Well, I was stunned (stunned I say) that I hadn't reviewed the Blackhawk Steak Pit. Mostly because I thought I already had. This is a traditional steak house - with some differences. A big case showcasing their steaks. A wonderful salad bar. Texas toast fresh off the griddle as you sit down with your water. Solid service. A decent wine list (but go look at the bottles to the left of the salad bar - there are some decent off-wine list bottles available there!) We dropped in after church on a Saturday night. The place was busy, but not crazy busy - no reservation, they could seat us. Beware of Homecoming Week or Autumn on Parade - those events will likely require you to get reservations or wait a while. We were promptly seated, and within a few moments, the Texas Toast arrived, fresh off the grille. How fresh? It was too hot to pick up initially. That came with our water. We went over the menu, and the waitress provided the specials, both Prime Rib with Lobster Tail or 2 Shrimp. My wife selcted the Prime Rib with 2 Shrimp, and I went with the 10 ounce Filet Mignon (biggest filet in the area) and a baked potato. Also, they are now offering cheese curds, so we ordered those for an appetizer (although their Saganaki is darn good and FLAMING!) Since we were both going with red meat, I ordered a bottle of Frei Brothers Merlot (which was not on the wine list, but I saw a bottle in the rack next to the salad bar, so I tried it. The price point was great, and we ordered it! With our order in, we took a run at the salad bar. First off, the lettuce isn't ICEBERG (which you find at some places.) This had several varieties of lettuce and spinach and arugula mixed well. You can add in all sorts of extras, I went with a few pepperocinis, some onions, green peppers, mushrooms and blue cheese dressing, along with a small plate of beets to help improve my red blood count. They also have potato salad and macroni salad. The salad was excellent - everything was fresh, and just perfect. About the time we finished our salads, the cheese curds came out. They were good, and were served with a small dish of Ranch dressing. Right after we finished those, the main course came out. My filet was cooked to order (and if you want, you can go watch them cook your steak on the grille,) at medium rare, and was seasoned just right. Some places you have to hit the steak with salt or pepper - not here. Just perfect seasoning. My wife had their 16 ounce Prime Rib medium rare, and it was quite good. It was served with Au Jus and Shrimp Sauce for the shrimp. It was so big she took a good amount home. I should mention the baked potato - it was cooked properly, and the butter and sour cream blended well with it. See the pictures. Not sure where others are coming from with their reviews. I eat here regularly, and this is one of the better steak houses in the area. read more

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I've always said restaurants that turn their lights down super low tend to be just okay. Blackhawk is conveniently located across the Paddle Wheel Inn and after 3 visits, I finally caved and tried the place. The steak was okay, couldn't see much, even when I opened the blinds a bit to get a better look. They did have a salad bar to hold you over while your order is being made, but smelled a little funky, so I only tried a bit. They did have ketchup and A1 sauce for the steak, but disappeared after I used it once. The slice of cake was very flavorful and had a lot going on, so I saved it for a midnight snack. Felt it was a bit expensive for something I couldn't see, but if I didn't want to get into my rental, may swing by again. If anything, I'd go for the bar and try their drinks! read more

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Always great food and service. Nice comfortable dinner. Love the open salad bar. We have never been disappointed with anything at the steak pit! read more

The prices are extremely high considering the steaks were tough and the rice was dry. Though the steaks were tough they were done correctly and the flavor was great, just tough. The restaurant was very dark possibly too hide the dirty carpets in the dining room. The ladies room toilet wouldn't flush and the wall was dirty by the towel dispenser. The men's room the urinal was filthy. The restaurant and the restrooms had an identity crisis with the decor and why the gambling machines right by the bar? The prices are for fine dining but the run down restaurant is not fine dining experience. The outside was updated in the last 10-12yrs but the inside is stuck in the 80's. My husband said the mints at the door were great but not for $73 he and I spent before tip! read more

Blackhawk Steak Pit - Receipt - Steakhouses Near Me - Oregon, Illinois

This place overcharged for steaks that taste like they went to Walmart and bought them. The "salad bar" was pathetic. The lettuce was brown and wilted, most of the veggie toppings were empty and when I asked about it, I was told it was too close to closing to restock. The restaurant wasn't due to close for 45 minutes. So no, I would not recommend this place at all. read more

