Axel's River Grille - Mendota

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1. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Minneapolis

   3 reviews

   vip
   1.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall1food1service3ambience3

   My salad was soggy with dressing. The potatoes were cold. I’m still unhappy with the move to small pours for wines. Expensive for what you get.
   

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2. BB

   BarryB

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Axels remains one our favorite restaurants. The food was excellent although portions were too large for us seniors….another meal of leftovers! Service always great, but last night was exceptional.
   

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3. KZ

   KenZ

   Minneapolis

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall5food4service5ambience4

   Excellent for and service, very enjoyable.
   

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4. D

   Dissipointed

   Minneapolis

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall2food2service3ambience2

   We chose Axels as we needed something near the airport and have good memories of highly rated, tasty food with good atmosphere specifically during special occasions. The food was markedly worse than I ever remember and perhaps the worst I have experienced the past several months. The walleye is the specialty and was very good however, the risotto (mushy, tart), penne pasta and grilled chicken (bland) options were simply not good and the sirloin was mediocre at best. Initial server was good but there was a shift change and the replacement ignored us for a large and loud birthday party of regulars near us. Place seems run down and dated but perhaps it was an off night and it was expensive for the experience.
   

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5. JJ

   JackJ

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 5 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Our server was amazing. Knowledge of the menu, knowledge of the guest host at our table. Jack IX. We love everything about this place!
   

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6. D

   Duch

   Minneapolis

   37 reviews

   4.0

   37 reviews

   Dined on May 26, 2023

   overall4food4service5ambience4

   Our waiter was very attentive and saw that everything was perfect. Hats off to Axels.
   

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7. Z

   Zubes

   Minneapolis

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on May 26, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience4

   We had a yummy lunch at Axel's. I'll go back again in a heartbeat; I hadn't been there since before COVID. I was pleasantly surprised at how tasty our food was.
   

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8. G

   Guido

   Minneapolis

   7 reviews

   3.0

   7 reviews

   Dined on May 21, 2023

   overall3food3service3ambience4

   We made a return visit to Axel's to see how it is now post-pandemic. It was about the same as our last visit four years ago. Some things were just fine, and others needed some improvement. To start our meal, the signature Axel's Popovers were fresh, right out of the oven, and quite yummy. We shared the Maryland Crab Cake appetizer and it also was quite tasty, but it could have been a bit hotter though. When it arrived at our table it was only mildly warm at best. Next up, our two Caesar Salads arrived and were just fine. For dinner I had the Prime Rib with the Horseradish Potato Cake and the Sal's Mushrooms as my two sides. My wife had the Walleye with Parmesan Risotto and the Green Beans as her two sides. My Prime Rib was once again rather bland, as it was on our previous visit. Just not a lot of spice or flavor to it. I ordered it Medium Rare but it came out quite full-on Rare instead. Also, it is advertised as a 14oz cut, but it looked a bit on the light side of that to me. The Potato Cake was hardly warm at all, and it too didn't have much real flavor to it, definitely not much of a Horseradish taste at all, that's for sure. The mushrooms were alright, but nothing special either. My wife's Walleye was good she said, but she was not a fan of the Parm Risotto. She said there was actually too much of a Parmesan flavor to it and that the heavy cheese flavor was actually kind of overwhelming the dish itself. She said the Green Beans were just fine though. While I wouldn't say that we were "disappointed" per se in the overall total experience, I wasn't all that impressed either. I have read other reviews of Axel's and some common complaints that I see are regarding the side dishes coming out not hot enough and lacking flavor or having too much or not enough spice to them, and also that the cooking of the steaks and PR as you ordered them can be a crap shoot at times. Ya just don't know until it arrives. I concur on all those issues.
   

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9. CW

   CarrieW

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined on May 20, 2023

   overall3food3service2ambience4

   Our first time there and when we asked the waitress for recommendations she was not helpful and was very short with us. She said that she doesn’t get a chance to eat the food and that the meet and fish were good. She told us she was really busy and if we didn’t know what we wanted she would come back, so we randomly picked from the menu. Drink and food service was very slow. We heard in passing that the kitchen was behind. As far as the food, soup was good and so was the Cioppino. My meat was very undercooked and an odd shape. When I sent it back (I tried but couldn’t chew it) it came back burnt and still raw inside. I don’t know how that is possible. At that point I gave up. We had been there for so long already. They were very apologetic and took it off our bill which was very appreciated. Wish I had read the reviews before I ordered. The undercooked steak has been an issue.
   

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10. AP

    AnnaP

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    My family and I had a wonderful dinner last night. Our server Roman had a great table side manner. His wine recommendation was perfect. We also really appreciated that he was not overly chatty as some servers are, but he was still very attentive. The walleye was very fresh, however the breading was a little mushy. All the other food was great. Anna
    

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11. GS

    GabrielaS

    Minneapolis

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1

    A major disappointment. Waited over an hour an a half after putting in our order (no reason since they weren't that busy). We ended leaving before are dinner was served. What happened to the dining experience? We pay so much more for going out to dinner and I guess we expect more for the experience. The outdoor dining you need to know is overlooking the parking lot. Popovers are great. I can't rate the food since we left before the meals were delivered.
    

