🍽️ What to Order

Recommendations based on quality, value, and visitor feedback

Item Price
Friday Fish Fry (Cod or Walleye)
Beer-battered fillets with rye bread, tartar, slaw, and choice of potato. The local yardstick for fish fry night.
 $17.99
Crispy Catfish Basket
Cornmeal-crusted catfish, fries, lemon, and house tartar. A consistent crowd-pleaser.
 $16.49
Great River Walleye
Lightly breaded or broiled walleye with seasonal sides—simple, fresh, and generous.
 $19.99
Huck’s Classic Burger
1/3‑lb grilled beef, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, pickle; add bacon or fried onions to taste.
 $13.49
Perch Plate
Wisconsin-style perch, golden-fried with slaw and rye—nostalgic, salty, and crisp.
 $18.99
App Sampler to Share
A rotating mix like cheese curds, onion rings, and wings—ideal with river views.
 $12.99

What Diners Rave About

Fried Fish Wins
Regulars call the catfish and cod some of the best in town—flaky, well-seasoned, and consistently crisp. Presentation is casual; flavor carries the day.
Friday Tradition
The Friday fish fry is the move for value and freshness. Order earlier in the evening—popular platters can sell out on packed nights.
Dog-Friendly Deck
Leashed pups are welcome outside, and staff are known to bring water bowls. Ask for a rail seat with space so tails don’t clip the service lanes.
Boat-Up Dining
Arrive by river and tie up at the marina slips when space allows. The unwritten rule: buy something and tip the dockhand $1–5 for help with lines.
Reservations & Waits
Reservations are accepted, useful for groups. On summer weekends, expect 20–45 minute waits for prime patio tables around sunset.
Delivery Option
Prefer the view from home? Delivery is available—handy on stormy nights or when the deck is slammed.
Dietary Flex
Ask for grilled/unbreaded fish, skip the bun on burgers, and lean on salads for a lighter or gluten-conscious plate. Staff can flag common allergens on request.
Pay & Tips
Major cards are typically accepted; bring small bills for dockhand and patio cash tips. Standard 15–20% service range applies.

✨ The Experience

🌅
On the Water
Expect a lively, boat‑watching crowd with west‑facing sunsets over the Mississippi. Most visitors praise attentive, friendly servers—especially outdoors with dogs—though the host stand can feel overwhelmed during rushes.
🧭
Getting There
It’s a flat 6–12 minute walk from downtown via the riverfront path; the Amtrak Empire Builder stops in La Crosse for rail travelers. Rideshare drop-offs work best at Riverside Park or the Marina Drive turnaround to avoid congestion.
📆
Best Timing
For the money shot, arrive 45–60 minutes before sunset June–August to snag a rail seat. If you prefer conversation, aim for weekday lunch or early dinner; weekends after 7:30 pm tilt bar‑scene loud.
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How It Works
Inside is classic table service; the deck/tiki area can lean bar‑ordering when slammed. Want faster food and refills? Sit near the interior bar; choose rail seating outside for the views and a more relaxed pace.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Do they take reservations for the patio?
Yes—reservations are accepted and are smart for groups. Outdoor rail seats are highly sought after and often seated first‑come during peak hours, so arrive early around sunset if you’re set on a specific patio view.
Can I bring my dog?
Leashed dogs are welcome on the outdoor deck. Staff are pet‑friendly and often bring water on hot days; keep pups tucked out of server pathways and be mindful of the river’s edge.
Can I arrive by boat? What should I know?
Yes—there are first‑come marina slips for patrons. Tie securely, limit your stay to a meal, and tip the dockhand who helps with lines; overnight docking isn’t typical, and space fills quickly on sunny weekends.

📖 About Huck Finn's On the Water

Set along La Crosse’s marina at 129 Marina Dr, Huck Finn’s On the Water leans into the Mississippi River spirit—boats pulling up to the slips, sunsets blazing over the bluffs, and a menu built for easygoing waterfront meals.

The concept fits the neighborhood’s shift from working riverfront to recreation hub, with a broad deck, tiki vibes in summer, and a compact interior that hums on stormy days.

It’s become a warm‑weather anchor for locals: a meet‑up before cruises on the La Crosse Queen, a family stop after the park, and a casual stage for regional bands when the evenings turn golden.

Food-wise, it celebrates upper‑Midwest comfort—fried perch and walleye, crisp catfish, and burgers that pair naturally with a cold local draft.

Today, Huck Finn’s is less about white‑tablecloth polish and more about river life done right: friendly service, unfussy plates that taste great, and the best seat in town for sunset.

🛡️ Area Intelligence

Walkability & Crowds

Walk Score 6/100 citywide suggests driving for most errands, but the riverwalk makes this pocket very strollable from downtown hotels. Expect dense foot traffic on summer evenings and during riverfront events.

Area Demographics

La Crosse counts about 52,680 residents (≈139,000 metro), a compact college town anchored by UW–La Crosse. The mix skews outdoorsy and casual, with strong summertime visitor flow along the river.

Traffic & Timing

Summer weekends around sunset are the crunch period—plan to arrive 30–60 minutes early. Weekday lunches are breezy; shoulder seasons thin crowds but shorten hours.

Tourism Patterns

Peak season runs May–September, with spikes during festivals and university milestones. Saturdays late afternoon into evening see the highest riverwalk traffic and longest waits.