The Chocolate Ox

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13 days ago

The Chocolate Ox in Nisswa is such a fun little stop, especially if you have kids. The shop is packed with candy, toys, Jellycat animals, and so many colorful things to look at that it almost feels like stepping into a candy wonderland. The ice cream itself was good, though the flavor selection was a bit smaller than we expected. We also wish they offered a smaller child-sized scoop since the standard scoops are pretty large at around $5 each. Still, the atmosphere was cheerful and memorable, and it's definitely the kind of place we'd visit again on a future trip to Nisswa. read more

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Kate K.

171

96

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10 months ago

The best ice cream and the cutest candy store. Super nice employees, too! All the nostalgic candies, too! Located in the cutest town, just a quaint little shop that's nicely laid out with candy in the front and ice cream in the back! read more

The Chocolate Ox - Storefront - Candy Stores Near Me - Nisswa, Minnesota

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Matthew P.

68

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2 years ago

Great ice cream selection! Great bang for the buck as they load you up with ice cream! This just got serious ice cream is the best! Workers were very kind and friendly! read more

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Lisabeth M.

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1 year ago

Need a treat??? Seriously the best, fun and unique candies around. I had peach ice cream that is worth every bite. My son voted for the s'mores. Need a chocolate truffle? A cute fuzzy for a young one?? Such fun and happy people work there - worth the drive. read more

The Chocolate Ox - Cutest photo spot! - Candy Stores Near Me - Nisswa, Minnesota

The Chocolate Ox - Jellybeans!! - Candy Stores Near Me - Nisswa, Minnesota

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Colin O.

119

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9 months ago

Excellent homemade ice cream. Assortment of candies and homemade chocolates. Worth every calorie!

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Carol P.

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9 months ago

A wonderful treat for all! If you're looking for Sweets, this is the place to go... a beautiful, colorful store with limitless choices! So fun for the kids!! read more

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Lisa J.

Elite 25

59

138

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11 months ago

You can't visit Nisswa without stopping for ice cream at the Chocolate Ox. The service is great and the ice cream is delicious. Go on a Thursday night for $3 cones! read more

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Noah A.

0

30

16

10 months ago

I got the Superman icecrem and it was good but more then I asked for. Ther is also candy in side and a cool atmosphere.

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Kamron A.

205

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3 years ago

Awesome candy and ice cream shop in downtown Nisswa! Great ice cream and chocolate yummies everywhere! Thursday night form 7-9pm ice cream happy hour is going on and you can get your favorite ice cream for only $3! The single serve is HUGE! Definitely a must hit when you go to Nisswa! read more

The Chocolate Ox - Superman Ice Cream! Yummmm - Candy Stores Near Me - Nisswa, Minnesota

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Jamie C.

51

26

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11 months ago

Very impressed with the selection of candy, ice cream, and fudge/chocolates this place has to offer! The staff members were friendly and also very helpful to find a "safe" ice cream option for my child with a food allergy! They have an up to date list of all the ice cream flavors, along with all of the ingredients available upon request. I appreciate the attention to detail they took ensuring to use a new ice cream scoop to ensure the safety of their product for my child! We will for sure be back! read more

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Megan D.

11

3

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2 years ago

Great selection. Cute patio outdoors to eat treats. Bit busy but many helpful workers made the line for treats move quick.

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Jessica M.

0

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2 years ago

This was one of the first places where I encountered a tip screen at a retail store. Like, you deserve a tip for running my credit card for a candy purchase? Unreal. I think there was also a tip jar. The chocolate was good, and the store ambiance was cramped. read more

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Bonnie J.

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6

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2 years ago

When my grandkids are in town this is their go to place. Also, I gift a box of their truffles for friend's birthdays. A gem in the gem of a town...Nisswa! read more

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Stephanie L.

142

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4 years ago

Pretty unique and cool atmosphere. I'm not sure where the hype comes from, Ice cream was good, chocolates we got were good too! All the other candy is stuff you can get at the store and it's very marked up. I did like the different flavor taffy! I'd definitely go back for an ice cream. read more

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Sarah K.

Elite 22

7

118

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7 years ago

A must stop for all things candy and ice cream! Lots of options for my son with nut allergies and very clean so I have confidence with him choosing safe options. Just this morning we were walking by early (we're big into early coffee walks before town opens) and the owner came out, chatted and handed my son a giant lollipop and made his day! Great candy and generous owners, who could ask for more? read more

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Amanda L.

