order. Left after an hour before the cheeseburger even showed up.

Outstanding Wednesday night dinner specials...2 for 1. Recommend the Grouper fish and meat loaf dinners. Come early! Dinners begin at 4:30. Did I say...come early?!? read more

We had dinner Sunday night at their fabulous restaurant. The decor is definitely a Wisconsin Northwoods gem. We were seated immediately, given menus and drink orders taken. My husband had 1/2 slab of ribs, large portion and delicious. My friend had grilled shrimp, also delicious. I had the deep fried shrimp, the best I have ever had. The coating was like tempura, light and crispy. We are looking forward to many more trips to this awesome restaurant. read more

If I could give less than 1 star I would! We have been numerous times for dinner cocktails and it has been ok. We went with friends a few weeks ago and when asked if we could get a table was rudely greatly by a grouchy hostess with a comment I still can't believe she actually said " you've got to be kidding me"! She did seat us, obviously a big inconvenience! We had a good meal and thought we wouldn't write it off maybe she was having a bad day and taking in out on customers. We decided to try again tonight. I thought this time I better call to make reservations. Due to the weather I think connection was bad I could hear some static but she hung up immediately. I tried to call back and I assume the same grouchy hostess answered not hello BUT check your bars before calling and hung up on me. I guarantee there won't be a next time for me, my friends or my family. read more

Went there this Saturday for prime rib special. Had reservations and requested and end cut. No trouble. My party arrives and is seated. We sat for 25 minutes and received absolutely no service at all!!! I'm not kidding. NONE. Wait staff just kept walking by us. We waited patiently thinking that maybe sombody would help us or see us just sitting there. Nope. It was as if we were invisible. We thought maybe we were, until a waitress walked by us and looked us in the eye and just kept walking. That was enough for us. We got up and left. We went to Guide's Inn and had a delicious meal with high quality service. The shame about this place is I have to drive by it all the time when I'm in the Northwoods. Each time I will think of this terrible experience. I had their prime rib last year a and it was awesome. So sad I didn't get a chance this year. I won't be back and will shake my fist at the place each time a drive by in the future. PS- All the wait staff here should be fired today. Horrible!!!! read more

This delayed review is heavy on the delay but not on the sincerity of it. Routinely, you are given great specials and routinely, they deliver. It also has to be said that part of the charm of The Headwaters is "the locals". For them, it is sort of the "Cheers" of Boulder Junction. And finally it should be said that The Headwaters goes the extra mile to help even one of their "locals" out. For example, Terry and his crew organized a weekend long charitable event to help a very nice "local", who I had the pleasure of meeting, out with some really unreal medical expenses. With food, games, and raffles, they really helped him out. Though I am not "a local", I was happy to just stop in and donate. It was a wonderful turnout and a wonderful thing to see happen in a very small town. Nice! read more

First visit to Headwaters Restaurant - nice visit with owner Terry, his reputation preceeds him from his ownership and history at the Sky Club in Plover, WI - one my favorites. It was kind of quiet the day we stopped, with a few locals enjoying a beer at the bar. Our server was a little overwhelmed as she was the only one covering the dining area - she did a great job getting our sandwiches out fast and staying attentive even though a few other diners were getting restless. Thank Terry, enjoyed talking "shop" with you and Richard Van Order, the artist who captured the spirit of Porter Dean. Stop by and visit the Headwaters when you're in Boulder Junction, I'd be interested in hearing how you liked it. read more

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Terrible service last Saturday night. The bartender was eating behind the bar and was not happy to be there. I had to go find my waitress who was eating in the kitchen. She barely showed her face in the dining room. Maybe they had a bad night. Prices are pretty high too. The food was okay, but nothing really to write home about. We Stopped there for a drink a day earlier and met a wonderful bartender and saw some deer feeding in the yard. read more

