We saw good reviews, so we hopped off the interstate and checked this place out for dinner. They were moderately busy, about 1/3 capacity. That was not the problem. The food took over 30 minutes, which wouldn't be a deal breaker, if it was hot. The fries were cold. That's a death sentence in my opinion. The burger was fine, though not hot, at least warm enough. Sorry, maybe impressive for some, but not for this guy. I would have been happier at the BBQ joint across the street. read more

What an incredible discovery! We were driving from Iowa to Ohio, which is mostly a culinary wasteland. My copilot found this gem. It sounded too good to be true, but it's true! Though it looks unremarkable from the outside, inside, you'll find a wonderful restaurant where the staff is highly invested in making sure you have a great meal. My companion enjoyed a lovely Old Fashioned to start. I ordered the Turkey stroganoff, while he had the shrimp and grits. When the plates came out, I thought the veil was finally about to slip. They were well-plated, but huge. And yet...the veil didn't slip. It was haute-cuisine comfort food goodness in what looked like a converted warehouse space. Unreal! Though turkey is often too dry, my stroganoff was moist and succulent. The sauce was much more than just cream of mushroom -- lots of flavor and not too much salt. We had a time of it. I'd happily come back here again and again. read more

The Wheelhouse - Turkey stroganoff - New American Near Me - St Joseph, Illinois

Food was exceptional quality, with portion size to match. Atmosphere is a vaulted high ceiling space with the bustle of a hard working kitchen and an attentive waitstaff. The menu is limited to signature offering of various dishes eliminating the tough choices between offerings. The daily special was a nice addition to the menu. All food was plated on various china which added to the fun of it all. My wife and I shared 2 separate meals and both were 10/10 in our opinion. This place will be on our very short list of great food, great folks, and great experience. read more

Stopped in here for lunch while traveling through. What a cute vibe and cool place to check out! So glad we did! Loved the ambiance of the restaurant and how it was located right next to a bike trail. It wasn't really far from the interstate so it was easy to get to. The service was adequate - not bad but not great. The food - very very good! Nice touches on classics and that made a fun menu to look at! The brunch option made it a great visit. read more

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Was in the area and stopped in here for some chicken wings . They were the biggest wings that I've ever seen else where. A lot of meat on them . We ordered the sweet and spicy which were good but could of been alittle more sweet and spicy. More like a Asian sauces Mabe . The decor was unique . They had all kinds of bicycles hanging from the ceiling and a bicycle theme going on . So I guess that's where it got it's name read more

The Wheelhouse - a bicycle hanging on the wall - New American Near Me - St Joseph, Illinois

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Amazing place! Excellent food, great vibe. I highly recommend to other travelers looking for quality right off the highway. read more

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The food was good, but it took sooooo long to get it and the uncomfortable seats made the wait difficult. Now I'm home with a full stomach but an aching back. read more

I've always enjoyed eating here. Treated well by the staff. People went the extra mile when we were disappointed in an entree ( which only happened once!) as a cyclist, I've always enjoyed the decor. read more

Just ate the wheelhouse burger. It was amazing. The wagyu beef was delicious and the homemade pimento cheese sauce to die for. The atmosphere incredibly charming and the service great. Definitely coming back! read more

The Wheelhouse - Wheelhouse Burger - New American Near Me - St Joseph, Illinois

I was so happy and lucky to have a relaxing lunch at The Wheelhouse! It's based on a bicycle theme, you can see many different styles of bicycles hanging on the wall near the ceiling. Also, some cyclists might have come in enjoying their meals during trips, cuz I was asked whether did I ride a bike here, and I could see through the windows that some people passed by with their bikes! I ordered Cheese Curds as the appetizer, the daily special Fried Bologna as the main, and Bread Pudding as the dessert. They were all well cooked while a little heavy flavored. I especially liked the sandwich, which you can slap with your palm and hear the exciting cracking sound from the crispy potato slices, but remember your hands will be very greasy after doing so lol! I was also surprised by the total cost of the food. Not like many other restaurants, it was lower than 30 dollars including the tips for 3 plates! Aha, I said I was "lucky" to have this lunch because they started to serve lunch on Saturdays from today, and they even hadn't have changed the open hours outside the restaurant (which made me confused at the beginning hahaha). I also asked about the situation, and got the very friendly answer that they decided to recover from the pandemic, just starting from today, and I was the second guest for today. Anw, as an introvert, I really enjoyed the silence and peace during my lunch there. What a day! I love the words at the end of the receipt: Eat. Drink. Ride. Enjoy! Finally, thank you for the great lunch, and making my beautiful day! :) read more

