We were passing through and found this amazing gem. First, the outdoor seating was perfect. The waitress was on the spot. The fish fry walleye and potato pancakes were the best I've had. Everything that came out of the kitchen looked amazing! read more

Cafe 20 - Fish Fry Friday walleye and potato pancakes! - American Near Me - Marengo, Illinois

The Walleye is so awesome and you have to order their homemade potato pancakes I highly recommend giving the fish fry a try Oh did I mention it's All you can eat ! read more

Always had great service. Staff is always friendly. Food is very good haven't had anything bad so far. Great place to eat.

Ordered a beer with my lunch. I let it sit a moment to let the foam top die down. See the photo. All I ask, is fill it up. read more

Cafe 20 - What was left after the foam died down. - American Near Me - Marengo, Illinois

We stopped in on a whim Thursday night 20 minutes before closing and had THE BEST RIBS and broasted chicken dinner! Our server Anna was so personable and really treated us great. We will definitely be back. With gas prices so high, we are going to be exploring more in-town options and Cafe 20 is adorable, cozy, and a MUST if you are dining in Marengo. read more

Great food. Nice atmosphere. Service is super. They still have a burger named the Yum Burger as a nice throwback to the original restaurant in that location named the Yum Yum. It was a great hangout for the highschoolers across the street. read more

**Good Service, Decent Food, But Expected More** We stopped by Café 20 in Marengo after a busy day for a quick dinner. I decided on the Saturday night broasted 4-piece chicken special, while my wife had the chicken wrap with waffle fries. The service was very good, but the food was just decent--we were hoping for a bit more in terms of flavor. Overall, not a bad stop, but it didn't quite live up to our expectations. read more

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Wow! Marengo has an amazing hidden gem in Cafe 20! You can't really say that it is "off the beaten path," because it is right on Highway 20 in Marengo. Our Thursday meal was the AYCE broasted chicken! Chloe was our server and she was exceptional! The food was equally excellent! They start you off with soup or salad. We had the soup, me with the loaded potato soup and my wife with the chicken noodle! We shared with one another and all I can say is OMG!!! Maybe the best soups in McHenry County! Then for the main course: 4 chicken pieces (breast, wing, drumstick and thigh) that were cooked to perfection, slaw (just the way I like it-- slightly creamy without out too much mayo flavor, which I dislike), and a side. We had green beans and a baked potato. The potato was baked perfectly and the green beans were generously heaped on the plate. Again, they were substantial enough that we shared them and both enjoyed both sides! Once you're ready, you can order more chicken and specify the pieces that you want. We shared one more chicken breast because the meal was amazing and filling! Prices were super reasonable!!!!!! We'll be back again for the Thursday special but also want to try the other daily specials and the wood fired pizza! It looked wonderful! My only complaint is that Cafe 20 is not on the eastern half of the county where we live! Oh well!! It is surprisingly easy to get to Marengo! Congratulations, Cafe 20! You're 5-stars with me!!! read more

Wow! Food is incredible. I only had a cheeseburger with waffle fries, but it's the most substantial burger I've ever had in my life. And the bun is good too! Any burger lover knows that matters. My waitress (Alexx) was so sweet. She made my chocolate milk look like a milkshake because they don't have milkshakes here and I was counting on one after a long day on the farm. Ambiance is standard American Diner vibes, like something you'd find off Route 66. I'll be back! read more

Cafe 20 - American Near Me - Marengo, Illinois

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We ordered for a family gathering. They catered ribs, broasted chicken and the Bavarian pretzels. Everything was fantastic and tasted fresh! The chicken was crispy and my family couldn't stop raving about it. They were so accommodating and helpful throughout the ordering process. Cafe 20 has not disappointed! read more

Everything is good. Make sure you get the potato pancakes with whatever you're ordering! they also have wood stone fired pizza

Stopped here on a whim, and we're glad we did!!! Service was excellent, food was fresh & tasty. Big portions and fairly priced! We will not hesitate to stop here again! I didn't get a pic of the hubby's walleye sandwich it it was insane! Huge piece of walleye folded on the bun with lettuce, tomato and tartar sauce. He kept raving about how it was so good & was glad we stopped here! read more

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The Amblance is cozy. The service is excellent and the food is outstanding. You can't get a salad anywhere else than the ones you get from here. Everything us delicious. No complaints. The waitresses are kind snd friendly. ​By fair tge best resturant in the area. Even the owner is friendly look​ read more

