Big Fish Grille

Nice selection of seafood dinners. Steaks were excellent. Little on the pricey side. Casual dress ok.

Awesome atmosphere. From the moment we walked in everyone was super friendly. We had a reservation and I received a text confirmation, which was super helpful. Drinks were great. Try the French Martini. I liked the crab cake, I wish there was a spicy sauce or something besides tartar sauce. My steak was perfectly cooked. All in all this is a great place. I can't wait to go back in the summer and sit outside to dine.

So, I will say that driving in down the windy dark roads in the winter had us feeling like what on earth did we decide, but keep reading.

The dining room was full (Friday night prime dinner rush), but there were spots open at the bar. My husband and I reluctantly decided to just eat at the bar. Not exactly our first choice since we looked ahead and saw that the menu was pricey. The hostess was friendly, greeted us right away and did her job well. No complaints there.

We didn't regret our decision to eat at the bar.

First of all, the bartender, Sam, made us immediately feel comfortable. We ordered drinks and then ordered the scallops and a side of shrimp as an appetizer. OH. MY. GOD. It was amazing. You would never know we had it living in the middle of Illinois. Delicious flavor, and the scallops melted in our mouths. They were both downright decadent.

I had ordered a lemon drop martini, and it was made perfectly. Sam the bartender knows what she's doing. My husband had a captain and 7, and it was also made perfectly. She was attentive even though she was juggling a full bar and incoming table orders. She never made us feel like we were less than the incoming orders. She is amazing!

I ordered the lobster tail meal while my husband ordered the aged strip steak. We were both impressed. The flavor, the texture, the cooking-- idk. All of it was impeccable like these fools were vying for America's Top Chef or some bologna like that. We can't speak highly enough of the food, that's how good it was. Portion sizes were appropriate, and we both finished our plates.

The restaurant is very small, but clean with comfortable, tasteful decor. I will say, if I have anything to critique, it's that driving in, it's hard to tell where the entrance of the restaurant is. There is zero curb appeal - obviously, that is all on the dock side for those coming in off the river. The only suggestion I have is to make it more apparent for those driving in that they're in the right place. It's very much off the beaten path, so it's not that imperative, but a few signs would be helpful.

Overall, we plan to come back. It was a fantastic experience and we highly approve.

My favorite restaurant in Illinois. excellent specials including Wednesday night half-price bottles of wine. 50 cent oysters on Sunday. Good food good staff and an amazing atmosphere. Good place to have a date.

Great local restaurant. Great food and top notch service. I have been here 9 times and never had a bad meal. There may be a dish I would not order again but that is my own personal taste not because of preparation. The staff has always been attentive and kept my glass full. The drinks from the bar have been perfect. The only complaint I have is that they should offer more baked items instead of fried.