80

11

3 years ago

A fun and cute little place to fulfill your sugary needs. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful. We really enjoyed the different truffles that they offered and majority of them were delicious. Don't forget about the ice cream too, so many different flavors to choose from and they are extra nice with their serving sizes too. Highly recommend the visit if you're in town. read more

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Julie P.

0

43

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3 years ago

Downtown Nisswa is so lucky to have The Chocolate Ox! The manager, Kelsey, and her staff are wonderful! So friendly and personable. The ice cream is one of the best I've ever had, and the waffle cones are a must. Very reasonably priced. Lots of current and "old timey" candy, plus delicious fudge. If you like chocolate, get over to the Ox, you will leave happy and tummies, too! read more

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William C.

1

548

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5 years ago

This has been here for many years and it deserves to continue. It is what you think about for a candy and ice cream store. Lots of selections. It is clean and bright, yet has a cozy and intimate feel. Good products for a reasonable price. read more

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Sandra P.

Elite 25

1

64

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3 years ago

Such a fun shop! Always enjoy stopping in for unique ice cream and goodies. Definitely recommend.

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Tanya D.

Elite 17

161

97

9

6 years ago

Amazing ice cream and a fantastic old school can't selection. With this ice cream in town, I'm surprised the DQ is still in business, it was SO GOOD! Their candy selection was also amazing. My husband was acting like a kid again buying candy we hadn't seen since our childhoods. Such a cute place read more

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Kushal S.

7

28

5

5 years ago

The ice cream here is delicious! So yummy! This is a true ice cream place. Many great flavors! I had the coconut almond bliss, was unbelievable. Also had praline which was great! My wife had the lemon ice which she really liked! Highly recommend this place! read more

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Mary B.

0

21

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5 years ago

Omg this candy/ice cream shop was so cute. I had a scoop of ice cream and it was delicious.

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Tatiana A.

219

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692

7 years ago

We stopped here for ice cream, and found it a good value. $4 for a huge bowl. Beware, a single scoop is like three scoops you would do yourself at home! I couldn't finish my single scoop, and my athlete college kid barely finished his. Pro tip: they will split a single scoop into two scoops, so you can get two flavors! The ice cream is good quality, they get it from the Ice Cream Shoppe in Madison. We like it, but find many of the flavors way too sweet. But they will let you try as many flavors as you want to find your jam! I just wish they made malts, as that was what I was craving. read more

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Shaun R.

Elite 14

25

191

83

14 years ago

Kids today must get enough sugar rush from the high fructose corn syrup in their morning cereal and strawberry milk at school because candy shops like this have largely disappeared. With Jelly Beans, Taffy, Gumballs, Swedish Fish, and Gobstoppers stacked floor to ceiling this store has all of the commercial candy you would expect and more. There is also an ice cream counter serving up Kemp's flavors if you need a sweet treat to cool off. I normally skip these options and skirt around the crowd by opting for the handmade confections in the glass cases up front. TIP: This place has a great selection of classic sodas from around the country like Cheerwine and Bubble Up, grab one to enjoy as you are strolling through the "pretty good" shops in Nisswa. read more

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Lori F.

0

2

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4 years ago

Great place to take kids young and old. Best flavor of ice cream is called This Just Got Serious.

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Bix J.

12

27

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9 years ago

I have been going to the Chocolate Ox since 2004 - and it is amazing. Beautiful homemade candy, amazing ice cream and anything you can image. If your mouth isn't watering then your not at the Chocolate Ox. read more

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Pam C.

0

8

5

4 years ago

Great ice cream & many kinds of old time candy you don't find anywhere else. They have a nice outdoor area to enjoy your treats on a nice day. read more

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Alycen F.

2

24

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7 years ago

Our family always enjoys every experience at the Chocolate Ox, whether in for an ice cream treat, fudge or the plethora of candy - we are always happily satisfied leaving the Ox! read more

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Rebekah S.

0

2

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4 years ago

LOVE THIS!!! Smells so yummy whenever I walk in and when it's hot outside I love the AC. All the candy is very yummy and delicious

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John B.

Elite 17

24

41

46

10 years ago

Awesome Candy store!!! They have sugar sweets galore plus as much chocolate as you could ever want! A truly unique little shop with all of your favorite childhood treats. They have soda in glass bottles...homemade fudge and gummy bears the size of your face! They have those huge jaw breakers too that take a year to eat. Such an awesome place. I only wish there was one closer to me. read more

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Kaitlin K.

