In town for a visit to mom's house and took her to dinner here for her birthday, as it's one of her fave places to go to lunch with her friends. We arrived as they were opening at 5:00 (we like to eat at old people o'clock) and had a seat. Robbie's is a really nice vibe with a long wooden bar and great artwork on the walls. Our server and service were fantastic, but the food was a disappointment. We both ordered the rib eye and it came with soup or salad, smashed potatoes and asparagus. We had salads with blue cheese dressing. The salad itself was kind of meh-way too many black olives that I wasn't expecting to be on there in the first place, and the blue cheese was so thin and had a vinegar taste to it as well-not great. Our steaks were just ok. Not enough sear on the outside and absolutely no flavor of being seasoned. This is the first time I've had to add salt to a steak in a very long time. Mom ordered rare and I ordered medium and mine came as rare as hers. I asked if I could get another minute or so on mine and they were great about taking care of it. The potatoes and asparagus were delicious. Bernaise sauce was a bit thin but tasty. We had ordered a spiced peach half on the side and it was yummy. I could've had just those and the potatoes and been quite happy! I would come back here and order something different on the menu, but my 3 star rating comes from the disappointment in the steaks. I expected a seared and seasoned melt in my mouth ribeye and was left wanting. read more

Robbie's is a long-time favorite so we were very pleased that they offered a prix-fixe meal for Valentine's Day. We made reservations as soon as we saw their post! We got there a little after 5:00 and we were impressed as soon as we entered. They had closed all the bar seating so it was just tables for two and four. The lights were dimmed and soft jazz music was playing; creating a very romantic atmosphere. Each table had a single red rose and the TV was "tuned" to a fireplace. Our starter course was champagne accompanied by olive oil and slices of French bread. What a great way to start the evening! We each had filets and both were cooked to perfection. The steaks came by incredible roasted potatoes and mixed vegetables. We both finished our steaks and took home plenty of vegetables for tomorrow. We also had a caramel chocolate cake that looks delicious, but we were too full to eat so it's in our refrigerator waiting for us! Service by Kristi and Rodney was superior, the atmosphere was perfectly romantic and the price was very reasonable. All in all, it was a perfect Valentine's meal! read more

Robbie's Grille - Each table had a red rose and a tea candle. - American Near Me - Decatur, Illinois

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My wife and I was visiting Decatur and looking over dinner options. I saw on Robbie's on Yelp and rave reviews over the Cajun Meatloaf. I had to try it myself. This Meatloaf was different from any other Meatloaf I've ever had. It is stuffed with red onions, bell peppers, and seasoned with Cajun spices. The gravy was thick yet creamy. The Meatloaf comes on a stack of homemade mashed potatoes. The asparagus was seasoned with pepper and butter. We didn't eat in because everyone was dressed a lot better than shorts and T-shirts. The lady that took our order was very happy to help us. If you are looking for a date night in Decatur and a filling homemade meal, give Robbie's a try. read more

Robbie's Grille - Cajun meatloaf with mashed potatoes and asparagus - American Near Me - Decatur, Illinois

First time dinning here, doesn't open until 5pm. Kinda an older place but nice. We started with the Bruschetta Dinner was the Ribeye. Ribeye was FANTASTIC!! The season on the asparagus was so tasty. The fried meatloaf shouldn't be missed. It's owned by a husband and wife who put all into this place. Which means the service is great. I'LL BE BACK!!! read more

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The place to meet friends and have a nice cocktail with dinner. Adding more thoughts wants me to not post anything on yelp

Always a great place to eat Great, friendly service Food is always excellent . Nice ambiance

Fantastic food with a unique menu, in a quaint downtown location with art that draws the eye and an ambience that is sure to please. Service and vibe are great. You almost forget you're in Decatur. read more

Was in town and wanted to try a local eatery. Was a Saturday afternoon downtown was pretty dead. Couldn't believe it cause the downtown area is very nice. Robbies was one of the few places open for lunch. Cool place good service. The food was mediocre. I had a prime rib panini with supposedly homemade chips. The prime rib was not prime rib but a pressed beef sliced at the deli next door. The seasoned chips were just like waves lays potato chips with what looked like a little bit of pepper sprinkled on them. My two other guests had the same chips all were identical. One guest had grilled tilapia not a sandwich but it came with chips. The other guest had a turkey panini. Again not high quality turkey on the sandwich. If the food would have been as good as the service and the atmosphere I would have given at least 4 stars. But the food quality for the price made the difference. read more