Cafe 20 is one of the best restaurants around . The broasted chicken is the best I've ever had. Pasta dishes are excellent. Soups are homemade. Service is excellent, a no frills restaurant with great food. read more

This place has decent food, insane portions, and alright cocktails. My boyfriend loved their steak and raves about how the outside gets a nice char while the interior is the perfect rareness. I love that entrees come with the option or soup or salad (and the side salad is no joke!). They have some nicer bourbons and a fairly generous pour. Service was friendly and fast. We were in and out on a Saturday night in under an hour at prime time and didn't have to wait for a table. read more

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The food is great! Especially the waffle fries & rueben sandwich. The waitress was great (sorry I forgot her name, working 8/10 afternoon) and the drinks were very tasty--I had a bloody mary :) I highly recommend this place!! read more

I heard how good the food was here, listening to talk radio station WRMN 1410AM in Elgin, Il. So I stopped by for lunch today, the service was friendly and professional (Natalya), the food was tasty (Rueben with waffle fries), the place was very clean and quiet. Highly recommended. Five stars... read more

Best Oktoberfest in the Midwest. Always love seeing Johnny Wagner and his band. The food is also some of the best in the area. read more

I have been here a few times. The good is good, larger menu with plenty of options for everyone in our group.

This is a hidden gem. The wait staff was fabulous and the food was TOP notch. We will be back. Thanks for a great evening!!!

Dinner on a Saturday night and was not disappointed. Great food and a small restaurant had the partial feel is a Wisconsin supper club and a downstate cafe. Portions were plentiful and the service spot on and it made a great choice for a simple date night. read more

I have been coming here for years. Great fish fry, best steaks around. Fantastic sandwich choices and my wife loves the broasted chicken Small, but comfortable setting. You may have to wait, but worth it read more

So very, very good!!! Super generous cut of Saturday's Special, Prime Rib with wonderful house made horseradish sauce.....2X baked potatoes, green beans and soup or salad (HUGE!) Best Prime Rib for many miles. Service is friendly, efficient and attention is paid to everyone, even as the restaurant gets busy and people are waiting for seats. Lovely bar area with high-tops and bar seating. This is really our top go-to restaurant in the area for dinner. read more

Cafe 20 - Saturday Night Prime Rib Special-1 - American Near Me - Marengo, Illinois

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This is a great gem/find south Marengo. When you walk in it evokes a cool, cozy contemporary living room type feel with low countertop and small barstools of another era, however, it blends that with a true Italian style wood fire pizza, oven, and a nicely appointed zone with an Irish bar in the corner. What a nice surprise! Friendly staff, and good service, neat lighting and atmosphere. Went there on a super snowy day and had buffalo chicken sandwich, which was large and delicious! Even came with the appropriate, small Heinz, ketchup bottles, which was a nice touch. I'll be back and bringing friends. read more

We were looking for a different place eat, somewhere we hadn't been to before. Did a little online searching for outside of Rockford. I looked at several different places in Marengo and after looking at the menus we decided to give Cafe 20 a try. Just like it says on the website, it was worth the drive. Arrived about 5:00 on a Thursday, only a few tables occupied so there was no wait. We started off with a big pretzel with beer cheese, came out quickly and was hot and delicious. We ordered and cheese pizza and a Portobello mushroom sandwich, both were served quickly and no complaints for either of us. Service was excellent and we never had wait or wonder where our server was at. We will be back. read more

Great food, great service, if you are looking for a nice sit down restaurant this is where to go

Overall: A decent stop on the road for some humble food, but don't expect anything special. The good: Friendly service. lots of options, at least in terms of traditional food. bar atmosphere but it's not overwhelming or loud. firewood oven. cheap prices. local feel. The bad: the food was just mediocre. the ground steak was essentially a huge burger patty, and it wasn't great. Atmosphere: 6/10 Service: 8/10 Food: 6/10 read more