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12. SE

    SusanE

    Minneapolis

    19 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on May 16, 2023

    overall3food2service4ambience4

    Something has happened to their walleye dish. It used to be so much better
    

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13. PS

    PeggyS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 16, 2023

    overall5food5service3ambience4

    The "supper club" version of the walleye dinner is fabulous and SO much food. Can easily be split as dinner for two.
    

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14. ML

    MLFoodies

    Minneapolis

    26 reviews

    2.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on May 15, 2023

    overall2food2service2ambience3

    Unfortunately this once very good restaurant has declined and is no longer enjoyable. Gone are the white tablecloths. Our server was disinterested and slow. Their menu has been greatly diminished. The shimp and halibut were both dry and tough. Prices remain high. Easy to find better food and service elsewhere at this price point.
    

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15. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Minneapolis

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 15, 2023

    overall1food1service4ambience1

    The food was a Mothers Day Buffett and it was not worth $60…food was cold and not good I would recommend going for there buffets
    

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16. D

    Dawn

    Minneapolis

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience5

    Axel's is always wonderful, but a dinner buffet on Mother's Day is not probably their best idea. The servers were fantastic, but the buffet line was not kept filled and eventually changed to whatever they could put out to have something to offer.
    

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17. DW

    DarylW

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience2

    We have eaten at Axel's for Mother's Day for at least the last 5 years. We were not told it was buffet only until we arrived. Overpriced for the value of food offered. I would have preferred to order off a menu and to get exactly what I want. The quality and quantity of food was disappointing. It was cold when it should have been hot, pans were empty and had to ask for items that should have been provided (for example, graded horseradish, popovers). When I asked for sauce for my cold salmon, was asked what I wanted. When I asked for a dill dip was told they didn't have it. Why ask me what I want when it would have been easier to tell me what you had. Had to ask for water to be refilled. Overall, it was just not what I had come to expect. We will definitely pick another restaurant next year.
    

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18. MN

    MNdiner

    Minneapolis

    9 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall2food1service3ambience3

    The Mother’s Day buffet was mediocre at best. Way Overpriced for what was offered, loud, and food was bland plus cold. Not the Axels experience our family is accustomed to. We were not notified it was a buffet for dinner.
    

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19. P

    Pete

    Minneapolis

    3 reviews

    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall2food1service4ambience2

    Booked reservation on Open Table. There was no reference of dinner buffet only, so we were expecting to order off their regular dinner menu. The food was awful. Tried one bite of 6 different meats, all subpar. Went to Axles last year for Mothers Day breakfast buffet and it was marginal too. Won’t go back for any buffets.
    

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20. JL

    JackieL

    Minneapolis

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Lovely Mother's Day Brunch. Service was amazing. So much good food!!!
    

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21. B

    Bexalee

    Minneapolis

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall4food3service4ambience4

    Great last minute option for us for Mothers Day brunch. The food was well prepared if a bit conventional in their offerings but there was a good variety for all types of diets. Dessert buffet was really well done - delicious options in all different portion sizes. Its a traditional supper club type of resaurant but what they do, they do well. Service was very attentive and responsive.
    

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22. PF

    PeteF

    Minneapolis

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Hi, this was the first time we brought my Wife to Axel’s (Mendota) for Mother’s Day. My wife & family enjoyed everything. The Food was great & the service was great. Special thanks to Tricia, it seemed she was Their just at the right time, during our meal. Best Regards, The Felipe Family
    

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23. s

    stsimmermn

    Minneapolis

    9 reviews

    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall4food3service4ambience4

    Mother's Day Brunch. Prime rib was very good and portions were generous. Other offerings were mostly good, but not exceptional. Carrots on the mushroom dish were rubbery. Gravy for the biscuits was literally like thin soup. Cinnamon rolls came from the kitchen still raw in the middle. This one was remedied by our good waitress. So, several items not quite right is not what we expected for the $45 per head price tag. We enjoy meals here on "normal" days and they do a fine job.
    

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24. RY

    RexYeates

    Minneapolis

    5 reviews

    1.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall1food1service2ambience1

    Packed at capacity, empty food options in the buffet line on both attempts, prime rib that was so rare it was difficult to cut, extremely overdone potatoes, very minimal server interaction. We had empty water glasses for most of our meal. $200 with tip for 3 people. Not enjoyable on any level.
    

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25. D

    Davec1953

    Minneapolis

    47 reviews

    5.0

    47 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Pretty darn good buffet brunch for Mother's Day. Well organized and an ample supply of tasty food items.
    

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26. MN

    MNLibra

    Minneapolis

    4 reviews

    1.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1

    The Mother’s Day brunch was awful. Cold and poor quality food. They were also not replenishing the food. The roasted vegetables were raw. Some of the pastries were raw. They ran out of coffee cups. At $45 per person, I was expecting at least edible food. I will likely never return. I used to love this place.
    

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27. BH

    BruceH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    Excellent meal with personable staff. Would return anytime.
    