1

6

3

8 years ago

Most amazing icecream and candy ever. I've been coming here for as long as I can remember as did my dad and no one in my family has ever had a bad experience here. Their icecream is phenomenal and the employees are incredibly nice and kind people. The store is really cute and fun. It's by far my favorite place in Nisswa and I have nothing but positive things to say about it. read more

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William B.

152

16

17

11 years ago

Dessert on Saturday night came from the Ox. A scoop (which is more like two scoops) of monster cookie dough (have you seen this anywhere else?) and I was ready for a food coma. Others got waffle cones which looked and tasted amazing, whereas I decided on the sugar cone and was pleased. Likewise glad I stopped by on almost a full stomach as I could have spent a lot more time and money here with all of the delicious looking chocolates and candies. Will be back again! read more

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Ryan P.

Elite 13

135

233

9

15 years ago

This place is small and sweet. Filled with more candy than you can shake a candy stick at. There's also fudge and chocolates and other sweet confections. Sadly no bakery but that's OK, there's more than enough sweets in this sweets store to make any sweet tooth smile. Oh yeah, they also have ice cream! Gourmet good stuff. It reminded me of Izzy's which is pretty good in my book. The perfect place to take your kids or sweet heart on a touristy summer's day in Nisswa Square. read more

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Jocelyn R.

108

615

21

12 years ago

Touristy, yes, but a must if you are in Nisswa or anywhere nearby. We spent a week nearby recently with extended family and the Jelly Bellies were seriously the hit of the week. Ice cream is delicious, etc. It's a candy store, I mean, what other info do you need? Go here. read more

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Jeff T.

127

12

1

9 years ago

Visited 3 out of 5 days on our vacation! Ice cream is off the charts. Check out their happy hour!

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Nikki M.

Elite 18

40

79

53

9 years ago

Like chocolate ice cream? Get the Chocolate Ox's Zanzibar ice cream. The chocolatiest ice cream known to humankind. You are welcome.

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Angela F.

0

10

7 years ago

We have gone here every year during an annual family trip, and it's always been excellent. The staff and service are polite and give great service and go above and beyond. The ice cream is always delicious too! Most recently I got Exhausted Parent and I will be getting it again! read more

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Joe I.

107

1231

225

16 years ago

Smaller than the one in Cross Lake, but has all the same stuff. I wish these places carried more old school candy that would appeal to adults - though as I write that I am not sure what candy I would mean exactly. When I close my eyes I see Will Wonka style candy store...and all that stuff is pretty much here... My daughter goes nuts here and it makes me quite happy. read more

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Eric S.

Elite 13

202

145

142

17 years ago

The Chocolate Ox has about any kind of candy you'd ever imaging along with an old fashioned feel. It almost makes you feel like you're in Willy Wonka Land. Shelves of candy bins that contain licorice pastels and snaps, to all your favorite hard candies including rock candy Yum! and a lot of candy that I have no idea what it is too. A fudge and truffle showcase and tons of Jelly Belly beans complete the front area while the rear of the store has an ice cream area where you can get single and multi-scoop cones, and the ice cream is great! I would highly recommend stopping in here even if you don't like candy, it's just a cool store to check out! But if you have kids, it's a must. read more

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More info about The Chocolate Ox

25452 Main St
Nisswa, MN 56468
Directions
(218) 963-4443
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.thechocolateox.com

Hours

What time does The Chocolate Ox open?

The Chocolate Ox opens at 10:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does The Chocolate Ox close?

The Chocolate Ox closes at 5:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.The Chocolate Ox closes at 9:00 PM on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Thu 10:00 AM - 5:00 PMFri-Sun 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Payment methods

Does The Chocolate Ox take credit cards?

Yes, The Chocolate Ox takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does The Chocolate Ox have catering options?

No, The Chocolate Ox does not have catering options.

Does The Chocolate Ox have a drive thru?

No, The Chocolate Ox does not have a drive thru.

Outdoor Amenities

Does The Chocolate Ox have bike parking?

Yes, The Chocolate Ox has bike parking.

Does The Chocolate Ox have parking?

Yes, The Chocolate Ox has parking options. Street Parking

Other Amenities

Is The Chocolate Ox wheelchair accessible?

Yes, The Chocolate Ox is wheelchair accessible.

Does The Chocolate Ox have free WiFi?

No, The Chocolate Ox does not have free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Our huge selection of fudge, ice cream, truffles, taffy and nearly every kind of candy puts smiles on everyone in the family. We are the sweetest part of any day.

History

Established in 2003.

The Chocolate Ox is family owned and operated chocolate, candy, ice cream and gift shop. The location in Downtown Nisswa was opened in 2003 and Grand View Lodge location in 2010.

