Great seafood. Best in Peoria in my opinion. They have large portions so come with an appetite. Their seafood omission always fresh and tasty. Notable drink menu. Only criticism is the Oscar option on their menu. Normally Oscar is hollandaise like sauce. Here, it's simply cooked crab meat with no sauce. Didn't care for it too much.
(4)
David M.
1/2 Dozen Assorted Raw Oysters in the Half Shell & Blackened Marlin Oyster Sampler Three of each saves the trouble of deciding - 6ct $12.80 Bayou Peppered Marlin (Fresh Catch of the Day) Pepper-Crusted and Pan-Seared then topped with an Andouille Sausage & Portabella Mushroom Cream, their most popular preparation; flanked with Jasmine Rice and Mixed Vegetables - $24.80 OK. This has been one of my favorite restaurants, ever since I first discovered it 13 years ago. To my surprise, they still serving up great food that's absolutely off the chain! Now the Marlin (above) may not have the best presentation but, it sure was scrumptious. And the oysters? Well I've yet to find them more fresh (outside of Seattle that is!) The setting of this place is off the hook as well (on the river, surrounded by boats, get it? Off the hook!). It's got a great location, somewhat hidden and off the beaten path but, once you come across it, you'll be in awe. Regardless what the season is, regardless what the occasion is, regardless what the time is, you have to check out Jonah's. You won't be disappointed!
(3)
Maria-Elena T.
We got a seat by the window which is key to seeing the view of the lake. Our waitress was perky and friendly. I told her it was my friend's birthday and she said that meant he got a piece of chocolate cake free. We started with a half dozen oysters- six of two kinds. They were good. I ordered the Caesar salad but it was not memorable. I would not order it again. I got the Lake Superior white fish which was very fresh and good. It was cooked to my specification and perfection. I chose the mashed potato as one of my sides and it was good. It was very dense. I liked it. At the end she brought the chocolate cake. She neglected to mention it was practically a quarter of a cake and could have fed the entire restaurant!!!
(3)
Dawn S.
Grea food and friendly service at this place. It is a birthday celebration place for my family but I love it when I have a chance to grab the seven layer salad for lunch with co-workers. My fav is to start with the rangoons and clam chowder then have the oscar stuffed anything!
(4)
Bill S.
The food here is good, but it is far from great. I had the monkfish and was disappointed at the serving size for the cost. Service was very slow even though we were there after the dinner rush on a Saturday. We'll be back in the Peoria area at some point, but this would be low on my list of places to return to.
(3)
Lawrence L.
Good food. Service was extremely slow for only about five or so tables at lunch time. The chumbo (half gumbo half chowder) was excellent. I would highly recommend it.
(4)
Sniper K.
Great all around bar or restaurant. Food, hemisphere, healthy drinks, and the dinner prices do not match the quality of the food here.
(5)
Tanner F.
Great place for seafood and service is usually great too. Price is pretty reasonable especially for seafood. I like the jambalaya the best. Only way to get better quality is to go to the coast or go to a really expensive place in a city like Chicago.
(4)
Colleen M.
I've been to Jonah's a couple times now, but only to the Oyster Bar. The restaurant itself seems a little too stuffy and fancy for me, I prefer the cocktail bar atmosphere next door. The cocktails are good, good martinis and mojitos. I've enjoyed the seared tuna, grilled shrimp sandwich and the crab cakes. I think my favorite item so far has been the clam flatbread, really tasty and garlicky! The seating in the bar is first come, first serve and gets very crowded at peak times.
(4)
Ryan J.
We stopped in to the Oyster bar around 9:30pm and had a few beers and the French onion soup, and a Gulf shrimp cocktail. Both were fantastic. I believe it was $28 for the 2 beers and the food, not bad at all. We sat at the bar, and service was excellent and prompt. We are from Aurora so we won't likely be back soon, but the menu looked awesome so we'll definitely go back if we're in the area again! *Side note - the Stoney creek hotel across the drive is ...meh :( Not so good.
(5)
Matt C.
Overall, I would say that Jonah's offers a fair experience. The service is prompt, attentive, and friendly, while the atmosphere is quite pleasant. Unfortunately, where the experience falls down a bit is in the quality of the fish. Don't get me wrong, the preparations are well-done, but lacking the foundation of solid fish as the base. The clam chowder is a perfect example of what I mean. It's rich and creamy, with the aromas of bay leaves and dill coming through right away. There is a perfect amount of potatoes and celery to add texture. However, it really lacks the flavor of clams. There's a small amount of clams distributed around, but they're neither meaty nor intensely flavorful. The chowder would be a great base for a fish chowder, or a chicken chowder, but as a clam chowder, it fails to really make it all the way. Jonah's does gain a star back for the grouper sandwich and the cajun fish wrap. The grouper was grilled nicely, served on lettuce, tomato, onion, and a light, tasty bun. The cajun fish was fried with a pleasant kick, balancing well with the tortilla that makes it more of a fish burrito than a wrap in execution. One caveat: due to medical restrictions, I wasn't able to sample any of the oysters that seem to have put Jonah's on the map, so hopefully I'll be able to update this review in the future.
(3)
Ann K.
The service is great. The clam chowder is outstanding. I had the fried platter and it was so-so. The oysters were bland and had no flavor. The shrimp and fish were obviously frozen. One of the people at our table got creme brulee' and it was wonderful. I might try it again, but I wouldn't go with the fried platter.
(3)
Missy L.
Jonah's Oyster Bar is my favorite place to eat in all of Peoria. Atmosphere, check. Music, check. Food, check. All of the above, all of the time. A tried and true solid restaurant and bar.
(5)
Rob H.
Nothing short of spectacular, and the server ((Lima sp?) was superb, the optimal balance of friendly, attentive, knowledgable & polite just what we needed that night. None of the server games like suck up for a tip or now you see 'em now you don't. My wife and I both had seafood dishes (duh but there are steak options) including an oyster dish for an appetizer. We were regulars since early 90's but hit a few bad days so we're AWOL for a while. The last few times were great and so glad to have Jonah's back in our routine- should I mention we drive an hour to get there? Mmmmmmmmerry Christmas!
(5)
Julie L.
This is one of very few restaurants I come to when I get back to IL. Where to start?? Seven layer salad, grilled shrimp salad, French onion soup, calamari, bang bang shrimp and least but certainly not last their key lime pie. As good if not better than any KLP I've had in Key West. A great family run business...I look forward to my next visit!
(5)
Chris E.
In Peoria every month or so. I don't think I've ever been here without stopping at Jhonas for a wonderful lunch in the oyster bar. Outstanding pan fried oysters. My beautiful bride loves the key lime pie. Don't miss it! Also, if you like martinis, you'll love the blue cheese stuffed olives are in an ice cold martini...
(5)
Dodd V.
I took my mother here this past weekend for a mothers day dinner and had a fantastic meal. I never even knew this place was here so I sure am glad she suggested it and was up for the drive from Bloomington. I will admit I was skeptical about the food. I live in Chicago and am used to some of the nicer places with relatively fresh fish so I was not sure what to expect in central Illinois. To my surprise it was all quite good. The crab cake appetizer was full of good chunk crab meat and not a whole lot of filler which some places put in to lower their cost. The Atlantic Scallops were about as good as they get. The Au gratin potatoes were a nice surprise, hot, creaming and delicious. And then the deserts.......Key Lime pie the way it is suppose to be made. Nice and tart and topped with a bit of fresh whipped cream. Overall, fantastic food! We also had a great server, Kearstyn who was very pleasant and helpful. I most definitely will be back and will ask for her again! :) If I had any complaint at all, it would be that when it got busy it did get a bit loud in the restaurant.
(4)
Chris J.
Jonah's does try to be a more serious seafood restaurant - and does a pretty good job in my opinion. I like that they have oysters - and their menu is a bit more advanced - but they are not quite a hardcore seafood restaurant. One issue they have is price versus value. Tonight I spent $42 ($49 inlcuding tip) for: - Coke - dozen oysters ( 1/2 dozen of 2 diff types) - Grouper sandwich And while everything was pretty good - compared to what I can get in similar places across the country that is rather costly for not that much food. I think Jonah's is absolutely perfect if your priority is 1) drinks (alcohol) / social atmosphere and then 2) seafood as a tasty add-on
(3)
Tom M.
If you are looking for great seafood in the Peoria area, there can't be anything better than this. My party was visiting the area during a conference, and we chose Jonah's for dinner out. All I can say is, wow! The restaurant is located on the river, and there is some outside seating although it didn't appear to be available on the evening we were there. The decor is standard, dark wood, sea shanty kind of decor that might throw you off. But don't let that fool you. The menu is out of this world and it's prepared to perfection. We started with the sampler appetizer that included huge breaded shrimp, calamari and crab rangoon. It's more than enough for six people. I had the Grouper Oscar, served with hollandaise sauce and chunks of crab meat. The grouper was cooked perfectly. You MUST order the Sweet Au Gratin Potatoes as a side. It's a house specialty. It appears to be regular au gratin potatoes with bacon, but it's sweetened with something - possibly brown sugar. It sounds strange but you will find yourself wolfing it down. Yes, it's really sweet but I couldn't stop eating it. Prices are bit high - close to $30 for an entree. But it's worth it. I want to go back to Peoria just to eat at this place again.
(5)
Dave G.
Ran out of Salmon - holy moly Hawaii Mahi Mahi was bland & tasteless Shocked ! ! ! Normally it's always been a good experience.
(2)
Terry T.
Excellent food and excellent service! I had the grilled marlin and it was delicious! We started with oysters Rockefeller and my god were they tasty. We tried the bread pudding for dessert and it was also excellent and definitely not something that was pulled out of a freezer and slapped on a plate like most of the big chain restaurants. Highly recommend!
