Angry Trout Cafe

Someone from this business manages this listing.

#6 of 19 Restaurants in Grand Marais$$ - $$$, American, Vegetarian friendly

+1 218-387-1265+ Add website

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Hours

Sun

11:00 AM - 7:30 PM

Mon

11:00 AM - 7:30 PM

Tue

11:00 AM - 7:30 PM

Wed

11:00 AM - 7:30 PM

Thu

11:00 AM - 7:30 PM

Fri

11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Sat

11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

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What is Travelers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Ratings and reviews

4.5

1,264 reviews

#6 of 19 Restaurants in Grand Marais

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Details

Someone from this business manages this listing.

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CUISINES

American

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, Late Night

features

Location and contact

408 W Highway 61, Grand Marais, MN 55604-2334

+1 218-387-1265

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Does this restaurant specialize in Soups?

Yes

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Details

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About

We are the Angry Trout Café, serving local fresh ingredients. We do not allow animals.

CUISINES

American

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, Late Night

FEATURES

Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Mastercard, Visa, Digital Payments, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Waterfront

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4.5

1,264 reviews

Excellent

757

Very good

274

Average

137

Poor

Terrible

Iowa_is_my_home

284 contributions

Fresh and delicious

Sep 2019 • none

This is a "must" for us on every trip we take to Grand Marais. We loved the smoked salmon or trout, but they'll tell you what's fresh if that's what you prefer. The home made salad dressings (especially maple dijon) are the prefect way to enjoy a salad topped with smoked fish! And you'll enjoy all the decor details too, from special tables and chairs, the art, and the tiny, natural fabric napkins.

Written June 26, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lisa H

Machesney Park8 contributions

Great food

Oct 2020 • family

The grilled white fish sandwich, whitefish chowder, pickles and coleslaw are amazing!!! I thought the staff was friendly but agree the 18% gratuity is a rip off since you aren’t being served in a traditional setting. Seems a choice would be more fair and cause less resentment. (Note other reviews)

Written October 4, 2020

Briana N

Minneapolis9 contributions

Great family dinner

Sep 2020 • family

We had a great experience with Angry Trout. We used their online ordering and it worked well. We were able to pick the time and the order was ready when we arrived. We drove 10 minutes and unpacked the car and the food was still warm. My husband and I both had the grilled white fish - one with the wild rice and one with the pasta. Both were delicious. The salads are oversized and included a flower which was a nice touch. Highly recommend the smoked trout appetizer. Worth every penny. We also ordered the chocolate custard dessert to share - it was great for to go and ended up being a large enough portion for 2 days. We ordered late afternoon knowing that the area is very busy right now and terribly understaffed. I would highly recommend using the online ordering option and eating at off peak times. It will definitely be worth it.

Written September 27, 2020

Sweetfire

Iowa67 contributions

Not worth the money

Aug 2020 • couples

The place was packed and the reviews were good with a few bad which I attributed to picky eaters. We ordered (85.00) and were told to wait in back for our food and that a table should open shortly. We went to the back to wait. There were 4 other people waiting for orders in relatively close quarters to other diners. A man came out and told everyone they could not have people congregating there.(because of covid social distancing) There was nowhere else to wait and still be able to hear our names called but we moved to the side of the building and were lucky enough to get a table. Our names were called and we picked up our tray. Absolutely beautiful presentation! The rice, salad and my fish were good. My husband's bison tenderloin was seasoned well but not very tender. We were told there was an 18% gratuity added when we ordered. There was no service, we had to bus and sanitize our own table as well as pick up our food. I think the gratuity is ridiculous, considering we did all the service ourselves. It's not worth the overall price when the place next door offers fare that is tasty and less expensive. ( I know prices are a bit higher since it's a tourist town) They could do a lot better. Now we know for next time!

