Weekly recommendation
Hey midwesterners, welcome back to the weekly recommendation.
Every week, we’ll dive into a restaurant recommendation in detail. My experience, information about the place, and things you should know before going.
This week’s pick:
Showboat Saloon
Alright, friends - this one’s from our family pit stop in the Dells. A bunch of people told me, “Showboat has some of the best wings in Wisconsin,” so I pulled up with my wife and our two tiny tornadoes to see what’s real.
Quick heads-up: there’s a door that does not open. Don’t be me. Use the double doors on the other side unless you enjoy looking dumb in public.
Inside vibe? Classic Wisconsin bar: stage, good bar, darts, pool table, and a little area for kids. We took over that corner because…yeah, toddler life.
They’ve got your standard bar menu, plus a bunch of flatbreads and a full wing section. Standout deals from my visit: half-off wings on Tuesdays & Thursdays and $2 Miller High Lifes. Let’s eat.
Wing Rating - The 6 Point Rating System
1) The Look
Big wings. Saucy gloss. Not as much char as I usually want, but they looked like a good time.
Score: 8.0/10
2) The Sauciness
My first flavor (Spicy Honey Garlic) was good but I wanted more sauce and a little more pop. The Buffalo, though? Nailed it.
Score: 8.0/10
3) Flavor Selection
Menu’s got a healthy mix (Buffalo, honey/garlic vibes, etc.). Not 37 flavors wild, but enough variety to make decisions hard.
Score: 8.1/10
4) Crunch-to-Meat Ratio
Wings are pretty big, which I like. With the lighter saucing on my first batch and not much char, the crunch wasn’t the star, but the meatiness was solid. Still a decent crunch though.
Score: 7.7/10
5) The Taste
Hot Buffalo slapped.. legit flavor. Spicy Honey Garlic needed more oomph, but still decent. Overall bite was enjoyable.
Score: 7.7/10
6) The Vibe
Live-show bar energy, games, easy hang, and a kid nook so parents can breathe for 3 minutes. That’s a win.
Score: 7.8/10
Overall from my visit: 7.8/10
(I waffled in the moment — “8.1? 7.9?” — but final answer is a clean 7.8.)
Our food
What We Ordered
Spicy Honey Garlic wings – Good, just needed more sauce and more flavor punch.
Hot Buffalo wings – Really good. Great sauce flavor.
Pizza (wife + kid) – “It was okay.” No drama, no fireworks.
Kid note: one of mine was throwing a full-body fit mid-meal but he’s cute, so we let him stay.
Lets talk money
The Pricing
They run half-off wings on Tuesdays & Thursdays and $2 Miller High Lifes. Outside of that, the wings are overpriced but I think it’s because it’s in the Dells. If you want to stretch the dollar, those half-price nights are the play.
Overall thoughts
Need-to-Know Tips
Use the double doors. Trust me.
Go with Buffalo if you like heat + flavor. It’s the winner.
Ask for extra sauce on the sweeter flavors if you want that louder bite.
Family-friendly corner exists; show up early if you’ve got kids.
Great Dells add-on if you’re in town for waterparks and want a laid-back bar with legit wings.
Should you go?
If you want big wings, a strong Buffalo, bar games, live-bar vibes, and a spot that welcomes families without eye-rolls - yes. I’ll swing back anytime we’re in the Dells.
Final Take: Showboat is a 7.8/10 wing stop with a fun atmosphere and a Buffalo sauce that over-delivers. Grab the deal nights, bring friends (or kids), and don’t overthink it.