(5)
Jim F.
Started with clam chowder - great taste and thick not like water. Seafood dinner. Fried - no sub for broiled. Great amount of food correct batter & tasty. They offer a spicy pepper. Fresh bread (cool) not warm.
(5)
Bobby M.
4/5 - the only negative thing being that after a certain hour, you can't order menu items from the adjacent Oyster Bar... and I wanted that goddamn seafood flatbread so bad. Also, a great place for cougar/MILF hunting.
(4)
Jami B.
This place never disappoints. Great food. Good, consistent service. Quality seafood. Love the freshly shucked oysters.
(5)
Katie B.
Service was okay. Food was subpar. Unfortunately, the best part of the meal was the au gratin potatoes. We ordered grouper oscar and scallops. Nothing was bad, it just did not meet expectations. Not very good. Certainly not worth the price point.
(1)
David C.
Fantastic blackened grouper sandwich this evening along with a nice glass of frogs leap cab. The red beans and rice were spiced to perfection. Flavorful food and excellent service at a very fair price.
(5)
Griffin R.
Jonah's is a go-to date night restaurant for my wife and I. It doesn't get any better than their Cheesy Potatoes.
(4)
Dave B.
We have been here a few times before and always liked this restaurant. We were seated immediately and our server was excellent, but to be honest the overall service was a bit slow (not due to our server, but to the kitchen). We started with the oysters Rockefeller and they were really, really good ... perfectly cooked with a bit of cheese and a small piece of bacon on top. I had the New Zealand salmon and it was superb, albeit a somewhat small portion. The au gratin potatoes were quite good with a nice, slightly sweet taste to them. Kevin had the filet Oscar which was perfectly cooked and tender, although the asparagus was a bit undercooked and tough. All in all a nice meal and we will be back again, but can't go 5 stars based on the extended wait between courses and the undercooked veggies.
(4)
Michael S.
Jonah's surprised me. I apparently didn't read the review very well because I was expecting a dive bar with oysters, what I got was much more. The restaurant is very nice and probably upscale for Peoria (I'm not a local, so someone correct me if I am mistaken). Pros: - Decent beer and wine selection - The oysters were meaty and had a nice flavor - The grouper was fantastically prepared and had a wonderful texture - Wait staff was prompt - Nice view of the river from the back of the restaurant Con: - The back of the restaurant has a "deck" feel to it, even though it is fully enclosed and part of the main structure. While that is not necessarily a bad thing, it makes the back area quite noisy. Even though, I was eating alone (big winner, I know), I thought it was quite loud. I imagine it would be difficult to hold a conversation in the back room.
(4)
Brian P.
I like this Oyster Bar place a lot, probably one of Peoria's best ambiances. Jonah's is attached and is kind of older style. The fish I had was fresh and obviously a pretty decent cut. However, it was overcooked just a little and was drowning in a fair amount of butter. Butter makes stuff taste good in moderation, anything more than that it's just heart attack liquid--3 stars. I wonder if the chef feels that the fish itself isn't good enough to stand out above the butter? That being said, you can get stuff ordered however you want here. I would go for the cilantro lime preparation and ask them to go easy on butter for most fishes. the mongkok style is also pretty delicious. The sides are just AOK--standard high quality and done just fine. I think of this place like it's a steakhouse for fish.
(3)
Glenn W.
Always had good food and service here. Remember We're in Central Illinois not on the coast. But for this area...it's great....
(4)
Jon U.
9-13-2013 Visiting from Los Angeles, my daughter brought us here and this place is amazing, great food, huge beer selection and perfect music! Very California indeed, well done!
(5)
Jered S.
I have never had a bad meal here in 15+ years!!! Their dirty martinis are memorable!! I love the grouper sandwich and their desserts are always worth the calorie guilt : )
(5)
Jen B.
I feel 180 degrees differently about Jonah's as I do the Oyster Bar. I actually think of them as totally separate restaurants. It's the Oyster Bar that I love and I was reminded of the extreme difference at a recent dinner on the Jonah's side of things. The main differences between the two are the patrons (Jonah's has all the children, old people and strange ducks while the Oyster Bar has all the young urban professionals) and the service. The servers in the Oyster Bar are very conscientious, quick to check on you for refills, take away plates and suggest drink/food choices. The servers in Jonah's are just there to tap your order into their handhelds and bring out your food. I asked for a drink suggestion, she just handed me a menu. I also noticed on this visit that vegetables are not a listed side option but they ARE available, upon request. Broccoli or asparagus when we were there. By the looks of things on the Jonah's side, I would think the veggies should be more prominently listed and not offered by request only. My salmon was pretty blah outside of the butter it has been almost boiled in. It was so rich and greasy, it was hanging out in a pool of buttah when it arrived. That was it's only taste, salt and pepper must be add at your own taste, let along any other spices. The stomachache that quickly followed reminded me that I don't normally eat food that greasy. Not even at Richards. I know the Oyster Bar share the same kitchen but the Oyster Bar has it's own menu that you cannot order from in Jonahs. I can't help but think the Oyster Bar patrons are the ones who get the good stuff, the stuff with spices and flavors minus the butter. So back to Oyster Bar I go, I will just pretend like I don't see their boring greasy brother stuck next door.
(2)
Ed A.
Always liked this place until today. Spent $50 on a disappointing dinner. Started with the oysters, small but good. Clam Chowder should have come out like a salad, but was delivered with the meal. The Grouper with red beans and rice were cold, and tough. It was like Grouper jerky. I was sitting at the bar, and only 10 feet from the kitchen. And when I complained, the bartender did nothing about it. The next day I went to Donnelley's Pub in Peoria, and got 3 Alaskan Walley fillets that were hot and moist, and less expensive.
(1)
Tom C.
My go-to place whenever I'm in the area. Absolutely fabulous Cajun, and I speak from experience being raised in the deep south. I haven't had a better gumbo, even in N'Awlins itself. Spicy, chunky, just superb. Their New England style clam chowder is obvious made from scratch as well and ranks among the best I've had. I typically get a few of their Cajun offerings off their appetizer menu and call it a meal, so I can't really speak for their main entrees as much. The one time I had one (some sort of fish, grilled I think with some sort of special sauce) it was decent, but nothing really memorable (obviously). I have had their fried platter and it was great, but it's hard to not do fried seafood right. The oyster bar and the restaurant are separate but side-by-side, and have slightly different menus (although they say you can order off the restaurant menu on the bar side as well. So from my point of view, I'm really giving the oyster bar menu the 5 stars. Based on my one experience the entrees on the restaurant side would rank less but a sample size of one wouldn't really be quite fair. Service was always great and friendly. Definitely worth a repeat visit!
(5)
Vanessa G.
Went to the Oyster Bar while traveling on business. Options on the Oyster Bar side did not disappoint! Had the Oysters Rockerfeller and Fried Oysters with side salad. The side salad was like a large/typical entree salad where I'm from.
(4)
Savannah R.
Very nice seafood for the Midwest. Our server was amazing and not only helped us with deciding on what to eat but overall was a cool guy. They have yummy cocktails and the place sits right on lake peoria.
(4)
Keith B.
Used to be a big fan of the place. Not many nice seafood restaurants in the area. Over the last couple of years this place has gone downhill. Food quality has gone down. Most food comes back greasy, over cooked, and under seasoned. Decor is still nice, but needs cleaning bad. Dust everywhere and has a horrible musty smell. Shame, used to really enjoy this place.
(2)
Rod D.
The Oyster Bar had delicious crab & shrimp nachos. The Parmesan Crusted Crab Quesadilla were ok, but were a bit heavy on the crust and light on the filling, which left the flavor lacking. Great Service & Atmosphere.
(4)
John G.
Nothing special but good basic food. Au gratin potatoes very sweet.
(3)
Rebecca W.
The cod with red beans and rice is my favorite dinner in the area. Oyster Bar sometimes a bit noisy but the food is worth it.
(5)
Suzanne S.
There wasn't anything overtly awful about this place, but it also wasn't good. The potatoes that some reviewers raved about are sweet, not sweet potatoes, but sugar added, which didn't add up in my mouth. I had scallops, which were broiled (fine), but came out overdone, and swimming in liquid. Terrible thing to do to a lovely scallop. They were generously sized, however. My only other cringe-worthy experience was the Oyster Rockerfeller, it was mostly tasty, a bit too heavy-handed with the pepper, but as I picked off the bacon, I noticed a PARASITIC CRAB in my oyster. Now, I am aware that these can be common, some people even consider them a delicacy, however- I do not. I can imagine getting one fresh from a fishmonger, but if they are opening and cleaning the oysters and prepping them, I expect a rather large pea crab would have been removed. Service was fine, good on refilling drinks, a bit slow for dinner to come out.
(2)
Jan X.
This is our fourth visit to The Oyster Bar, and we keep coming back for more! I have been to Jonah's a handful of times, and never really realized The Oyster Bar was its own separate entity. I thoroughly enjoy the menu, the service at the bar, and the atmosphere. The bartenders are extremely accommodating, and always make sure my drink is perfectly chilled (down to the glass) and are happy to offer suggestions in reference to the menu options. We have tried multiple food offerings, and have not had one things we didn't like or would not have again! From appetizers to soup and salads, flatbreads, and other dinner options, The Oyster Bar definitely rivals any other bar/lounge in the Peoria area!
(5)
Doc L.
The quality and freshness of the seafood is excellent, especially for this area. The prices are reasonable for the quality of the food. The service is okay, which contributes to this restaurant being more comfortable/local than upscale. I like it and will continue to go there.
(4)
Richard F.