Robbie's is a great choice for dining in Decatur. I've been many times for lunch and a few times for dinner, and both are always good. The tortilla soup usually served on Tuesdays is a must-try! It's great with a half sandwich from the deli next door. (I like the Cuban panini, but you've got to split it with someone to order half.) I've also enjoyed the crab cakes and dill chicken sandwich. The bar is well stocked, and I've always had good service. Also, try the coffee on a cold day - it's excellent! read more

Robbie's Grille - Tortilla soup - American Near Me - Decatur, Illinois

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I've never had a bad meal here and I've eaten there hundreds of times. Great food, nice atmosphere, friendly people.

It was a dark and stormy night. Smoke was billowing from the factories. The Decatur nightlife was beginning to howl. And some of the baddest meat loaf eating, wine drinking, financial statement reading, big 4 auditors to ever step into Robbie's made history on a Wednesday night. Our elite food group took part in several plates of ribeyes, American classic burgers, better than mommas meatloaf, and a grilled chicken samiches. After migrating from the bar to the table, we treated ourselves to scintillating spicy shrimp and escargot to make our car go. A fine Pinot noir cleansed our palates before our plates carried themselves on in. The friendly service, along with the appearance of a long lost pardner, made the conversational experience funner than a bowl full of Cheerios. Towards the end of the meal it became obvious to our waiter that breaded pudding was the finishing touch to our meal. A game of shambones led to A team member plowing through the rest of the bowl in junior-high-girl-sleepover -dare fashion. However, the plus side being the pudding was delicious. I digress. But let's keep the main thing the main thing. Robbie's is a 4 star establishment and you can never take that away from Decatur. Peace. read more

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I went for lunch once and was treated rudely and walked out. I wrote the place off. Then several people I know were raving about the food, so I figured we'd try again. Nope! Huge disappointment! We can make better food at home. I do NOT recommend this place to anyone. I will say this the waitstaff tried hard, but the place just fell short. Update: tried again in 2014 and didn't see any improvement. Very sad that it seems to be a gem to others and to us it's just bad. :( I wish I had better things to say. The staff was still very nice and professional. read more

I was introduced to this place a few months ago when I came to Decatur to house hunt and liked it so much that I came back a few days later before I left town. I have since moved here and Robbie's is now a frequent hangout for both lunch and dinner. The owners and staff are wonderful and attentive and the food has been great every single time. I love having a place I can walk into, be greeted by name and feel like I'm family! This place is definitely a keeper in my book! read more

Robbies is one Decatur's handful of finer dining destinations, and I must be honest: I never really use the place as they probably intend. I have never been here for dinner because I simply don't like to spend that much. For lunch, however, you can get some excellent food for a decent price. Robbies has some of the best soups in town on a daily basis. Really, the restaurant has mastered the art of soup. The tortilla soup on Tuesdays is exemplary and most of the daily selections are great. Pair a cup of the daily soup with a half sandwich from the deli next door, or one of their salads. The bartender is excellent, although I forget his name. There is a good selection of liquor and whiskey, which is unusual for the area. They do know their cocktails, so you can order something like a manhattan without wondering what you'll receive. It's a very homey, cozy restaurant with some great pop-art on the wall. I love coming in for a bowl of soup and maybe some coffee on a nice day and sitting near the windows, watching folks go by on Merchant St. read more

Really enjoyed this restaurant. We had been wanting to try it and stopped in for a late lunch. The escargot was absolutely delicious. I had the salmon and it was perfectly cooked as were the mashed potatoes that came with it. The Caesar salad before the mill was nice and fresh. Overall a very enjoyable experience and would definitely recommend them. The only drawbacks to this restaurant seem to be that it is slightly overpriced for the area in regards to some items on the menu. read more

Robbie's Grille - Christmas - American Near Me - Decatur, Illinois

The best food and service we have had in Decatur. Escargot like a French restaurant. Steak like a Chicago chophouse. Great mixologist behind the bar and a cool vibe in the place. We live on champaign but will make the drive to Decatur to eat at Robbie's again. read more

