Mallards on the St. Croix

Still no change. Poorly run place. Consistently changing staff is an indicator of that. Bartender announced he was only a friend of the owners son, that’s how he got a job. Didn’t know anything. The fake Marlin above the bar was a nice touch. Won’t eat here. A cocktail every few years is enough for me.

My sweetie and I went here last Friday for our 15^th anniversary. While the place isn’t «swanky» what it lacked in décor was made up for in atmosphere, great food and a first rate wait-​staff. I have read other reviews which were negative but I cannot agree with them.
We got there early and started with a cocktail on the porch so we could look at the river. The server was attentive and when we let her know we were waiting for a reservation she checked on our table and then came and got us when it was ready and handed us off to our new servers. They were knowledgeable and we were given just the right amount of time to look over the menu. We ordered the Crab Stack appetizer which is stacked, fried green tomato slices with crab salad between and on top — Scrumptious! For dinner my wife had the Lobster Roll (which she raved about), and I had the Jambalaya which was one of the most wonderful dishes I have ever had. All of the meats (Shrimp, Andouille sausage and Chicken) were perfectly cooked. The sauce was flavorful and not too spicy (could have been more spicy for me) and the Risotto was absolutely the best I have had — creamy and perfectly done. The Mallard House salad was very good as well. We had the Pecan «something or other» desert (can’t remember the name) which was good but had 2 minor flaws — should have been served warm (it was ice cold) and the filling, while tasty, was «grainy» (like un-​melted sugar).
One side note: I had asked for a window table on my reservation since this was a special day but we were seated at a middle table, although it did have a nice view. I know that they cannot honor all special requests but it would have made the night extra nice. That was the only negative on the night.
I would have to say that if there were past issues with food quality or staff, the management must have listened to the reviews and corrected them. I would recommend this place and will be back.

There’s not a lot good I can say about this place. It’s because my head hasn’t stopped shaking at the experience.
My girlfriend and I came here for our weekly «date». We like to get together and go to places we’ve not been before and chat away the hours. She also had a coupon that was soon to expire.
Based on its location and menu, we were expecting top-​notch dining. Well, I guess we drove too far for that.
The crab cakes (laughingly described thusly) were these little, over crisp, not at all crabby things. Bennett’s makes a MUCH better crab cake, and it’s a bar! The «nachos» that were recommended to us cannot really be described as this other than it’s stuff on top of tortilla chips. It’s supposed to be jerk chicken. My girlfriend asked if there was fish or seafood present because nothing tasted like chicken to either of us. Whatever was the sauce they used, it overpowered everything.
For the mains, she ordered shrimp and grits (I warned her not to do it), and i thought that I would be safe with the cioppino. Well, the so-​called sauce on her dish took over everything and they had some weird little bacon jam-​like thing on the plate. It tasted burned. The «cioppino» comes out with risotto in it (I didn’t notice this on the menu — there’s no risotto or anything else in or around a cioppino), and a gigantic crab leg on top. I guess this was supposed to be visually stunning to someone. I’m not sure whom because I wasn’t impressed at all. Apparently, no one there knows what a cioppino is, or they gave in to some idiot who asked where the rice or potatoes was when he ordered it to impress some woman at the table. Cioppino is a fish and seafood dish that comes with toasted bread (crostini) with which you sop up the wonderful (if made right) broth. While the flavor of the broth wasn’t bad, I couldn’t get past the rice and the crab leg. I’ve eaten a lot of cioppino over the years and I’VE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE! I don’t understand what they were trying to do at all. The fish and seafood in it were overcooked, I might add.
We skipped dessert. There wasn’t anything that remotely tickled our fancy, though I felt a little temptation to try to key lime pie. The only reason for that is that I wanted to see if it might be palatable. I decided to spare my taste buds and be done for the night.
The location is probably beautiful when the weather’s nice. The restaurant is a little dark. If you’re there with someone who’s got difficulty seeing in the dark, have the flashlight app ready on your phone.