Written August 31, 2020

Voyager48041270353

1 contribution

Zero for service

Sep 2020 • family

Let me start by saying that we have been going to the Angry Trout restaurant for years when we visit this part of Minnesota. We’ve always had good service and good food historically. However, like so many other places, they are using Covid as an excuse to be completely hands off with customer service despite other restaurants proving that it’s safe to eat indoors and safe to serve customers with appropriate spacing. They have apparently adopted a policy of only take out or eating out on their deck. Today a surly jerk took our order outside on the front porch of the building. He could not have been less helpful. As we ordered my adult daughter asked to use the restrooms which are right next to where we ordered. They refused to allow her to use their, and she was referred to a public porta-potty two blocks away. In addition when we paid for the meal upfront they charged a mandatory 18% service charge. I firmly believe in generous tipping based on service, ambiance, & food quality. It was later proven to us that for this fee they offer zero service. When you go out to the patio to get your meal somebody comes out and screams your name and you go pick up your entire meal in plastic and paper plates. If I was eating at Burger King this would be appropriate but for a nice restaurant, it is unacceptable. Then after they have the gall to charge the 18% no-service charge they ask you to bus your own table. Please do yourself a favor and drive on past!

Written September 16, 2020

D M

Rochester45 contributions

Do not recommend

Jul 2020 • couples

We were hoping to have a fish and chips basket. All they had was herring. Reluctantly we ordered two bison burgers and one piece of blueberry pie. The bill came to over 50.00 and was served with potato chips and a tiny container of Coleslaw. This wasn't worth the high cost for a mediocre meal.

Written July 28, 2020

travelbunny1

Tucson91 contributions

High prices have negated the experience

Aug 2020 • none

Used to love this cafe and made a stop anytime we were in the area. Unfortunately they have raised their prices - who wants to pay $14 for a bowl of soup made of fish pieces? The young man taking our order in front of the restaurant due to Covid restrictiions acted like he was doing us a favor with his abrupt, testy manner. In the future we'll go next door. They have just as fresh fish and more reasonable prices.

Written September 2, 2020

Newbaka

Clive5 contributions

Poor quality food.

Sep 2021 • couples

We were very disappointed with the meal. We ordered 3 different entrees and no one enjoyed their food. The fish with the fish and chips was very poor. It was not flaky, the breading was soft and the fish was very thin. Tasted more like fish sticks. In addition the initial service was gods but the waiter never checked on our table and we waiting 30 minutes after finishing to get our check. Even after requesting the check we waited another 10 minutes to get it. The restaurant automatically adds a 19% service charge to all tickets so we were forced to pay a large tip for poor service.

Written September 10, 2021

mike s

La Crosse53 contributions

Not worth the time or money

Jul 2021 • none

We arrived at 5:00 and it was packed with indoor and outdoor dining full. We were told a 25 minute wait (I have three kids under 6) and it ended up being nearly 40 minutes. The past and shrimp were nearly flavorless. The fish tacos were as bland as any food can be. And there were flies everywhere.....everywhere. You can tell that this location survives on its location because the food is not anything remotely special.

Written July 23, 2021

Richard H

Windsor Heights4 contributions

Unappetizing presentation and indifferent service

Oct 2021 • couples

We had high expectations after reading the reviews and even cancelled a reservation elsewhere so as not to miss the local, fresh seafood promised. We love unique, unpretentious places that serve locally sourced foods and it seemed right up our alley. We could not have been more disappointed. We stopped at the restaurant during the day to inquire about reservations and although they did not accept them the hostess recommended that we call ahead and “get on the list” 30 minutes prior to our desired dining time. She was clear that didn’t guarantee the time, but we had to wait 90 minutes after our arrival and watched sadly as the hostess came out to one by one erase the daily catches from the blackboard outside. Lake trout gone. Whitefish gone. When finally seated we ordered the herring, the final remaining fresh catch. While the fish itself was good, the presentation was totally unappetizing. The salad was thrown on the same plate with the entree and side, making the salad warm and limp. When we requested salad plates our server was clearly annoyed. The wild rice and pasta side dishes were thrown haphazardly on the plate in a gloppy mess, and the pasta was congealed and cold. We weren’t seeking a fine dining experience, and understand the casual atmosphere is part of the Angry Trout’s appeal but the lack of care in the kitchen and indifference of the server were very disappointing. Casual dining does not have to be sloppy. When we departed and the host asked how everything was, we shared our disappointment in a respectful way but it was again received with indifference. No “I’m sorry we didn’t meet your expectations” or kind words of any kind. I suspect this restaurant is resting on its good reviews and that its management believes that a quirky name and casual atmosphere in an artsy, outdoorsy town can excuse inattentive service and sloppy presentation. I believe they are wrong and that their guests deserve better.