I came here on a Tuesday night (the week of Thanksgiving). I brought my wife and my parents to try this place out. We got there aroung 6pm and the place was empty. They seated us quickly and the waiters both came over to see us. They were both a lot of fun and spent some time joking around with us while they took our drink orders. Even though we only had one of them serving us, both took the time to check on us during our visit. We started with the Oysters Rockefeller. They were excellent. Strong cheese flavor with bacon which kept the oyster flavor to a minimum. We then got 3 different meals. I got the Halibut, my parents the whitefish and my wife the shrimp and bay scallops. All of us were extremely pleased. The atmosphere is classy and just had a beautiful feel to it. Since it was dark, we didn't get to enjoy the view, but I can imagine that would have made it even better. The place is expensive, but I knew that going in. I do feel like we received a great value even at that price. Overall, I think the waiters started us out on a good foot and the food kept us on the high they started us on. I absolutely recommend you check this place out!
(5)
George H.
I went to Jonah's with a group of people and was seated downstairs in the function room. The decor was nice, and the waitstaff very attentive. We had a very nice appetizer arrangement with shrimp, veggies etc. Since we were with a large group we had a smaller menu to choose from rather than the full menu. I order a mixed seafood plate that consisted of a piece of salmon, 2 shrimp, a piece of white fish, a potato, and vegetable. It was overcooked, and cold. I'm not a big potato person so asked for some steamed veggies as a substitution. No substitutions, so I purchased the veggies. They came out nice and hot and were very good. Unfortunately we did not receive them until 30 minutes after the meal came (9:30 PM). I've heard good things about this place and will go back to try the oyster bar.
(2)
Cara A.
Great food. 7 layer salad is the bomb. Disappointed in a place such as this charging for refills. Seriously?
(3)
Lian C.
So much love for Jonah's. My husband's family lives in Peoria and we visit Jonah's every time we're in town. We actually went twice during the last visit. We sat in the Oyster Bar but ordered from the restaurant. My vodka martini was perfect, the oysters were fresh and delicious, my deep sea scallops were cooked perfectly and seasoned just right. My husband ordered the tuna which was rare and delicious, served with a variety of sauces that were tasty but the fish was great on its own. Our waitress was extremely helpful, polite and prompt. *love*
(5)
Kelly S.
Haven't tried the Oyster bar at all, but went to Jonah's for dinner. It is very chain-restaurant like with un-remarkable food. It was fine, it was food, but it wasnt a "nice" restaurant feel or taste at all and I wouldn't go back.
(2)
Patty S.
From the outside, this place looks like a gem and very rustic. There are 2 separate areas, the bar and the more formal dining area with separate entrances as well. Each area offered either own menu selections, but you can order from either menu which doesn't make a difference where you sit. The bar menu is more casual with sandwich selections while the dining room menu is filled with entrees. I ordered the shrimp sautee with peppers, onions, and rice pilaf. The flavors were familiar and wasn't unique by any means. I think I expected more flavors. Being a seafood restaurant, I also expected the shrimp to be extremely fresh and cooked to perfection, but some where mushy and just didn't taste very good as the they were not de-veined as well. On the other hand, my dinner companion's dish looked delicious. He ordered the blackened grouper sandwich and the fish must have been a nice 10oz portion! I'm looking forward to going back and giving the grouper sandwich a try!
(3)
Neeva T.
Obviously their seafood is good but their cajun chicken is delicious. I highly recommend their Bang bang shrimp.
(4)
Mike C.
Jonah's seafood is a cool place except for the food. We went in there after the state track meet 5/12/12. We had a party of 9. They seated us very quickly even though they were pretty busy( Saturday night). I had the soft shell crabs that were saturated with grease. They were the worst crabs I've ever had. My wife and daughter had king crab legs and my son had the filet. Both super cold. The lobster was good but small for the price. The calamari was soggy with grease again. The oyster Rockefeller was the best I've ever had. I would defiantly order them again if someone kidnapped me and made me go to this place again. The strawberry wheat beer was really good also. I'm sorry I can't remember our waiters name but he really went out of his way to make us happy. Really pleased with the service and the oysters. Everything else I was disappointed with. Oh ya the iced tea with the mint leaves were really good also. I don't think I will be returning to this place to eat again. 2 king crabs 1 filet 2 oyster rockafeller 2 calamari 1 beer 3 iced tea ----------------------- $250 they did not charge me for the soft shell crabs because i sent them back. they were inedible.
(2)
Justin H.
5 star dining experience. Normally don't care for batter dipped fish but it was the special so I had it and it was amazing. As always the place was spotless and the service was perfect. My favorite restaurant.
(5)
Sherah B.
Meh...this place is not all that. I went there with a big group and I was gravely disappointed. The service was horrible, the bread came with a weird pepper butter spread, and the fish was plain. I may have been there on an off night, but I was not impressed.
(2)
Jori S.
WooHoo ! As good as it gets.... in Peoria Illinois. After one meal, I was hooked on Jonah's. Surprisingly the seafood was all so fresh, and prepared to showcase that. Cons: - It was very busy when we went in, and our server was a bit slow, empty drink practically the entire night. -They have 2 kitchens, and these 2 kitchens put food out at different times. 2 menus, 2 kitchens, 2 restaurants, just weird. Pros: -The food! More specifically: Sweet Potato Au Gratin (not on the either menu, but prepared from the Jonah kitchen) Clam Chowder, Fillet Mignon sandwich. Cole slaw, Crab Rangoon's, Crabbie Wrap (prepared with fresh crab, like a crab salad). Seriously- this was everything we had on our table, and it was all great. -The ambiance. -The bathroom's. -The deck. -The daily printed menu. This place is on my short list, will return every time I come back to Peoria.
(5)
Khoa N.
This is the best seafood you can get in the area. I've been here several times and overall it's been delicious although sometimes mediocre and somtimes fantastic. I've never been gravely disappointed. My husband is a vegetarian (who doesn't eat fish) and loves it here. They've made him special vegetarian dishes upon request. Since their menus are printed daily they don't actually list every single item they can actually make so if there's something you've had at another seafood restaurant but don't see it on the menu, ask. There's a lot of talk about the poor service. I've never experienced this... it really just depends on your server not the restaurant itself.
(4)
Carrie Jeremiah A.
I am giving this place, or well rather the Oyster Bar which I prefer the atmosphere over Jonahs, 5 stars because it is the first place I pick to go. I usually order off the Jonahs menu, the chicken sautee is delicious but like the music and feel of the bar. We usually get the crab dip to share off of the Oyster Bar menu and everyone loves it!
(5)
Bill M.
It's freaking 10 degrees (above, and you have to be sure and indicate that this time of year) at 4:00 PM and I've got to eat. I've done a quick check on Yelp, just to find that there's precious little help there in Peoria. Q'doba was mentioned when I asked around about Mexican. So, I'm driving. This piece of crap Aveo that Hertz gave me (should have tried Enterprise here, I guess ;-) has the feel of a worn out pair of slippers, sloppy under foot, ready and willing to be relieved of duty at any time. The sun is bouncing off the frost on the INSIDE of the windshield. I can't see crap. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I catch a sign for a seafood restaurant. I pull in, go in and find a rustic, clean, not-very-fancy bar/restaurant. There are only a few folks in the place. I get a very nice seat right along the Illinois river, looking at downtown Peoria. (Go ahead, yuck it up. A view is a view, water, albeit frozen and snow covered, along with a city skyline is very nice). The menu is created new everyday. Loads of seafood options, a nice appetizer selection and drinks, oh the drinks. None for me on this trip, but the selection of beers, wine and mixers looked fun. Today's specials were 6 Blue Point Oysters on the half and Hawaiian Blue Marlin. The Blue Points rock. Salty, slightly sweet, cold, very fresh, medium sized. The wonders of refrigerated shipping. The Blue Marlin is good, but I should have eschewed my New Year's resolution to eat healthy and gotten some decadent sauce, but I went grilled. It was appropriately simple, but still tasty. The cup-sized mound of mashed potatoes and steamed veggies were a fine accompaniment. The meal also came with a cup of soup or a salad. The Spicy Gumbo was more spicy than good, but had plenty of fish, which was a plus. Nice touch on the pineapple wedge on the iced tea glass. Service was excellent, being attended to by no less than 4 different folks for various stages of the meal. In summary, this isn't fancy dining, it isn't especially cheap, but for a date/evening out with a partner, this is a nice place. By the time I left, the place was filling up and business looks good. Ask to sit by the windows.
(4)
David B.
First, it is not on the water. Second, it is not really even close to the water. Otherwise, the food was good, the service was great. We also had a few drinks at the bar. It was very crowded, but the service was still attentive.
(4)
Mike T.
One of my favorite seafood places. They always have fresh oysters and I have to order it when I go. Nice decor, good service, and good selection of fish. A good bowl of clam chowder, some fresh grilled fish, and raw oysters is the perfect meal.
(4)
Gary P.
The place has a great view of the river but the food and service are just so-so. I had Halibut Roma and the fish was cooked well but it was bland. The roma sauce was way too sweet. Others in the group had a similar opinions. Its a nice place and has a good crowd on the weekends. Not sure we would go back though.
(2)
Allie B.
One of the best restaurants in Peoria with decently priced food and beautiful views of the river. Oyster bar is also highly recommended, and they have daily specials.
(5)
Nicole V.
I don't love Peoria restaurants - but Jonah's is different. I love the Oyster Bar for a great date night. The booths are cozy and the bar is dim. It's a great place to take your time, have a couple great cocktails and relax. I haven't had a bad meal here - I love the crab cake appetizer, they have a great burger (who knew?)...I think the oyster bar has the better menu but that's just me. This is definitely worth the trip if you are visiting the area.
(4)
Jan c.
