Plenty of Food and Drinks to Go Around
By Heather Rule
Wadena boasts a variety of restaurants in town for visitors and residents to enjoy. From baked goods to burgers, Mexican cuisine to beer, there’s a taste of something for everyone.
“It’s great for the community,” said Tina Bartels, Executive Director of the Wadena Area Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a great variety of offerings. You don’t have to go out of town to find a good selection of restaurants.”
Drastic Measures Brewing
This bar and brewery features an extensive tap list, plus wood-fired pizza, nachos, smashburgers, appetizers, soups, salads, and chicken wings. Drastic Measures also offers non-alcoholic beverages. The brewery, located at 101 Jefferson Street South, hosts trivia nights, Taco Tuesdays, and bingo nights.
El Mariachi Authentic Mexican Restaurant
Stop by El Mariachi Authentic Mexican Restaurant at 647 Jefferson Street North for an extensive menu featuring delicious, authentic Mexican cuisine.
Fresh Freeze
This seasonal ice cream shop is a great place to cool down with a sweet treat. Fresh Freeze, located at 303 Jefferson Street North, features ice cream and quick bites, including the classics– burgers, fries, and cheese nuggets. Customers can enjoy their snacks in the outdoor seating area.
Oma’s Restaurant and Bakery
Oma’s offers authentic German food, breads, and pastries. Annette Schmidlin established the family business by selling a variety of breads–sourdough, European peasant, whole wheat, country, and bacon bread–at surrounding farmers’ markets. Oma’s opened its first storefront in 2017 and moved to a bigger space in 2020 at 10 Aldrich Avenue. It has since expanded the menu to include authentic German dishes like schnitzel, bratwurst, goulash, geschnetzeltes, quiches, and salad platters.
Sonny Bar & Restaurant
Sonny Bar & Restaurant serves Vietnamese and American food and beverages, with a nail salon and spa upstairs. The restaurant is doing renovations and refreshing in early 2026, but will be reopened in the near future with a new menu of fresh, bold, and delightful surprises. Sonny’s offers bingo, karaoke, and DJ nights. It’s located at 114 Jefferson Street South.
The Uptown
This sports bar downtown at 224 Jefferson Street South serves American and Mexican meals for lunch and dinner. The family-owned and operated Uptown offers more than 15 unique burger choices.