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Greatly enjoyed the decor, food and especially the service! I Had a Choizo breakfast burrito (thought the grease should have been drained) but definitely made it delicious . The others in my party all liked their food as well. Only negative was the air conditioning was condensing onto the tables and the air conditioning belt was obviously not moving appropriately and the place smelled of hot rubber. Would definitely recommend to travelers in the area. read more

Amazing food, service, and atmosphere. What a pleasant experience trying a new place. Wish they could open in Knoxville, TN!

My Husband Robert & I came to Wheelhouse Tonight for Dinner & Desert. We both got The Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes and Mixed Vegetables... It was absolutely delicious ... For Desert I had Chocolate Creme Brulet w/ Whipped Cream & Strawberry slices... Robert got the Carmel Bread Pudding topped with Ice Cream & Whipped Cream... We were sitting at Our Table and Rosalee Osterbur came and asked Us to join Her so We could get better acquainted...so We did... She is a very sweet Woman that comes to eat at Wheelhouse at least once a week... We truly enjoyed Our visit with Rosalee and the good food and Customer Service We received. They have Awesome Waitresses too... read more

The Wheelhouse - The Wheelhouse with Rosalee....Our new Friend... - New American Near Me - St Joseph, Illinois

The food is not good and it seems people only go there for the scenery the service is fine but I would not go back there ever again

Highly recommend this eatery. Great taste, nice atmosphere. You will enjoy. Locally owned establishment. read more

I always enjoy a meal at the Wheelhouse. The burger is usually my go to, but everything on the menu has been delicious. Wheelhouse burger (pics), Salmon & salad (pic - when going lower carb)... and I just had their fried chicken sandwich. All great. Keep an eye out for their specials, like the fried chicken or lasagna, to name a couple. Time your meal there right and you may catch a trivia night. The topics are pop culture, hosts are amazing and you might be able to compete against me. All perks. If you're in St. Joe and need a meal... stop here. read more

The Wheelhouse - New American Near Me - St Joseph, Illinois

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Sorry to say this was disappointing. Traveled a way because I heard this place was good. We were literally the first and only customers for an early dinner. Like the name infers it is bicycle themed with various types of bikes hanging on the walls. We were waited on immediately, but somehow it took nearly 45 minutes to get our dinner. The server was pleasant and checked on us several times, I just don't understand the unnecessary delay. When we got our food the entrees were warm and dry. $45 for a steak, we expected better. This was a real disappointment after the hype. read more

Really dug this place. Nice balance to the menu to satisfy the meat and potatoes crowd whilst also including a bunch of seasonal, creative dishes. The cookery was very solid and seasoned well. The plating of the ramp appetizer and pork cutlet entree could have been more attractive...but ingredients and cooking will always trump plating. I will be back. Great concept and friendly staff. read more

The Wheelhouse - New American Near Me - St Joseph, Illinois

I moved to this town because of this restaurant! There is something for everyone here from burgers to fancy plates and from Hamm's beer to raspberry mimosas. The service is great, atmosphere is unique and inviting, and the menu constantly evolving and pulling you back in. I LOVE THE WHEELHOUSE! read more

Farm to table is not the norm in CU and the surrounding area, so what a surprise to find The Wheelhouse in St Joseph. They have been open less than two weeks at the time of this review, and I have to say, they have come up with great food options. I had the beef stew and it was absolutely fabulous. We had cheese curds, the Yukon gold fries with tomatillo catsup, and the duck three way, comprised of duck confit, duck egg, and sliced duck with sautéed greens. All three appetizers were excellent and the duck was un-DUCKING-believable!! My wife got the shrimp and grits and it was also excellent! The bicycle theme is awfully inviting, and the waitstaff and the owners were attentive and friendly. They have kids meals and my three kiddos were jazzed with the meal. They need a sign. They know that. They're working on it. They've been open two weeks. I'll cut them slack for that. All in all, they've given us a reason to travel to St Joe from CU. Trust me, just go. read more

The Wheelhouse - Bicycle themed decor at The Wheelhouse. - New American Near Me - St Joseph, Illinois

If you live in the C-U area, you need to go here. All excellent quality local ingredients. This is what farm to table should be. As a Chicago transplant, I have been anxious to try this place, and it exceeded expectations. We had the marinated cheese curds, the smoked lamb, and the beet salad for starters. The main entrees were the mushroom risotto and the burger. They have a "green sauce" that is a tomatillo based ketchup that is great! (They still have regular ketchup too if you want it). The atmosphere was great as well. The service was excellent also. This place is located close to the new bike trail that will be connecting Urbana to Danville, which is the premise for the name and decor. It's truly a gem in Champaign county, and I'm looking forward to the next menu change. Thank you, Chef Rogiers! read more

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Excellent food and specialty drinks in a friendly atmosphere. We love this restaurant.

