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Diver Down

4.4 (42 reviews)
InexpensiveSteakhouses, Bars, American
Open • 12:00 pm - 10:00 PM

Diver Down Photos

DIVER DOWN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Outdoor seating
Good for kids

Recommended Reviews - Diver Down

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Reviews With Photos

Pepper Jack triangles
Alyssa R.

Friendly service! The pepper jack triangles were the star of the show, good flavor and amazing breading. I personally didn't enjoy the catfish. The cuts of fish were very small with bland breading. The slaw had an over-powering onion flavor, and the wedge potatoes didn't have any crunch. It was a very fun and vibrant restaurant with a bar on the other side.

Burger
Jessica M.

Giving it a 4/5 because there's nothing else in the area. Quaint, great local folks working. Bar seemed nice, had a pool table. Food was average & inexpensive, cheese triangles were great.

a person holding a bottle of beer
Shari B.

I was pretty excited to try this divey bar when we were in Southern IL. We had the fried pickles, steak sandwich and catfish fillet sandwich. The portion size of the fried pickles was huge, but unfortunately the seasoning was way too salty. It didn't help that the pickles were slices so that meant even more salty breading to pickle ratio. The steak sandwich was a bit greasy. The fish sandwich was just ok. I had it with cheddar cheese, and I don't think I've had to complain about this before, but there was too much cheese, lol. The fried okra was very good. The okra seemed fresh and the batter was much lighter.

The back wall of the bar

Cool bar/restaurant! I stopped in & ordered a mushroom Swiss burger with fries & a corona. Burger came out as a double smash burger style. Everything tasted good! Place has some cool decor. A fish tank & a pool table. Service was friendly & order was timely & prices were good.

a plate of fried chicken on a table
Stephanie T.

Delicious and generous portions . We had the fried mushrooms- they are huge! I also had the farmhouse burger and sweet potato fries. All of it was amazing. Great service too! Highly recommend.

The bar side, across from the family dining side
Karen B.

Phenomenonal food!!! Fun and funky nautical bar vibes, incredible catfish and mustard sauce, the freshest salad, and amazing fried okra. Warm and friendly staff and a pool table, can't be beat! Road tripping from California, and found this gem hiking in the Shawnee National forest.

Yum! All you can eat on Friday night!
Caroline C.

We're back for the second night in a row after a day on the trails. Awesome catfish and all the fixings. Tasty fried mushrooms. Quaint atmosphere, delicious food, country music, and the friendliest folks around. As a native southern Illinoisan now residing in the city, I love coming back to discover gems like this. Just one more reason to visit sweet little Golconda! You won't be disappointed!

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8 months ago

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7 months ago

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6 months ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

Service was great. Good burger, good Pati-melt. Excellent onion rings. Baked potato and veggie's were wonderful.

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4 years ago

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3 years ago

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

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3 years ago

By far the best bar food I've ever had. Unreal fried cheese, patty melt, and cheap beer

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3 years ago

Best food ever !! The cooks bartenders and staff are phenomenal, not to mention the owner is amazing !!

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3 years ago

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7 years ago

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9 years ago

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4 years ago

Cute place sweet staff and there mix drinks are to die for. Door was good and loved the decore

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6 years ago

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4 years ago

The cook must have had an off night because everything including the vegetables were way over salted. Service was great though.

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10 years ago

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6 years ago

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9 years ago

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9 years ago

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9 years ago

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7 years ago

Great food and service. Nice beer selection, including local brews. An oasis after a long drive!

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7 years ago

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10 years ago

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5 years ago

Good food and great homemade pie! We ate here twice - the staff were super friendly, the decor is cute, and the food was excellent.

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9 years ago

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8 years ago

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12 years ago

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7 years ago

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11 years ago

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Driftwood Lounge - Ribeye done right.

Driftwood Lounge

(24 reviews)

I walked into Driftwood Lounge expecting a full on dive bar experience, and they delivered. This is…read morenot the place to go if you are looking for mood lighting, artisanal coasters, or a bartender who calls you "sir" unironically. And honestly it works. The locals greeted me like I'd just come back from a long trip instead of walking in for the first time. Either they're incredibly friendly or they thought I needed supervision. Either way, solid welcome. Service was minimal in the best possible way. No hovering, life story, or unnecessary check-ins. Just quick, friendly, and efficient, like they understood I came to eat, not start a long term relationship. Now here's where things take a turn: the food has no business being this good. I ordered the Southside Supreme Pizza, and I'm still trying to figure out how a place that looks like it could host a darts league championship is casually putting out world class pizza. I've had pizza from all over the world and this place can hold its own. Thin, perfectly crispy crust, fresh ingredients, and enough cheese to make you question your priorities but not your choices. It's like the pizza didn't get the memo about where it was being served. So yeah, I give it 5 stars. Come for the dive bar charm, stay because the food quietly outperforms half of the "fancy" places that make you wait 45 minutes for a table and then serve you a disappointment on a wooden board. I'll definitely be back. Next time I might even try to look like I belong.