I am a sucker for a restaurant on the water, good or bad. I met a customer we had an enjoyable dinner. i never did get that aha yummy moment. expensive, but on the water. I would go back.
(4)
Jamie L.
I've been to this restaurant about 6 times. I've had good and bad experiences. The last time I went, my meal came out perfect. My husband's was raw and asked to just get what I got as a replacement. When that came out, it was raw in the center. Our server was great, he was very helpful and realized that there was an error made on their behalf and issued us a credit.
(3)
Alston S.
Jonah's is a great place in Peoria! I've been several times and never had a bad meal. I usually get their fried oysters and some sort of potato side, always yummy. Their carrot cake is out of this world! The atmosphere is fun. Waiters can be great and also so so, kind of just depends on who you get. Recommended for a nice dinner out!
(4)
Hasham Y.
Went there for dinner. I yelped the place on my way which greatly helped me set my bar of expectation. Sweeping gorgeous views of the lake and after dusk the downtown lights made it even beautiful. they print the menus daily and on the top are daily announcement. After reading i the announcements i realized 7 people were celebrating birthdays and actually one guy was proposing his gf, Anna. yes very romantic and she did say Yes. the restaurant is located at marina, kinda away from the city and offers ample parking. they have a separate bar area. Nothing fancy, just a regular restaurant which serves primarily sea food. i ordered fresh sword fish Cajun style with Cesar salad and side of mash potato. Nothing special in the salad, mashed potatoes were good and sword fish was decent. the chef made me two pieces as he thought one piece was small. Thank you for the courtesy. appreciated and acknowledged :) The service is poor. like 1 star. the server totally ignored the table as other yelpers have stated and water refills were coming at snails pace. we were still working on salads when main entrees came. yup, that is no fun. For dessert i ordered banana foster.ok now that totally rocked my dessert. Def the best dessert you can have in Peoria. i cherished every bite of it and shamelessly cleaned the entire bowl. Not sure about food, but definitely coming back for banana foster. Skip the apple cheese cake, it just ain't worth it
(2)
Nancy W.
3.-almost 4 stars for Jonah's As I wrote this review, I was down to one eye -- well, one functional eye - they're both technically fine, it's just that only one was sober enough to participate in the computing experience. I'll tell you right up front, last night I had too much to drink. It's all J's fault. When you work on a job with J this is what happens. We started out our evening using our free drink coupons at the hotel and then the shuttle guy kindly took us over the river to Jonah's in East Peoria. Jonah's - Peoria's premier seafood restaurant. Yes, seafood in Peoria. Oh, just hush up and stop laughing. It was pretty good. We started with a dozen of the sweetest, purtiest little oysters and a plate of calamari. The oysters were very good, the calamari was decent. My work compatriots both had the grilled Lake Superior Whitefish with a side of the Red Bliss potatoes. They started with chowder and I had yet another mid-west salad - why do I always hope I'm going to get something other than iceberg lettuce? I had the West Coast Dover Sole with lemon and capers. The fish was cooked perfectly although there was too much dried dill garnishing the lemon/butter sauce. We split 2 bottles of Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio - very dry, not-too-light and very crisp. J had an amaretto to finish up and although I never drink it unless I'm dipping an amaretto cookie into it, I joined him. The menu is produced daily. The left side was comprised of appetizers and the more standard chain fish restaurant fare. The right side is the 'fresh' list and contained interesting, sustainably raised or fished entries (I'm pretty sure - I don't quite have my Monterey Bay Aquarium Bad Fish-Better Fish-Best Fish list memorized). - Ambiance - not cutting edge. That definitely might NOT play in Peoria -- but it's comfortable. A large multi-room space on the banks of the Peoria River. J told me that the view is lovely at sunset. Seating was comfortable and the tables weren't jammed up against each other. The decor is all about da fish not so overly cute that you want to poke our your eyes with a flensing knife. Outside, instead of wood chips as ground cover, they use oyster shells - whole oyster shells. Family oriented, birthday party oriented - it can be kind of loud. On the plus side, the oddly shaped rooms provide enough nooks and crannies that you can escape the noise. - Service was efficient and very friendly. Our entrees were quite delayed. The server was apologetic but considering our mood, we didn't mind the wait. - Food - good for Peoria. I know that sounds snarky but it is not meant to be. It's tough to bring the kind of produce to the table that we are privileged to have in the Bay Area to restaurants in the mid-west and be reasonably priced enough to attract and please a wide-range of people and still remain profitable. Since I will need to return to Peoria after the first of the year, I'll definitely make another trip to Jonah's. (Next Morning) it's a miracle! This morning as I spackled over the bags under my eyes, I was watching a broadcast of one of the old Bishop Fulton Sheen shows on one of several religious stations here in Peoria and I feel much better. Of course, I was also huffing the coffee grounds from the in-room Mr. Coffee machine and throwing back handfuls of ibuprofen.
(4)
Kevin B.
We hadn't been to Jonah's in over 20 years so we decided to go on a Friday during Lent. All of the food we had was outstanding! They have a great wine list, nice atmosphere and the service we got from our waiter Brett Z. was top notch. Could not have asked for a better dining experience in the area. As we were walking out after dinner, my wife asked, "Tell me why we haven't eaten here in so long? We need to come back more often!"
(5)
DC C.
Got a couple appetizers for a lighter meal tonight. It was the calamari fritti and seared tuna. Both were decent to good at times, though the tuna was too fishy tasting near the end of the fillet & the calamari should have come with a marinara sauce and lemon. Neither of these were exceptional, but there could be potential - worthy of another try.
(3)
Sandra L.
We've eaten at Jonah's half a dozen times and love it. Their seafood is such a treat for this section of the country and the service is friendly. We like sitting overlooking the Illinois River and downtown Peoria. People celebrate important events at Jonah's so you'll hear lots of clapping, singing and cameras clicking. If it's your birthday, you get a balloon. A bit pricey for what you get but the quality of the seafood is terrific. We also love the cigar bar, different atmosphere and a good place to hang with friends. Since it's near the marina, you get the boat owner crowd and they are always ready to supply tales of their adventures if you ask.
(4)
Stephanie Z.
Came to Jonah's for my boyfriend's birthday, neither of us have ever been there. Service was excellent. The food came out in an appropriate amount of time and was delicious. We started with Oysters Rockefeller, pretty darn good, I've never had it before so I don't have anything to judge it against. I ordered the grilled garlic basil swordfish, and the sauce and the sweet Au gratins were mouth watering. My boyfriend had the bayou peppered blue fin, which he enjoyed but we both agreed mine was more flavorful. The fries were good and crispy and fresh. To top dinner off, our waitress (who was absolutely great::Friendly, but not overbearing at all while still being attentive.) brought out a HUGE piece of chocolate cake for the birthday boy. Fun tip: if there is a special occasion, call ahead earlier in the day or day before and you can have the birthday or anniversary you are celebrating actually printed on the menu. I imagine service may get sketchy when the place is crowded or there are large groups being served, but that will happen most anywhere. I love that it isn't a chain restaurant, which Central Il has so many of. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Wayne L.
The seafood gumbo was fantastic. I will definately return and try dinner the next time I'm in town.
(5)
E T.
To me, this place is a "Special Occasion" type restaurant. I went here when my boyfriend graduated college a few years ago and that afternoon this place was packed! I think its because there isn't a large selection of "fancy" restaurants in this area. Ive been here a few times since and every single time Ive ordered something different. Every time I go the food has been too salty for me. I don't know if the amount of salt is the norm for the palette around here, but again, too salty for my liking. I do love the view from the restaurant, especially from the outside patio. The portions are big and the cocktail menu is decent. However, the thing that will continue to bring me back to this place are their oysters. Fresh and sweet!
(3)
Ashley S.
Several people have recommended Jonah's to me because I love seafood, so my expectations were high. I liked it, but I think I ordered the wrong thing - the fried platter. It was good, but it's hard to tell the difference between long john silver's fried shrimp and Jonah's fried shrimp. My fault for ordering the wrong thing. I just didn't have the money to spend on the lobster tail or king crab. I'll be going back on a different occassion to try that out. The service was good though and so were the drinks! The place had a nice view of the river. There are two sides to the place: the restaurant side and the oyster bar side, I ate at the oyster bar side. It had a fun vibe, but I've heard the restaurant side has a completely different feel to it. The place was very busy on a Saturday night, I might recommend reservations. There was plenty of parking though. All in all, I'd like to try it again, ordering something different.
Good bread and good service. I ordered grilled shrimp and scallops. I was kind of disappointed as there were only four pieces of shrimp and a bunch of scallops which I wasn't a huge fan of. I also thought the food was a little too salty, but generally I'm more sensitive to that than others. I was also disappointed with the portion size. This isn't necessarily a bad thing as I definitely had enough food, but I like to have too much food so I can take home leftovers, and given the price I don't see why there couldn't have been more. 3 stars because of the service, but I won't be going back.
(3)
Michael H.
If you can somehow manage to block out the ex jocks wielding Bud Lights and their trophy wives with fake nails you maybe able to enjoy the truly decent food and Martinis here. Go to the martini bar for cheaper fare, but if you are entertaining your mother-in-law sit on the restaurant side and watch the sun go down over the river while eating sushi grade tuna.
(4)
George S.
If you want overpriced small portions of food, this is the place for you.
(2)
Jack R.
First, let me say that I do not like seafood. I ended up here with a group of people from work. I ordered one of the two non-seafood items on the menu. It was OK. I get the impression that this restaurant (along with many people who have recommended it) thinks it is better than it really is. Nothing about the decor, atmosphere or service lived up what I had been lead to expect from the way people talk about the place.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Frank C.
