A really cool little joint in downtown Wausau. They're only open for dinner a few days a week but while open they seem to do a pretty good job. The bar tender, serving staff and host were great. We shared a few apps and pastas and will be visiting again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Carrot Cake
Kate G
I remember when we discovered this place. It was amazing. The food was great. The place was Bustling and full of energy.We came back this week after many months and we’re saddened to see the place basically empty at 7 pm on a Friday night. Our server was nice, but he had to stop kitchen staff from piling one course onto the next.The food quality has gone down. The choices have gone down. Food was not fresh. My pasta was over cooked and mushy, his cocktails were watered down, The appetizer was soggy. No more tart apple slices and seed crackers? They long ago stopped making lobster bisque?We left wondering what happened and saddened to have lost faith in a truely precious and reliable restaurant. We used to make the drive from Stevens Point. I think we’ll stick to better places closer to home.Wheelchair accessibility: The floor is not even and not well marked where there are big changes like from the bar to the dining. Tight spaces. Bathroom would be a big challenge.
Eric
2nd visit. It was a quite night, the staff informed us that was due to ”spring break”.
This restaurant has a warm, fun atmosphere. We were given a “tour” of the two main floor dining rooms and learned about the history of the building and Wausau itself buy the pictures hanging on the walls.
The staff was attentive. Extensive wine list, bartender gave a quick lesson of Gins (differences between London dry and botanical) to one of our guests. With spring around the corner, I enjoyed the zucchini pasta.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Craig Butler
We had early reservations at 5pm. Service was excellent. We had Chicken Artichoke and the bone in Rib Eye Steak. We were both very satisfied with our meal as the food was excellent.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sautéed Chicken with Artichokes and Capers
Lisa Nowaczyk
If only the food and service would have matched the atmosphere. We were celebrating our anniversary, and what better place than Back When? From the minute we sat down, our waitress was not friendly and super hurried. When we asked if there were any hot drinks, she said we are short staffed and didn't have a bartender. First time I have ever had a Caesar salad that was not tossed in Caesar dressing. We asked if there were any dinner specials she pointed to the list of special appetizers and said right there. It just didn't get better from there. The food was bland. The only saving grace was the top-notch carrot cake that we absolutely love.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Carrot Cake
Natasha Elam
We had Aileen as our wait staff and she was AMAZING some of the best service I've ever received, The food was next level great. All around a wonderful experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheese Curds
Karina Welle
I keep having bad experiences here. Since it’s one of the few places downtown that accepts reservations, I tried it again before a show and it was terrible. Service was super slow and our server seemed annoyed by my questions, even though it wasn’t busy. I’m a celiac and have to be gluten free, and the server had NO idea what the gluten free options were or what could be modified. Food we finally got was mediocre at best. I asked for the dessert menu, it was never offered to me, and everything was taking so long, I didn’t want to wait. For the prices, this place needs to level up. I’ve had better experiences and service at Culver’s. We went to the Mint for dessert, which was amazing, and our server was friendly and sweet, and I wish we would have had our whole meal there. Very disappointing experience for a place that presents itself as upscale. I’ve had multiple great experiences at Redeye, Lemongrass, Ciao, Peking, The Mint, and Townies. So many better options downtown.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Jen Carr
The food is a little above average. The service isn’t great. The atmosphere is crammed and loud. It feels like you’re sitting on top of each other in there. Like you’re eating dinner with strangers. Not very comfortable. It’s not my favorite spot. Been here 3 times over the years, Like most places downtown parking is not great. It’s not worth it.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Onion Soup, Salmon Piccata
Danielle Slowikowski
Food was great, service was ok...extremely high priced.
Have enjoyed this wonderful restaurant for many years, unfortunately the last few times we have been there everything from the second you walk in, is just a miss. We gave it one last shot… and after making a reservation, we were seated right away. It was half full and after waiting 15 minutes, we still had not been spoken to by our server. We decided to leave and go to Ciao, where we had an incredible experience. Sadly, we will not be back and after talking with many friends have learned all share the same view. Hope they can figure it out again!
Lynn H.
Food and service has declined since the last time we were here. Ordered salmon and it had no flavor. Waitress did not care when we complained. She asked if I wanted a box to take it home since I had not eaten my dinner. If it was awful, why would I want to take it home? Her response, was OK, I'll bring your check. Very expensive meal that I did not eat! Don't waste your time or money on this place!
Traveler 1
A little too stuffy for me. Expensive. Considering what you pay here, one might think bread would be included. One would be wrong. Try Wish Steakhouse.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
T A
A little too stuffy for me. Expensive. Considering what you pay here, one might think bread would be included. One would be wrong. Try Wish Steakhouse.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Sean D.
