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    The Rafters

    4.0 (115 reviews)
    ModerateAmerican

    The Rafters Photos

    THE RAFTERS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    LBC Chicken Sandwich with Cole slaw
    Candace C.

    Five stars for good food, good service, ample seating, ample parking and a great bar area. This is not haute cuisine - but it's very good. Drove by Rafters for many years because the timing wasn't right for a meal stop on our travels to and from northeast Iowa. Finally in 2022 we have been passing by on days they are open and our stomachs were ready for a meal. We have enjoyed a lunch of the Lena Brewing Company chicken sandwich and a BBQ Brisket sandwich with fries. I really liked the chicken - the breading was flavorful and not too heavy. The accompanying sauce complemented the chicken in just the right way. Rick deemed the brisket sandwich a winner - and those steakhouse fries can't be beat. Most recently we stopped in for dinner. I had the barbecue smoked ribs - with baked French onion soup, baked potato and sautéed squash. LOTS of melted cheese on the soup - which I appreciate. For my taste I could have used a little more broth and onion and a little less bread. Still - I practically licked the bowl clean. The ribs - what a treat! Generous portion of fall off the bone meat. Tender, juicy and thick. Some places serve you ribs that are so thin you have to really gnaw on them to get any flavor. Not at Rafters - these ribs were very meaty. I had my supper - and still had two more lunches worth of rib meat leftover. The baked potato was a nice medium sized potato served with butter and sour cream. I enjoy a baked potato - but don't really need one as big as my head. This was just right. And the sautéed squash was not overdone. I think they cooked the squash with the ribs - as opposed to pre cooking it and letting it sit in a warming tray where squash usually turns to a soggy mess. Rick had the Brisket Platter - that came with enough cheesy-oniony potatoes to last for three meals. The brisket was tender - served a little drier than we usually like - but the dish comes with some barbecue sauce on the side and an option for more if requested. Cole slaw was fine - not too creamy - not filled with lettuce. Next time we stop - I need to make sure my driving shift is done - so I can enjoy a nice draft beer with my meal.

    the front of the restaurant
    Christina C.

    How can you miss the big red barn? Driving to Galena we decided to stop for lunch at The Rafters. We were not disappointed. The burger was delicious and juicy. The smokestack burger was also delicious along w "the perfect situation". The fries were perfect. Bonus - Beautiful holiday decorations!

    Amazing food and drink.
    Greg S.

    Their food is to die for, their beer is to thirst for... Their service was tremendous and so friendly! Great atmosphere! Quick shout out to Diana. You are the best!

    Mark J.

    Went here with my family on a camping trip food was great , service was quick , and looked great in and out side . Would definitely recommend .

    Kathryn B.

    In the middle of no where, but the food is worth the drive to the middle of no where. I was with a larger group and everyone liked what they had. Restaurant was clean, staff was friendly, and afterwards we walked over to Lena Brewing Company which is on the same property.

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    2 years ago

    The food is good as is the service. The location is very convenient as a lunch stop on our girls' trip to Galena.

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    3 years ago

    Excellent unique atmosphere food and top notch service. Well worth the trip. Great menu selection

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    3 years ago

    If you are in the area, stop in! You wont be disappointed. Stopped in on the way to a girls weekend. Delish!

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    9 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Over an hour wait for burgers. Burgers were overcooked and dry same with the chicken special. Skip this place!

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - The Rafters

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    Lena Brewing Company

    Lena Brewing Company

    4.6(81 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$

    Checked out this local brewery in Lena of course. It certainly is one of the highlights around…read morehere. Lena Brewing Company has beers but also food to fatten people up. A pretty busy place with locals and people from other areas. There's about what's expected on the menu it seems. Before even coming in there's a smell of barbecue. It's got a pretty full menu. There's a bar in the middle surrounded by plenty of tables. Beers are the main thing of course. It's about $7 a pint. Best one we had of these was the Coldstream Lager. This is a full bodied Bavarian style. A lot of the food is meaty. Brisket and that kind of stuff. Among the appetizers is the Cowboy Caviar. One of the few vegetarian options. This is a mixture of beans, cilantro, corn, jalapeños, red onions, and tomatoes. It's about $16 for the Tex-Mex Bowl. This has avocado, cilantro rice, Cowboy Caviar, marinated cucumbers, pico de gallo, and Thai sauce. Of course an option is to get it with meats added. There's plenty more things including burgers and pork belly tacos among the livestock based foods. For around here it's one of the better places for big crowds. It's got beers and barbecue along with some healthier options. They're closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

