Excellent food and service. Order the pretzel bucket app, Swedish Goat Burger, Lobster Bisque soup, salads, and Saturday Prime Rib special. SKIP the Greenie drinks. We had a late dinner so it was too dark to enjoy the lake view scenery, but the interior decor was okay - definitely a cabin vibe. Our daughter's basketball team was there for a weekend tournament so we had a very rowdy and large group of 36. Not only did our waitresses flawlessly take our orders, serve our drinks, apps, soups, salads and entrees timely, but she also figured out our separate checks per family despite the fact that the team sat separate from the parents. She deserved that big tip! Here's what we tried: Soft Pretzel Bucket (4/5) $16 HUGE bucket shared by the entire table of 36. Great pretzels and cheese sauce. Didn't try the mustard sauce but I wished for a bit more salt. Swedish Goat Burger (5/5) $17 This sucker lasted me 3 delicious meals! A must try if you like goat cheese and lingonberries (like small cranberries). The caramelized onions and large bacon strips made the burger perfect IMHO. Lobster Bisque Soup (4/5) $4 very flavorful, filling, rich and creamy. I had no detectable slivers of lobster though. Saturday Prime Rib special (5/5) $29 for the large 16 oz portion. Best meal at the table. Everyone's steaks were cooked to order perfectly. The side salad was LARGE and fresh. 3 at our table ordered the Greenie drink since we heard it was their drink specialty. I could feel the alcohol but couldn't taste it. Good lemon-lime flavor but it was SO sweet, it gave us tummy aches. None of us finished the Greenies and we all switched to other drinks. Our daughter and her friend shared the chicken strip bucket and the classic burger. She said both were good but nothing special.
Mark M
Not too loud but animated patrons.The food was delicious as always!The staff were all very friendly and attentive to us.I will be back again next time I visit the area!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Reuben, Onion Rings
Mike G.
Food and service was great! Went there with a large group of 13. When we got there two other large parties plus ours plus the regular tables were filling the restaurant. Once seated our server informed us she was 1 of 1 and asked us to be patient because she was swamped (no issues from us, we appreciated her setting the expectation). Even though she was 1 of 1 her service was exceptional. The kitten kept up and all our food was out in a timely manner, hot and fresh. No one had any complaints about the taste or quality of their food. Well worth it, I will be a returning customer!
Scott Johnson
One of my favorite places in the area. The menu changes often, but there's always something good for about any taste. The fish tacos seem to be always on the menu and are phenomenal. They usually have a melted cheese in a cast iron appetizer that is delicious. You can't go wrong with the burgers either. If you're out on Gull lake boating, you can tie off on their dock and walk right up.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fish Tacos
Missy Forsyth
I want to go back and order everything on the menu!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Reuben
Stacy L
Comfortable atmosphere, experienced staff, tasty
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joe L.
Great place to enjoy dinner from the patio overlooking the lake. Great food and service
Jon Bigalk
Excellent service, food & atmosphereThey use/serve the best ingredientsHighly
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Reuben, Chicken Wings, WI Cheese Curds
Bobby J.
Really interesting & cool place. We happened to be there on a very cold and windy day but still enjoyed it. Out food was all really good and service was a 10+.
Had a very nice experience at Ernie's on Gull Lake. Had a very tasty shaved prime rib sandwich with curly fries as an entree. Sandwich on a ciabatta roll with the prime rib having a slight crispy edge. Au Jus was great for dipping. My guests also enjoyed their meals as well. Service was excellent and the atmosphere was great. With Ernie's situated on Gull Lake the view is spectacular and can envision being out on the patio during a summer evening. Would highly recommend Ernie's when touring the Brainerd lakes area.Parking: Ample parking spaces in the lot. However, the night we were there only half the place was filled and down to a handful of spacesThat being said on a busy spring or summer would envision this being an issue and some folks may be parking further away and walking a longer distance to the restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brainerd Reviews
Had the cheeseburger last week. It was alright, but not even close to the one I had over the summer. My wife was disappointed that the olive burger was taken off the menu. Somewhat hit or miss.
Deb Klaverkamp
Beautiful view. Great food, best onion rings I have had in a long time. Service was exceptional - haven't had that good of service in a long time!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amy M.
Beautiful location with fantastic views. Some pretty fun menu items featuring seasonally appropriate choices. Service has always been appropriate. Pretty good wine list, house special cocktails and a fair draft selection. Prices aren't the best, but I factor in the quality of atmosphere.
Jennifer K.
Awful service and food was just meh (overly salty). I'll give it a star for the view of the lake & cute wallpaper in women's bathroom. We went on a Sunday afternoon. It wasn't very busy, but our waitress was no where to be found most of the time we were there. My friend never got what she ordered and had to track down our waitress so we can pay the bill. The waitress never checked back in to see how the food was or if we needed anything to drink. Then the cc machine was down and took so long to pay. Overall a horrible experience. I don't recommend and will not be back.
