
SALEM LAKES, Wis. — This Friday marks what would have been the eighth anniversary of a new chapter in the history of the Wilmot Stage Stop. On January 2, 2018, Chad Cantwell and his longtime partner, Ali Marchel, took over one of the most historic and beloved restaurants in southeastern Wisconsin — a business that began feeding travelers back in 1848 and has served generations of customers ever since.

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48 Responses
Being the historic SE Wisconsin establishment this is, it’s heartbreaking.
The OVERPRICED, SUB PAR food that is slung at you, is DISGRACEFUL!
Those that think a pound of butter, a 10 cent potato and a wirery steak with a decomposed salad, are excellent; deserve what they get!
If you think a potato cost 10 cents you are a fucking moron
40 cents
Then you can start adding in the costs to prep and cook it, condiments served with it, it’s portion of the business it is being served in which in this case includes 2/3 of a square footage that do not produce direct income, and you can see how the cost of a meal add up. No sense being bitter if you can’t afford to eat there, look in the mirror and blame the person in charge of your wallet.
Minimum wage for the staff and ketchup s not alot
10 lbs for $3.00 at Aldi .30 a pound. One potato @ a weight of half pound comes out to .15 a potato give or take. S
Aldi PotatoHead for that comparison
No one cares. This is why 99 percent of you think a good steak is fucking Texas Roadhouse.
Sounds like you’re still mad about the election? Get a grip, The food was always top notch under Chad and Ali leadership. The staff was also top notch and Chef James was the best.
Be honest when did you eat there last?
That person likely eats Hungry Man TV dinners and doesn’t know what good food is!
Chef James is great and Chad is one of the best owners I have ever worked for
The haters are out in full force, smearing and criticizing because they didn’t like Chad’s struggles with the old, Power-Hungry Fire Chief Lecar and Steve the Inspector. So many Village officials sacrificed so much for what? The so-called right to mess with a business owner? Chad wasn’t having it; he was a true patriot. He fought back against the system trying to crush him. He was a great business owner who treated anyone with respect if they treated him the same. Ali has done a fantastic job carrying on the tradition they built together. I’m not sure where this is headed, but I hope it’s not driven by greed. We all know Ali is now the Stage Stop, continuing what she and Chad worked so hard to create. I pray for a quick compromise; the patrons deserve it. Long Live the Stage Stop!!!
I just had a ribeye steak dinner there last month and it was excellent.
Ted….we all know that it is you commenting. Sorry, but I like to take my restaurant reviews from someone whose kid isn’t in prison, isn’t a drug using lawyer, and hasn’t been raided by a SWAT team. Your judgment unfortunately just seems not to be the best 🤷♂️
P.S.- I would check on your brother Don if I were you. Last I heard he was thinking about jerking off to dismembered bodies😳
If you were smart you’d just lay low and shut the fuck up. You have the luck of the Irish it seems. Nevertheless, if you persist in your ways, I look forward to reading more articles about you. Happy New Year Teddy!
Asshole
But not inaccurate.
Hi Ted, thanks for calling me an asshole. Now we have confirmation it was you 📸
Its the Best steak in the area, wtf you talking about
Tube steak
This is a great restaurant, what are you talking about? If you want McDonald’s go there
I agree, it’s gone downhill over the past several years. It’s a fraction of what it was back in the very early 2000’s. The ambiance is nice, but doesn’t make up for the decline in food quality. Better to drive to The Steakout or Five O’Clock Steakhouse.
Hopefully it reopens with some quality improvements, especially since today is the Corner House’s last day and the supper club scene is getting smaller, locally.
The Corner House…..There was a time it was fantastic rather than mediocre and overpriced. Like Racine.
Good riddance.
All of these comments are hilarious.
Firstly, I’m female and NOT some weirdo Ted guy. Lol
Secondly, I absolutely stand by my comment and OPINION of this “excellent steakhouse”. You people wouldn’t know a classic, high-end steakhouse if it hit you in the GD face!!
Thirdly, I’m NOT liberal, and I don’t eat hungry man’s, and I’m NOT disappointed in the last election.
Sorry to disappoint. I don’t have an “ax to grind” with the deceased owner, nor his girlfriend. The change of ownership over the last 20yrs and the constant “dark cloud” is worrisome, at best.