Great steaks. Open hearth grill. Owner visited our table and was charming. Decent menu. Reasonable steak prices. Wife liked the wine

Probably the worst steak I think I've ever had. Look nothing like the picture, and meat tasted like it was old and was sitting out for a while . My girlfriend had the fillet and did not taste like a filet at all and was overcooked . My ribeye was not seared and was cooked by what looked like an 18 year old kid wearing basketball shorts who obviously did not know how to cook a steak . The au gratin ​​​ potatoes I took one bite and they sat there the rest of the meal. And for two steaks and a gratin potatoes I think $105 is way overpriced . I seriously went to McDonald's afterwards . read more

We ordered one filet and one ribeye, neither were what was advertised. the filet was some other cut of steak, tough and grainy and not cut from a tenderloin. The ribeye was unrecognizable and we couldn't tell what it was. Shape and texture was wrong. Won't be back. read more

Great atmosphere food is delicious great friendly staff. What more can I say? I really enjoyed my visit and look forward to coming back for casual to formal dining experience. read more

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Nikko was an amazing server, and we came in after 8:30 on a Saturday night, however if I can't be given my order just say so. Both cuts came overcooked and I was very polite when sending back the order. Tiffany (I didn't know was the owner) offered to cook a porterhouse and... There is a reason this woman ownes a steakhouse!! It was everything I had bragged about from my first experience and more. Mad skills, mad talent, mad love. We will be back and send mine that way. In all the handling and saving with such flare and passion is almost as important as how on point that porterhouse was!!! Jes Harper​ read more

Wow!!!!! I would give 6 stars if I could. What an incredible meat restaurant in a small town. Recommended through a friend who comes tubing here. Soo much space both indoors and outdoors to sit and eat with friends. We ordered a few drinks, highly recommend the wine flight seen in the pictures, the flaming cheese, complimentary garlic bread, and then the steak! I don't think you can go wrong with any meat but we got the 36 oz steak to split three ways. We got amazing baked potatoes and broccoli as sides plus a lamb chop! Who would have thought you could get that as a side. Excellent! A friend got the rib eye and it was incredible. Honestly we almost came back the next day because it was so incredible. Planning another trip back to get this meal!!! read more

Blackhawk Steak Pit - Wine flight - Steakhouses Near Me - Oregon, Illinois

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Overpriced menu items and average tasting steaks. Salad bar was just ok. Our party of eight all felt the place is getting tired. We will explore other options. read more

We took our mother of 92 out to eat here when we were back in Town. She has mentioned lobster for years but Would never order it. This time we did. Tge Blackhawk steak pit is a supper club by the rock River. It's rather dark inside like most supper clubs. Service was great. They have a salad bar that was outstanding. We ordered prime rib chicken breast, and lobster. All were great except the chicken was over cooked but did have a great flavor. I would go back just for the salad bar. All employees were great. Service was outstanding. Prices were good too. read more

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The food was delicious and the restaurant was beautiful. The waiter was really sweet and professional, and very handsome. Thanks for a special anniversary for our 30 years read more

Amazing! Food is always fresh and delicious! They are great with my kids and make me my favorite scallop and asparagus even when it's not on special! We drive over an hour to come here! You will not be disappointed! read more

Always look forward to their garlic buttered bread, salad bar, dirty martini, and filet wrapped in bacon. The Frank Sinatra in the background helps in setting the ambiance. In my opinion, best local steak restaurant around. read more

The bartender was smart and knows how to make a real Old Fashioned. Good ambiance here. Need to come back and try the steaks , which are grilled in full view, in the middle of the restaurant. read more

I had the best pork chop of my life here. Well worth the price and drive. The server was very attentive and always checking on us.