Meet the Business Owner: Kelsey B.

Kelsey has deep roots in the Brainerd Lakes area, having living there her entire life. Her journey with The Chocolate Ox began at the age of 16, when she started working at the beloved local shop. She juggled her passion for candy and ice cream with her studies, working full-time during high school and continuing throughout her time at St. Cloud State University. Kelsey spent 13 years teaching in Sauk Rapids, all while staying connected to The Ox by working weekends and summers. In 2023, Kelsey was presented with the opportunity to carry on the legacy of The Chocolate Ox. With a heart full of excitement, she took the reins from Rob and Loriese, ensuring that the magic and traditions of the shop would continue for year to come. Today, Kelsey can be found behind the candy counter or scooping ice cream creating timeless memories for customers of all ages. With her passion and dedication, The Chocolate Ox remains the sweetest and most fun shop around!

Review Highlights - The Chocolate Ox

“Downtown Nisswa is so lucky to have The Chocolate Ox!”

Mentioned in 2 reviews

The Chocolate Ox

4.9(17 reviews)

2.4 mi

First of all, they had me at chocolate! Then, they had me at ice cream. And OMG, is it good ice…read morecream!! I also got some of their chocolate. It was mighty tasty! The store was very clean, the staff were friendly, they have chocolate and ice cream. That is as close to perfection as you can get! If you are in the Brainerd Lakes area, run, do not walk to this store. You're welcome!

You can't visit Grandview Lodge without stopping for ice cream at the Chocolate Ox. The service is…read moregreat and the ice cream is delicious. Go on a Wednesday night for $3 cones!

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Licorice Chip.

StoneHouse Coffee and Roastery

4.2(66 reviews)

0.3 mi

Ended up getting coffee here on a nice girls weekend in November. The shop is nice and quaint. It…read morecertainly gives off small business which I absolutely loved. A friend had commented on the scones being fantastic so I think each of us ended up getting one. I opted for a pumpkin scone and it was fantastic. The coffee was so delicious and felt like it was made with such great quality. I would recommend this place to anyone who is looking for a coffee shop in nisswa.

We ordered a couple of coffees and drank them in the place. It's a cozy place and we got a table…read moreright away. It's in a great location by cute shops.

Caramel latte

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Schaefer's Foods

3.3(15 reviews)

1.7 mi

If you need a few groceries and are in this area, in general they have a great selection but you…read morewill definitely pay more here than if you were to go to Cub or Target that are a little further away. They are locally owned and not apart of a chain, so if you like to support local, this is a great option. Overall the service is always friendly and they will help you bring your groceries to your car. They have a deli counter. The store is clean and organized. I did go early one morning for donuts, and they weren't the most fresh.

Customer Service Associates are always rocking it every time I stop in here... Congrats on being…read moreabove and beyond with your service levels - and food choices! I've been shopping at Schaefer's for 4-decades. First as a summer resident as a kid and now as a local working virtual for past 15 months. I've also worked in customer service for industries across the board and I've never seen people this genuine and willing to help - you can't teach these skills - they are innate. Yes, I shop at other places as well, but always return to Schaefer's! Thanks for all you do! Have a very happy Thanksgiving ...

Rasberry Rhubarb Pie! (Grandma Bettie Jones) bakery from schaeffers

Barbecue Pulled pork sandwich

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Chocolate raspberry filled donut a bit too artificial of a filling for me

Cowboys

3.8(49 reviews)

3.3 mi

Service amazing! Our food was delicious to the last bite! Always make this our annual go to!read more

Cowboys is always a hit. They have the best burgers and their monthly specials are always…read moredelicious! The staff are all so friendly and make every visit feel like a special occasion. It is the ultimate local hangout as well as a place for visitors to get a great meal. Here are photos of the April specials.

Inferno Burger and sweet potato fries

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Chicken avacado sandwich with chips.

Lakes Latte

4.5(42 reviews)

5.6 mi

There is so much to like about Lakes Latte - huge space to work and relax, small cups to sample…read moretheir coffees first before you buy, a little side store showcasing fun gadgets and souvenirs, jams made locally, friendly staff, etc. This is one of those places where you feel cozy and come as you are, not pretentious at all, you want to stay awhile. And so we did, almost every day as we were staying near the area! Their menu offerings are pretty expansive, lots of breakfast and lunch options to accompany your caffeinated beverage. I ordered a toasted bagel + cream cheese to go one of the days and it unfortunately was a little on the cold/lukewarm side. Not ideal but I can overlook that given the overall charm and comfort of the place. Just will be mindful to try something else besides a breakfast item next time.

