Illinois Riverdock Restaurant, Hardin

I have been here a couple of times and this last Sunday we decided to go back. Before the portion size was huge making it worth the price. You could easily have three meals off of one dinner. This time around we were a bit more disappointed. My group had the fritters and I had the smoked chicken. They were both good, but we noticed the portion of the fritters were not as plentiful. We also ordered a slice of pie each to go. On our ticket it was the catfish and smoked chicken they were both 12.99 and our pie the rhubarb and lemon meringue. To drink there was water and a tea. The bill was over 36.00 - for two people. I ate some of the pie when I got home later and the filling - rhubarb - was ok. The crust looked great, but it tasted awful. It was totally inedible. If I had tasted it there, I would have sent it back. Also my mom and I got to talking, and we realized after we got home, they never put out their delicious bread. So we paid for food we never received. I am not putting all of that on Mel's we should have been more on our toes, but it is still not so great on their part. I don't know if it was an off day for pie and they are cutting back on the portions or what, but I don't know that we will be going back in the future. We have always been pleased before, but this really left a bad and disappointed taste in our mouth.

Made-to-order sweet potato chips w/ maple butter. Carrot cake by the slab. Killer pies (one of the few places to find gooseberry pie). One of my favorite stops when out birdwatching!

have the most amazing philly brisket sandwich and the best walleye around this area i give it 10 stars for food service and scenery

8 of us rode our BMW bikes there on May 2, 2010. My fellow riders told us that this place has the best brisket-we weren't disappointed. Service was outstanding (Sunday at lunch!). Would recommend this place to anyone who loves good food, generous portions and good service.

Have been to this restaurant many times and love the food. Hiowever, we were there on 9/13/09 and the service was absolutely terrible. We arrived at 12:55 P.M. and sat outside. It took well over an hour to get our order (a simple brisket sandwich, fries, and a dinner salad). The dinner salad wasn't brought with the sandwich and when someone did bring it, the dressing was wrong. We had to get our own silverware and napkins because no one bothered to bring those either. There was a manager there but she was sitting in the kitchen doing nothing. Generally, when there is a shortage of help, the manager puts an apron on to ensure things go smoothly. This wasn't the case. There were at least 3 other couples sitting outside who had the same problem we did. This restaurant is always crowded so I guess it won't hurt if they lose a customer or 2 but we won't be going back and we won't recommend it to anyone. This was the worst experience we have ever had at a restaurant.

If you're riding up the river on your motorcycle and need to go where all the other riders hang out, this is a great place. The food is outstanding, the portions are large, and the price is great. There is also an outdoor area to enjoy a refreshing adult beverage all while watching the boats cruise by on the river.

This place is my all time favorite. I drive from Collinsville IL to go eat there with my wife and family. Mel smokes his meats and he also cures his own meats as well. The portions are huge, and sometimes if you get lucky he will walk around the restaurant with free samples. He is famous for his Brisket! A great place for the family to dine.

One of my favorites. They smoke their own meat. The brisket and pork chops are so good and they have delicious fried chicken on Fridays. They have the best breakfast. Ask for the home made bread for toast.

One of the best parts about Mel's Illinois Riverdock Restaurant is taking friends who have never been. The place hums with activity; entertaining to see what everyone else is getting, threatening to sway my choice which is brisket and a sweet potatoe. Mel sometimes goes to each table with a sample platter of some tender, taste meat. The pies are beautiful, the portions BIG, and the cost reasonable.

The food is really good. The breakfast is really GREAT!! I have had the Ramp special which is quite a bit of food, or try the Waffles with Strawberries& Whipped Cream. Wow!!! The Pancakes are HUGE also!!! Pros: Plenty of great food selections. Cons: If really busy a bit of a wait.