Skol Woodfire Grill & Tavern

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  Schmitty Hummwell
a month ago
I stopped in on a Wednesday. 230ish.I was a little confused at first. A small quick service buffet. With the items bought alocart. (Reasonably priced meats)I did wait a bit for a server to notice me. She seemed confused that i wanted a table. I May have missed the seat yourself sign.I got an 8pc wing app.I really enjoyed them.(16 next time).Jessica was my actual server. As more tables showed up, her service was on point.I got the Brisket melt as my entree. (pictured) wasn't bad. But next time ill have the breakfast..

  Julie Holscher
a week ago
Not trying to be mean, just to be honest: don t eat here. The kids meals chicken was dry, grilled cheese sandwich overcooked and hard, husbands steak sandwich full of grizzle and bloody but he ordered medium well. We would have been better off picking the McDonald s. Weird you have to get up to refill your pop. Servers were nice. Just really overpriced for what it was and the quality of the food was bad. Sorry to leave your business a bad review. Hope you can improve since you re a busy rest stop/Tesla supercharging station.

  David Fendley
6 months ago
I got a to go plate. Fantastic meats there. The macaroni and cheese was really good too as well as the cheesy hasbrown casserole. It's nice to have ultra credit options other than the usual much appreciated

  I am Ghost
2 months ago
Very good food and very cheap! Full rack of ribs, a big piece of brisket, 2 regular sausage, one meatloaf and one beer batter fish with veggies, mashed potatoes,coleslaw ,3 decent glasses of wine 4.50 a piece...109 dollars.If this is not good, decent fresh meal , nice location, friendly staff , for 100 bucks...People in the area are very lucky to have access to such a restaurant.

  Carino Trucking LLC
2 months ago
Nice clean place and friendly staff willing to help you. Food is off the chart good. Very reasonably priced

  Zhip Phow
6 months ago
Scandinavia is very Cool, my Grandfather's Grandfather was nicknamed "Swede" (off the Boat) The food, atmos, and service is Wow. Their offerings Taste Great. Desserts are Exceptional. Was a cold day, fireplaces really were cozy. Skol is "Cheers"

  Chris Merillat
a month ago
The food isn't bad but it's not "great". But what amazed me was the server. First of all she's loud and doesn't give a patron a chance to speak. Additionally when I was interested in hearing about the desert menu I was told to get up and go look for myself. I ordered the chicken fried steak, mashed, and mixed vegetables. The mashed and mixed were pulled from the buffet line (which isn't completely bad but they weren't hot). Needless to say I skipped the desert menu item. And left the bare minimum tip. I am not sure if it's the server, the MGMT, or maybe loud bad servers are just the norm in Albert Lea. I ate in, off the menu, 12-1300 on Sun 3/03/24

  Rodney Russell
4 months ago
The only reason I put one star,is because no Stars or negative stars is not an option.Before the pandemic,it was a really good restaurant, but it sucks now!!!I realize they had to change because of the pandemic,but the pandemic is over now!!!You pretty much have to get your own food, and they expect you to tip them, for pretty much getting your own food!!That's plum ridiculous!!!They need to change it back to what it was before the pandemic!!!The food was a lot better, and so was the atmosphere.It's almost like a smorgasbord now.Not a good thing at all!!!I doubt that I will be back, unless I'm absolutely starving, and have to stop!!!

  Lovin Truckin
7 months ago
It was OK ...I got the steak sanmmich . As you can see it's a 7oz steak on top of 4 pieces of bread . The brussel sprouts were decent . You look at the place and expect more . I would eat here again but order something else . Just kinda disappointed .

  Zachery Somervell
2 months ago
Very good service. My issue relates to the inconsistencies in the steaks. My wife and I stopped to dine here and came away with a poor experience due to ordering the same thing, the 16 0z ribeye,.. we got 2 different cuts completely with one being severely undercooked and one full of grissel and fat.. almost unedible.. this place has so much as far as ambience etc but the food could be so much better..

  Armand Lattizori
3 weeks ago
I gave this place a 4, the ayce fish and shrimp was a 1 lol. I kind of knew better when I ordered, really nice menu great prices on drinks and food I'm just really bummed out I wasted my meal here on the fish and shrimp instead of a steak sandwich or the roasted meat. The shrimp are miniscule, tiny specs in a blob of batter, the fry oil was old and burnt that's all you taste, the fish was terrible and then it was overcooked what an awful meal. Nice people, great menu definitely stop in not sure if the beer battered Cod that sounds so good on the menu is the same but this was not that lol. All in all definitely stop in but if you get the ayce fish I told ya so.