    Just missed. The pulled pork was delicious (but a touch fatty). Brisket, not so much. No flavor…read morefrom the smoker. The Cole slaw needs dressing (Marie Calendars, hint hint). My wife's beer was good. Root Beer was excellent (I'm driving)! Bread pudding was just ok. Order at the bad, served at the table. Service was quick and friendly. LOUD!!!

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    Lena Brewing Company
    Lena Brewing Company - Brisket Mac and cheese wrap

    Brisket Mac and cheese wrap

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    Mulligan's Bar & Grill - Whiskey And The Tater Tots

    Mulligan's Bar & Grill

    3.7(13 reviews)
    1.9 mi

    Came to this bar and grill in Lena to get drinks and maybe get food. It certainly has more of the…read moreformer to get. Mulligan's is one of the better places in town to watch games or sports. A place that can be loud or quiet. The menu has the basic things. Better than it looks to be honest. It's another one of these small town bars with mostly the same few locals. They have more room than expected with a few tables. Cleaner than one also expects. It's about $6 for a basic cocktail like whiskey mixed with whatever. A pretty limited food menu. It's about $6 for appetizers like the tater tots. Burgers are one of the meaty items. There's also things like onion rings. For sure it's one of the hangouts in town to watch games. It's in the middle of town close to the railroad. They also have a few specials.

    We were in the area and intended to stop for a beer at the local brewery in this town only to…read morediscover that it is closed on Tuesdays. This place came up as a local bar in the area on YELP. Yay to YELP! So we gave it a try. Travis immediately greeted us and had our ice cold beers (Sam Adam's Octoberfest) quickly in front of us. We only intended to have a beer but he offered us a menu and we decided to split the Brisket Burger. It was so good! Wish this place was closer to our home. Can't beat $5 ice cold Octoberfest beers in August! Travis was great, the food was great & the place was clean. Check it out! You will love it!

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    Mulligan's Bar & Grill - Inside

    Inside

    Mulligan's Bar & Grill - The bar

    The bar

    Mulligan's Bar & Grill - Next door

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    Next door

    Beach's Supper Club - Prime rib

    Beach's Supper Club

    3.3(20 reviews)
    2.6 mi

    We went to Beach's in Lena this past Friday night during the festival to have fish. Our friends…read moretold us it was good. Now, I have to admit my expectations were low as the last couple times I was there, I was disappointed. Plus we've spent most of the summer hitting fish fries all over Sauk County, WI. I'm testifying to everyone here that Beach's Friday night fish fry was OUTSTANDING! There are choices for baked or fried whitefish which I was told is Alaskan pollock. The breading was light and crisp, and the portion ample enough for leftovers! The garlic mashed potatoes were tasty. The restaurant is for sale but is open. The drinks were great and reasonably priced as was dinner. Now I'm missing Stephenson County even more! Go try them out!

    We hadn't been here in years. So sorry we hadn't!! Same fun Supper Club ambiance. Started off in…read morethe fun 'W shaped' bar with the fun retro orange seats. Sooo comfy. Served delish drinks and wonderful apps. I NEVER eat onion rings. I mean NEVER. I ate these!!! They're home made. And the fried mushrooms? Also homemade. We were advised to get the smaller order of onion rings. Who does that? Moved on to the dining room. The guys got the pork chops. Couldn't finish them and raved about the quality, seasoning and the fact that they were cooked to perfection. Everything came with a side (so many options) a salad and a soup! Chicken was fabulous too. Servers were wonderful. We WILL BE BACK!!!

    Photos
    Beach's Supper Club - Friday night fish fry!

    Friday night fish fry!

    Beach's Supper Club - Baked French onion soup

    Baked French onion soup

    Beach's Supper Club - Sunday specials each week. Swiss Steak the last Sunday of each month!

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    Sunday specials each week. Swiss Steak the last Sunday of each month!

    The Rafters - tradamerican - Updated May 2026

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