Great seafood. Best in Peoria in my opinion. They have large portions so come with an appetite. Their seafood omission always fresh and tasty. Notable drink menu. Only criticism is the Oscar option on their menu. Normally Oscar is hollandaise like sauce. Here, it's simply cooked crab meat with no sauce. Didn't care for it too much.
(4)David M.
1/2 Dozen Assorted Raw Oysters in the Half Shell & Blackened Marlin Oyster Sampler Three of each saves the trouble of deciding - 6ct $12.80 Bayou Peppered Marlin (Fresh Catch of the Day) Pepper-Crusted and Pan-Seared then topped with an Andouille Sausage & Portabella Mushroom Cream, their most popular preparation; flanked with Jasmine Rice and Mixed Vegetables - $24.80 OK. This has been one of my favorite restaurants, ever since I first discovered it 13 years ago. To my surprise, they still serving up great food that's absolutely off the chain! Now the Marlin (above) may not have the best presentation but, it sure was scrumptious. And the oysters? Well I've yet to find them more fresh (outside of Seattle that is!) The setting of this place is off the hook as well (on the river, surrounded by boats, get it? Off the hook!). It's got a great location, somewhat hidden and off the beaten path but, once you come across it, you'll be in awe. Regardless what the season is, regardless what the occasion is, regardless what the time is, you have to check out Jonah's. You won't be disappointed!
(3)Maria-Elena T.
We got a seat by the window which is key to seeing the view of the lake. Our waitress was perky and friendly. I told her it was my friend's birthday and she said that meant he got a piece of chocolate cake free. We started with a half dozen oysters- six of two kinds. They were good. I ordered the Caesar salad but it was not memorable. I would not order it again. I got the Lake Superior white fish which was very fresh and good. It was cooked to my specification and perfection. I chose the mashed potato as one of my sides and it was good. It was very dense. I liked it. At the end she brought the chocolate cake. She neglected to mention it was practically a quarter of a cake and could have fed the entire restaurant!!!
(3)Dawn S.
Grea food and friendly service at this place. It is a birthday celebration place for my family but I love it when I have a chance to grab the seven layer salad for lunch with co-workers. My fav is to start with the rangoons and clam chowder then have the oscar stuffed anything!
(4)Bill S.
The food here is good, but it is far from great. I had the monkfish and was disappointed at the serving size for the cost. Service was very slow even though we were there after the dinner rush on a Saturday. We'll be back in the Peoria area at some point, but this would be low on my list of places to return to.
(3)Lawrence L.
Good food. Service was extremely slow for only about five or so tables at lunch time. The chumbo (half gumbo half chowder) was excellent. I would highly recommend it.
(4)Sniper K.
Great all around bar or restaurant. Food, hemisphere, healthy drinks, and the dinner prices do not match the quality of the food here.
(5)Tanner F.
Great place for seafood and service is usually great too. Price is pretty reasonable especially for seafood. I like the jambalaya the best. Only way to get better quality is to go to the coast or go to a really expensive place in a city like Chicago.
(4)Colleen M.
I've been to Jonah's a couple times now, but only to the Oyster Bar. The restaurant itself seems a little too stuffy and fancy for me, I prefer the cocktail bar atmosphere next door. The cocktails are good, good martinis and mojitos. I've enjoyed the seared tuna, grilled shrimp sandwich and the crab cakes. I think my favorite item so far has been the clam flatbread, really tasty and garlicky! The seating in the bar is first come, first serve and gets very crowded at peak times.
(4)Ryan J.
We stopped in to the Oyster bar around 9:30pm and had a few beers and the French onion soup, and a Gulf shrimp cocktail. Both were fantastic. I believe it was $28 for the 2 beers and the food, not bad at all. We sat at the bar, and service was excellent and prompt. We are from Aurora so we won't likely be back soon, but the menu looked awesome so we'll definitely go back if we're in the area again! *Side note - the Stoney creek hotel across the drive is ...meh :( Not so good.
(5)Matt C.
Overall, I would say that Jonah's offers a fair experience. The service is prompt, attentive, and friendly, while the atmosphere is quite pleasant. Unfortunately, where the experience falls down a bit is in the quality of the fish. Don't get me wrong, the preparations are well-done, but lacking the foundation of solid fish as the base. The clam chowder is a perfect example of what I mean. It's rich and creamy, with the aromas of bay leaves and dill coming through right away. There is a perfect amount of potatoes and celery to add texture. However, it really lacks the flavor of clams. There's a small amount of clams distributed around, but they're neither meaty nor intensely flavorful. The chowder would be a great base for a fish chowder, or a chicken chowder, but as a clam chowder, it fails to really make it all the way. Jonah's does gain a star back for the grouper sandwich and the cajun fish wrap. The grouper was grilled nicely, served on lettuce, tomato, onion, and a light, tasty bun. The cajun fish was fried with a pleasant kick, balancing well with the tortilla that makes it more of a fish burrito than a wrap in execution. One caveat: due to medical restrictions, I wasn't able to sample any of the oysters that seem to have put Jonah's on the map, so hopefully I'll be able to update this review in the future.
(3)Ann K.
The service is great. The clam chowder is outstanding. I had the fried platter and it was so-so. The oysters were bland and had no flavor. The shrimp and fish were obviously frozen. One of the people at our table got creme brulee' and it was wonderful. I might try it again, but I wouldn't go with the fried platter.
(3)Missy L.
Jonah's Oyster Bar is my favorite place to eat in all of Peoria. Atmosphere, check. Music, check. Food, check. All of the above, all of the time. A tried and true solid restaurant and bar.
(5)Rob H.
Nothing short of spectacular, and the server ((Lima sp?) was superb, the optimal balance of friendly, attentive, knowledgable & polite just what we needed that night. None of the server games like suck up for a tip or now you see 'em now you don't. My wife and I both had seafood dishes (duh but there are steak options) including an oyster dish for an appetizer. We were regulars since early 90's but hit a few bad days so we're AWOL for a while. The last few times were great and so glad to have Jonah's back in our routine- should I mention we drive an hour to get there? Mmmmmmmmerry Christmas!
(5)Julie L.
This is one of very few restaurants I come to when I get back to IL. Where to start?? Seven layer salad, grilled shrimp salad, French onion soup, calamari, bang bang shrimp and least but certainly not last their key lime pie. As good if not better than any KLP I've had in Key West. A great family run business...I look forward to my next visit!
(5)Chris E.
In Peoria every month or so. I don't think I've ever been here without stopping at Jhonas for a wonderful lunch in the oyster bar. Outstanding pan fried oysters. My beautiful bride loves the key lime pie. Don't miss it! Also, if you like martinis, you'll love the blue cheese stuffed olives are in an ice cold martini...
(5)Dodd V.
I took my mother here this past weekend for a mothers day dinner and had a fantastic meal. I never even knew this place was here so I sure am glad she suggested it and was up for the drive from Bloomington. I will admit I was skeptical about the food. I live in Chicago and am used to some of the nicer places with relatively fresh fish so I was not sure what to expect in central Illinois. To my surprise it was all quite good. The crab cake appetizer was full of good chunk crab meat and not a whole lot of filler which some places put in to lower their cost. The Atlantic Scallops were about as good as they get. The Au gratin potatoes were a nice surprise, hot, creaming and delicious. And then the deserts.......Key Lime pie the way it is suppose to be made. Nice and tart and topped with a bit of fresh whipped cream. Overall, fantastic food! We also had a great server, Kearstyn who was very pleasant and helpful. I most definitely will be back and will ask for her again! :) If I had any complaint at all, it would be that when it got busy it did get a bit loud in the restaurant.
(4)Chris J.
Jonah's does try to be a more serious seafood restaurant - and does a pretty good job in my opinion. I like that they have oysters - and their menu is a bit more advanced - but they are not quite a hardcore seafood restaurant. One issue they have is price versus value. Tonight I spent $42 ($49 inlcuding tip) for: - Coke - dozen oysters ( 1/2 dozen of 2 diff types) - Grouper sandwich And while everything was pretty good - compared to what I can get in similar places across the country that is rather costly for not that much food. I think Jonah's is absolutely perfect if your priority is 1) drinks (alcohol) / social atmosphere and then 2) seafood as a tasty add-on
(3)Tom M.
If you are looking for great seafood in the Peoria area, there can't be anything better than this. My party was visiting the area during a conference, and we chose Jonah's for dinner out. All I can say is, wow! The restaurant is located on the river, and there is some outside seating although it didn't appear to be available on the evening we were there. The decor is standard, dark wood, sea shanty kind of decor that might throw you off. But don't let that fool you. The menu is out of this world and it's prepared to perfection. We started with the sampler appetizer that included huge breaded shrimp, calamari and crab rangoon. It's more than enough for six people. I had the Grouper Oscar, served with hollandaise sauce and chunks of crab meat. The grouper was cooked perfectly. You MUST order the Sweet Au Gratin Potatoes as a side. It's a house specialty. It appears to be regular au gratin potatoes with bacon, but it's sweetened with something - possibly brown sugar. It sounds strange but you will find yourself wolfing it down. Yes, it's really sweet but I couldn't stop eating it. Prices are bit high - close to $30 for an entree. But it's worth it. I want to go back to Peoria just to eat at this place again.
(5)Dave G.
Ran out of Salmon - holy moly Hawaii Mahi Mahi was bland & tasteless Shocked ! ! ! Normally it's always been a good experience.
(2)Terry T.
Excellent food and excellent service! I had the grilled marlin and it was delicious! We started with oysters Rockefeller and my god were they tasty. We tried the bread pudding for dessert and it was also excellent and definitely not something that was pulled out of a freezer and slapped on a plate like most of the big chain restaurants. Highly recommend!
(5)Jim F.
Started with clam chowder - great taste and thick not like water. Seafood dinner. Fried - no sub for broiled. Great amount of food correct batter & tasty. They offer a spicy pepper. Fresh bread (cool) not warm.