Got coffee and a bagel with salmon and cream cheese. Nothing earth-shattering in the food…read moredepartment. It's a counter service setup where you order your food, and they deliver it to your table, so there's no traditional table service. The atmosphere is pleasant, featuring plenty of pine wood on the walls, floors, and ceilings.

Build your own breakfast sandwich

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MN Traders

4.5(26 reviews)

5.6 mi

Visited 1/18/26. Omg make this your next stop when going up north. It will quickly become a staple…read morefor me anytime I go up to the Nisswa/Walker area. I stopped in for coffee and lunch on my way home. The breakfast wasn't available due to the time, but I was glad I ended up with lunch instead because the "Go-to" sandwich was the best sandwich I've had in a while! I definitely have to make it back to try the breakfast next time. They also had some had some great hot and iced coffee drinks and I loved mine. Definitely a super fun place for Pequot Lakes!

Since co-vid this style of eatery has become common. You walk up to the counter and place your…read moreorder. You get a beeper that notifies you when you need to pick up your food at another counter. You then are required to return your empty items to another countertop. The food is very good. It needs to be because of the price. Very casual atmosphere. A lot of people using their laptops.

Main sitting area

The Italian Job sandwich with its top up

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It's nearly impossible to get a real cup/mug...

Ernie's On Gull

4.2(193 reviews)

7.7 mi

We always have a good time coming here! In the summer they usually have live music and it's a great…read morespot to have a drink by the water and relax. The prices are a bit high but I feel like you pay for the ambiance. They have vegan burger options which was great and we tried their green drink! Parking can be a little but limited on popular nights but it's free which is great.

Overall good experience, busy Saturday night yet everything went well. Cheese curds & tuna…read moreappetizers were great. Walleye tacos for dinner outside of being a little messy only because they were stuffed to the max, which was fine by me. I wish I could remember our servers name as she was the star of the show!

The dock at the restaurant

Chicken strip basket

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Outdoor patio on the water

Cold Stone Creamery

3.1(7 reviews)

10.7 mi

Excellent customer service and great ice cream have all the flavours , clean environment and…read moreperfect ambience

Lady that served me was very rude and just assumed I knew everything about the place and pointed at…read morethe cups when she asked what size cone and then she sets the ice cream on the table and then go grabs the cone. And the ice cream I got was terrible and gave me the shits

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Lost Lake Lodge

3.8(48 reviews)

2.6 mi

•$$$

We'd heard really great things about the food here, so we were really looking forward to trying it…read moreout, but unfortunately the experience was all-around bad. Service was pretty rough from the start. Our server was friendly, but they spilled our drinks at the table and then had to take them back because they'd been made with bad milk. It took forever to get the first round and even longer to get the second. You'd think they'd move faster getting us the second round given the first was spilled and made with bad milk! Definitely a missed opportunity to make up for the poor overall service. The bread was the highlight of the night, which is very telling given it was standard crostini bread. That said, it was warm, fresh, and served with delicious butter. Unfortunately, the rest of the meal didn't live up to that start. The food took far, far, far too long to come out and when it finally did, it didn't all arrive together. Half the table started eating while the other half just sat and watched and continued to wait for their food to come. I thought they brought it out separately to serve things hot, but the food that was first brought out was only lukewarm. I got the steak sandwich, which was fine but pretty bland. Even the sauce couldn't save it... The fries were well-seasoned but soft and floppy, which just made them feel sad and unappealing. I had an espresso martini with dinner and it was basically a chocolate drink with no real espresso flavor. Overall, the setting was fine, but slow service, uneven timing, and subpar food made this a disappointing experience.

Very good food but not a great service experience. For food: we got bread for the table (little…read morecrostinis with a warm garlic butter for dipping) and everyone got their own main dish. I ordered the Cajun rigatoni and they were kind enough to substitute the shrimp for chicken. The pasta sauce had the perfect level of spice and everyone at the table agreed that mine was the best meal. Fully recommend the pasta! For service, we didn't have a good experience which may or may not have been because our waiter was new(?). Everything just seemed to take a long time and in some cases when he would come to our table, he would have to leave and come back because he forgot his pen or something else he needed. He accidentally spilled drinks on two of the people at my table (didn't offer to comp the drinks), and ran out half of the food for our table-- went to help a different table-- then ran out the rest of our food after a good 10 minutes. If we had had a different server, I think it would have been a totally different experience. Our friend who has been here many times said she has never had any kind of experience like this before.