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    Fitzgerald's Genoa Junction

    4.3 (193 reviews)
    ModerateSeafood, Barbeque
    Closed Closed

    Order Fitzgerald's Genoa Junction Takeout or Delivery

    Fitzgerald's Genoa Junction Photos

    FITZGERALD'S GENOA JUNCTION ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Fitzgerald's Genoa Junction

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    a dining room with a fireplace
    Nina H.

    Our first seafood boil in the Badger state and boy was it tasty and hearty! Come hungry for sure because their menu is all you can eat. They are famous for their cod fish boil but we ordered their ayce (all you can eat) combo of buttery boiled cod, honey bbq chicken and bbq ribs. The meal comes with coleslaw, boiled potatoes, onions and rye bread. The meal is finished off with an apple strudel dessert which we had no room for because we were stuffed! Drinks are purchased a la carte. We visited in February 2023 but I'm sure this place is bustling during the warmer months. Regardless of when you visit, the food and good service will have you visiting year-round. Definitely worth it if you are in the Genoa City/Lake Geneva area.

    the front of the house
    Lesley Anne Y.

    When my sister mentiones having dinner here. I said ok but not really excited because Im not a fish person. I was sooo wronv and im glad we came here. This is an all you can eat place. Menu has COD Chicken and Ribs. Some sides potato, onion, coleslaw. Bread and butter and Cherry Pie for dessert. Not sure if the dessert changes. You have a choice if you want fish only or with chicken or all three. We did all three for $21. It was so good. It this is saying a lot because im not a fish or ribs person. But i would definitely go back. They pour butter over the cod. Cooked perfectly the chicken and ribs are tender and seasoned perfectly. Parking is not an issue. And be warned this is a CASH ONLY place. There is an ATM inside the restaurant itself. MUST TRY!

    Fitzgerald's occupies a historic octagon house

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    3 months ago

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    9 days ago

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    10 months ago

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    16 days ago

    Good place to go if you want to try a fish boil good stuff the ribs and chicken are good also

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    3 months ago

    The price has gone up over the years but still worth it. Great fish and nice people to dine with.

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    1 year ago

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    Photo of Norm r.
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    3 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    4 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

    What a bargain...who knew you could get all you can eat ribs, fish, and chicken for $22. ...and it's all delicious...

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Food is disappointing, staff seems unhappy to work there, & it's old & musty. Was 20 years ago & worse now.

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

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    4 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Every time we come to Illinois we have to do the boil. The fish is the best then I would say the chicken. Easy and well priced.

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

    We enjoyed the fish boil, our first. We made absolute pigs of ourselves. Very good, it does taste like lobster. We will be back

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Excellent fish for a reasonable price. No frills ambiance and service, but well worth it to enjoy their Offering.

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    3 years ago

    Go for the fish fry. Best one in area. Can get crowded and you may need to wait. Have yet to try the ribs.

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Excellent , delicious food in a charming atmosphere.Highly recommend getting their early. I got the chicken and fish meal.

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Fitzgerald's Genoa Junction

    Busiest time on Sunday?

    After Church times...

    Is social distancing practiced? Do the waitresses wear masks?

    Everyone's plate seems to show the fish swimming in butter. does the restaurant do this or are the customers doing this? Thank you

    They ask if you want to add butter on it

    What is the price for the fish boil?

    $14 all the fish you can eat....a couple dollars more if you want to add grilled chicken and/or ribs. Enjoy!

    View All 6 Questions

    Big Ed's BBQ - Full Slab

    Big Ed's BBQ

    4.6(889 reviews)
    24.6 mi
    $$

    I am a certified professional eater (Da Garbage Disposal) and when I say I know food ..... I do…read morethis for a full time job. I been to Big Ed's when he had the smaller place and every time I pass by Waukegan my vehicle has a lock on Big Ed's to go eat. EVERYTHANG I tries there so far was delicious. Meaty ribs made my mouth water, the burnt ends were fire, all the sides I tried were terrific SPECIALLY that BBQ Tony Macaroni I call BBQ Ice Cream!!!!!! Only thang bad about goin' to Big Ed's BBQ ius you have to leave at some point!!!!! For all the folks that complain in his reviews either you are gettin' paid by his competition, jealous your Mom can';t cook like this when you grew up or you are from the UK and can';t handle seasonin'.

    Always hits the spot! We used to frequent their old restaurant across the way and now that they've…read moreopened up their new location we had to check it out. The restaurant is so much bigger and livelier and were so excited to see all of their success. Definitely come early to be able to try their brisket and Tony Mac! You wont regret anything you try but those are defnitely our favorites. Oh and the ribs, if you're looking for the incredible smokey juicy flavor look no further. Any of their bbq sauces are great and pair well, but we highly recommend giving their original a go because of the perfect balance of sweet, savory, with a bit of a kick.

