This place was a hidden gem! You can sit on the upper deck to eat and have an amazing view of the river. We even witnessed them bringing in the catfish they caught that day. The catfish was AMAZING. Food was very reasonably priced and definitely plenty of it per order. The server was very sweet and efficient as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: River Catfish Dinner
Francis Morgan
Drove two and half hours only to find it closed. We were told that new owners had taken over and no one in town could give us any more information. This was on Friday November 13. Make sure to call so you don't waste a day We did eat in town in a cafe on the corner. Friday special was a 12 oz ribeye for$12 00. Would give that place five stars for friendly service, atmosphere and good food for your dollar Nothing posted on the door Used to be a good place to eat but I predict a dim future for the E'town River Restaurant. When someone new takes over an established business, the first thing they do is to put their imprint on it. Without fail the establishment dwindles away and we've lost another place. Example,.. Pioneer Cabin in Willisville. Besides the new owners must be Yankees ( Chicago? ) because we don't all live on the internet down here
mysilohana mysilohana
Eat there at your own risk. Certainly not what it used to be. Our tour bus driver now avoids eating here. (Before end of season) The food was just as bad as the service.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Jennifer Browning
This restaurant is fantastic!! It's been a few years since I have been but it's just a good now as it was then. This time was really special because I was able to bring my 3 girls to see it all for the first time and they went crazy when they saw it floating on the river!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mike Wicoff
Known for its fresh caught fish, and that it is floating on the Ohio river is a local landmark. Our food was just fine I can recommend it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hamburger
Chris Judd
They have the best catfish. If you are camping or visiting the area you have to go here. The restaurant and the outside area are floating on the river. We always eat on the top deck outside and watch the river. The only downside is they are only open in the summer.Vegetarian options: It's deepfried catfish why ask? They also have burgers and chicken.Wheelchair accessibility: There is a ramp that leads to the restaurant but it is fairly wide.
Neda Banach
We had heard about the restaurant and thought it sounded like a rather unique experience. Unfortunately, we were wrong. Being on the River, one would assume that the fish would be outstanding. It was not! The food portions were skimpy, but the prices were not. We could have eaten the all you can eat shrimp at Red Lobster with sides for $3.50 more. I couldn’t believe the fish was served with no pickles or onion. The slaw was horrible as were the baked beans. No flavor. Not only was the food horrible but the outside tables were dirty and the wait staff was super unfriendly. We even had to ask for forks? For those contemplating a visit to this restaurant, I would recommend that you find someplace else to visit. We have gone to Grafton, IL and would recommend visiting there as opposed to ETown.
Journey22809756331
I hate a bad review. But, nobody has left a review since Sept. '22. I hadn't been in a couple years. Used to be a WONDERFUL foid and atmosphere experience. Fish was fresh, folks (servers) were kind. NOT our experience last night. Fish was tough and chewy. I literally swallowed whole chunks, as I couldn't tear with my teeth. My husband didn't even finish his. That Bad!! Also, between flies, muddobver and knats, they were everywhere!! One landed in my husband's drink. When we, ki day, asked the server for a new drink, she did...but, no apology or kind words, at all. Then, my husband asked for a lid, to avoid the same, she gave it...but, again, no smile, word, kindness, etc. I've never seen someone serving have a "zero" personality. AVOID this, if possible. We went to the Mercantile and got ice cream, we then went to the E-town Take Out, to go order/pick up place, got a deep fried pretzel and cheese, AMAZING, BOTH. SAD when you leave a restaurant and go eat elsewhere AND paid for the Terrible fish. We hope the owner/manager does something...quick!! Word will spread...
Mike McAlister
Great experience to eat right on the river.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: River Catfish Dinner
Robin C.
Diner on a dock with good catfish, nice people and welcoming view of the z Ohio River. Small place but does have outdoor seating. Busy place but servers kept up with the flow. Cute town to visit too
Excellent catfish! There are other things on the menu, but if the restaurant is floating in the Ohio River, I'm getting the fish ?. Very good hush puppies too. The waitress were friendly, polite and very attentive. The building has some age to it, but it doesn't seem to affect the operator the place. If you are traveling the Ohio River Road in southern Illinois, worth stopping for lunch or dinner. Large servings, pretty low price ?
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: River Catfish Dinner, River Catfish, Hushpuppies
Sheena K
Very neat little restaurant on the Ohio river. Service was super fast and friendly. Better have your sea legs on it was windy when I went so it was a rockin !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
JL Culver
Best fish ever. This little gemisluckyto have Tommy we had a nicelunch and treated like family by Tommy. He talked with us and gave some history of the restaurant. He made our experience a 5 star today!
Jae Naugle
Does it get any better eating great food while sitting on the water? The Cat Fish dinner is one of the best I've had. Like many places, they are a little understaffed but worth the wait.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: River Catfish Dinner, Hushpuppies, Corn Nuggets
Scott Palmer
Sit outside floating on the Ohio River. Great fried catfish and hush puppies. Not at all greasy or oily. Waitresses were sweet and friendly.
