Make sure you only read reviews from 2017 on because they have a completely new facility and new menu and it's 100 times better!!! Everything we've tried is good. Think pub food. If you're looking for a Michelin star restaurant, this isn't it, but everything is good. They're dinner side salads could be improved with better lettuce. This is the only thing that hasn't changed from the old facility/menu IMO. Try the Ruben nuggets appetizer (may not be called that) is AWESOME if you like ruebens. They're Rueben makings inside egg roll wrappers. Think Reuben egg rolls! Yes, we recommend this restaurant. read more

Going, going........gone. Just got off the phone with a woman/girl from here, asking about specials and new summer menu. Had to phone bc they are not at all consistent with updating their website menu and they block you from their Facebook page if you dare to ask too many questions. Person on the phone let out several deep sighs when I asked about the summer menu and then said ignorantly, "hang on"! I didn't wait to "hang on", lost my appetite at that point and just hung up. This restaurant is ultimately managed by the onsite "Oak Run" property owner's association. This is a lake community with a golf course. Obviously much of the blame for the deterioration of this restaurant falls at the foot of the Board and Board Manager of "Oak Run". I can equate it to when one must blame the parents of an out of control child. This restaurant always had great potential. "Sometimes" you could get good, tasty food and friendly service. But most of that hope is now over. You really do go here at your own risk at this point, taking chances on digestible food and acceptable service. The "Oak Run" Board/Manager, Does.....Not....Care. In order to keep the restaurant running, they will just pass on more fees to the homeowners in that community, to keep it going. So it really doesn't matter to them if you show up or not. read more

Very disappointing!! Got the single Gouda Bacon Burger with Fries. My burger was way over cooked plus so small wasn't even the size of the palm of my hand and maybe a 1/4 inch thick & my Husband got the tenderloin it looked under cooked. We spend every weekend out here at Oak run went several times last year. Will not be going back. We will just bring food and eat at the house. Our server was good but food horrible!!! read more

Consistency is key! Good food, good service , good ambience, orders come out hot & timely.

First time since the onset of the pandemic. A feel like there was some turnover with the cooking staff- the food was not as good as I remembered. First off, I tried the featured appetizer- Chinese BBQ Crispy Pork Belly. Now, this sounded amazing. I didn't even care not knowing the price. When it arrived, you can see the meat at all meaning there was sh**load of spring onions, cilantro, and jalapeños. After scrapping the extras off to the side, the pork belly was cooked well. A great amount of crispiness and softness. It's a shame that the sauce used was salty and there was an abundant amount of sauce on the meat. Knowing I ordered a $16 app at the end stung a bit more. This appetizer costed more than my entrees. The others weren't impressive either. Fish and Chips medium-sized for $14. Fish was too oily and french fries were bland. Flatbread for $12 that was soft and didn't have much texture. What was worse is that it hardened as it sat... I am hoping they improve after this review. 3/10 IG: carlo_hiit_the_town read more

The Watering Hole - a plate of salad with meat and greens - American Near Me - Dahinda, Illinois

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This is our local staple! Their specials (wagyu and noodles) outstanding! Burgers/apps great!

Beautiful Sunday evening and an invitation from our neighbors to join them on a ride into the country to enjoy this country club restaurant that is open to the public. The seating was comfortable, the staff were attentive, the menu will fit anyone's taste. Four for light supper.. we tried appetizers: Reuben rolls and cheese sticks enclosed in a wonton wrap.. delicious.. our entrees were two eating hamburgers, one had a chicken wrap and I had a Southwest salad.. no complaints...well served and hot.. This is a local bar and grill within the Oak Run community so most patrons live nearby, but if you are in the area or just want to take a ride .. you won't be disappointed. read more

poor service, overpriced food, and long wait times. food is not that great either. wish there were other options in oak run.

Great food, wonderful staff, and the building itself is very nice as well, being right on the golf course with a nice view. Can't go wrong eating here read more

Love the new clubhouse! The burgers are the best in the area. Paninis back on the menu and their chili is my favorite.

This is the one place that I really look forward to when visiting Spoon Lake. Everyone is SO friendly and welcoming, and you don't feel like you have to dress to the nines to go in and be accepted. The atmosphere is so relaxed and really helps make you feel like you're away from the city lights & craziness, which is EXACTLY what I want when I go to a lake. I've never had bad service here, and am always greeted with "hello's" as soon as I walk through the door. The servers and bartenders always make sure my drink is never empty (which is NEVER a bad thing!). The food is something that I CRAVE while I'm at home. Their chicken sandwich is the BEST sandwich I've ever had in my life!!! My friends have tried their salads, chicken fingers, italian beef sandwich, amongst other things, and they all really liked their food (and ask when we're going back). When I think of relaxing, laid back, and comfortable, The Watering Hole is top on my list when I visit the lake!!! read more

Therwatering hole is a great place for a great, relaxing meal. i have never had a bad meal served to me out there. The service is good,the owners are very nice,friendly, and caring. There is no sign that say 'please wait to be seated' so that probaly means seat yourself!! adn if your not sure ask someone who works there! I had the scorpian tails as an appitizer and they were very delicious. For my meal I had salmon and if i may say it was the best salmon i've ever had. I also had a Bloody Mary to drink which carolyn,the bartender, made for me. read more

