Checkers II

We were not expecting much when we saw the outside of the building, but once you get inside you are surprised at the surroundings. We went there to sample their German fare and were not disappointed. Both my husband and I ordered the Hunter Schnitzel, I am not a fan of mushrooms, but the gravy that covers the schnitzel is delicious and I could not even tell that there were mushrooms in that gravy. We went on a Sunday night and it wasn’t very crowded, but the staff was very friendly and attentive.

Stopped in for lunch during the week with another retired bud and noticed they had both Raspberry Iced Tea… and Hungarian Cabbage soup! I ordered that along with the Tuna Melt, and the soup was just like the Romanian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls our family has made forever. Absolutely delicious. Nice little spot in the country with a friendly staff.
I’ll be back to sample more.

Always good service here! We almost came back tonight but we tried another place. Very regretful because we should came back to you! Tried Checkers before Christmas and have been back several times! Food is amazing and device always the best.

Not the worst but not the greatest. We think Deeters was far better food with better choices for German food.

Food is always great. My favorite appetizer is the chicken liver pâté. I know it is not for everyone, but if you like chicken livers, this is awesome.
Burger’s are huge, delicious, and very affordable.
Broasted Chicken is delicious, go on Thursday for all you can eat Broasted Chicken. Servers are always polite and friendly. Outside eating area during warm months has a great atmosphere.
For a casual, excellent affordable meal I always go to checkers.
My only complaint, is that they could turn the temperature on the beer coolers down a bit, because the beer is not cold enough for my liking.

First visit was yesterday. Had the Sunday Roast Duck, It was STUPENDOUS. Nice and crispy served with wonderful sweet-​sour red cabbage and spaetzel with a very good brown gravy. Good salad with an excellent blue cheese dressing. Complimented with fresh, very tasty rolls. and a good dark German beer. I just moved to Marengo a few months ago so I’ll be back to Checkers as often as I can.

Awesome food, great servers, always polite and friendly. Liver pâté appetizer is great.
Burgers are huge and delicious. All you can eat breasted chicken on Thursday is juicy and succulent.

This place was ok. I didn’t like my food, but I know that doesn’t mean all of their food is bad.
Stopped in for a late lunch, the place was empty except for a few regulars at the bar. I grew up eating German food made by my grandmother so when I saw German Meatloaf with Egg as a daily special, I was so excited to have some Falscher Hase, as she used to call it. I didn’t think their version was very good, it seemed dry and just blah to me. I’m not sure if I didn’t like it because it was really not just very good, or because it wasn’t Grandma’s, if that makes sense.
The décor could use some updating but that didn’t bother me at all. They were out of the pretzel so that was disappointing. My husband did enjoy his lunch.
All in all, I read the positive reviews and will be inclined to give this place a shot again since it is convenient to my house in an area where good restaurants are desperately needed, but on this visit I left thinking it wasn’t that great.

I brought my wife and two kids here today. I used to come here a lot with my parents, but it’s probably been 10 years or more since I’ve been here. They had a nice crowd for a Sunday afternoon (I’m guessing 80% of capacity).
The place hasn’t changed a bit. It’s clean and well maintained with a good dose of country charm.
They offered three homemade soups: corn chowder, french onion, and tomato bisque. The corn chowder was excellent — the other two were very good.
Our entrees were all very good, but most notably my daughter and I had a taste test. She had chicken schnitzel and I had pork schnitzel. Both were very good, but the pork was a much larger portion.
My only knock would be on our slightly forgetful waitress. She forgot out waters. She apologized when we reminded her, but then later she forgot to bring my wife’s pop refill.
My daughter made an astute observation: it appeared that almost everyone in the restaurant knew each other. The customers and servers were all very friendly.
I noticed a couple of other Unilocalers commenting on slow service and/​or lengthy food prep times. People, this place is out in the country — where life moves at a slower pace. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the friendly people and good food.