(5)Bobby M.
4/5 - the only negative thing being that after a certain hour, you can't order menu items from the adjacent Oyster Bar... and I wanted that goddamn seafood flatbread so bad. Also, a great place for cougar/MILF hunting.
(4)Jami B.
This place never disappoints. Great food. Good, consistent service. Quality seafood. Love the freshly shucked oysters.
(5)Katie B.
Service was okay. Food was subpar. Unfortunately, the best part of the meal was the au gratin potatoes. We ordered grouper oscar and scallops. Nothing was bad, it just did not meet expectations. Not very good. Certainly not worth the price point.
(1)David C.
Fantastic blackened grouper sandwich this evening along with a nice glass of frogs leap cab. The red beans and rice were spiced to perfection. Flavorful food and excellent service at a very fair price.
(5)Griffin R.
Jonah's is a go-to date night restaurant for my wife and I. It doesn't get any better than their Cheesy Potatoes.
(4)Dave B.
We have been here a few times before and always liked this restaurant. We were seated immediately and our server was excellent, but to be honest the overall service was a bit slow (not due to our server, but to the kitchen). We started with the oysters Rockefeller and they were really, really good ... perfectly cooked with a bit of cheese and a small piece of bacon on top. I had the New Zealand salmon and it was superb, albeit a somewhat small portion. The au gratin potatoes were quite good with a nice, slightly sweet taste to them. Kevin had the filet Oscar which was perfectly cooked and tender, although the asparagus was a bit undercooked and tough. All in all a nice meal and we will be back again, but can't go 5 stars based on the extended wait between courses and the undercooked veggies.
(4)Michael S.
Jonah's surprised me. I apparently didn't read the review very well because I was expecting a dive bar with oysters, what I got was much more. The restaurant is very nice and probably upscale for Peoria (I'm not a local, so someone correct me if I am mistaken). Pros: - Decent beer and wine selection - The oysters were meaty and had a nice flavor - The grouper was fantastically prepared and had a wonderful texture - Wait staff was prompt - Nice view of the river from the back of the restaurant Con: - The back of the restaurant has a "deck" feel to it, even though it is fully enclosed and part of the main structure. While that is not necessarily a bad thing, it makes the back area quite noisy. Even though, I was eating alone (big winner, I know), I thought it was quite loud. I imagine it would be difficult to hold a conversation in the back room.
(4)Brian P.
I like this Oyster Bar place a lot, probably one of Peoria's best ambiances. Jonah's is attached and is kind of older style. The fish I had was fresh and obviously a pretty decent cut. However, it was overcooked just a little and was drowning in a fair amount of butter. Butter makes stuff taste good in moderation, anything more than that it's just heart attack liquid--3 stars. I wonder if the chef feels that the fish itself isn't good enough to stand out above the butter? That being said, you can get stuff ordered however you want here. I would go for the cilantro lime preparation and ask them to go easy on butter for most fishes. the mongkok style is also pretty delicious. The sides are just AOK--standard high quality and done just fine. I think of this place like it's a steakhouse for fish.
(3)Glenn W.
Always had good food and service here. Remember We're in Central Illinois not on the coast. But for this area...it's great....
(4)Jon U.
9-13-2013 Visiting from Los Angeles, my daughter brought us here and this place is amazing, great food, huge beer selection and perfect music! Very California indeed, well done!
(5)Jered S.
I have never had a bad meal here in 15+ years!!! Their dirty martinis are memorable!! I love the grouper sandwich and their desserts are always worth the calorie guilt : )
(5)Jen B.
I feel 180 degrees differently about Jonah's as I do the Oyster Bar. I actually think of them as totally separate restaurants. It's the Oyster Bar that I love and I was reminded of the extreme difference at a recent dinner on the Jonah's side of things. The main differences between the two are the patrons (Jonah's has all the children, old people and strange ducks while the Oyster Bar has all the young urban professionals) and the service. The servers in the Oyster Bar are very conscientious, quick to check on you for refills, take away plates and suggest drink/food choices. The servers in Jonah's are just there to tap your order into their handhelds and bring out your food. I asked for a drink suggestion, she just handed me a menu. I also noticed on this visit that vegetables are not a listed side option but they ARE available, upon request. Broccoli or asparagus when we were there. By the looks of things on the Jonah's side, I would think the veggies should be more prominently listed and not offered by request only. My salmon was pretty blah outside of the butter it has been almost boiled in. It was so rich and greasy, it was hanging out in a pool of buttah when it arrived. That was it's only taste, salt and pepper must be add at your own taste, let along any other spices. The stomachache that quickly followed reminded me that I don't normally eat food that greasy. Not even at Richards. I know the Oyster Bar share the same kitchen but the Oyster Bar has it's own menu that you cannot order from in Jonahs. I can't help but think the Oyster Bar patrons are the ones who get the good stuff, the stuff with spices and flavors minus the butter. So back to Oyster Bar I go, I will just pretend like I don't see their boring greasy brother stuck next door.
(2)Ed A.
Always liked this place until today. Spent $50 on a disappointing dinner. Started with the oysters, small but good. Clam Chowder should have come out like a salad, but was delivered with the meal. The Grouper with red beans and rice were cold, and tough. It was like Grouper jerky. I was sitting at the bar, and only 10 feet from the kitchen. And when I complained, the bartender did nothing about it. The next day I went to Donnelley's Pub in Peoria, and got 3 Alaskan Walley fillets that were hot and moist, and less expensive.
(1)Tom C.
My go-to place whenever I'm in the area. Absolutely fabulous Cajun, and I speak from experience being raised in the deep south. I haven't had a better gumbo, even in N'Awlins itself. Spicy, chunky, just superb. Their New England style clam chowder is obvious made from scratch as well and ranks among the best I've had. I typically get a few of their Cajun offerings off their appetizer menu and call it a meal, so I can't really speak for their main entrees as much. The one time I had one (some sort of fish, grilled I think with some sort of special sauce) it was decent, but nothing really memorable (obviously). I have had their fried platter and it was great, but it's hard to not do fried seafood right. The oyster bar and the restaurant are separate but side-by-side, and have slightly different menus (although they say you can order off the restaurant menu on the bar side as well. So from my point of view, I'm really giving the oyster bar menu the 5 stars. Based on my one experience the entrees on the restaurant side would rank less but a sample size of one wouldn't really be quite fair. Service was always great and friendly. Definitely worth a repeat visit!
(5)Vanessa G.
Went to the Oyster Bar while traveling on business. Options on the Oyster Bar side did not disappoint! Had the Oysters Rockerfeller and Fried Oysters with side salad. The side salad was like a large/typical entree salad where I'm from.
(4)Savannah R.
Very nice seafood for the Midwest. Our server was amazing and not only helped us with deciding on what to eat but overall was a cool guy. They have yummy cocktails and the place sits right on lake peoria.
(4)Keith B.
Used to be a big fan of the place. Not many nice seafood restaurants in the area. Over the last couple of years this place has gone downhill. Food quality has gone down. Most food comes back greasy, over cooked, and under seasoned. Decor is still nice, but needs cleaning bad. Dust everywhere and has a horrible musty smell. Shame, used to really enjoy this place.
(2)Rod D.
The Oyster Bar had delicious crab & shrimp nachos. The Parmesan Crusted Crab Quesadilla were ok, but were a bit heavy on the crust and light on the filling, which left the flavor lacking. Great Service & Atmosphere.
(4)John G.
Nothing special but good basic food. Au gratin potatoes very sweet.
(3)Rebecca W.
The cod with red beans and rice is my favorite dinner in the area. Oyster Bar sometimes a bit noisy but the food is worth it.
(5)Suzanne S.
There wasn't anything overtly awful about this place, but it also wasn't good. The potatoes that some reviewers raved about are sweet, not sweet potatoes, but sugar added, which didn't add up in my mouth. I had scallops, which were broiled (fine), but came out overdone, and swimming in liquid. Terrible thing to do to a lovely scallop. They were generously sized, however. My only other cringe-worthy experience was the Oyster Rockerfeller, it was mostly tasty, a bit too heavy-handed with the pepper, but as I picked off the bacon, I noticed a PARASITIC CRAB in my oyster. Now, I am aware that these can be common, some people even consider them a delicacy, however- I do not. I can imagine getting one fresh from a fishmonger, but if they are opening and cleaning the oysters and prepping them, I expect a rather large pea crab would have been removed. Service was fine, good on refilling drinks, a bit slow for dinner to come out.
(2)Jan X.
This is our fourth visit to The Oyster Bar, and we keep coming back for more! I have been to Jonah's a handful of times, and never really realized The Oyster Bar was its own separate entity. I thoroughly enjoy the menu, the service at the bar, and the atmosphere. The bartenders are extremely accommodating, and always make sure my drink is perfectly chilled (down to the glass) and are happy to offer suggestions in reference to the menu options. We have tried multiple food offerings, and have not had one things we didn't like or would not have again! From appetizers to soup and salads, flatbreads, and other dinner options, The Oyster Bar definitely rivals any other bar/lounge in the Peoria area!
(5)Doc L.
The quality and freshness of the seafood is excellent, especially for this area. The prices are reasonable for the quality of the food. The service is okay, which contributes to this restaurant being more comfortable/local than upscale. I like it and will continue to go there.
(4)Richard F.