Had great carbonara with shrimp. Service was excellent, bread and salad to start. Salad was ordinary but bread was crusty and warm. A friend had shrimp and grits and said it was excellent. We are returning!

ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE! DO NOT GO TO THIS PLACE.
Food was the worst I have ever had anywhere. I would rather eat at Chipotle on a bad day. Not sure how the other people have rated this place with more than one star. All u can eat crap legs were the worst I HAVE EVER HAD. Brown lettuce salad, cold over cooked crab legs, clusters served with 1 leg on the knuckle and knuckles with no legs. Walleye sandwich was like masshed potatoes on a bun. Absolutely garbage and not to mention service matched the food. Anyone who rated this place with more than one star has obviously never eaten at a nice restaurant. This place needs to close up shop and start over. I will go out of my way to let anyone I know that hangs on or near the river to avoid this place like the plague. What a shit show. I would rather stay home and ramen or wiener water soup.

We had brunch at Mallards this last weekend. Service was quick and polite. There was quite a delay in getting our food but when it came it was prepared well and hot.
I ordered the breakfast burrito which as fabulous. Definitely order this!
BF ordered the biscuits and gravy. Gravy was great but he said the biscuits tasted like grocery store pop open rolls.
Décor is a little dated but it was great to sit in a sunny room right by the river.
We will most likely be back again.

I have always loved the location on the St Croix. The food especially seafood is very good. There is good music in summers and they have great values with happy hour and brunch. Sit outside for sure in summer.

Ok, so the first time I came here for dinner this summer, it didn’t work out so well… burnt oysters Rockefeller, over an hour wait times for food etc. NO one came to explain or keep us updated or anything. I talked to the manager and he did sincerely apologize, gave us a 30 $ gift card, and bought us desserts.
The reason I am giving this 3 stars this time (which could have been 4) is that we had the same server as last time. She was very unwelcoming, didn’t explain the nightly tasting menu like the other servers were doing right behind us and she forgot our appetizer. I was gracious about it, though because I’ll admit that I was very full without it.
The food was VERY good this time. I loved my starter side Caesar salad with homemade croutons and dressing. I ordered the Chilean Sea Bass topped with a lobster cream sauce. I would’ve wished for just a tad more of the lobster sauce but the fish (although petite portioned) was cooked PERFECTLY. It came with a very tasty wild mushroom risotto and asparagus. For a 30 $ plate, they should really specify that the asparagus was really a garnish of three very tiny stalks over the top of the fish.
My date ordered the seafood Cannelloni… it was the perfect mix of cheese and tender shrimp and lobster filling with a white and red sauce. It was to die for! (Yes we share!). I usually eat lower carb but I saved my carb intake allowance for our meals tonight. I would go back just to eat that cannelloni again as well!!!
Next time I’ll be back to try their «famous lobster roll» and maybe their ribeye and all you can eat crab on Thursday nights. It was worth giving it a second chance. Kudos to the manager for remembering who we were after only one visit and welcoming us back immediately, and promptly checking on us after a couple bites of our food.

Mallards has really stepped up their game!
Whether I have the delicious St Croix Burger, Kansa City Ribs or the sinful Lobster Mac and Cheese I am always impressed. Great ambiance and professional staff. Fun place with entertainment on weekends.

My wife and I took some friends from Boston to Mallards, via my boat, and used the courtesy dock. The drinks, dinner, OYSTERS, and service were Outstanding. We will be back.

Best meal of my life! And I eat out a lot! We have been coming to Mallard’s since it opened and the food has almost always been GOOD to VERY GOOD — tonight it was superb!!! I have had the Sea Bass with the red curry risotto twice but it is a little too sweet for me — I am a savory fan. So tonight I ordered the Sea Bass with roasted veggies and lemon caper sauce — out of this world delicious! The Sea Bass was cooked to perfection and the blending of the flavors was Devine! Lots of moaning! The mallard’s salad was perfectly dressed and wonderful as always but please I need 3, not 1, of those little goat cheese buttons! But back to the delicious — my Mojito was perfection! Keep up the good work David and family!