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28. CT

    CindyT

    Minneapolis

    6 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4

    Won’t go on prom night again but service was great once we got seated. Food excellent!
    

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29. MF

    MirF

    Minneapolis

    16 reviews

    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    I love dining at Axel's. The walleye dishes are consistently delicious and you get a lot of food in a meal. We appreciated the free dessert for my friend who was celebrating a special birthday. Our service is always attentive, friendly, and efficient. Axel's is always a favorite restaurant of ours. We also enjoy eating in their outdoor area and appreciate that there's plenty of parking.
    

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30. JC

    JimC

    Minneapolis

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Thank you for changing our seats to a booth where I had better lumbar support. I will request a booth in the future. Thanks so much!
    

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31. NM

    NandMandP

    Minneapolis

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 12, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Enjoyed the onion rings but would have preferred them to be more crispy. Same with the signature walleye - prefer the coating to be more crispy. The filet was good but again, more well done verus medium as requested. Enjoyed the nice and quiet atmosphere.
    

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32. MG

    MartinG

    Minneapolis

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    From the hot Pop Overs, yummy Clam Chowder Soup, Pecan Crusted Walleye, delightful char broiled Sirloin Steak, & finishing it all off with Carrot Cake. The whole express quite delightful. My 94 year old mother was extremely pleased. My wife was as well. A special thanks to our waitress Lexie for excellent service down to wrapping up all our leftovers and marking the boxes as to what was inside.
    

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33. AL

    AnneLouise

    Minneapolis

    34 reviews

    5.0

    34 reviews

    Dined on May 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    It’s always a treat to dine at Axel’s. A reward certificate was the nudge needed to make a mid-week dinner something to celebrate. Our server, Greta, was extraordinary, providing an even higher level of service that I’ve come to appreciate from Axel’s! The pasta and coconut shrimp entrees were delicious! Looking forward to returning soon!
    

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34. k

    karrla

    Minneapolis

    11 reviews

    1.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on May 11, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience3

    We were a party of 4 with reservations. I told them that we had hearing issues and one member of the party was immune compromised. We asked tp be seated in a quiter aera hopefully far from perople. They chose to seat us next to the dessert staging area and right next to the door to the adjoining room. There was not enough room for us to squeeze into our seats so we had to move chairs out and play "Tetrus" to get into out seats. Extremely cramped! Wait staff were constantly at the dessert station rattling plates, talking loudly to each other and dodging people going in and out of the adjoining room. We ordered our food and drinks. When disser was ready, the wairtrss slide my meal across the table to me as she had presented it to the wrong diner. I looked at my plate and it contained a BALL of meat. I had ordered the fillet mignon, medium rare. The BALL could not be cut with a steak knife no matter the angle. It took about 5 minutes to get the server's attention. She took the meat and ordered another steak cooked. In the meantime, we all were eating our food and noted that all the sides were decidedly luke warm. The baked potatoes could barely melt butter and the veggies were severely undercooked. My second steak arrived and it was raw inside but, you could cut it. By this time the other members of our party were done with their meals and I just passed on recooking the second steak. We ordered coffee with cream and were served luke warm coffee which the cream cooled to just tepid. Refills of coffee were also luke warm and no addition cream was brought to the table. Dessert was OK. The luke warm issue happened the last time we dined here and we were hoping it was a one time situation. Apparently is is the norm. Very, very disappointing evening accompanied by a less than skilled waitress and a manager that was clearly disinterested and commented that his cook had been cooking steaks for 23 years. He just could not understand it.
    

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35. WL

    WLD2013

    Indiana

    66 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    66 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    First time, but will definitely not be the last. Peggy was our server and she was excellent to work with. The appropriate amount of engagement mixed with the appropriate amount of letting us do our thing. The wedge was enormous and I got the half wedge. Totally one of the best that I have ever had. A good quality causal while intimate dining experience.
    

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36. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Minneapolis

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great spot to Dine with excellent service. Wedge salad is best in twin cities in our opinion.
    

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37. PJ

    PhilipJ

    Minneapolis

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on May 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Everything well done, as usual. Fun evening! Great wait staff and bar tenders!
    

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38. T

    Tess

    Minneapolis

    15 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on May 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Our server, Greta, was absolutely wonderful. Food was good, ambiance was good for private conversation. 4 of us , celebrating a birthday. Greta made us feel special and appreciated.
    

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39. N

    Nan36

    Minneapolis

    25 reviews

    4.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on May 1, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    We were a table of seven, so we were seated in the back room, which was perfect as there was only one other large group there and they were not noisy, so we could all hear each other and share in a joyful birthday celebration. Our waitress was very attentive and efficient. All in all, we had a very special dinner.
    

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40. S

    Sarah

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    1.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 29, 2023

    overall1food1service4ambience4

    Three of us ordered chicken wild rice soup. It came out cold. It wasn’t worth asking them to heat it up because the soup had hardly anything in it, pretty much broth. 2 of us ordered steak both of them came out way to raw. We sent them back and then they came out burnt on the outside and still to red on the inside. We have eaten there many times and it was great. This time just wasn’t good. Also they too the grilled chicken option off the menu.
    

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