  Wolfgang Esslinger
2 weeks ago
I've been eating here for a long time. And it has continuously gone downhill. And you can tell there's less people in less peopleWell, I got the 4 tacos. It cost me about twenty bucks and the only thing that was good out of it was the dr pepper I got 2 beef and 2 pork tacos. I could barely eat the beef, aint one of them? I could not even finish the pork taco. So bad everything smelt like soap and I. Drive a truck and it gave me diarrhea within minutes of getting back to the trucks. I barely made it inside. I don't know what it was, but now I'm having to take a modium. AD. To keep out of the bathroom. I'm sorry, but this is the last time I come here. This place has gone so far Downhill in the last 5 years. That it's not even worth coming. Used to have a lot and local people come here. I don't see anybody. It's what amounts to when I went in 5 o'clock and I set there till 6. And guess what? They're could've been a dozen people there when you looked at the buffet like thing they have for their meat. How can you have meat that kind of a bluish purple to to me? That looks like it's bad me and that's why I didn't get her off fair. I got it out of the kitchen. And I thought that would be better but I. I was sadly mistakenNow, as far as waitresses go, they don't come to your table and order. You have to get-up-and-go up to there and tell them what you want? Why they expect a tip? Why and then they give you a number and you go sit down at a table. What? Of course, it's not hard to find a table because there's only 2 or 3 people in the whole place.True, play, you would be much better to shut this. Place down and put something in here like a Denny's. Something that somebody will wait on people and service. Him used to I would come here because I had great stakes. Well, they don't even really have a steak on the menu. I'm sorry but it's no way that a 10 oz. Loring steak is worth $35. Not gonna happen but say the thing is that used to have good size stakes. Decent stakes 20 oz. Well I don't mind spending $50 for a good steak. That's a little bit expensive. But it has to be a good steak. They used to have em not any more

  Ricky Alan
2 years ago
This restaurant located within the 'Petro Trails Center' in Albert Lea is awesome. They have a unique serving method: For breakfast: You get your own drinks (bar drinks you order through the cashier), then look at the menu which is located at the table and place your order with the cashier. For dinner: Chipotle-style. I have to be honest and say this is some of the best Bar-b-que i have eaten. The brisket was tender and the sausage was juicy & flavorful. Have attended many Bar-b-que events around Kansas City and this guy could compete with the best if them. Very unique fire pit (pic). Highly recommend.

  Lee
5 months ago
Overall good food, good atmosphere. The service could be faster but it's consistent with a truck stop restaurant and you'll get piping hot, delicious items occasionally.The best part about this restaurant isn't even the food, it's the attached treasure trove of Minnesota trinkets and doodads in the connecting store. The fireplace is an amazing touch as well (especially when it's snowing! ).If you're looking for fast, this isn't for you, but the quality is better than that of McDonald's, Wendy's and Taco Bell which are all in fair proximity to this restaurant.

  Pam Masters
2 years ago
I had the best time here.. its connected to the travel center with local items n well everything u need.. now back to the restaurant. You seat yourself and grab your own soda, menu for skol and Ragnar both on table. You go up and order and I asked this awesome guy what was best on menu for sandwich and he suggested the dragon burger (he was right omg so good but u gotta love spice) I got a number to put on table and food was brought out. I also got the macaroni salad. My friend got bourbon smothered chicken and Brussel sprouts that she loved. The atmosphere was awesome, the details wow.. I mean I dont get out alot but I was totally excited over this place. Also being plus size im always happy with good seats besides the booths.

  Trukin8r
3 years ago
Completely disappointed! Waited over 3 minutes to be "seated" while several employees stood around seeming to do nothing. When someone did approach us they handed us uncoated used paper menus and told us to find our own seats.Entire menu is single items at full meal prices. Once you decide what you want to eat you walk up to the cash register to order and prepay. There are additional items available there that are not on the menu, making choices very confusing. What should have been a reasonably priced meal became very expensive paying for each item separately. Drinks are all self serve. So not only did we pay high prices we essentially went to a counter service restaurant. Eating steak from a paper plate is not fun.Food was hit and miss. Steaks and burgers were good. Meatloaf was cold. Mashed potatoes were more like cream soup and tasted quite bland. "Lightly seasoned steak" had no seasoning. Pulled pork was tough and dry. All in all a so-so meal at steak house prices.I have always like this iron skillet but this experience has turned me off completely. Maybe I'll try back in a year or two and see if they have gotten back to "normal". While all the staff were masked they missed the mark in my mind trying to respond to this virus.Next time I'll just grab a McDonald's burger and go.

  Robert Taylor
4 years ago
Good food most of the time, my waitress was very courteous, professional, and prompt. Others not so much. Salad bar was ok, lettuce was almost empty and what was left didn't look appetizing.. little pricey on the tri-tip steak, but was better than most of the truck stops I have been to.. store is clean, bathrooms too.. definitely worth stopping for.

