Foster’s is back up and running the way it was meant

Kevin and Bobbie Meistad thought they’d seen the last of running Foster’s Riverview Inn, at 24118 State Hwy. 178, just west and south of Cornell, but circumstances pulled them back in. The couple sold the supper club, after many successful years, in early 2024, to another husband/ wife team, but the change didn’t go as planned. Going from a packed house to no cars in the parking lot, the new operators had trouble making a-go of the place and to attempt to stay afloat, they started selling off items inside the restaurant. “They sold a lot of our stuff,” said Bobbie. In fact, that’s how the Meistads regained possession of the property, after Kevin noticed on Marketplace, that Foster’s equipment was being sold. He informed the couple that those items were not theirs to sell, but that was countered with that the business had been sold to them, to do what they wished with it. However, that amount was not paid in full and Kevin informed them the sheriff would pay them a visit. The other couple packed up and moved out, and the payments stopped, giving the Meistads the business back by default. “We were hesitant, at first, what we were going to do,” said Kevin. A main concern, was staffing, but they needn’t have worried. Once word got out the Meistads had retaken control of the supper club, former employees contacted them, saying they would come back on board. A few new employees were hired and Foster’s was back in business. “It’s just working,” said Kevin. “We have such a good staff.” The place is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with the bar opening at 4:30 p.m. Serving starts at 5 p.m., until 8 p.m., Thursday, and until 9 p.m., the other two days. “We went back to our old basic menu,” said Kevin. That consists of burgers, appetizers, pizza and the good old Wisconsin supper club offerings of haddock, walleye and steaks. “We are selling a ton of ribeyes,” said Kevin. “I attribute that to buying some of the meat we can buy.” Kevin has also changed how he cooks ribs and the recipe he uses, which has led to them selling out multiple weeks in a row. On request from their customers, Foster’s has also brought back the popular salad bar option, much to everyone’s satisfaction. “I like a salad bar,” said Bobbie. Reservations are recommended and those with reserved times/seats will be served first, while a bigger group should reserve as much as a week in advance. Foster’s can also do private parties and gatherings, and is kept busy with their traveling catering option. To reserve a table, call 715-239-6611, or to book Kevin for catering, email fosters.catering@yahoo. com. All of Foster’s regular customers have come back, along with a great many new ones, which Kevin thinks comes from not just the excellent food, but also the attention to customer service and trying to be as obliging as possible. “It is what your customers want,” said Kevin. “You do your best to give them what you can.”