Witoka Tavern - Winona

This place is abhorrent the owner is the worst of all!! We 've been there 3 times now never again. The first time we took our kids and wanted to eat play pool. The staff was rude!! Scott was the worst! The second time we also wanted to eat and play pool, this time it was crowded and we were told to be patient by the owner and all we asked for was a menu to just look at while we waited. Then he was pointing at us to his friends laughing while we played pool. Then 3rd final time is tonight, we came to hear Royce White speak wanted a soda, we tried standing toward the far end of the bar, he didn 't come wait on us, we asked at the other end we were told to have a seat to get anything (mind you a few people had just gotten beverages literally right before we tried to) we told him that we just wanted a soda to take into the other room to hear Royce. He said I guess you won 't get served then!! Now if you 're an owner of an establishment, would you #1) turn away a sale?? OR #2) Ever treat patrons like this, whether they 're regulars or not?!? I highly recommend you avoid this place, if an owner acts like this, it 's scary what else happens there!!

Food was fantastic but unfortunately the service was horrible. My soda water was flat and the gentlemen was not very happy when I ask for a new one. I ordered a bacon cheese burger and realized when I got it I didn 't have veggies so I asked if I could please get lettuce tomato 's and onion. He said, oh that 's a California burger ! When he brought me my veggies I said, I 'm sorry thank you I just never received a bacon cheese burger plain . He walked away said, I don 't know where you even order a burger with everything on it. I 've been all over the world and no body puts veggies on a burger . He looked at the customer sitting at the counter (local) and said, everybody knows that ! I am here now.. not eating just because I feel like I must write this review. If you want to be treated like your beneath him and receive horrible service please come to the Witoka Tavern!!! CASH ONLY BTW! NO SIGNS

This is a great off the beaten path bar and grill in a small town of about 50 people! The service is very good with the owner behind the grill and spunky old waitress. If you are wise to her get ready because it will come back 10x! I have been going to this place for many years but have never written a review. Probably because I looking for the right word to call the waitress. Haha I have ordered the burgers before and they are outstanding! Hand pressed and they are BIG. I made the mistake of order a double yesterday and I had my hands full...literally. Great flavor and very filling! I ordered the fries as well and left plenty behind because I couldn 't eat all of them. Good FF The place is very clean and has the same décor it had....well long ago! A MUST stop if you are in the Winona, MN area. It is difficult to get to but don 't worry Witoka is in the goggles. The Friday night fish fry is outstanding as you probably read in other reviews. The fish used at the fish fry is not on the regular menu so don 't confuse the two!

We stopped at the tavern after hiking nearby on our first trip to Minnesota. We were a little hesitant to try a tavern in the middle of Minnesota farmland but the historic tavern highly exceeded expectations. The burgers really hit the spot and the service was quick and friendly.

Mert makes the best damn hamburgers. I'm not much of a hamburger eater, but I love Mert's burgers. Stop in and see her for lunch. You'll be happy you did.