We tried it twice, I would recommend sitting at the bar for great service from Kris.. we sat at a table the second visit and had horrific service. Pretty standard interior with a really nice bar and what seemed like lots of older people! Menu pretty much has something for everyone with even some old school classics you don't see much anymore/ hence the old folks. Standouts for us were the Parmesan Crusted Walleye & Fried Shrimp, Steaks were kinda hit or miss here for some reason. Good fresh salads to start with great Blue Cheese dressing! They do an amazing homemade cheesecake that's not to be missed/ easily one of the best desserts I've had this year! (Caramel Apple) read more

Fuck you Headwaters! Sat at a table unacknowledged for 18 minuets. Waiter said be right with you. Five minuets later took our drink order walked by us another five minuets. Kept waiting...walked out. IF YOU CAN'T SERVE US DON'T SEAT US! read more

Stopped in here last Saturday night after a wet day of paddling. Was going to order the Cajun walleye but server talked me into the parmesan speciality they do. That was a mistake. Was not very good but was starving so I finished. One of my buddies got cod and fries. Nothing to write home about. My other buddy got a burger and I think it was still mooing. Atmosphere and bar are what you would want for the Northwoods. Server was amazing. Food unfortunately is why I was there. Plenty of other places to go-to. Sayner Pub is by far best in the area I think. read more

Was here with the Errands Crew and my mom between calls one day and we loved it, Historic, tasty and social!

Typical north woods supper club feel. The servers were friendly and courteous. Drinks were just okay, but the food was good. Definitely order the parmesan crusted grouper, it was excellent! read more

Ok I know it is the hight of the summer season but give me a break. Some of the worst service ever. We were 2 people at 5pm on a Friday without a reservation but were sat right away but told we were lucky as if we didn't get this table we would be waiting until 9. Good that when it went bad. Husband ordered a ice tea served with out sugar, he went to the bar and the bartender bought him some. I ordered A Seafood combination dinner that came with choice of potatoes and soup or salad. We where told soup was homemade. Soup it is. Husband ordered a fish fry she was about to walk away and I said does he get a side?? Oh yes she said, he order a baked potato. We waited about 20 minutes and she brought our food. I said do I get soup?? Oh did you still want that. Yes. Fish fry was good my husband said yet the coleslaw was a 1 oz solo cup. Really?? My Seafood combination dinner looked good but it had a paper thin slice of lemon served with it. Can I have a little lemon?? She brings my soup. This is the last we see of her at out table. My plate is done and my husband is still finishing his piece of dry rye bread. When a different person comes over and picks up my plate says says you want your bill and throws it on the table. I said do you have dessert?? Oh yes she say's one of the wait staff makes it homemade. What kind is it?? I will have to find out. She comes back tells up the deserts and then says but on Friday we don't let people it at the table and eat dessert only to go. So to sum up, No soup, No sugar served with ice tea or refill. No one to ask how did you enjoying your meal? Just give me your f***** money and get the h*** out of hear. read more

Hard to believe the 1 star reviews of this place. I ordered the parmesan crusted salmon and it was delicious along with the salad. Service was great and my dish came out later than all my other family's did and the server said they would take it completely off our bill. What awesome customer service that is. Would love to come back and try other things on menu. read more

We had dinner on Monday night and one of the specials was liver and onions. It was absolutely delicious. This is a nice comfortable restaurant wit reasonable prices and home cooked food. Wednesday they have 5 entries 2/1. Only complaint is it's always the same. I like the meatloaf! read more

We ordered 8 perch dinners for take out on a Friday night at 630 pm. The dinners were ready within 20 minutes. The perch was probably the best I've had in my life! Each dinner came with 4 large fillets. All the side dishes were excellent. The restaurant was extremely busy, so we were happy we did take out. 100% recommend. read more

Stopped for lunch while passing through for work. Very friendly staff, great burgers and fries! The Homemade ranch is top notch if you're a fan! read more

Ultra casual. Order the cod fish fry and German potato salad. Great combo. Service prompt. Sit on the deck if possible, very pleasant.

If you're looking for fish you should come here! Great fish fry that keeps my family coming back many Friday's. My boyfriend gets the fillet everytime and he enjoys a good steak. Bartending staff is nice. Waitress staff can come as rude, cranky or tired, but they seem to always get the "job" done. If you're in town on a busy night plan for there to be a wait or call ahead. read more