I came here on a Tuesday night (the week of Thanksgiving). I brought my wife and my parents to try this place out. We got there aroung 6pm and the place was empty. They seated us quickly and the waiters both came over to see us. They were both a lot of fun and spent some time joking around with us while they took our drink orders. Even though we only had one of them serving us, both took the time to check on us during our visit. We started with the Oysters Rockefeller. They were excellent. Strong cheese flavor with bacon which kept the oyster flavor to a minimum. We then got 3 different meals. I got the Halibut, my parents the whitefish and my wife the shrimp and bay scallops. All of us were extremely pleased. The atmosphere is classy and just had a beautiful feel to it. Since it was dark, we didn't get to enjoy the view, but I can imagine that would have made it even better. The place is expensive, but I knew that going in. I do feel like we received a great value even at that price. Overall, I think the waiters started us out on a good foot and the food kept us on the high they started us on. I absolutely recommend you check this place out!
(5)George H.
I went to Jonah's with a group of people and was seated downstairs in the function room. The decor was nice, and the waitstaff very attentive. We had a very nice appetizer arrangement with shrimp, veggies etc. Since we were with a large group we had a smaller menu to choose from rather than the full menu. I order a mixed seafood plate that consisted of a piece of salmon, 2 shrimp, a piece of white fish, a potato, and vegetable. It was overcooked, and cold. I'm not a big potato person so asked for some steamed veggies as a substitution. No substitutions, so I purchased the veggies. They came out nice and hot and were very good. Unfortunately we did not receive them until 30 minutes after the meal came (9:30 PM). I've heard good things about this place and will go back to try the oyster bar.
(2)Cara A.
Great food. 7 layer salad is the bomb. Disappointed in a place such as this charging for refills. Seriously?
(3)Lian C.
So much love for Jonah's. My husband's family lives in Peoria and we visit Jonah's every time we're in town. We actually went twice during the last visit. We sat in the Oyster Bar but ordered from the restaurant. My vodka martini was perfect, the oysters were fresh and delicious, my deep sea scallops were cooked perfectly and seasoned just right. My husband ordered the tuna which was rare and delicious, served with a variety of sauces that were tasty but the fish was great on its own. Our waitress was extremely helpful, polite and prompt. *love*
(5)Kelly S.
Haven't tried the Oyster bar at all, but went to Jonah's for dinner. It is very chain-restaurant like with un-remarkable food. It was fine, it was food, but it wasnt a "nice" restaurant feel or taste at all and I wouldn't go back.
(2)Patty S.
From the outside, this place looks like a gem and very rustic. There are 2 separate areas, the bar and the more formal dining area with separate entrances as well. Each area offered either own menu selections, but you can order from either menu which doesn't make a difference where you sit. The bar menu is more casual with sandwich selections while the dining room menu is filled with entrees. I ordered the shrimp sautee with peppers, onions, and rice pilaf. The flavors were familiar and wasn't unique by any means. I think I expected more flavors. Being a seafood restaurant, I also expected the shrimp to be extremely fresh and cooked to perfection, but some where mushy and just didn't taste very good as the they were not de-veined as well. On the other hand, my dinner companion's dish looked delicious. He ordered the blackened grouper sandwich and the fish must have been a nice 10oz portion! I'm looking forward to going back and giving the grouper sandwich a try!
(3)Neeva T.
Obviously their seafood is good but their cajun chicken is delicious. I highly recommend their Bang bang shrimp.
(4)Mike C.
Jonah's seafood is a cool place except for the food. We went in there after the state track meet 5/12/12. We had a party of 9. They seated us very quickly even though they were pretty busy( Saturday night). I had the soft shell crabs that were saturated with grease. They were the worst crabs I've ever had. My wife and daughter had king crab legs and my son had the filet. Both super cold. The lobster was good but small for the price. The calamari was soggy with grease again. The oyster Rockefeller was the best I've ever had. I would defiantly order them again if someone kidnapped me and made me go to this place again. The strawberry wheat beer was really good also. I'm sorry I can't remember our waiters name but he really went out of his way to make us happy. Really pleased with the service and the oysters. Everything else I was disappointed with. Oh ya the iced tea with the mint leaves were really good also. I don't think I will be returning to this place to eat again. 2 king crabs 1 filet 2 oyster rockafeller 2 calamari 1 beer 3 iced tea ----------------------- $250 they did not charge me for the soft shell crabs because i sent them back. they were inedible.
(2)Justin H.
5 star dining experience. Normally don't care for batter dipped fish but it was the special so I had it and it was amazing. As always the place was spotless and the service was perfect. My favorite restaurant.
(5)Sherah B.
Meh...this place is not all that. I went there with a big group and I was gravely disappointed. The service was horrible, the bread came with a weird pepper butter spread, and the fish was plain. I may have been there on an off night, but I was not impressed.
(2)Jori S.
WooHoo ! As good as it gets.... in Peoria Illinois. After one meal, I was hooked on Jonah's. Surprisingly the seafood was all so fresh, and prepared to showcase that. Cons: - It was very busy when we went in, and our server was a bit slow, empty drink practically the entire night. -They have 2 kitchens, and these 2 kitchens put food out at different times. 2 menus, 2 kitchens, 2 restaurants, just weird. Pros: -The food! More specifically: Sweet Potato Au Gratin (not on the either menu, but prepared from the Jonah kitchen) Clam Chowder, Fillet Mignon sandwich. Cole slaw, Crab Rangoon's, Crabbie Wrap (prepared with fresh crab, like a crab salad). Seriously- this was everything we had on our table, and it was all great. -The ambiance. -The bathroom's. -The deck. -The daily printed menu. This place is on my short list, will return every time I come back to Peoria.
(5)Khoa N.
This is the best seafood you can get in the area. I've been here several times and overall it's been delicious although sometimes mediocre and somtimes fantastic. I've never been gravely disappointed. My husband is a vegetarian (who doesn't eat fish) and loves it here. They've made him special vegetarian dishes upon request. Since their menus are printed daily they don't actually list every single item they can actually make so if there's something you've had at another seafood restaurant but don't see it on the menu, ask. There's a lot of talk about the poor service. I've never experienced this... it really just depends on your server not the restaurant itself.
(4)Carrie Jeremiah A.
I am giving this place, or well rather the Oyster Bar which I prefer the atmosphere over Jonahs, 5 stars because it is the first place I pick to go. I usually order off the Jonahs menu, the chicken sautee is delicious but like the music and feel of the bar. We usually get the crab dip to share off of the Oyster Bar menu and everyone loves it!
(5)Bill M.
It's freaking 10 degrees (above, and you have to be sure and indicate that this time of year) at 4:00 PM and I've got to eat. I've done a quick check on Yelp, just to find that there's precious little help there in Peoria. Q'doba was mentioned when I asked around about Mexican. So, I'm driving. This piece of crap Aveo that Hertz gave me (should have tried Enterprise here, I guess ;-) has the feel of a worn out pair of slippers, sloppy under foot, ready and willing to be relieved of duty at any time. The sun is bouncing off the frost on the INSIDE of the windshield. I can't see crap. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I catch a sign for a seafood restaurant. I pull in, go in and find a rustic, clean, not-very-fancy bar/restaurant. There are only a few folks in the place. I get a very nice seat right along the Illinois river, looking at downtown Peoria. (Go ahead, yuck it up. A view is a view, water, albeit frozen and snow covered, along with a city skyline is very nice). The menu is created new everyday. Loads of seafood options, a nice appetizer selection and drinks, oh the drinks. None for me on this trip, but the selection of beers, wine and mixers looked fun. Today's specials were 6 Blue Point Oysters on the half and Hawaiian Blue Marlin. The Blue Points rock. Salty, slightly sweet, cold, very fresh, medium sized. The wonders of refrigerated shipping. The Blue Marlin is good, but I should have eschewed my New Year's resolution to eat healthy and gotten some decadent sauce, but I went grilled. It was appropriately simple, but still tasty. The cup-sized mound of mashed potatoes and steamed veggies were a fine accompaniment. The meal also came with a cup of soup or a salad. The Spicy Gumbo was more spicy than good, but had plenty of fish, which was a plus. Nice touch on the pineapple wedge on the iced tea glass. Service was excellent, being attended to by no less than 4 different folks for various stages of the meal. In summary, this isn't fancy dining, it isn't especially cheap, but for a date/evening out with a partner, this is a nice place. By the time I left, the place was filling up and business looks good. Ask to sit by the windows.
(4)David B.
First, it is not on the water. Second, it is not really even close to the water. Otherwise, the food was good, the service was great. We also had a few drinks at the bar. It was very crowded, but the service was still attentive.
(4)Mike T.
One of my favorite seafood places. They always have fresh oysters and I have to order it when I go. Nice decor, good service, and good selection of fish. A good bowl of clam chowder, some fresh grilled fish, and raw oysters is the perfect meal.
(4)Gary P.
The place has a great view of the river but the food and service are just so-so. I had Halibut Roma and the fish was cooked well but it was bland. The roma sauce was way too sweet. Others in the group had a similar opinions. Its a nice place and has a good crowd on the weekends. Not sure we would go back though.
(2)Allie B.
One of the best restaurants in Peoria with decently priced food and beautiful views of the river. Oyster bar is also highly recommended, and they have daily specials.
(5)Nicole V.
I don't love Peoria restaurants - but Jonah's is different. I love the Oyster Bar for a great date night. The booths are cozy and the bar is dim. It's a great place to take your time, have a couple great cocktails and relax. I haven't had a bad meal here - I love the crab cake appetizer, they have a great burger (who knew?)...I think the oyster bar has the better menu but that's just me. This is definitely worth the trip if you are visiting the area.
(4)Jan c.
I am a sucker for a restaurant on the water, good or bad. I met a customer we had an enjoyable dinner. i never did get that aha yummy moment. expensive, but on the water. I would go back.
(4)Jamie L.
I've been to this restaurant about 6 times. I've had good and bad experiences. The last time I went, my meal came out perfect. My husband's was raw and asked to just get what I got as a replacement. When that came out, it was raw in the center. Our server was great, he was very helpful and realized that there was an error made on their behalf and issued us a credit.