We had a great time at Driftwood Lounge. Sidney was very attentive and the owner was so friendly…read more They made you feel at home right away. Great drinks and the ribeyes were one of the best we have ever had. Not fancy, but great people and even better food. We would definitely recommend this place as a must stop when you're in Paducah. Five stars plus!

Grill 211 - Thai noodles with pork loin

Grill 211

(105 reviews)

We're docked in Paducah, KY, and walked into town for dinner -- my husband had eaten here before…read moreand couldn't wait for me to try it. What a treat! The menu, service, food, and atmosphere were all fabulous. We both ordered from the Asian Fusion section, and our meals were outstanding. The owner even had the kitchen whip up a spicier sauce for my husband, though you can choose your own heat level. Jo and Freddy, the owners, couldn't have been more welcoming -- and they're opening another restaurant in Paducah soon! Amy took wonderful care of us (and makes an excellent martini). If you find yourself in historic downtown Paducah, this spot is a must for dinner. Highly recommend!

235$ The most expensive bill I've ever had. Anywhere. In…read morethe entire u.s.a. Overpriced!! I typically am perfectly happy to pay whatever it takes to get a good meal and usually don't pay attention to the bill But this bill easily exceeded by 50% What you typically pay for a high-quality meal And while the meal was quite good, it wasn't a five star meal The service was five stars The salad was good The coconut clam appetizer was good My branzino was quite the small portion and lacked flavor Our salmon was overcooked to dry The best part was the service it was impeccable I rarely say this But I'll never go back it's just not worth it It's a 150$ meal. Not a 235$ meal. Other patrons voiced the only reason they were there was because it's the only place open on Monday.

Strickland’s Seafood Restaurant - Blackened chicken breast with Cajun Red Beans & Rice and hush puppies

Strickland’s Seafood Restaurant

(193 reviews)

$$

Came on the recommendation from a friend (04/25/2026), I'd heard mixed reviews so I was curious…read moreabout this place. I'll give them 4.75 stars, but they did fantastic so I'll round up for this place. First, we walk in the door and Zack walked past and complimented the boss on her snazzy shirt and a few other staff were friendly too so the vibe was nice to start off. We were then led to our table to discover Zack is our server for the night. Another compliment on the bosses glasses, okay she did look great - Thanks Zack! Drinks come out super fast and we get our food ordered. Zack was great helping with Alpha Gal and later following up with the kitchen staff that they had in fact not put butter on my fish - another win. I ordered the red fish special (I think) with a baked potato and the boss got the Harris Platter. Zack recommended blackened and was so right, delicious! I tried her fired catfish and that was delicious too, but would have dipped it in hot sauce, but the cocktail sauce was so yummy with a nice horseradish bite - delicious and maybe better than hot sauce (slander I know). That 0.25 off - well the hushpuppies were kinda gross and bland. This is the south so quality hushpuppies are a must. Ask for Zack, you will not be dissapointed.

Wow wow wow. Came in on a Friday night. Tried the hot and spicy crawfish dip and it was okay. Then…read moreI had the best crab legs of my life. How good? I came back again the next day for lunch. When I came back Saturday we got the crab bites and they were very good. Had the crab legs for the second day in a row and they were still 10 out of 10. Can't wait to come back. For as popular as this place is I do think they could upgrade their tables a little. Our server on valentines afternoon was great and took care of our group of 11. Their house wines are Woodbridge which is actually under the Robert mondavi label.

Freight House - Spicy beer cheese spread and crudites and crackers

Freight House

(357 reviews)

$$$

The way to a man's heart is through his stomach. I'm in…read morelove. My heart Melts when I eat here. ( pass through once a year ) It's the highlight of my culinary year The flavors are earthy simple and complex. All at the same time. Spices never overpower the intended mouth music. I wish I could dine here regularly.

