First of all, the view can't be beat and the servers are all very nice and attentive. For being a little off-the-water cafe, they provide much better service than I expected--and since we were here on a holiday, they were pretty busy! My group tried a good selection from the menu: chicken tenders, burgers, wings, and a wrap. The food was simple but delicious--I had the wrap, which was basically one of their salads with grilled chicken added, stuffed into a burrito tortilla. It tasted fresh, was wrapped well (I hate when a wrap falls apart), and despite having a good amount of vinaigrette, it didn't leak or go soggy. I kind of regret not getting a second one to-go! From the others' feedback, the rest of the food was just as good--great quality, tasty, and thoughtfully assembled. Pretty much everyone got fries, and enjoyed them. They're crisp, flavorful, and fluffy inside. The prices are reasonable, too. My food and a soda came to like $15, and most of the meals are about the same price, between $10-15 depending on add-ons and upsells. They also have a great ice cream selection--I wish I'd had the appetite to try the strawberry pretzel flavor!--and have milkshakes, beer, boozy seltzers, etc. All great options on hot summer days. Overall, I'd say it's worth a stop if you're in the area! read more

Pokanoka's Cafe - American Near Me - Shabbona, Illinois

My husband and I went to Pokano's for the first time this season and were quite surprised at the change in attitude towards customers by the owner and staff, When they first opened, they were very friendly and customer oriented. We have been regulars since they opened a couple of seasons or so ago and the atmosphere was always friendly and courteous. This season we were greeted with Mother's Day Brunch menu at 5 pm so breakfast items and a selection of one burger with fries were the only options. The waitress was rude and slow. Our plates were never cleared, and she never stopped to ask if we wanted additional beverages or dessert. We chose to eat outside because the weather was nice but discovered they had locked the door to prevent customers from coming back in the most convenient door and requiring them to walk around to another door. When my husband asked why, the waitress said to reduce customer traffic. We overheard the waitress chastising customers who came in about a half hour later that the restaurant was only open one more hour and that so they would have to eat fast. There was only maybe 4 sets of customers including us, so the place was not busy. My husband works in another local restaurant. This type of service in unacceptable. read more

We were at Lake Shabbona over the weekend and the Pakanoka's made our Friday evening. My wife and I had the Friday fish fry special, which was top notch. Fish was well fried, cole slaw freshly made, and even the mango compote was delicious. We were not expecting to eat so well at a state park. My older daughter had BLT and she enjoyed the sandwich and fries. View was amazing, drinks were pretty good, and service was as expected, and ice cream after the meal hit the spot for any room left. We were just surprised to eat so well during our camping trip. I'd highly recommend and we now have another reason to go back to Shabbona. :) read more

The food tasted just ok. I had a hamburger and fries. The fries tasted strange my have been cooked in old oil. I just had a few and stopped because they were not good. Anyways that night I awoke with pains in my stomach and ended up with diarrhea. I had given my dog about 4 fries and sure enough she wakes up at 4 am and needed to go out. She never does this. She also had diarrhea This continued for the two of us. Never again will I eat at that place. read more

We had gone out to do some apple picking at Honey Hill Orchards. After seeing the sights and picking apples, the person at the "cafe" recommended Pokanoka's Cafe. It's a decent sized restaurant, and the menu has enough options to satisfy almost any appetite. The food was excellent! The service, I think our server's name was Leah, but I'm awful at remembering names. My son was debating between a NY Strip steak and the Riv Eye. The server asked the chef for their recommendation. They recommended the Rib Eye. My son said the steak was cooked to perfection! He was glad he took the chef's recommendation. I had the chopped steak with a side of Cole slaw, it was one of the best chopped steaks I've ever had. My wife had the eggs Benedict, and really liked them. read more

All /most of the reviews are years old. New management has taken over the park services. The restaurant has live music and wonderful views. The service is commendable and very friendly. The food is good and some of it is locally sourced. Do not consider any review over a year old when deciding whether or not to try this place. It's a laid back, lakeside place to relax and enjoy a bite and a drink. read more