(3)Alston S.
Jonah's is a great place in Peoria! I've been several times and never had a bad meal. I usually get their fried oysters and some sort of potato side, always yummy. Their carrot cake is out of this world! The atmosphere is fun. Waiters can be great and also so so, kind of just depends on who you get. Recommended for a nice dinner out!
(4)Hasham Y.
Went there for dinner. I yelped the place on my way which greatly helped me set my bar of expectation. Sweeping gorgeous views of the lake and after dusk the downtown lights made it even beautiful. they print the menus daily and on the top are daily announcement. After reading i the announcements i realized 7 people were celebrating birthdays and actually one guy was proposing his gf, Anna. yes very romantic and she did say Yes. the restaurant is located at marina, kinda away from the city and offers ample parking. they have a separate bar area. Nothing fancy, just a regular restaurant which serves primarily sea food. i ordered fresh sword fish Cajun style with Cesar salad and side of mash potato. Nothing special in the salad, mashed potatoes were good and sword fish was decent. the chef made me two pieces as he thought one piece was small. Thank you for the courtesy. appreciated and acknowledged :) The service is poor. like 1 star. the server totally ignored the table as other yelpers have stated and water refills were coming at snails pace. we were still working on salads when main entrees came. yup, that is no fun. For dessert i ordered banana foster.ok now that totally rocked my dessert. Def the best dessert you can have in Peoria. i cherished every bite of it and shamelessly cleaned the entire bowl. Not sure about food, but definitely coming back for banana foster. Skip the apple cheese cake, it just ain't worth it
(2)Nancy W.
3.-almost 4 stars for Jonah's As I wrote this review, I was down to one eye -- well, one functional eye - they're both technically fine, it's just that only one was sober enough to participate in the computing experience. I'll tell you right up front, last night I had too much to drink. It's all J's fault. When you work on a job with J this is what happens. We started out our evening using our free drink coupons at the hotel and then the shuttle guy kindly took us over the river to Jonah's in East Peoria. Jonah's - Peoria's premier seafood restaurant. Yes, seafood in Peoria. Oh, just hush up and stop laughing. It was pretty good. We started with a dozen of the sweetest, purtiest little oysters and a plate of calamari. The oysters were very good, the calamari was decent. My work compatriots both had the grilled Lake Superior Whitefish with a side of the Red Bliss potatoes. They started with chowder and I had yet another mid-west salad - why do I always hope I'm going to get something other than iceberg lettuce? I had the West Coast Dover Sole with lemon and capers. The fish was cooked perfectly although there was too much dried dill garnishing the lemon/butter sauce. We split 2 bottles of Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio - very dry, not-too-light and very crisp. J had an amaretto to finish up and although I never drink it unless I'm dipping an amaretto cookie into it, I joined him. The menu is produced daily. The left side was comprised of appetizers and the more standard chain fish restaurant fare. The right side is the 'fresh' list and contained interesting, sustainably raised or fished entries (I'm pretty sure - I don't quite have my Monterey Bay Aquarium Bad Fish-Better Fish-Best Fish list memorized). - Ambiance - not cutting edge. That definitely might NOT play in Peoria -- but it's comfortable. A large multi-room space on the banks of the Peoria River. J told me that the view is lovely at sunset. Seating was comfortable and the tables weren't jammed up against each other. The decor is all about da fish not so overly cute that you want to poke our your eyes with a flensing knife. Outside, instead of wood chips as ground cover, they use oyster shells - whole oyster shells. Family oriented, birthday party oriented - it can be kind of loud. On the plus side, the oddly shaped rooms provide enough nooks and crannies that you can escape the noise. - Service was efficient and very friendly. Our entrees were quite delayed. The server was apologetic but considering our mood, we didn't mind the wait. - Food - good for Peoria. I know that sounds snarky but it is not meant to be. It's tough to bring the kind of produce to the table that we are privileged to have in the Bay Area to restaurants in the mid-west and be reasonably priced enough to attract and please a wide-range of people and still remain profitable. Since I will need to return to Peoria after the first of the year, I'll definitely make another trip to Jonah's. (Next Morning) it's a miracle! This morning as I spackled over the bags under my eyes, I was watching a broadcast of one of the old Bishop Fulton Sheen shows on one of several religious stations here in Peoria and I feel much better. Of course, I was also huffing the coffee grounds from the in-room Mr. Coffee machine and throwing back handfuls of ibuprofen.
(4)Kevin B.
We hadn't been to Jonah's in over 20 years so we decided to go on a Friday during Lent. All of the food we had was outstanding! They have a great wine list, nice atmosphere and the service we got from our waiter Brett Z. was top notch. Could not have asked for a better dining experience in the area. As we were walking out after dinner, my wife asked, "Tell me why we haven't eaten here in so long? We need to come back more often!"
(5)DC C.
Got a couple appetizers for a lighter meal tonight. It was the calamari fritti and seared tuna. Both were decent to good at times, though the tuna was too fishy tasting near the end of the fillet & the calamari should have come with a marinara sauce and lemon. Neither of these were exceptional, but there could be potential - worthy of another try.
(3)Sandra L.
We've eaten at Jonah's half a dozen times and love it. Their seafood is such a treat for this section of the country and the service is friendly. We like sitting overlooking the Illinois River and downtown Peoria. People celebrate important events at Jonah's so you'll hear lots of clapping, singing and cameras clicking. If it's your birthday, you get a balloon. A bit pricey for what you get but the quality of the seafood is terrific. We also love the cigar bar, different atmosphere and a good place to hang with friends. Since it's near the marina, you get the boat owner crowd and they are always ready to supply tales of their adventures if you ask.
(4)Stephanie Z.
Came to Jonah's for my boyfriend's birthday, neither of us have ever been there. Service was excellent. The food came out in an appropriate amount of time and was delicious. We started with Oysters Rockefeller, pretty darn good, I've never had it before so I don't have anything to judge it against. I ordered the grilled garlic basil swordfish, and the sauce and the sweet Au gratins were mouth watering. My boyfriend had the bayou peppered blue fin, which he enjoyed but we both agreed mine was more flavorful. The fries were good and crispy and fresh. To top dinner off, our waitress (who was absolutely great::Friendly, but not overbearing at all while still being attentive.) brought out a HUGE piece of chocolate cake for the birthday boy. Fun tip: if there is a special occasion, call ahead earlier in the day or day before and you can have the birthday or anniversary you are celebrating actually printed on the menu. I imagine service may get sketchy when the place is crowded or there are large groups being served, but that will happen most anywhere. I love that it isn't a chain restaurant, which Central Il has so many of. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Wayne L.
The seafood gumbo was fantastic. I will definately return and try dinner the next time I'm in town.
(5)E T.
To me, this place is a "Special Occasion" type restaurant. I went here when my boyfriend graduated college a few years ago and that afternoon this place was packed! I think its because there isn't a large selection of "fancy" restaurants in this area. Ive been here a few times since and every single time Ive ordered something different. Every time I go the food has been too salty for me. I don't know if the amount of salt is the norm for the palette around here, but again, too salty for my liking. I do love the view from the restaurant, especially from the outside patio. The portions are big and the cocktail menu is decent. However, the thing that will continue to bring me back to this place are their oysters. Fresh and sweet!
(3)Ashley S.
Several people have recommended Jonah's to me because I love seafood, so my expectations were high. I liked it, but I think I ordered the wrong thing - the fried platter. It was good, but it's hard to tell the difference between long john silver's fried shrimp and Jonah's fried shrimp. My fault for ordering the wrong thing. I just didn't have the money to spend on the lobster tail or king crab. I'll be going back on a different occassion to try that out. The service was good though and so were the drinks! The place had a nice view of the river. There are two sides to the place: the restaurant side and the oyster bar side, I ate at the oyster bar side. It had a fun vibe, but I've heard the restaurant side has a completely different feel to it. The place was very busy on a Saturday night, I might recommend reservations. There was plenty of parking though. All in all, I'd like to try it again, ordering something different.
(4)Jeremy T.
I wish I could give it a low score, but as a Meat Lover ( you may ask why I would go to a seafood restaurant if I'm a meat lover...two words.. My Fiancée) :-) - I tried some fish, and abhorred it ! Then switched to a Filet Mignon that was undercooked, our Waiter then give us free cake and docked the bill for the inconvenience, The food wasn't amazing to me, but the service certainly made up for it... I'd certainly go back.
(4)Emily M.
Good bread and good service. I ordered grilled shrimp and scallops. I was kind of disappointed as there were only four pieces of shrimp and a bunch of scallops which I wasn't a huge fan of. I also thought the food was a little too salty, but generally I'm more sensitive to that than others. I was also disappointed with the portion size. This isn't necessarily a bad thing as I definitely had enough food, but I like to have too much food so I can take home leftovers, and given the price I don't see why there couldn't have been more. 3 stars because of the service, but I won't be going back.
(3)Michael H.
If you can somehow manage to block out the ex jocks wielding Bud Lights and their trophy wives with fake nails you maybe able to enjoy the truly decent food and Martinis here. Go to the martini bar for cheaper fare, but if you are entertaining your mother-in-law sit on the restaurant side and watch the sun go down over the river while eating sushi grade tuna.
(4)George S.
If you want overpriced small portions of food, this is the place for you.
(2)Jack R.
First, let me say that I do not like seafood. I ended up here with a group of people from work. I ordered one of the two non-seafood items on the menu. It was OK. I get the impression that this restaurant (along with many people who have recommended it) thinks it is better than it really is. Nothing about the decor, atmosphere or service lived up what I had been lead to expect from the way people talk about the place.
(2)