  BS Productions
6 months ago
I was very happy with the food at the Skol Tavern. I ordered my food to go and it came out in about 15 minutes. I purchased the Dragon Burger which came with fries. The burger was very juicy, I d say the perfect amount with no extra juice getting my hands greasy etc. in addition the Dragon burger was seasoned perfectly and it had all sorts of toppings which made for an excellent taste. The fries were crispy and like no other fries that I ve ate before. I would definitely recommend this restaurant if you are in the area. If you re a truck driver this is the perfect place to get a hot meal.

  Red Harris
6 years ago
It was a comfort to have at a truck stop. With class. I even got custom drinks. Food was truck stop standard. But with drinks everything is good lol. Kinda small. Maybe the summer is better. Clients mostly drivers at bar. Lots of talking. Smoke on patio area..

  Jana Baker
4 months ago
Only giving one star as I have to wish I could give it negative. Gal that checked us out was rude when I asked about possible cross contamination with salmon due to a severe deathly allergies to salmon. Then food sucked the meatloaf tasted like alpo dog food and looked like it also. The mashed potatoes were cold as can be and not even fully cooked. The chicken breast was 99% bone and skin which adds to the price only had about two inches by one inch of meat and the Mac and cheese had no flavor and was ice cold, the roll was served ice cold. Corn bread didn't even taste like corn bread and was ice cold and no flavor. Paid $54 for a meal not worth two cents.

  Julio Ventura
a month ago
Always an great experience and service. The steak is always cooke to perfection, medium rare. Great drinks and good atmosphere. The service is always great.

  Ken Savage
3 months ago
Service was great, food is not as advertised.1/3 lb smashed burgers, you pay 4$ for the word smashed. My giant Kraken sandwich had one flavorless roma tomato slice per half. Drinks are not cheap, but the pour okay.Save your money. Run to Clearwater, go to Nelson's.

  Ellen
11 months ago
Husband and I stopped here and it was very good as usual. They have an all you can drink buffet with tea, coffee, pop, hot chocolate and lemonade. We were very happy with the service and I learned the difference between sausage and chorizo, lol. Prices aren't bad, either. Oh, and that Key Lime Bar was just as succulent as I was led to believe.

  Dima B
3 years ago
Well, I should of got a taco bell instead eating here. Got my self St.Lois half platter ribs and they were on a cold side also ordered parmesan something sprouts and they were burned. $14 just for a 5-6 ribs only itself is WAY overpriced. Ribs and sides $21. My plate was ready in like 2 minutes, it's impossible. No quality. No restaurant feeling at all. Self serve thing is whatever. It feels like give me your money and go away. I don't know if I'll get something to eat here again.

  Thomas E. Fagan
3 years ago
To call this a great meal is surprising in itself but to find such a restaurant at a truck stop is even more surprising. The meatloaf was excellent, the cornbread was sweet and comforting. This meal was so much like Homemade that i wanted seconds.It's not your normal sit-down and order restaurant. More like a deli. You can order as much as you're hungry for. Had a great meal! If you don't try this place out at least once you're a fool.

  Joe Graber
6 years ago
I feel like this place had all the infrastructure to be great... Emma up getting mediocre truck stop food with bland service. Ever get the feeling that someone thinks they're just knocking it out of the park but the impression is not rooted in reality.....BTW...I was here for over 2 hours. I watched many come and go... never once did I see a table get wiped down.

  Joel Blea
a year ago
Good hearty food. The fried chicken and mac-n-cheese are very delicious. Decent selection of beers. Nice Viking themed joint.

  DeAnn Peterson
3 weeks ago
It 4-2-24 at 5:30 pm went into restaurant to eat. Sat down started to look at menus that are on table. Not one person came to get our order. Sat for 25 minutes it wasn't anyone in there either. We left

  Todd Lowery
3 years ago
Very well appointed Viking tavern with fun and attentive barkeeps and wait staff. Grab a platter of flame kissed brisket, roast, and ribs and a nice side of seasoned veggies! Mmm...Plenty of local on-tap choices, and well stocked bar. Sizable outside fenced and covered patio with comfortable seating. Fun times and warm folks!!!

  Current Occupant
7 years ago
As a truck driver many times don't have options on where to eat, I am not a fan of Iron Skillet and avoid it when possible. This one would be the exception, the food was the best Iron Skillet I have ever had. Had the meat lovers omelette and it was so full of meat I couldn't eat it all. The gravy on the top is not like the gravy at other Iron Skillets which was really nice as they others have decided to put fennel in the gravy and it just runs the flavor of a sausage gravy, this one had no fennel. Will be returning here. Another positive is the park usually don't get full.