The steak we ordered was over cooked , fatty and unedible , but the manager's customer service was the worst we've ever experienced. She gave horrible customer service in regards to the meal being unsatisfactory. Kudos to the waiter for trying to make things right though! We'd been going to the Steak Pit for 30 yrs . Never had that kind of bad food and service before. We'll never go back again. End of an era. read more

Not I was not impressed. The prime rib was way fatty. My father had the ribeye, and it was like warm. I will try it again, but I won't be in a rush. read more

Blackhawk Steak Pit - Prime rib with mushrooms - Steakhouses Near Me - Oregon, Illinois

Swong by for a great steak & baked potato, was not disappointed. Worth the drive out from m the city, great food, great service & great price from an Illinois legend of a place read more

Should have tried the flaming cheese. Now I am thousands of miles away and still thinking about it. Service was perfect. Salad bar had everything I liked. Quiet spot so we could whisper to each other. read more

My husband and i don't go out too often. We went to Blackhawk steak pit tonight (saturday) we've been here a few times and it was always excellent. Not tonight. We had prime rib that was disgusting ! We took it home for our dog. NEVER order prime rib there. Stick with the steaks. This was a HUGE disappointment !!!! Not worth the money We paid for sure. Maybe new owners ??? read more

One of the few places in this area or you can get a decent thick steak and a giant baked potato. It's not much of a vegetables place.

Had the NY strip steak and it was outstanding. I kinda thought after ordering that I would be taking a portion of the 16oz cut home... Nope. Ate the whole thing there. Awesome.... read more

Absolutely hands down the worst meal I have ever been served. 2 bacon wrapped filets were ordered. It's still a mystery as to what one of the steaks were. The other was a filet however there was this discussing gelatinous piece of something (I'm guessing it was suppose to be the bacon) under it. I ordered it with blue cheese and what I got was roughly a half cup of some type of salad dressing with blue cheese in it poured over the top . The mystery steak looked like a chopped steak no bacon over cooked thin and rectangular!! Service was slow the manager was rude and acted insulted when we returned our food. Such a shame, Oregon needs a nice steak house and this for sure is not it. read more

Will not go back. My husband and I both ordered 16oz top sirloin. Which is advertised on menu as a lean, juicy cut of meat. Far from it. Never had such a terrible sirloin. We both ordered medium. I could not even cut through my steak. My husband's was not much better. Very chewy. The server told me she would let the owner know who was cooking at the grill. Server came back and said owner would be over. We waited and she never came over. Server finally came back a 3rd time and asked me if I just wanted a new steak. We'll the 2nd one was not much better. Had a couple bites as could hardly chew it. We never did see or hear from the owner and we're charged the full price. We figured no bother in asking for owner as she couldn't even take a minute to come to the table to see what was wrong with the food. Also salad bar didn't even have cheese for salad and au gratin potatoes had no taste but I ate them as I had nothing else worth eating. Will not recommend to anyone. It's sad as this used to be a very good place to eat. read more

My husband and had a lovely dinner on a lovely patio during a lovely night. We were looking for a different steak house for an anniversary dinner and this one fit the bill! We arrived an hour before closing and enjoyed cocktails with a perfectly cooked steak and delectable lobster on a romantic outdoor garden style patio. I highly recommend the Loaded Bloody Mary, it is delicious! The staff was also incredibly friendly. They were very attentive but we never felt rushed. We plan to visit there again! read more

Great food and service! The owner is amazing and provides a dining experience best in the area!

The Hubs and I have a tradition of having a really great meal out after a long day of hiking and the Blackhawk Steak Pit did not disappoint. Excellent service by Jeremiah. The lamb chops were perfect with a nice seared crust. The sea bass special with a Cuban-tomato sauce was also great. Both meals came with salad bar, choice of potato or rice and also a veggie (though I don't recall the veggie part being listed on the menu). They also drop off a couple slices of thick Texas toast fresh off the grill with some garlic butter brushed on it after you are seated. Good stuff! It has a bit of an old-school supper club vibe to it but the decor is a mix of newer & older stuff - but it works. They seem to have a lot of local regulars and it was fun to hear the banter between them and they staff. You could dress up a bit to come here or come in jeans and a t-shirt like us and be just fine. read more

After not having much luck where I was staying in Freeport, I pulled out Yelp, and found this awesome steakhouse about 45 minutes away and so worth it... I ordered a 16oz Black Angus Ribeye, cooked to perfection (medium rare) and it was all I hoped for. Delicious Everyone was very courteous and pleasant especially my server Kristen. read more