Excellent German food and a great burger! Get the fried potatoes as a side! They are delicious!
Staff friendly. Very clean. They have a bar outside in a gazebo as well.

Excellent Fare. I had the broaster chicken and my husband had the Philly cheesesteak. Both were excellent. Highly recommended!

I was born and raised in Germany, so I know my Schnitzels. And this place comes close, very close. Schnitzel, Spätzle, Bratkartoffeln — everything was great. And they have a cute beergarden — and a live band when we there. Will definitely come again

Came in on Thursday night for all you can eat chicken. Had to wait ten mins for open seat at bar. We were told to get the pretzel which the owner has the dough flow in from Germany. We’re ordered it and … They were out. Bummer so we both ordered the broasted chicken with baked potatoes. The bartender Jaime was very friendly. So here comes the chicken ! Wow really really good! This is a definite try place if your in the area. There is a lot of German food on the menu the owner is from Germany. It looked good will try some sauerbraten or schnitzel next time

Went there for their Oktoberfest a week ago. the chef Alex used to own Deeters and hasnt lost his touch for German comfort food. They were serving 2 liter steins of beer and there was a ompapa bands playing in the beergarden outside. they had several German dishes available but I settled on a Jaeger schnizel. Usually pork but I asked for a chicken version and the kitchen complied. We started with Oyster Rockefeller which were very tasty. the schnizel was nice with a mushroom gravy and spetzle on the side. my wife had a plain schnitzel and enjoyed it. our friends had rolladen and said it was very good. all in all a good time. if you dont like German fare, they do have burgers, pasta and sandwiches. Nice bar, very family frendly for the kids. Recommended.

Had dinner with my wife, daughter, granddaughter and son in law after spending the afternoon at the Illinois Railway Museum. We were greeted by a friendly hostess and seated immediately. The dining room and bar area was neat and clean with a nice décor. The menu has a nice variety of dinners, sandwiches and appetizers. I ordered the sausage trio which was as good, if not better than the Berghoff’s in Chicago. Our waitress was friendly & efficient. Had we not spent the afternoon outside in the heat, we would have opted for the patio area which includes a screened in bar. We each ordered something different from the menu and they were all delicious.

Stopped in for a quick lunch this week. Sat at the bar and had a really good turkey club and a drink. Friendly bartender, food came out fast, and the place was nice and clean. Would stop in again if I’m in Union.

Great place to have a burger! Place is nice, staff was really nice. Ginny was our waitress, very friendly and just a nice person. The soup and cheeseburger, very good. Would come back again !!

GERMAN FOOD.
Good food, German beers, outdoor gazebo bar.
There’s a set of apartments above — lucky tenants can come down for a brew ‘n some chow every night!
I had some SERIOUS Schnitzel und sauerkraut. Little slow to come out but worth the wait. The restaurant area was very cozy if a little small, the tables and booth were clean, the bathroom was so-​so, it could have been cleaner and could use some improvements.
The Gazebo was nice too, it had it’s own bar right there in the middle, bar-​stools around it and some two seater tables along the outside wall. It even had a decent size flat-​screen tv out there too.
There was an outdoor seating area too; simple clean park style tables; you know green rubber coated ones with seating attached.
I’d go back again if I’m in the area.

Big fan of the gazebo dining available in back. Good burgers. Funny never thought of Checkers as a German restaurant. Their claim to fame is their broasted chicken which I have never tried. The holly hobby décor needs a major overhaul but overall a solid lunch spot.

Horribly slow service and does not honor the Entertainment Book coupon. Of course this is not posted anywhere and they use the excuse of new management. New management would post it, just like they did their other coupon notice on the front door outside. Kids meals do not include drinks and are expensive. Obviously they have no knowledge of kids portions… half the food and half the price and everyone is happy. Tasteless «baked» French onion soup that is not at all even reheated to melt cheese. Our biggest gripe is being duped by the coupon… poor, poor choice not to honor it. Would have not reviewed but I feel it is only fair to warn others.