When you walk in the building you have no idea what you're going to get. There's several businesses in on the left you have the wheel house. I walked in and saw quite a few bicycles hanging on the wall in different colors which blew me away. I was met and seated and was really pleasantly surprised how many different courses they offered. Knowing me and never knowing really what I want to eat but know I'm hungry is a task. I chose the short rib with mashed potatoes and green beans and wasn't disappointed and then I ordered p the bread pudding with ice cream and was in heaven. It must be a good place because there were a lot of people and I was interested in what the brunch must be on Sunday. Plenty to choose from on the menu and always worth further trips to the Wheelhouse read more

Had heard about the Wheelhouse a couple years ago when I lived in St Joseph, and being familiar with Chef Ryan's experience working at Alinea and being an instructor for the culinary school at Richland Community College, I expected a much showing, whether he were present or not. The server was very friendly, and offered us a four top table near the windows, as we were their first lunch guests for the day. She offered some information about the sourcing for the cheese used in the cheese curds and stated that the cheese curds were very popular. The decor is nice, and the unisex bathrooms were nice and clean as well. I personally loved the bar decor showcasing various cookbooks, wines and spirits, as well as a library-style rail hung ladder to reach higher shelves. We ordered a local beer and the watermelon gin fizz cocktail, as well as the cheese curds, Cuban Reuben and Wheelhouse signature burger. The cheese curds were decent, understand that it's incredibly hard to keep melted cheese inside a breaded shell, the breading was nicely flavored, I think it consisted of parsley, dill, cracked black pepper, paprika, salt and flour then the curds were hit with a drizzle of olive reserved from roasting garlic. Overall the flavor of the breading was the highlight of the dish and didn'tseem to complement the curds well. The mustard sauce seemed very thin, and overall I think the dish could have benefited from being seasoned after fryer more evenly as salt was concentrated to one small area of curds, a splash of brighter acidity from a lemon, and a garnish of fresh chopped herbs such as tarragon or chives. The Cuban Reuben wasn't wowwing either. The in-house fermented sauerkraut had funk to it, but upon closer inspection the pork had an off flavor like it may have aged too long, and seemed to lack seasoning found in many mojos used to marinade the pork before it's slow roasted, cooled, then sliced before kissing the grill. The pickles seemed to have been a hot quick pickle which made them softer, and the thin slices, while probably done so to increase the yield of the product, didn't carry any of the flavor from the acidity of the brine, and were too soft to provide a bite that contrasted against the bread or proteins. The signature burger was a let down. The bun was untreated, no butter or mayo, wasn't toasted. The patties had the consistency of outsourced, processed burgers, and weren't seasoned. The softer and higher fat nature of pimento cheese sounds great in theory, but upon execution here, left little to see or taste on the burger aside from a pool of fat. The "secret sauce" seemed to be a basic garlic aioli/mayo, which was nicely done. The fries, while crisp, were over-salted making them inedible. Of additional note, the beer was tapped shortly before open, was very warm, and the keg hadn't settled yet which provided the server with a difficult time to provide a beer that wasn't pure foam. I can't hold that against the quality of tap beer that could have been experienced in better conditions. The watermelon fizz used a nice gin, and the tonic used wasn't overly carbonated however very little watermelon flavor could be noted. Perhaps a simple syrup solution using pureed watermelon, then refined through a chinois could have provided a more flavorful base for the cocktail, but without knowing the technique applied, I can't make that statement with any absolute certainty. While I wouldn't travel based on this experience to give the dinner service a try, but am curious if the unique items on the dinner menu would have provided a better dining experience. read more

Server was extremely nice, but that's about the best I can say at this point. Service was ridiculously slow and inefficient. The food was just "so so." Was really looking forward to supporting this local business but it's hard when service is slow and the food isn't great. read more