Blackhawk Steak Pit - 16oz Blank Angus Ribeye - Steakhouses Near Me - Oregon, Illinois

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Awesome atmosphere super service and great steaks. The salad bar is a little crowded. Drinks were fair priced. Good quality food and a decent menu. read more

Food is fantastic very friendly staff. Taking a 2 year old with you is never Easy but the staff seem to always give a friendly smile and get a little laugh with toddlers. You won't be disappointed with any of the sides they offer and the steaks are tender and flavorful! read more

Two years ago my wife and I got married in polo IL and had our rehearsal dinner here. So incredibly pleased with the experience then, we decided for our two year anniversary we would spend the night down there and eat at the Blackhawk to celebrate. In times like these we were uncertain we would be able to. Luckily the pit was still open and using extra precautions to ensure and enjoyable yet safe meal. The food was amazing as usual and the service was extra special. When we sat down the waitress asked us if we were celebrating anything special. We mentioned our anniversary and went about our meal. Come time to leave we were surprised with the entire staff coming up to our table and sang happy anniversary to us and gave us a complimentary dessert. We absolutely loved this! Thank you. Everything was incredible from start to finish and I will absolutely continue to talk about and recommend this place! Thanks again for a memorable night! And I can assure you we will be back soon! read more

My Filet was cooke to perfection! Lighting is low for a nice setting! Service was great!

Would give zero stars if I could. This place is a health and safety hazard. Metal shards in appetizer, gray fatty steak, and rude staff. Manager insincere and just makes excuses for everything. Horrible experience. Do yourself a favor and don't risk going to this dump. Disgusting. Poor food. Even poorer service. Hopefully the low standards of this small town get better and this place closes down. read more

We went here this past weekend and it was overall decent. The steak was excellent!! Made more on the rare side when asked for medium but it was still very good. The sides however threw off the meal. The garlic cheesy mashed potatoes had a horrible texture / flavor. Wouldn't recommend them. It also sucked when they went over their specials but didn't include pricing... so for 2 of us we had a $110 meal because the special was $65. We knew we were paying for quality, but it would be more ethical to actually let your customers know pricing before they buy. Service was okay, they were pretty busy though so she tried her best to keep up with our table. I would go back if others wanted to but this wouldn't be my first option for steak in the area. read more

We were extremely disappointed in the food and service. It started with my husband's drink, he ordered a long island ice tea and it was horrible, he had to send it back and requested a Jack Daniels and Coke but was pushed to get another long island which was at least drinkable. Next the salad bar, there was only 4 items available, everything was depleted when we asked someone that worked there about it he kinda brushed us off saying "oh I guess it's a little low" when it was empty. Next we got our saganaki which was on the verge of being inedible, and every time we have had it "from neighborhood restaurants to Greek Town) it's always served with bread and here it's not. Next our entree's my husband got the bone in sirloin and I got the prime rib, we both ordered mid rare and they were over cooked, the prime rib was so over done it had no color it was beige, and over half was fat, I know prime rib is fatty but this was about 75% fat, and the only flavor was the fresh garlic and olive oil I requested to be put on top, that was awesome. After all the issues we encountered, we were worried about saying anything about it. We can say that the baked potato and the diet Pepsi were excellent. It seemed our server was drunk or on drugs, could hardly understand what she was saying. We should have known how it was going to be when we walked through the door and we were ignored for a minimum of 15 minutes to be seated and everyone kept looking at us and turned their heads, then when we were acknowledged we were asked if we had a reservation when the restaurant was over half empty. We did comment on the credit card receipt. McDonald's would have been better and way cheaper than the $100's waisted. read more

Fantastic atmosphere, quaint, dark, great background music...then, service was attentive, food delicious and entire staff worked as a team. Great to witness. Prime Rib was tender and delicious Filet Mignon was superb. Wish we lived closer, we'd make it a weekly stop. read more

Delicious food and great service we love this restaurant and we definitely will come back next year. I highly recommend giving it a try; the steaks are phenomenal. read more