Great service. Nice, small selection of carefully prepared dishes. Next time, we start with the carrot cake as an appetizer so that we aren't too full to finish-it was out of this world. Truffle pasta was excellent. Spinach salad very nice. Loved the ambiance-would be a great place to meet friends for dinner/drinks/carrot cake:)
Great service.Incredible food.Really nice people!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A really cool little joint in downtown Wausau. They're only open for dinner a few days a week but while open they seem to do a pretty good job. The bar tender, serving staff and host were great. We shared a few apps and pastas and will be visiting again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Carrot Cake
I remember when we discovered this place. It was amazing. The food was great. The place was Bustling and full of energy.We came back this week after many months and we’re saddened to see the place basically empty at 7 pm on a Friday night. Our server was nice, but he had to stop kitchen staff from piling one course onto the next.The food quality has gone down. The choices have gone down. Food was not fresh. My pasta was over cooked and mushy, his cocktails were watered down, The appetizer was soggy. No more tart apple slices and seed crackers? They long ago stopped making lobster bisque?We left wondering what happened and saddened to have lost faith in a truely precious and reliable restaurant. We used to make the drive from Stevens Point. I think we’ll stick to better places closer to home.Wheelchair accessibility: The floor is not even and not well marked where there are big changes like from the bar to the dining. Tight spaces. Bathroom would be a big challenge.
2nd visit. It was a quite night, the staff informed us that was due to ”spring break”. This restaurant has a warm, fun atmosphere. We were given a “tour” of the two main floor dining rooms and learned about the history of the building and Wausau itself buy the pictures hanging on the walls. The staff was attentive. Extensive wine list, bartender gave a quick lesson of Gins (differences between London dry and botanical) to one of our guests. With spring around the corner, I enjoyed the zucchini pasta.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had early reservations at 5pm. Service was excellent. We had Chicken Artichoke and the bone in Rib Eye Steak. We were both very satisfied with our meal as the food was excellent.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sautéed Chicken with Artichokes and Capers
If only the food and service would have matched the atmosphere. We were celebrating our anniversary, and what better place than Back When? From the minute we sat down, our waitress was not friendly and super hurried. When we asked if there were any hot drinks, she said we are short staffed and didn't have a bartender. First time I have ever had a Caesar salad that was not tossed in Caesar dressing. We asked if there were any dinner specials she pointed to the list of special appetizers and said right there. It just didn't get better from there. The food was bland. The only saving grace was the top-notch carrot cake that we absolutely love.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Carrot Cake
We had Aileen as our wait staff and she was AMAZING some of the best service I've ever received, The food was next level great. All around a wonderful experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheese Curds
I keep having bad experiences here. Since it’s one of the few places downtown that accepts reservations, I tried it again before a show and it was terrible. Service was super slow and our server seemed annoyed by my questions, even though it wasn’t busy. I’m a celiac and have to be gluten free, and the server had NO idea what the gluten free options were or what could be modified. Food we finally got was mediocre at best. I asked for the dessert menu, it was never offered to me, and everything was taking so long, I didn’t want to wait. For the prices, this place needs to level up. I’ve had better experiences and service at Culver’s. We went to the Mint for dessert, which was amazing, and our server was friendly and sweet, and I wish we would have had our whole meal there. Very disappointing experience for a place that presents itself as upscale. I’ve had multiple great experiences at Redeye, Lemongrass, Ciao, Peking, The Mint, and Townies. So many better options downtown.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
The food is a little above average. The service isn’t great. The atmosphere is crammed and loud. It feels like you’re sitting on top of each other in there. Like you’re eating dinner with strangers. Not very comfortable. It’s not my favorite spot. Been here 3 times over the years, Like most places downtown parking is not great. It’s not worth it.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Onion Soup, Salmon Piccata
Food was great, service was ok...extremely high priced.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Restaurantji Recommends
Have enjoyed this wonderful restaurant for many years, unfortunately the last few times we have been there everything from the second you walk in, is just a miss. We gave it one last shot… and after making a reservation, we were seated right away. It was half full and after waiting 15 minutes, we still had not been spoken to by our server. We decided to leave and go to Ciao, where we had an incredible experience. Sadly, we will not be back and after talking with many friends have learned all share the same view. Hope they can figure it out again!
Food and service has declined since the last time we were here. Ordered salmon and it had no flavor. Waitress did not care when we complained. She asked if I wanted a box to take it home since I had not eaten my dinner. If it was awful, why would I want to take it home? Her response, was OK, I'll bring your check. Very expensive meal that I did not eat! Don't waste your time or money on this place!
A little too stuffy for me. Expensive. Considering what you pay here, one might think bread would be included. One would be wrong. Try Wish Steakhouse.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
A little too stuffy for me. Expensive. Considering what you pay here, one might think bread would be included. One would be wrong. Try Wish Steakhouse.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Great service. Nice, small selection of carefully prepared dishes. Next time, we start with the carrot cake as an appetizer so that we aren't too full to finish-it was out of this world. Truffle pasta was excellent. Spinach salad very nice. Loved the ambiance-would be a great place to meet friends for dinner/drinks/carrot cake:)