It's been many years since I have been able to dine here and came with several relatives. It was Friday and Lent so they had several fish specials and the regular menu. All of the food seems to be homemade and very good. I ordered the breaded pork tenderloin sandwich and it was delicious, best I've had in a long time. Prices are very reasonable and the service was great. It a pretty remote location but worth the drive. Situated on the famous Spoon River. read more

Bernadotte Cafe - Homemade Breaded Pork Tenderloin sandwich - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Ipava, Illinois

We had a large family gathering there for dinner. We were given our own room. The wait staff was accommodating and very welcoming. The food was served family style and it was excellent. read more

Came over on a Sunday -Great Food, Great Service - very nice screened in back dining area .

They were out of the fish we wanted. Had no idea how to make a Bloody Mary. Service was ok. Place was dismal and a little eerie. Before other customers showed up, felt like the Deliverance setting. Kinda spooky. Maybe it was an off night for them, but not impressed at all. read more

Second review. This time around they had a brunch special going on, so I got the biscuits and gravy with a side of bacon. I actually ended up eating everything on my plate, which never happens when I go out to eat. Everything was great. The bacon was real and not that reheated precooked stuff and the biscuits and gravy weren't bland like I'm used to having at local diners, it was delicious. Dad got his usual fried fish order and what he didn't eat, he took home with him. The hummingbirds are always fun to watch, which is good since you can't do much else...absolutely zero cell service down here. read more

Bernadotte Cafe - Biscuit and gravy with a side of bacon during their brunch special - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Ipava, Illinois

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Yes, the service is slower than fast food. The cafe is in a small township with a small staff and a large demand, so be prepared to rest, relax, and enjoy some of the best fried foods in the Midwest! In my 66 years (and a Southerner by birth), I can honestly say I have never had better fried chicken than I did last night at the Bernadotte Cafe. My wife's fried fish looked amazing, with a cornmeal breading. Unfortunately, I waited too long to ask for a taste. Save room for the homemade pies and desserts too. We shared a fresh, strawberry shortcake that was to die for! Just be sure to bring cash or a check. They do not accept credit or debit. read more

Just disappointing.. the location is so scenic off the beaten path.. greeted with a big hello and then our server was missing for 10 minutes. Finally, our order was taken.. table of four.. 2 couples (Dutch treat). They had a shrimp special.. we had tenderloins with onion rings and the onion rings were so greasy and with hint of fish. Tenderloin was great! If you read any of my reviews you know I judge a restaurant by its coffee and this was the usual watery version that most cafes serve.. just don't know why an extra scoop or two would make it more robust. I have suggested I would pay extra for a Keurig cup of coffee. Hard to give 3 stars, but truthfully I won't be back.. read more

Best place for Buffalo! These ladies know how to cook! Also they have the best salads around! This is one of my favorite places to eat in the area! Down home atmosphere and good food!! read more

Bernadotte Cafe - Fried Buffalo with potato salad and baked beans! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Ipava, Illinois

We waited and waited for our food. Another table came and sat down after us. The woman at that table also looked uncomfortable as they were done eating and said to me "I think they forgot about you." We hate to go searching for someone to bring our food. Had to go up and wait for someone to figure out our check. I wouldn't have given a tip but my husband is too nice. He only gave 15%. Too much as I'm concerned. read more

Stopped at this cafe while passing thru. I had the baked chicken special and it was good. The chicken was tender and the sides were good. They only take cash because there is no service around that area. Glad I had a little cash on me! Only thing I didnt love was our waitress and that's only because she rarely checked on us and could have used a smile. But overall a nice little place to check out! read more

1st time visit and will definitely go back. Great waitress , great food and was nice visiting with neighboring tables !!

Pretty good food at decent prices. I would say that there really aren't enough waitresses/waiters here for the crowd that the place brings in. Yes, the fried chicken does take a while to cook. At least you know it hasn't been sitting under a heat lamp. The chicken strips are homemade, so you can always get those if you don't feel like waiting that long. The place is really very good for this little village. Expect to talk to your friends while you are waiting because there isn't much, if any cell service in the cafe. :) read more

When we are in the Macomb area, we try to include Bernadotte Cafe in one of our visits, especially when the hummingbirds are around! Absolutely love the down-home casual setting, the food is so consistently good, the waitresses are so kind and attentive - and we always walk out smiling! A little spot tucked away for a special trip - enjoy it immensely! Just visited 05-26-2018, and the baked chicken and homemade dressing was the bomb!!! read more

A friendly cafe tucked away in the tiny village of Bernadotte Il. along the Spoon river. Nothing fancy but they serve decent food, with decent prices, and pretty good homemade pies. After dining take a stroll through the adjacent community park to watch the water cascade over the old dam (worth the time). read more

Love this little hometown spot! Wonderful service, down to earth atmosphere and some very unique humming bird presence that makes everything that much more enjoyable! Highly recommend! read more

Cute little place along the Spoon River and its downhill from there. Recommended by an acquaintance who eats out every Sunday. Walked in with two others one Sunday and was greeted with "you need menus"?...no Im a mind reader I thought to my self. Place is almost full but we get a table right away. Coffee comes right up but I wanted ice tea with lemon and lots of ice. Ice tea comes up almost warm and little ice and no lemon. Shes gone in a second. Comes back a few minutes later and barks out "breakfast is gonna be 30 minutes so I suggest you get the special" - no clue what that is so as we wait in silence she points at the board. I asked for fried chicken..."at LEAST 35 minute wait" she barks out. I ask if we could start with breaded mushrooms while we look over the menu..."out" she barks. How about onion rings..."out". I asked for a glass of ice and my lemon while I try to zero in on something they can actually prepare...back comes the ice and no lemon. WTF. Never again... read more