Menu choices now has changed. Place seems more slower. Not really going to come back here willingly. The quality of the beef hotdog they used...questionable. My mother loved her hotdog. I absoutely hated mine. Cold in the middle and I do not like any hotdogs that is grilled. Do not call it Chicago Style without the poppyseed buns and all of that jazz...and grill it as well. No way! Onions on mine was chopped up in different too large bited size to enjoy the onions. Left hungry. read more

See all

Pokanoka's is a great place! We ate outside as we had our dogs with us, and the view is terrific. Our food was hot and delicious and good sized portions. More than one server asked us if we needed anything else. If the weather isn't the best, there's plenty of seating inside. The ladies' bathroom was clean too. My only criticism: there could be a sign on the door that there is a (small) step up going in from the patio (don't want anyone to trip, been there done that elsewhere). read more

Really nice little cafe! Very good burger, nice salad. Very polite kids working there! Wanted to leave nice tip, but no cash . Jesus saves! John 3:3 "Bible" read more

We've been eating here for a few years and the view on the patio is spectacular! They serve some great burgers and fried fish, and they have a decent selection of seasonal beers. It's a nice affordable spot to stop for lunch on a sunny day, and they welcome dogs on the patio (they even bring out water bowls for them). After lunch, there's plenty of space to roam around the lake and hike through trails, or just sit and watch the boats and geese. read more

Horrible service. Waited for at least ten minutes while not one but two waitresses chatted with customers at the next table about kayaking. No one acknowledged me or offered any sort of service. I left. Since it's the only restaurant in the park I'm sure it does well, but I won't be back. read more

We ate there while camping in the park this weekend. Food was okay to excellent, and the menu would have been fairly extensive if it weren't that we were there near the end of their operating season and about a third of their entrees were unavailable. Fish fry was available and was pretty decent -- good value for the price. Might have given a fourth star if it weren't off-season and most of our party had to make second entree choices due to stuff being off-menu. Call this review 3 3/4 stars. read more

Ordered a hambuger, and swear it was fried canned dog food!! Like Alpo that comes out the shape of the can, cut into inch thick burgers and fried! I have eaten in rural China on many occasions and do not consider myself to be a food snob. Took one bite and could not get it out of my mouth fast enough! Gordon Ramsey would have a swear-fest at this place. Limit your experience here to only the soft drinks and you will be OK. read more

I've been to Pokanoka's several times and always had a great experience. The view of lake Shabbona is beautiful and the patio is surrounded by flowers. Even though I live near by I feel like I'm on a mini vacation everytime I'm there. I'm mostly dragged in by my kids for the ice cream (yum) but the meals I've had there have all been good. I love the fish fry! I read the other reviews and I can say, this is not gourmet, its a small town cafe', everything moves a little slower in the country and my burger tasted just fine. read more

Went to Pokanokas Shabbona State Park diner mid week for lunch. With only two other tables occupied, we sat for 15 minutes and no one bothered to come for our order. read more

My boyfriend and I frequent here in the summer when we are out fishing or running the trails-- sometimes we come twice a day! The price is fair, food is good, and the staff is very friendly. Pokanoka's Café displays a nice laid back environment and each time we come here every person on the staff has genuinely showed an interest in our activities that day. It also has a great view of the lake and is surrounded by a wonderful state park. As stated by another reviewer-- it's a hometown café in the country so yes things do move a little slower but that's what he like about Pokanoka's. If I wanted super fast and thrown together I'd go to a drive through... Oh, and if you decide to dine here be sure to ask for Kendal to be your waitress. She is our favorite waitress and always has a smile on her face! read more

We've been going here for three years now, and never had a bad experience. We go so we can eat outside and have our dog with us and then go on a hike with her right after lunch. It is a small place with a small staff, but they do a pretty good job anyway. Their fries are awesome. I usually get the grilled chicken sandwich and my wife the grilled cheese with bacon. The food has always been good. A staff member has rinsed and refilled a water bowl that they keep for dogs each time we have gone. If you are going to sit outside go through the inside first and let them know you are going to eat outside. Otherwise you might not get the fastest service. The service is timely, but not fast. If you want fast you want a different atmosphere. When you eat here expect to relax. Look at the lake, enjoy the breeze, watch the sail boarders. Enjoy the beauty of the flowers. Leave your phone in the car or your pocket or purse and forget about your puter. You might have a few bees or flies about. After all, you are essentially at lakeside in the woods. read more