Walk into The Barn and watch servers weave between candlelit tables carrying oval platters piled high with Friday fish fry. The dining room hums with conversation bouncing off exposed wooden beams while the bar turns out cocktails in steady rhythm. This is supper club territory, where the salad bar takes center stage and portions come sized for farmhands.

The walleye arrives golden and substantial, crispy coating giving way to flaky white fish beneath. Bluegill makes occasional appearances on the specials board—a rarity worth ordering when spotted. The kitchen sends out seafood with confidence, from stuffed salmon rolls to simple grilled preparations that let freshness shine through.

Saturday brings prime rib to the cutting board, though results vary from perfectly pink centers to cuts that lean toward roast beef territory. The chopped steak satisfies when paired with candied yams, while barbecued ribs emerge tender from their sauce bath. Beef preparations show capability but lack the consistency of their aquatic counterparts.

That legendary salad bar anchors many meals here, drawing diners back with its spread of fresh vegetables, homemade soups, and classic accompaniments. Fresh rolls arrive warm with real butter, setting the stage for hearty portions to follow. The vegetable beef soup alone merits the trip to the salad station.

Old Fashioneds flow amber from the bar, though the cocktail program plays supporting role rather than star. Service moves with practiced efficiency, keeping drinks filled and plates moving without intrusion.

Dessert offerings include homemade cheesecake that caps birthdays and special occasions memorably. The kitchen's strengths lie in generous portions of familiar favorites rather than culinary innovation, executed in a setting where candles flicker and time slows down.

The Barn delivers what supper club faithful seek—a rustic retreat where the salad bar reigns supreme and plates arrive heaping. While beef dishes could benefit from more consistent execution, the overall experience captures why these institutions endure across Wisconsin's countryside.