I'm finally having a chance to review our visits to Freight House back in November!…read more My husband and I took a little trip to Paducah, and the main reason we chose this location for our vacation was Sara Bradley's restaurant Freight House. We both are fans of "Top Chef" and since her restaurant is within reasonable distance of home, we planned a trip around it. In fact, we made reservations for two nights in a row, to take in as much of the menu as possible! Between the two different days, we tried a number of appetizers, entrees and desserts. If I were to do this again the same way, I would do one day of apps and dessert and one day of entrees, just to spread things out a bit. What we ate: - Fall pickles: I enjoyed this, with the bit of chili heat, especially the cauliflower - Stuffed Mushrooms: I love mushrooms, and these blended creamy, sweet and hot with a filling of cream cheese, berry BBQ sauce and smoked jalapeno - Pistachio and herb chevre cheeseball: a fresh cheese enhanced by nutty and Herby notes - Smoked bologna: my husband's choice; very meaty and there was a lot of it - Spicy beer cheese spread: a very Midwestern feeling appetizer with tasty veggies and crackers Entrees: -Shrimp and grits: my choice: comforting southern food with lots of flavor - Duck fried rice: his choice: rich rice offset by more delicate vegetables - Sticky ribs: my choice: the pumpkin spice and coffee liqueur glaze worked well for a cozy, wintry meal - Braised pork shoulder: his choice; served with beans and cornbread, this was another hearty, comforting meal with a Southern twist. Desserts: - Winter creme brulee: this was my favorite, flavored with mulling spices, orange and pomegranate We also enjoyed a seasonal sorbet and the fall spice cake. We had the same server both nights, Elizabeth, who was good at making recommendations, and also staggering the small plates on our small table so we wouldn't be overloaded. Chef Sara was in house the second night, bringing dishes to tables. The setting is relaxed, not overly loud, with moody lighting. Overall, we would certainly return to Freight House!

Riverview Mansion Hotel - King bed suite

Riverview Mansion Hotel

(15 reviews)

$$

I have a very revealing experience to share. I am the owners only niece and i am seven years…read moreescaped from this cult of a family. And I have several things to share about this "establishment". First of all, believe every single low review. The majority of the five star reviews have been written by people that I personally recognize as family members or family friends. I can attest to the state of the "mansion". It has always been run down, dirty, and full of roaches. And if you think the rooms are bad, the private quarters are worse. The bugs, the dirt, the clutter, the old plumbing and electric. And finally, I'd like to call out every lie that I've seen from the owners in their replies. First of all, "world class wine shop"? I love my red wine and theirs was barely worth a sniff, let alone a taste (and that's if anyone but Tony drinks it all). If you want a good midwest wine, try Purple Toad. Secondly the roaches (and Tony, you've been hearing this since I was 10 and complained about it to the both of you), roaches are not something to expect just because "it's Illinois" I have lived in various places in Illinois for 17 years of my 23. Bugs are quite easy to manage. Third, the house was not used as a hotel for a century. It was an abandoned house and that's why they could afford to purchase it. Finally, I've had their coffee after being woken up at the crack of dawn to babysit their four children for free. It's shit. Onto the second reply from Beth (Beth I had higher hopes for the woman who took pity on me during my fathers neglect and bought me new clothes but I guess you conformed to the Eckert ways and I pity you and your children's souls). First of all, y'all are a half hour from the Shawnee national forest, which is more towards the western side of Southern Illinois, whereas you are located on the eastern border; and this excuse doesn't even hold water! Cockroaches, which are what your victims are complaining about, prefer to live deep in cities, which is why they are more common among inner city residences. Secondly, "extensive renovations and upgrades"? You literally had to! No one, not even you and your family, wanted to stay in it in the original state. It had no modern elements. And I can recall on several occasions where you and Tony talked about how to do the absolute bare minimum to get the place running so you could start extorting people for the "historic experience". And yes people, this is their home... and actually examine this. If they are willing to show you roaches in your rooms, imagine what it's like behind the scenes. Dirty dishes everywhere, the kids rooms smelled like pee, and roaches sitting with you on the couch. It is absolutely false advertising because you are not disclosing that you have a "historic" bug problem, you do not advertise what people will actually experience while here! And the walls are most certainly paper thin. I could hear anyone move in the house at night. So clearly that I could tell who was moving and what they were doing. Third, if the room isn't ready for someone, why would you let them check in? Because it's just an excuse. Additionally, "complimentary bottled water"? It is a crime to not allow access to water for customers, and for the luxury price people are paying, I'd expect luxury water to go with it. And considering, from my understanding, you have never given dissatisfied people a refund, I'd hope they drank the complementary wine as well. People traveling deserve to have a reliable place to stay, where they don't have to "roll with the punches". And lastly Beth, there's a significant difference between eclectic and just rundown and gross. If you want to know exactly who these people are, I'll tell you. The Eckert clade is a cult, simply put. The founder, my paternal grandfather, is a pedophile. I experienced this since I was 3. Everyone knew and did nothing. I was physically, psychologically, and sexually abused by my father as well until I left when I was 17. They brainwash the women into going along with everything they do, luckily four of us escaped. Maybe I should add on how there's a significant chance that my eldest cousin is actually my half-brother, since my father and uncle were doing the same woman at the same time. I bet my younger cousins were fed many lies about why I left, but the truth is plain and simple, I left because of the abuses I suffered in this family. Thank you for listening, and if I can leave you listeners with a parting message let it be this: This family does not deserve your money, your patronage, or your time.

Stayed one night. I had the king suite. It was a beautiful room! A beautiful big old house with a…read morevery friendly family that hosts. The family lives on the 3rd floor.

Diver Down - steak - Updated May 2026

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