We’ve eaten here multiple times, and the quality and “the bar” has been lowered over time. PERIOD.
Well if you actually aren’t Ted then that changes the situation. That means you’re just a miserable bitch! I’m guessing Jesus himself could cook you a ribeye and you’d say it was just ok
Dear Oh…
Your aggressive and derogatory response to a female about a random restaurant, speaks way more about you, than it does about me.
Be better, unlike Stage Stop.
Kaaarrreeennnnnn
Classic high-end steakhouse, where have you had these 5-star steaks? Sounds like just another hit job because Ted is your neighbor. Obviously, if you’ve eaten there multiple times, they must have done something right. Just another confused comment. But thanks for the confusion.
I pray everything works out well for Ali and she is not screwed over by Chad’s family. We Love the food and would hate to see it close. I’m sure Chad would want it to continue and thrive.
Ted….we all know that it is you commenting. Sorry, but I like to take my restaurant reviews from someone whose kid isn’t in prison, isn’t a drug using lawyer, and hasn’t been raided by a SWAT team. Your judgment unfortunately just seems not to be the best 🤷♂️
P.S.- I would check on your brother Don if I were you. Last I heard he was thinking about jerking off to dismembered bodies😳
If you were smart you’d just lay low and shut the fuck up. You have the luck of the Irish it seems. Nevertheless, if you persist in your ways, I look forward to reading more articles about you. Happy New Year Teddy!
All best wishes that it can be worked out to reward all who have invested so much of themselves in it. The community loves you, and no doubt, the civil courts are standing by.
Well, when you actually own the joint, u can choose to close it…. whether its temporary or not.. can’t wait to hear the future interview, comments .
Chad passed all too soon.
Unfortunately, we didn’t dine there often as the menu was kind of limited. Still, sad to see it closed.
Let’s hope the Stage Stop management issues are resolved equitably and they can get back to the business of butter bombing those potatoes and grilling those steaks. It was the first local history museum I ever visited and seeing it made me appreciate the comfy bed and room I slept in as a child.
I’m sorry I’m late to all this what happen to the owner I hope all is well . I have not been there in year always a great place to eat.
Did you read the article? He took the time to write the equivalent of two full pages, and you are asking what happened?
This is a wonderful institution, and I hope they can get it going again. Kind of sounds like Chad’s family is trying to muscle in on what he and Ali did together. I hope she can make a go of it. My husband and I love the place!
Ali, ran a fabulous restaurant, She was a hard worker and set a professional and welcoming example for customers, Please stop with rumors, she has been through a lot and doesn’t need any false accusations .
I LOVE STAGE STOP & have through many years & many owners. I do agree the service is rushed, even when I specifically say, please don’t rush me but the food is simple & delicious. I’m truly saddened but hearing conflicting reports about the future & hope to hear the truth soon.
I know from good employees forced out by Ali that she can be petty.
A family run restaurant will only last as long as the family does.
Hopefully there are some young neices or nephews to take the reigns or the business can be sold to new blood.
I fear a closing may end any grandfathered safety exemptions and make reopening uneconomical. The Fire Department wants safety at the cost of closing down a business. It has not burnt down in the last 100 years, leave it alone.
Your comment is full of innuendo. Now you’re acting like an HR representative for the public, giving a one-sided story on employment issues. You also claim to be an expert in building codes and the grandfathering of businesses. You have no idea what you’re talking about, so please stop with the unnecessary comments. My fear you will make another comment.
Happy New Year- hopefully, the Stage Stop opens soon.
It has never been the same since the Hackett family sold it. Started going there in the 1960’s with my parents.
I remember those days; times change as we do. The smoke-filled rooms, the overly rich massive portions of butter, and the amazing food made eating out feel like a special treat, those moments will always be missed. I’ve eaten at the SS many times, and while I can’t say it was better back then, I have fond memories of my family and me treating ourselves to dinner. I believe Chad and Ali have carried on that tradition with the same passion, and I personally think the Stage Stop is just as good as before, it’s just that the times have changed.
Another going the way of Ray Radigans
That’s who they should bring in- Rays daughter