Written October 6, 2021

RedSoxsFanMan

Minnesota410 contributions

I'll pass on the fish next time...

Mar 2022 • family

Ordered the following: 2 orders of catch of the day fish 🐟 Salmon and Mahi-mahi. The Salmon tasted like it was just heated up as for the Mahi that was much more fresh tasting. The accompanying salad and wild rice melody was decent. Fried oysters were very good, batter used tasted fresh. Fish sandwich 🥪 was tasty. Overall average dinner based on location. You obviously need to be prepared to spend the 💰, with the 20% markup for servers wich is very encouraging for underpaid staff in general and tip the bill came to $150. I would not plan to be a guest again with my family at this establishment again.

Written March 23, 2022

Jammie82

Vero Beach141 contributions

It's changed

Apr 2022 • none

We stop here every trip going north and south a few times a year. We have never been disappointed until now. The fish was not fresh. The salad had less vegetables than in the past and the homemade dressing was very watered down. The 20% service charge put me over the edge. The server wasn't as friendly as in past. Is this because they don't have to try as hard? I understand inflation and Covid has hurt businesses, but adding 20% to bills in a cafe is tacky. Just raise your prices and maintain quality.

Written April 27, 2022

Nancy G

2 contributions

No service=18%service charge

Sep 2020 • couples

Terrible service—actually NO SERVICE!! Order from order desk: then told to go see for yourself if there is a table coming up so that if you order, you have a place to sit!! Or, you can always take it with you...wherever. Wine; only by the bottle! Had to ask for ketchup, no cocktail sauce for the shrimp, had to ask for the basics & handle all ourselves. Then...clean up the table ourselves...and when I turned to my party and said, “maybe they could bus the table for us (we are in our 70’s) a young lady at a nearby table yelled,”you should clean up your own trash!” We did clean it up ourselves, but at a 18% service charge, the thought entered my mind//which I spoke to our party/-not to her! What is this world coming to? I would never go back to this restaurant or recommend it. COVID is becoming an excuse to be lazy, rude and disrespectful. Let’s get over it!

Written August 31, 2020

Crystal W

Saint Paul19 contributions

Good food, nice view

Jun 2021 • none

We ordered the fried mushrooms as a starter and it was too much even though we shared it. They tasted good, but could have been a much smaller portion as a starter - or share with more than 2 people. The sauvignon blanc wasn't anything to write home about. We split an entree, the grilled fish of the day with wild rice. We both enjoyed it but as others have said it would have been better with the salad as a separate course. The fish was good, but the flavor was 'generic grill'. The blackberry tart wasn't great, good flavor but the crust was too thick and we thought it was priced too high for the quality. The service was good. We came in at the very end of the night and they seated us and didn't kick us out even though it was obvious they were done for the night as we finished our meal.

Written July 3, 2021

KRKG

Saint Cloud52 contributions

Thought the Trout may be angry, I still ate it.

Sep 2019 • none

The restaraunt combines an unique flare to the conservation of the environment and fresh tasty food. While sitting on repurposed tractor trailer seats, with the cardboard covered menu, looking at the tiny washable napkin - the only thing in my head was the fresh fish sandwich and the fish chowder soup. Very good, as always.

Written February 18, 2020

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