Cafe 20 - Blt! - American Near Me - Marengo, Illinois

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We checked with the hostess/server at 5:30 on a Friday night. Right before the rush. We sat outside to have a cocktail before we were seated. Busy street but it was a beautiful night and we didn't mind the traffic. My husband ordered the AYCE fish. You could mix and match Fried Cod and Fried Walleye. He had two of each and they do not disappoint. I ordered the Caprese Salad with New York Strip. It was not what I expected but it was phenomenal. Way more food than I could eat. Great taste, I will definitely order again. They were busy and the service was friendly and quick. Would recommend Cafe 20 to anyone driving thru Marengo read more

Cafe 20 - Caprese Salad with New York Strip - American Near Me - Marengo, Illinois

Always enjoy Cafe20 We go during the week for a break and to support our local restaurant businesses. I've brought family from out-of-town and they always look forward to dining here. Laid back atmosphere, great food, and excellent wait staff makes for an enjoyable time together. read more

First off, we had a reservation for a "good table." The "good table" they gave us was in the busiest walkway of the restaurant. That didn't make me very happy but we were allowed to move to a better table after we asked. The ribeye that I ordered medium was very well done when I got it. In fact, it was burnt. The service was terrible. Our server was MIA for the majority of the time we were there and we had to get other servers to help us. The booth was very rickety and uncomfortable. The floors are filthy and need a deep cleaning. Actually, the entire place could use a good cleaning. read more

Very Rude service over priced food in a cramped Dirty hole in the wall the servers seem Just as miserable as the cooks read more

Food is excellent and portions are huge. Best chicken fingers ever and the best tasting Patty Melts.

I enjoy it here. My favorites are their ribs and their Fettuccine Alfredo! Little bit pricy. Staff is nice.

Food is a bit pricey, but its good. A lot of different options and I love that the bartender is very knowledgeable and can work with you on making the drink you want even if they have to substitute ingredients. The setting is a lot nicer than youd imagine from the outside. The staff is also very friendly. Id definitely recommend going, especially on pay day lol. read more

Went multiple times and loved it. But then one day we ordered cheese fries and received the order with a giant hair with like blueish fuzz on it or something. It almost looked moldy. They did not replace it and would not give us a refund nor a discount on our check which we thought was pretty unfair. Have not been back. Pretty disappointed! read more

Last night was the second time I have had to wait over an hour for our dinner. First time we were eating there and when it finally came, we had to have it boxed up to go. We had an appt to be at. Last night, I called in the order and was told 25-30mins. When I got there, it wasn't ready. Waited another 30mins before it was finally ready. This whole time sitting and waiting, bartender never asked if I would like something while I waited. Top make matters worse, the food wasn't that good. Fish was okay, fries went in the garbage. Will be staying away from there. read more

Consistently delicious food with a menu broad enough so that anyone will find something that appeals to their palate. Service is always provided by friendly, knowledgeable servers who make you feel comfortable and welcome. John is the gracious host of this establishment and almost always on premises. We LOVE their salads, soups and chopped steak! Their Friday fish fry is absolutely the best in a 20 mile radius with Cod or Walleye that's sooooooo tasty. I almost hate to post this and create larger crowds as there's already a large, loyal, local following, but the place deserves recognition. read more

I love this place. Great selection of food, friendly service. Mac n cheese is out of this world! The Puttanesca Pasta is my personal favorite. Living in Marengo I usually have to drive 20-30 minutes to get anything, but Cafe 20 is 3 minutes from my house! Convenient AND great taste? Can't beat that! read more

This is a great little joint most of the time. It fills up fast so make sure you come early. The staff has always been great. The food is sometimes a hit or a miss. I came in for the fish fry and it was extremely salty ( please note :that this is the first time this has ever happened, but it burned the throat it was so bad, it was both the cod and walleye). That being said I've had the walleye sandwich on a normal day and that has always been good. I've had the salmon great flavor and delicious. The rosé gnocchi is rich and indulgent, a must for a cold winter day. The broasted chicken is delicious too. If you like German food I highly recommend going when they have their German specials ( the schnitzel and bratwurst sampler were very good. The chopped steak is a must try too, very good with mashed potatoes. Unfortunately the vegetable sandwich needs some work, it's overly greasy and some of the vegetables need to be cooked longer. read more

I would have never expected such amazing food from a small, unassuming restaurant in Marengo, but there is no denying that the food here is phenomenal! I have been on two occasions: on the first I had the best mac and cheese I have ever had (which I do not say lightly!) and the second time I had the best portobello burger I have ever had. I cannot wait to go back and see what else they have to offer! read more