Off the Rail

Wonderful baked goods and great sandwiches.
Follow the rules of engagement closely.

So delicious. I’m only here for the summer, but come often to order sandwiches and drinks! They have limited seating, but if you come at a non rush hour time you’ll be able to sit for a quick bite. I definitely recommend coming here for anyone that likes fun, original sandwiches and interesting coffee drinks.

We picked up some sandwiches and salad for lunch. It took a little while for the food to be prepared during the lunch rush. Food was overall good, but the price seemed a little high for what we got. Chicken salad was especially tasty.

Outstanding place to meet a friend for lunch. They are very efficient, even when they are busy so don’t hesitate when you see lots of people. It’s because it’s a great place to be. Thank you to the staff for making Off the Rail an enjoyable and tasty place for lunch.

Family operated gem with great sandwiches and killer homemade soups. The Thai curry chicken soup is fantastic.
Don’t expect Chicago or New York deli speed — the staff is mostly local kids – but the good food and friendly vibe make it worth the wait.

A charming little stop in Elkhart Lake for a breakfast bagel/​sandwich and a coffee or tea. We stopped early in the morning and they were not yet busy. The place is quite small and I don’t think I’d care to be there during the peak of the tourism season. Very enjoyable atmosphere during my quiet visit. I enjoyed the chai tea which had a nice creamy froth on top. I find myself a big eater if you will. I had the «commuter» which is a sour dough bread, egg, bacon & cheese sandwich. Not my typical breakfast but it was a pleasant meal, prepared well. The staff were very friendly and it’s a nice location to sit back and people watch.

Echo other reviewers: adorable, a gem, family friendly (they have coloring books and games for kids along with a great kids menu), and excellent food. The menu may not look terribly special but everything is perfectly executed. Friendly service and just a fun place to be. We’ve been known to go for both breakfast and lunch when staying in Elkhart Lake.

The best morning coffee and commuter morning commuter sandwich. Off the Rail is a gem.

What a delightful little place! Great food and coffee, especially if you’re looking to escape boring hotel food. Get the cinnamon roll… it’s sinful!

Heard this small place had the best food in all of Elkhart Lake. We were not disappointed. A thoughtful and flavorful menu delighted our group for lunch in the first come first served campaign for a table. Counter service and a brash gentleman yelling names while food running not withstanding, I’ll be back.

What an adorable little breakfast/​brunch spot in Elkhart Lake!
What an adorable (only) breakfast/​brunch spot in Elkhart Lake!
(It’s cool though, the town’s not that big.)
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Off the rail (s), literally: I think this place was an old train station back in the day? Anyways, now it’s an adorable little café with affordable eats, coffee, sweets, and more.
The staff is super friendly and the place seems popular. Get in line, peruse the menu, order, get a number, and park it inside or outside on the patio… they’ll bring it to you! Pour your own coffee/​water while you wait. Admire the kitsch and the history adorning the walls. Play one of their many board games, read the paper, play on the internet, or just take a breath and relax.
There’s also an adorable (albeit somewhat pricy) gift shop connected in the same building.
In a nutshell: Off the Rail’s great for a casual breakfast or lunch. It’s within walking distance of everything, because Elkhart Lake is pretty dang tiny.
(… albeit adorable.)

Very friendly place. The food and drinks are GREAT & TASTEFUL! Great looking place and environment. Very chill place. Completed our trip! Please come and check it out!!!

Love coming here every summer: friendly, lively staff, fabulous service, love the outdoor patio & order the flying Scotsman!

In line at 11:10. Ordered at 11:16 after the lady took multiple calls. Denied breakfast after 11:15. And reminded later with a «see wasn’t that better than breakfast?»
No. No it wasn’t.

Cute, local coffee shop that serves up some delicious homemade pastries, sandwiches, and other goodies. Great coffee too, and a friendly, relaxing vibe! We ordered a bunch of different sandwiches and pastries, and enjoyed every single one. We took the Kettle Moraine scenic drive up from Kettle Moraine north, and wound our way up to Elkhart to have brunch here. I will be back!

I like visiting Coffee Shops throughout the world, and this was not any different. I liked the location, it was a very natural location in the heart of the city. The staff was great, and the selection of the various types of coffee drinks AND phenomenal bakery products was a big hit.
I got a standard cup of coffee, and overall i think it was a good experience. Would recommend this place for visitors.

Best Bagel I’ve Had!
I was up in Kiel, WI on business and stumbled upon this place by accident… so glad I did! The wait was a good 30 minutes, which I don’t think is a bad thing at all… It lets you know it’s a good joint! The breakfasts are amazing! I ordered «Flying Scotsman Bagel», which comes with Smoked Salmon, cream cheese, capers, onion and cucumber… what a treat! This was by far the best breakfast bagel I’ve ever had. I would highly recommend Off The Rail!

If you are anywhere near this place and are hungry, you must stop!
The complex in which the restaurant resides seemed to be a grain elevator along with its support buildings, providing a quaint «farm to table» connection for its businesses. Having been lovingly resorted to a three business facility, the complex now houses a must see up-​scale grocery store, a gift store with many diverse offerings and the Off the Rail.
Off the Rail is the perfect stop for breakfast and lunch. Amazing baked goods, grilled sandwiches and homemade soups and salads provide child and adult many options. The kids menu contains items named for various Thomas the Tank Engine characters.
Our family frequently stays at the nearby Osthoff Resort and has visited Off the Rail many times. We love this place!

I would definitely recommend this place for breakfast. They have excellent coffee and smoothies and have some great breakfast quiche and strata. The service was excellent, and the staff was very friendly.

This place rocks my world. I live in Los Angeles and came out to see family for two weeks. I might have spent more te here than with my family.
For breakfast the flying Scotsman bagel is the best breakfast in town. It had capers in the cream cheese on a every thing bagel layered with smoked salmon cucumber and onion.
For lunch the chicken salad sandwich is killer but you have to try the freight train. It is on sourdough with turkey, cheese, bacon, onion, sprouts, tomato, smothered with a creamy horseradish sauce that the girls making the sandwich called horsey.
As far as coffee and teas go this place shines. They make there own roast and there fall specials are playfully and delish.
I never thought I would get a better cup of joe and sandwich in this small town that I could not get in the monster city of Los Angeles.