Went here for lunch on a rainy Saturday. Hubby had a gigantic cheeseburger that was so delicious he hardly said a word until it was gone. I had the "Impossible" (veggie) burger, by far the best veggie burger anywhere. The way they prepare it, it tastes exactly like beef. Even my burger connoisseur hubby thought so. The burgers were topped with fresh tomatoes & lettuce. Fries were great. Staff was super friendly. Vibe was upscale casual. Very comfy. This place offers wine & beer pairing dinners and all kinds of fun stuff. We are planning to check those out. read more

Friends took us to the friendly Wheelhouse cafe, and I thought everything was great. I enjoyed the pulled pork barbecue sandwich on a deliciously fresh brioche bun served with a choice of fries, slaw or my choice, the fresh veggie salad. Everything was fresh, tasty and attractive. Friends enjoyed the grilled chicken wrap in a seasoned tortilla and served with some of the best french fries I've had in a long time. They serve the fries with a delicious homemade tomatillo catsup that was a fun change of pace. The staff here are friendly, welcoming and attentive. Very reasonable prices considering the quality of the fresh food. They offer both indoor and patio seating. read more

This is an excellent choice for dinner or lunch! Atmosphere was great. Clean. Staff was very friendly. The fried chicken sandwich was excellent. My friend had and veggie burger and she was very pleased with the flavor. Defiantly worth it to shop local. Excellent choice. Menu options are awesome. Hard to choose just one. Oh and I almost forgot, the dessert. Carmel bread pudding with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. read more

This is the first time eating here in a few years. It was pretty good. Service was good. I felt kind of stupid paying $25 for a piece of breaded pork loin. I have paid more for much worse meals. read more

The service was phenomenal! Our server was very knowledgeable and steered us into delicious entrees. The menu isn't extensive, but it's modern, interesting and lives up to the descriptions. The Wheelhouse offers great quality food for a fair price; drinks, small plate, salads and entrees all for $80. I couldn't be more pleased with my experience and will definitely be back. read more

Realized I was driving right through St Joseph and couldn't pass up the chance to try the Wheelhouse! The Cuban Rueben and a ginger beer made for a delicious lunch, served by friendly staff in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. Got to meet the owners, too. All in all, well worth the stop read more

The Wheelhouse - New American Near Me - St Joseph, Illinois

Easter Sunday brunch---couldn't have been better! A beautiful sunny day allowed us to eat outside. Great service from Katie, Liz and Ryan too! We started with a shared plate of Bread and Pastries, My wife and I both loved the Sticky Bun French Toast, and our son enjoyed the Biscuits and Gravy. Then my son and I each ordered another Entree, Mine was Smoked Ham, Mashed Potatoes with hot Chicken Gravy, Glazed Carrots and fresh Green Beans, all delicious! My son, had a special Baroque Ham sandwich, with a side salad. There was no room for dessert for any of us! So fortunate to have such a nice and unique dining experience right here in St Joseph. Gordon G. read more

We wanted to love this place. Even going back to give it second chance. However, it's over priced and mediocre at best. Nothing was bad, it just wasn't great. read more

Everything was so good from the drinks to the food! The cheese curds were amazing, and the salmon was perfectly cooked! Will be going here in the future! read more

This review is written from food and service experiences by four for dinner. The restaurant is hard for find; it's located in a blue building on the west side of Main Street. The atmosphere is comfortable, and there is a small bar area. Cheese curds were ordered and good. For meals, a hamburger, smoking chicken, and 2 Cuban Ruebens were ordered. The hamburger was ordered well done, it arrived pink inside, though eatable since only a portion was wanted. The smoking chicken included a lot of lettuce, and the ruebens were ok - one commented the corned beef was not to his liking. The service provided was odd. Sugar was requested, and a container of Splenda was given. Honey mustard was requested, and Dijon mustard was given (very diff sauces). We found this odd. When asking about real sugar, the waitress must have gotten offended. It wasn't easy to get; I didn't see her again except to slap our bill between us (one of the two couples). Non-tea [soda] drinkers were offered refills. The waitress thanked only one of the couples (the couple who did not ask for sugar or mustard). We felt for such a small request re sugar, the waitress could have easily made the dining experience better with little effort. I had higher hopes in this restaurant! The menu does not excite me enough to plan a return visit, and the service certainly doesn't. read more

