Lee Ayers Jewelers

When we were first engaged and shopping for our wedding sets, this is the only jeweler that really treated us with respect. While the other stores looked at us, decided they wouldn't be making enough money off is, and went to help other customers, Lee was very nice, taught us a lot about diamonds, and helped us make a custom set. He was very pleasant to work with.

The Wellness Spa

I received a gift certificate to this spa for Mother's Day after months of whining. All the whining was worth it! I decided on a full-body scrub and massage with a steam canopy treatment. Massages are one of those things that you don't realize how badly you need one until you get one. I wouldn't schedule anything for after a steam canopy treatment because you SWEAT and you won't have any makeup, deodorant, etc. left on your body! The therapists are very considerate and put your comfort first. My skin felt softer than my baby's. I really left the spa feeling like a different person.

PROS: Great experience all-around.
CONS: Pricey...

Silver Coach

My husband and I went to Silver Coach a while ago for our wedding anniversary. The restaurant literally is a passenger train car converted into a restaurant. It is a neat idea, but that also means the size is very small, with literally about ten tables, so you need to make reservations well in advance. They have some quite fancy-dancy offerings, and the dishes we tried were quite delicious. The cost for the two of us to eat, including appetizer, was about $80, so it's kind of a "special occasion" place.

PROS: Interesting ambiance, good food.
CONS: Price, reservations.

Sentry World Golf Course

This is the cheaper, more realistic sister restaurant to The Restaurant. Being a Wisconsin lifer, I'm no stranger to a fish fry, and this is the best fish fry I came across while living in Stevens Point. If you are going on a Friday (Fish Fry Day of course,) be sure to make reservations. They're busy for a reason!

PROS: Great all you can eat fish fry!
CONS: Fridays are busy

Marvin's Restaurant

Marvin's is a great place if you're broke and you don't mind grease. Their food is pretty good, but their signature is putting garlic on everything, so if you're a vampire, you have to purposely tell them to hold the garlic. They also deliver, so you can let THEM pay for the gas!

PROS: Wide delivery area, friendly, cheap!
CONS: Will undo any calorie-restricted diet attempt.

El Mezcal

Our family lived in this area for over six years, and this restaurant was our absolute favorite since the first time we went! The food is deeelicious, generously-portioned, and affordable. The staff are very welcoming and treat you like a guest in their own home. If you go, have the Shrimp chimichanga. Or Pollo Loco, my absolute favorite. My husband always orders the fajitas. There is nothing better in the Stevens Point area!

PROS: Great taste and value!
CONS:

Tokyo Steak House

Tokyo Steak House is somewhat novel for our area of Wisconsin, the land of nottawholotta culture. You take what you'd like made into a stir-fry up to the chef, and take a number. Then you can watch them make it for you, or go sit at a table and wait. The food isn't anything spectacular, but it's a fun escape from cow country.

PROS: A new kind of dining experience.
CONS: Mediocre food.

Pagiacci Taverna

I don't know if "over-ego'ed" is a word, but if it was, this restaurant would be it. Someone in management got the idea that they should pretend they knew how to prepare duck and other "high class" food and slap a ridiculous price on it. Nothing on the menu is worth what they charge. For the price of one meal at The Restaurant, you could buy three meals at a restaurant you enjoy and still afford to go to a movie afterward.

PROS: At least they TRY to make fancy food.
CONS: They don't do it well, and they overcharge for it.

Chippewa Valley Flooring

The owner of this flooring store is a VERY nice man to work with. He has done all of the flooring in my parents' new home and has really actually WORKED with them to try to get them exactly what they want instead of handing them a book and expecting them to just pick something out. Another important point is that the level of service does not depend on your budget. This is who I am definitely going to have do the work on my own house!

PROS: Pleasant to work with, cares about service.
CONS: Not located within city limits.

S & C Bank

This bank was recommended to me by a family member when my family moved to this area. I should have found my own bank, or even better, a credit union. The closest branch to Chippewa Falls is about 20 minutes each way. There aren't even any no-fee ATM's within 20 miles, and nothing makes me madder than having to PAY money to GET my own money! I also had a lot of run-around with them trying to get my internet account access and debit cards set up. It ended up taking over two months to get online access, and they sent me three debit cards-all with my name and different expiration dates before I finally got one with my husband's name on it. Save yourself some headaches!

PROS:
CONS: Inconvenient locations, very few no-fee ATM's.