Always a great time and great food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent food and service. Order the pretzel bucket app, Swedish Goat Burger, Lobster Bisque soup, salads, and Saturday Prime Rib special. SKIP the Greenie drinks. We had a late dinner so it was too dark to enjoy the lake view scenery, but the interior decor was okay - definitely a cabin vibe. Our daughter's basketball team was there for a weekend tournament so we had a very rowdy and large group of 36. Not only did our waitresses flawlessly take our orders, serve our drinks, apps, soups, salads and entrees timely, but she also figured out our separate checks per family despite the fact that the team sat separate from the parents. She deserved that big tip! Here's what we tried: Soft Pretzel Bucket (4/5) $16 HUGE bucket shared by the entire table of 36. Great pretzels and cheese sauce. Didn't try the mustard sauce but I wished for a bit more salt. Swedish Goat Burger (5/5) $17 This sucker lasted me 3 delicious meals! A must try if you like goat cheese and lingonberries (like small cranberries). The caramelized onions and large bacon strips made the burger perfect IMHO. Lobster Bisque Soup (4/5) $4 very flavorful, filling, rich and creamy. I had no detectable slivers of lobster though. Saturday Prime Rib special (5/5) $29 for the large 16 oz portion. Best meal at the table. Everyone's steaks were cooked to order perfectly. The side salad was LARGE and fresh. 3 at our table ordered the Greenie drink since we heard it was their drink specialty. I could feel the alcohol but couldn't taste it. Good lemon-lime flavor but it was SO sweet, it gave us tummy aches. None of us finished the Greenies and we all switched to other drinks. Our daughter and her friend shared the chicken strip bucket and the classic burger. She said both were good but nothing special.
Not too loud but animated patrons.The food was delicious as always!The staff were all very friendly and attentive to us.I will be back again next time I visit the area!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Reuben, Onion Rings
Food and service was great! Went there with a large group of 13. When we got there two other large parties plus ours plus the regular tables were filling the restaurant. Once seated our server informed us she was 1 of 1 and asked us to be patient because she was swamped (no issues from us, we appreciated her setting the expectation). Even though she was 1 of 1 her service was exceptional. The kitten kept up and all our food was out in a timely manner, hot and fresh. No one had any complaints about the taste or quality of their food. Well worth it, I will be a returning customer!
One of my favorite places in the area. The menu changes often, but there's always something good for about any taste. The fish tacos seem to be always on the menu and are phenomenal. They usually have a melted cheese in a cast iron appetizer that is delicious. You can't go wrong with the burgers either. If you're out on Gull lake boating, you can tie off on their dock and walk right up.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fish Tacos
I want to go back and order everything on the menu!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Reuben
Comfortable atmosphere, experienced staff, tasty
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great place to enjoy dinner from the patio overlooking the lake. Great food and service
Excellent service, food & atmosphereThey use/serve the best ingredientsHighly
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Reuben, Chicken Wings, WI Cheese Curds
Really interesting & cool place. We happened to be there on a very cold and windy day but still enjoyed it. Out food was all really good and service was a 10+.
Restaurantji Recommends
Had a very nice experience at Ernie's on Gull Lake. Had a very tasty shaved prime rib sandwich with curly fries as an entree. Sandwich on a ciabatta roll with the prime rib having a slight crispy edge. Au Jus was great for dipping. My guests also enjoyed their meals as well. Service was excellent and the atmosphere was great. With Ernie's situated on Gull Lake the view is spectacular and can envision being out on the patio during a summer evening. Would highly recommend Ernie's when touring the Brainerd lakes area.Parking: Ample parking spaces in the lot. However, the night we were there only half the place was filled and down to a handful of spacesThat being said on a busy spring or summer would envision this being an issue and some folks may be parking further away and walking a longer distance to the restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had the cheeseburger last week. It was alright, but not even close to the one I had over the summer. My wife was disappointed that the olive burger was taken off the menu. Somewhat hit or miss.
Beautiful view. Great food, best onion rings I have had in a long time. Service was exceptional - haven't had that good of service in a long time!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Beautiful location with fantastic views. Some pretty fun menu items featuring seasonally appropriate choices. Service has always been appropriate. Pretty good wine list, house special cocktails and a fair draft selection. Prices aren't the best, but I factor in the quality of atmosphere.
Awful service and food was just meh (overly salty). I'll give it a star for the view of the lake & cute wallpaper in women's bathroom. We went on a Sunday afternoon. It wasn't very busy, but our waitress was no where to be found most of the time we were there. My friend never got what she ordered and had to track down our waitress so we can pay the bill. The waitress never checked back in to see how the food was or if we needed anything to drink. Then the cc machine was down and took so long to pay. Overall a horrible experience. I don't recommend and will not be back.