Hadn't been here for a few years. What a nice surprise new upscale clubhouse and food and service were great. Our waitress was friendly and knew the menu. Our group for lunch had a Ruben, tenderloin and 2 of us had the special. The special were three tacos of mild BBQ pork with cilantro salsa with the flavors blending nicely. Served with the best homemade chips, slightly thicker and not greasy. A grilled pineapple slice was the garnish. The other two enjoyed their sandwiches said they were very good. The lodge style clubhouse has large windows with a beautiful view of the golf course. read more

After a very nice upgrade the food quality and service is still poor. The service is very slow, wine selections cheap, and food is over cooked. read more

You don't have to be a member of the country club to have a wonderful experience here. The staff is great, and the seating is plenty. The food mostly is incredible. I tried steak a couple times... it is by no means a steak house. The prime rib has great flavor but I found it to be on the dry and tough side. Not sure what would fix this, but like many restaurants that cook prime rib, or have prime rib specials, they are cooked early and sit a while. Otherwise, the prices are great and the wait staff is excellent. I recommend their boneless wings as an appetizer and their smoked bacon gouda burger as an entree! read more

Great daily dinner specials. New management but still keeps the small town local feel where everyone knows your name. My husband had the prime rib last week and loved it. The catfish is fresh and delicious. The prices have increased some, but still a great deal without having to go all the way to Galesburg. Love the new items they have added to the menu for diversity. Glad to see the salads back on the menu. read more

Considering it's a restaurant at a golf course, you would expect something a little upscale. Not so here; expect to be seated into cheap plastic patio furniture. The decor reminds me of something straight out of my Grandma's house - fake silk plants that have never been dusted, floral prints on the walls, and not-so-impressive fish mounted on the wall, mixed in with sports memorabilia. Window air conditioners were an obvious afterthought, as they are mounted half-assed into the wall (honestly, who plans a golf course clubhouse without central air-conditioning in the Mid-West?) The staff consists of some teenagers and some older women who are scantily clad (as mentioned in the previous reviewers post.) They are rude, and obviously have no prior serving experience. Some common courtesy would be nice; you know - a "You're Welcome" after a "Thank You", etc. No seating guidelines, just sit down and wait until you're handed some poorly printed, greasy, paper menus on a sticky table. Last time I was there, a large group from Naperville was seated behind us, and as we were waiting on our food, the entire restaurant saw their server walk outside and talk on a cordless phone whilst smoking a cigarette. Obviously, no sense of urgency here. As far as the food, beware; the servers are making your salads, and I'm pretty sure cleanliness isn't high on the agenda. As far as the appetizers, this is one of those places where if the deep fryer broke down, half the menu would be unavailable. Onion rings and fried mushrooms are just okay. The steak, which should be fantastic considering the restaurant is in the middle of the state, surrounded by cattle farms - is seriously lacking. It was cooked well, but there was little to no seasoning (salt and pepper ring a bell, anyone?) The Ruben is probably the only real "signature" dish here, and is worth ordering. My recommendation, as inconvenient as it is, is to drive into Galesburg if you are craving a good meal at a decent price. My recommendation for the restaurant, if you're reading this, is to: Redecorate. Doesn't have to be ultra-modern or anything, but clean up the place, put some real plants in, remove the "Grandma" decor. Install central air conditioning and nix the window units. Re-train your staff on how to properly serve (biggest tip: standard practice is to check on your tables every five minutes) or hire a new staff with more experience. A standard uniform would be a nice touch. Expand and reduce your menu, utilizing fresh, local ingredients. Expand your beer and wine selection to include more craft beer and high-end liquors. Once you do this properly, raise your prices to compensate! People playing golf, especially out-of-towners, are willing to spend those extra dollars. There is huge potential for this location. read more

We were really excited to see this restaurant under new management because before it was very old and outdated. The interior is fabulous, but cannot say the same for the management. We sat down and waited for 20 minutes before being waited on and it was not busy. The menu is over-priced and wine dreadful. We will not be returning. read more

Don't bring your Chicago attitudes to this unspoiled treasure in the cornfields of Western Illinois. This is the type of place that the service may take a little longer, the presentation is not five star but the atmosphere and the regulars always make you feel welcome. For people looking to get away from the one-up-manship scene of the city and a chance to rub elbows with every walk of life this is the place to be. The Scorpion Tails or BBQ Shrimp appetizers are second to none. The Ruben sandwich is better than anything in NYC and the Chicken Strips or Chicken Sandwich will have coming back for more. This is not a steak house, it's not famous for its pizza or have any sushi rolls, it's just good people serving good grub for a reasonable price. There's a reason we have a lake house here and it's to get away from the Escalade and tanning bed crowd and enjoy life for a few days before returning to the rat race. read more

Ed H. Could not be more wrong. The staff at The Watering Hole is so friendly, it is like being in a friend's kitchen. We always have excellent service from Caroline, Andrew and the others. Our drinks are never empty. The food is great - I highly recommend the wings and the Reuben. Everything I have tried here is GREAT. read more