Lisa K.
Yelp
The days are long past "an old Gem". The restaurant and gift shop are really old and quaint and historical. The cabins? Holy moly! Shabby is an understatement. Rustic is an understatement. Weird floor plans, bathroom with a door to everyone's room. Super small. Toilet against the wall in the corner and a super small kinda scary shower. Beds were comfy, our cabin (15) has three beds, two queens and one double.
We brought a little grill and planned on doing our own dinners. Unfortunately the Forest is in stage 2 Fire restrictions which means no open flames, charcoal, etc.,
As such, we had dinner at Jacobs Lake Inn, the only choice. The waiter and hostess were both super nice, couldn't have been more pleasant. Their menu is expensive with entrees ranging from 18$ to 30$. I close the NY steak which came out very well done despite ordering Medium Rare. Tasted ok- no complaints there but I expected a better steak for 28$. My daughter had the Jaeger Schnitzel which she really liked and our other companion had cheese tortellini. She also said it was good. Tough place to rate- historic, amazing service, only game in town, but just OK food. Overall, for them, it's like shooting fish in a barrel. If you want to eat, this is the place. It was very busy.
I guess my recommendation would be, come here, enjoy what it has and what is has been. My first visit here was almost 50 years ago. Still a fantastic gift shop. Gas station right next door.
Try the cookies- they are amazing! And, ask for a room in one of the cabins with new windows or the hotel rooms that are new.
To the owners: you are making a bunch of money, bite the bullet and make the renovations the rooms desperately need.