We love this quaint restaurant...always clean..and fresh with quality food.. today he had blackened chicken and a cup of mushroom soup...I ordered the steak and a cup of mushroom soup. The owner is Robbie he was there waiting tables and friendly as ever..Really nice place to relax and spoil your palette...GO THERE. read more

Robbie's is the best resturant in Decatur, outside of private clubs or golf courses. (That said, Decatur only has a population of 83,000, and doesn't have a thriving restaurant scene.) Josh, the chef, turns out some fine fare from his tiny kitchen, though his talent far exceeds his kitchen size. While the menu is somewhat limited, at dinner they serve dishes like crab cakes, prime rib, wonderful grouper, NY strip steaks, better duck breast than you can find in France, and other delicacies. The dining room is small, but chummy, with close tables lined up against one wall. You see patrons dressed in everything from capris and jeans to more formal attire. read more

I heard this is the place for good food. This would be an accurate statement. I ordered crab cakes. From people tell me, these cakes are like the cakes one would receive in Maine... The were fully of lump crab, not a lot of breading, and very flavorful. As a side, I ordered their smashed potatoes. Tasty.. They were creamy and had lots of texture. I would definitely go back to try the Chilean Sea Bass. read more

If you have to eat lunch or a casual dinner in downtown decatur... Character throughout, and in a good way. Popular for the business lunch and the idle bourgeois busybody wife class. Menu of seemingly standard fare and comfort food, with surprisingly sophisticated twists, fresh and seasonal ingredients, and good service. Our favorite waiter (manager?) from visits five years ago has moved to the beach house but the current folks will still do fine by ya. read more

This is one of the best places to eat in Decatur. You can always count on great food and service. Even though it is small, it is worth the wait. I recommend the salmon and sugar snap peas---yummy!! read more

Excellent food and service. Quiet with good music. I had salmon and my friend had a ribeye. Not one thing to complain about. Maybe a little pricey but it was good and you get what you pay for. I would go back and will read more

Hard to believe some of the negative reviews. Rodney does s great job here. Soups are wonderful and inventive. Try the bayou shrimp, it's fantastic. Probably do lunch more than dinner, but it's a great place with great service. Love how the staff makes you feel welcome. Good drinks. Smallish wine list, but impressive. Nice cabs. read more

Went here for dinner with my family for the first time. Brief menu, I am assuming they change it up pretty frequently. Everything looked yummy. I tried the burger with bleu cheese and onion marmalade (very good), the coquilles st. Jacques (sublime scallops in buttery cheesy sauce), smashed potatoes, asparagus (so good), and bruschetta (pretty good). The restaurant is nice and homey looking. It has a warm atmosphere. Our server was actually the owner! We spoke with him for a while. He seems like a very nice guy, passionate about his business of providing fine food and drink. We had excellent service. The food took a while to come out, but it was freshly made and delicious. I'd like to come back and try the steaks sometime. It is a bit expensive, but judging from these reviews, the lunch is cheaper. I would definitely like to come back here sometime! read more

Lousy. Ordered a cheeseburger and the brought me a small, greasy party on a half bun (open face). Server was crass. Overall kind of pricey and lousy food in what amounted to a dive. Never went back. read more

I was visiting Decatur on business and this was recommeded as one of the better restaurants in the area. It was pretty disappointing. I ordered the california style thin pizza and it was very blah. Not horrible but not really restaurant quality either--I've had better frozen pizzas to heat at home. Service was good. My colleague's food also didn't seem impressive. read more

I was in Decatur on business and this was recommended as one of the better dining options. If this is what passes for good around here I am very sorry for anyone who lives in the area. Food sucked, service sucked, end of story. I think I waited to be given the check at least 15 minutes and at least another 15 for her to even notice I wanted to pay and leave. read more

Great food and wonderful service. Carl was helpful and friendly without being fake or intrusive. Caesar salad was great and my husband's house salad included a range of toppings. Brushetta was excellent as was the bbq burger. We will definitely come back. read more

We really enjoy their salads for carry out for lunch. When we have sat down to eat the staff has always been very attentive and the food is always really good. It has a really nice feel to it and being downtown is a plus. I would recommend taking the time to check it out. read more