Captain's Cove Bar & Grill At Starved Rock Marina

This place is strictly for locals. Not welcoming at all. As soon as they saw our group they immediately treat it us as if we were an inconvenience. It was a group of 10 of us. The waitress asked if we had made a reservation, even though their website doesn’t say anything about reservations, they don’t even have a link to make a reservation. She said let me ask my manager because we normally can’t take groups of 6 or more with out a reservation. She came back and said, the manager will only allow u to sit in a certain table. We asked to sit near the outdoor area and immediately said no. When we asked her why (there was only 1 table being occupied every other table was completely open) the waitress said, my manager doesn’t like that. I told her we don’t mind splitting up the group but she immediately refused and we just felt as though we were not welcomed. We didn’t complain or argued. Told her thank you and left. She looked relieved. Also, only one waitress for the whole restaurant. Again, this place is strictly for locals. We we left we took at the outdoor area closer to the river and I think the reason why they don’t like to have people sitting near the river area is because it looks like it’s falling apart. It’s probably not safe.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

we've been here MANY times!!!! always delicious food, the best frozen drinks, and great waitresses!!!! sure hope someone retakes over, would be terrible to lose this place.

Shoutout to Jake who was at the information booth at Matthiessen state park for suggesting this place to us.

Amazing views of the river from the enclosed balcony seating area. We had the Cousin grouper on a Rye sandwich and Boom Boom shrimp which were both delicious. Definitely going to be back.

Parking: Restaurant at the end of a long driveway near the river. Plenty of parking.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Cousin Grouper, Boom Boom Shrimp

So great! Entrees are fresh and different from run of the mill. Loved our night overlooking the river at the Captain's Cove!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Cousin Grouper

Excellent view. Good food. I'm surprised this place is not full all the time. It's kind of a hidden gem. Restaurant door hard to find

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Had reservations, but when we arrived, we were told to take the table set up in the back. We were not waited on. Our family of ten gave the staff plenty of time to acknowledge us and take our orders. The owner was very unprofessional and did not take any responsibility for this. Who tells customers that they are short-staffed? What owner of an establishment yells at the customers like Dana did? They have lost our business for good.

Service: 1

Staff was wonderful it was a nice place to eat and enjoy the view of the water and greenary.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Let's just say we will never again spend the money there. Ribeye stake was 60% fat and sure as he'll didn't cook it to order. The wings were over fried and it all started with the mozzarella sticks which were hard as a rock. Honestly the only thing I liked was the Blue moon on tap, they didn't mass that up. All this after an hour wait for the food and they were not even busy. The place looked way better on the pictures posted on Maps. Now, the food was not seasoned correctly and I had to keep asking the waiter multiple times for a fork. All of this you might ask was it worth the wait? I say absolutely not and that's after being starved for 13 hrs out on the boat where every one knows things tast 10 times better when starved. Wife didn't even receive what she ordered and the waiter said "oh my bet I must of hear it wrong" while she walked away vs remaking the right order. All said and done the bill came in at over $160 for 2 kids and 3 adults. For what??? Never again.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 3

This was our view. ♥

Parking: I thought the parking would be tight but it was completely fine.

Kid-friendliness: Definitely kid friendly.

Wheelchair accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Sandwich, Chicken Sandwich & Onion Rings

Love this place. Food was terrific, sat outside over the river and the view was fabulous. We will be back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Buffalo Chicken, Chicken Sandwich & Onion Rings

Great view of the river! Food good too!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great food and awesome service!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Combo Platter, Coconut Shrimp, Fried Pickle Spears

Dinner with the family was really good and relaxing sitting in the big screened in eating area off of the river. We ordered the combo appetizer platter, plenty for us all and the mushrooms were awesome! The service was great and very attentive, and we ordered the potato chips breaded coated chicken sandwich, YUM! And the grouper, even more YUM!! Did I mention how good the prices are??? Honestly I forgot about this place and hadn't been here in years but you bet your patooty we'll be back again soon! Only thing is, if you're handicapped you may want to check if there's another way up the flight of stairs into the restaurant. It's on the second floor.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Cousin Grouper, Combo Platter, Chicken Sandwich & Onion Rings

Food was good. Didn’t have enough wait staff. Our waiter was rushed. Too many stairs for elderly. Bathroom down stairs from dining room

Wheelchair accessibility: None

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 3

Beautiful view with the tables outside on the upper deck.

Atmosphere: 4

Service: 4