Husband and I went here for Date night tonight! Service was excellent, atmosphere was nice, and the food was amazing. I ordered the wheelhouse burger which was cooked perfectly and had wonderful flavors! The fries that came with the burger were just the right texture! My husband ordered the special which was a squid ink pasta with lobster and shrimp in a creamy sauce- absolutely to die for, it also came with grilled ciabatta bread. For dessert we ordered the Carmel apple pie with ice cream and lemon meringue- both hit the spot! We will definitely be back! read more

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Dined there with friends and family on Thursday, June 8. We were very happy with the meal -- another nice place for the rotation, if a bit far from Champaign & Mahomet where we live. But it was worth the drive and we will be going back. Pros: - cheese curds very good, would have ordered more if I had the metabolism - good salads, fresh greens - excellent entrees: risotto, spaghetti, chicken breast. everything looked interesting - nice decor, like upscale barn? whatever it was, it worked well - friendly staff - had a nice Sicilian wine by the bottle -- forget the name. was quite inexpensive. Overall, wine markups seem very fair. - the bathroom was clean. it matters -- not always the case - very very easy parking Cons: - cocktails not well mixed. mint julep and templeton rye old fashioned. i don't think we were shorted on the rye, but the drink felt weak or maybe lacking in flavor from other ingredients - menu a bit small. Since we don't live in St. Joe, we probably won't be going there more than once every couple months, but if we were, we'd like to see a larger list - draft beer list admirably local, but only four. Would like to see more, but we had wine and cocktails that night and the draft selection did not factor into the star rating - a few more wine options would be nice Unsure: - dessert: strawberry cake was nice, tea cake seemed not fully cooked Summary: Very happy to see a new serious restaurant in Champaign (county). Good crowd on a Thursday, seems like a great start. If I could ask for one thing: I'd ask for two. Better cocktails and a few more menu options. If there are always entree specials, that would be good enough. I would try everything on the current menu, so I won't be running out soon. Oh, and a larger wine list or -- do you allow brought in wine for a corkage fee? Good luck! read more

A friend and I decided to go out of our way for Saturday morning brunch to try out the Wheel House in St Joseph (~15 minutes away from Campustown). Needless to say, we were pleasantly surprised. You know the feeling of biting into a good burger? The one where the bun is fluffy, not too oily, and the undersides are nicely charred to give it that slightly-crunchy, but-also-soft texture? The one where the patties are the perfect amount of cooked, not overly seasoned, and every bite is tender with slight hints of a smoky aroma? This burger is exactly that. The wheelhouse burger is a lovely unpretentious burger that packs a flavorful punch. I would highly recommend! The accompanies fries are crunchy and crispy, and nicely seasoned as well. P Besides the food being more than satisfactory, the ambiance has an authentic and casual vibe. The theme of the restaurant revolves around bicycles, and there are repurposed wheels used as chandeliers, and painted bikes hanging to provide a unique visual experience. The wheelhouse itself is tucked away in a corner of a small indoor shopping plaza, which supports a cozy initial feeling before you walk into the restaurant. Service is gracious and attentive, food is filling and fantastic. If you've gotten bored of the options in the CU area, come come come. The Wheelhouse will not disappoint! read more

The Wheelhouse - Wheelhouse Burger! $12 - New American Near Me - St Joseph, Illinois

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This place is the real deal. I was intrigued by the menu on their Facebook page and 6 of us tried it out on a Saturday night. They hit the mark on numerous fronts and considering they haven't been open for very long the execution is something even established restaurants should model. Even the innocuous sounding chicken entree is something special and very tasty. The Porchetta entree which I ordered was very very good. Highlights: Appetizers: Lamb/beef meatballs Cheese curds Duck 3 ways Entrees Basted chicken Porchetta (pork) The burger Cuban Reuben Drinks: Gin martini The Doty Chocolate mint julep Dessert: Bread pudding with ice cream Skip: Ravioli. We are definitely planning a return visit. read more

Absolutely Delicious! Exceeded all of our expectations. The herb marinated cheese curds w/ beer mustard were heavenly. The beef & lamb meatballs melted in my mouth with an explosion of smokiness and contrasted beautifully with the sweet potato purée. I'm also somewhat of Cuban sandwich connoisseur and the Cuban Rueben is a must try! Also loved the juicy veggie bowl! My wife and I split our meals they were so good. Great ambiance, very friendly staff, and a killer IPA selection! So many local farms supported too!!! Love It!!! read more

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