    Photos
    Big Ed's BBQ - Dining room with queue

    Dining room with queue

    Big Ed's BBQ - Burnt Ends

    Burnt Ends

    Big Ed's BBQ - Store front, BBQ time!

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    Store front, BBQ time!

    Smokehouse Barbecue - The Sho Boat signature sandwich. Absolutely perfect. One of the best sandwiches I've ever eaten!

    Smokehouse Barbecue

    4.5(100 reviews)
    43.5 mi
    $$

    This five star review for this little family owned barbecue joint is pretty much dedicated to one…read moredelicious sandwich that they've been serving up for a number of years now. I'm talking about the Sho Boat. Plenty of reviews have already mentioned it, and even though I've had other items on their menu, and they've all been delicious, when you stop by Smokehouse Barbecue, you will notice two things... 1. There is typically a line. 2. 99% of the patrons are getting the Sho Boat. So much so that the woman behind the counter just points to people with her pen and says, "Sho Boat? How about you, Sho Boat?" The sandwich consists of perfectly seasoned chopped pork shoulder. Smoked daily on the pit outside on the back of the establishment. It's an awesome blend of juicy, meaty chucks of pork with just enough fat to pull it all together. It's then covered in a sweet and tangy homemade barbecue sauce on a nice crusty French roll and served with a side of fries, which are also drizzled in their signature sauce. The Yelp! reviews for this place mostly feature pictures of this sandwich, as you will see here in mine. There's not much else to say that hasn't already been written. Yes, it occupies a side space in a local Shell gas station. Yes, it is family run business by people who are absolutely lovely, super friendly, warm and inviting. Lastly, and most importantly, the sandwich is fantastic! The Food Network has got a TV show where all of the top chefs in America tell you about their favorite places and things to eat. The exact name escapes me, but if there were one of these famous chefs that was from Rockford, Illinois, there is no doubt they would be telling you about the this sandwich. It's that good. Again, their menu features more food besides the sandwich, although it is quite limited... But if delicious barbecue is your thing, and you don't mind waiting a minute or two, then this is a must have. Some of the reviews said this is cash only, however when we were there, they were taking a credit card. There is also ATM inside of the establishment. Smokehouse Barbecue isn't much to look at, but the people that work there know what they're doing, and it definitely shows! No frills... just one of the best sandwiches I've ever had served to you with a warm smile by wonderful people that care.

    Passing thru Rockford and remembered a great little bbq joint near 20. Got their bbq pork showboat…read more Just as good as I remembered. They were quick and the food was flavorful. A small family business on the side of a shell station. Worth a stop

    Photos
    Smokehouse Barbecue
    Smokehouse Barbecue - Ribs with beans and creamy coleslaw

    Ribs with beans and creamy coleslaw

    Smokehouse Barbecue - Menu as of July 30, 2025

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    Menu as of July 30, 2025

    Pappas BBQ Pit stop

    Pappas BBQ Pit stop

    3.6(9 reviews)
    17.5 mi

    This has been a long time bookmark so today I thought that I would stop by on my quest to try every…read morebbq restaurant that I can. The place is inside a gasoline station which is always sketchy but I will try anything at least once. The menu will be posted because I can't find one so I will show you what they have. I'm a big time rib guy so I stuck to my rule that if I don't smell smoke I only do the half rack. I ordered the half rack dinner that comes with an option of 2 sides and corn bread which I chose Mac and jambalaya. The ribs were meaty fall clean off the bone with a nice texture, not the super soft steamed meat texture but not the little chew texture that I like. The meat was moist and tender but not very smokey and the bark didn't scream anything flavorful to me either so this is a mild bbq that in my opinion needs sauce which I got on the side so I could properly evaluate the bbq. The sides were average which is not a bad thing because they were not terrible. The Mac and cheese was not cooked to total mush with a thick creamy cheese sauce with a small mild cheese flavor. The jambalaya was once again just average and not terrible either with tomato's, chicken and sausage. The corn bread was very good because it was very fresh and moist with that soft creamy texture, not the saw dust kind that chokes you. Overall it's just average bbq and not bad with everything being consistent, it's not the worst or the best bbq that I have had.

    Amazing food, had the ribs today with Mac and cheese with a side of corn bread. I will be back to…read moretry the rest of the menu! I believe the persons name working was Ron and he clearly had a passion for the food he's making. He let me try the brisket and it melted in my mouth. Place was interesting being in a gas station, but don't let that scare you away, worth a visit.

    Photos
    Pappas BBQ Pit stop - Excellent

    Excellent

    Pappas BBQ Pit stop
    Pappas BBQ Pit stop - No big smoke ring.

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    No big smoke ring.

    Fitzgerald's Genoa Junction - seafood - Updated September 2026

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