I’m updating my post. This was the one of the best restaurants on the St Croix. Everything you would order was delicious. We have been there a few times in the last month… service has gone down hill. The food is really changed. There are only a few things on the menu that I would recommend and even that I would say it cautiously. I don’t know what happened but PLEASE bring the old Mallards back! I’m giving it 2 stars because they still have some good food. I won’t say which ones because I don’t want them to change those too… that’s a hidden treasure

First off– the food is tasty. But the service is so bad it leaves a bad taste in your mouth. The dummy at the front desk must be related to the owner — I don’t know how he could have gotten the job otherwise. We waited forever for our food — I wish this place was better — the owner needs to train the staff better or find someone who can do it. I’ll try it again next year, but will skip the rest of the year. Hope they make it.

It is a very beautiful setting. I have been there several times and I love the scenery but the food is at best average. I believe they must not have a chef but only a fry cook. Too often they are out of their specials and they try to be too fancy and some of their basic sides such as their potato selection. You cannot even get a baked potato or regular mashed potatoes. They should hire a recognized chef and adding that to the beautiful scenic surroundings could make it a five star destination rather than a disappointing two star destination.

Beautiful restaurant and setting on the river. The service was okay and a little disappointing based on how busy it Was Not.
The food was great except for the gumbo but the food took forever to get. Appetizers came out with the main entrees, disappointing! I would come back but hope they step their game up.

If I could leave no stars, I would. Slow service. A family style brunch that came out like molasses in January and was either cold or dried out. Very disappointed we spent money on this meal!
Don’t bother having brunch it was awful. Never received fruit we ordered and when we asked for refills they never arrived.
We paid our bill and left.

Went here with a group of 8 last night. The server was very attentive and personable. I ordered the steak and Bleu cheese salad. It was good and steak was actually cooked medium how I asked for it. Some of it was chewy/​gristly though. The bread and butter they bring out is really good! Pretty sure we ate like 3 baguettes worth. My husband ordered the jambalaya and it was excellent! Everyone in the group seemed to enjoy their dishes. Will be back. Service was on point. Prices are decent.

This has quickly become a shinning star in my area of places to go for a decent bite and good drink in a fabulous friendly relaxing environment. This place is clearly run by a caring family and they have all stopped by my table on several occasions just to chat and make sure that the food and service lives up to my expectations.
I would recommend the walleye sandwich, ribs, prime rib, it has all been delicious – it is clear they have a chef in back.
There is often live music on the weekends and we have had some nice singer/​songwriter entertainment from Trandy Blue a local favorite and a jazzy piano singer that did old school classics. This adds to the experience. Good drinks too!

The quality of food was no where near the level you would expect it to be, for the prices they list.
We ordered an appetizer yet did not have time to enjoy it, as the salads were served within two minutes of receiving it. Our meals also followed quickly, as we had each only been able to take a few bites of our salads. This should be planned out better so people are actually able to enjoy their meal and not feel rushed.
The only flavor in seafood cannelloni was a hint of red pepper. Otherwise the cannelloni shells were hard and the filling was quite dry.
We went on a Friday night around 6 pm and the ambiance was not what we expected to be for an adults night out. Most of the tables had couples with their babies or children, so the place sounded like romper room.
We will not be returning.

This is solely on my dinner… not my companions… they were not as happy as I was.
If you come here and don’t order the St Croix Burger, you should be arrested and flogged. I would say it was two steps away from «life changing»…yeah I said almost life changing… it is that good. It has the trinity of great burgers:
Bun: check
Burger: check
Bacon: check
But it’s the other stuff that rules…
Cheddar cheese: check
Fried egg: check
Insanely tasty to die for garlic mayo: check
Upgrade to the fries (shoestring cut, just how I love them) from chips and you are in full understanding of why I had a permanent smile today.