This place was a hidden gem! You can sit on the upper deck to eat and have an amazing view of the river. We even witnessed them bringing in the catfish they caught that day. The catfish was AMAZING. Food was very reasonably priced and definitely plenty of it per order. The server was very sweet and efficient as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: River Catfish Dinner
Drove two and half hours only to find it closed. We were told that new owners had taken over and no one in town could give us any more information. This was on Friday November 13. Make sure to call so you don't waste a day We did eat in town in a cafe on the corner. Friday special was a 12 oz ribeye for$12 00. Would give that place five stars for friendly service, atmosphere and good food for your dollar Nothing posted on the door Used to be a good place to eat but I predict a dim future for the E'town River Restaurant. When someone new takes over an established business, the first thing they do is to put their imprint on it. Without fail the establishment dwindles away and we've lost another place. Example,.. Pioneer Cabin in Willisville. Besides the new owners must be Yankees ( Chicago? ) because we don't all live on the internet down here
Eat there at your own risk. Certainly not what it used to be. Our tour bus driver now avoids eating here. (Before end of season) The food was just as bad as the service.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
This restaurant is fantastic!! It's been a few years since I have been but it's just a good now as it was then. This time was really special because I was able to bring my 3 girls to see it all for the first time and they went crazy when they saw it floating on the river!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Known for its fresh caught fish, and that it is floating on the Ohio river is a local landmark. Our food was just fine I can recommend it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hamburger
They have the best catfish. If you are camping or visiting the area you have to go here. The restaurant and the outside area are floating on the river. We always eat on the top deck outside and watch the river. The only downside is they are only open in the summer.Vegetarian options: It's deepfried catfish why ask? They also have burgers and chicken.Wheelchair accessibility: There is a ramp that leads to the restaurant but it is fairly wide.
We had heard about the restaurant and thought it sounded like a rather unique experience. Unfortunately, we were wrong. Being on the River, one would assume that the fish would be outstanding. It was not! The food portions were skimpy, but the prices were not. We could have eaten the all you can eat shrimp at Red Lobster with sides for $3.50 more. I couldn’t believe the fish was served with no pickles or onion. The slaw was horrible as were the baked beans. No flavor. Not only was the food horrible but the outside tables were dirty and the wait staff was super unfriendly. We even had to ask for forks? For those contemplating a visit to this restaurant, I would recommend that you find someplace else to visit. We have gone to Grafton, IL and would recommend visiting there as opposed to ETown.
I hate a bad review. But, nobody has left a review since Sept. '22. I hadn't been in a couple years. Used to be a WONDERFUL foid and atmosphere experience. Fish was fresh, folks (servers) were kind. NOT our experience last night. Fish was tough and chewy. I literally swallowed whole chunks, as I couldn't tear with my teeth. My husband didn't even finish his. That Bad!! Also, between flies, muddobver and knats, they were everywhere!! One landed in my husband's drink. When we, ki day, asked the server for a new drink, she did...but, no apology or kind words, at all. Then, my husband asked for a lid, to avoid the same, she gave it...but, again, no smile, word, kindness, etc. I've never seen someone serving have a "zero" personality. AVOID this, if possible. We went to the Mercantile and got ice cream, we then went to the E-town Take Out, to go order/pick up place, got a deep fried pretzel and cheese, AMAZING, BOTH. SAD when you leave a restaurant and go eat elsewhere AND paid for the Terrible fish. We hope the owner/manager does something...quick!! Word will spread...
Great experience to eat right on the river.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: River Catfish Dinner
Diner on a dock with good catfish, nice people and welcoming view of the z Ohio River. Small place but does have outdoor seating. Busy place but servers kept up with the flow. Cute town to visit too
Restaurantji Recommends
Excellent catfish! There are other things on the menu, but if the restaurant is floating in the Ohio River, I'm getting the fish ?. Very good hush puppies too. The waitress were friendly, polite and very attentive. The building has some age to it, but it doesn't seem to affect the operator the place. If you are traveling the Ohio River Road in southern Illinois, worth stopping for lunch or dinner. Large servings, pretty low price ?
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: River Catfish Dinner, River Catfish, Hushpuppies
Very neat little restaurant on the Ohio river. Service was super fast and friendly. Better have your sea legs on it was windy when I went so it was a rockin !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best fish ever. This little gemisluckyto have Tommy we had a nicelunch and treated like family by Tommy. He talked with us and gave some history of the restaurant. He made our experience a 5 star today!
Does it get any better eating great food while sitting on the water? The Cat Fish dinner is one of the best I've had. Like many places, they are a little understaffed but worth the wait.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: River Catfish Dinner, Hushpuppies, Corn Nuggets
Sit outside floating on the Ohio River. Great fried catfish and hush puppies. Not at all greasy or oily. Waitresses were sweet and friendly.