Food was fine for breakfast if not overly imaginative. The omelets were good. The chicken fried steak was definitely not home made, the gravey was pretty bland and the corn beef hash very light on corned beef....The service was very good but the air conditioning was just on in the front room, unfortunately we were in the back room with our group of 6. A real mixed bagIt's about the only breakfast option in the immediate area so no competition read more

I was staying at the Best Western next door (1.20.24), and they share a parking lot, so this was an easy decision to get quick take out. INterior is nondescript, but again, I was getting takeout. Hostess was friendly. I got their chef's burger, which was a bacon cheesburger plus pulled pork on top, plus a side of fries. I didn't want the soup with it, and they subbed a side salad for me. Everything was tasty and very reasonably priced. #yum #ReviewsByRL read more

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The food is subpar. And if you ever have a chance to glance in the kitchen, please do. Yikes.

Nice little restaurant. My husband had a REAL turkey sandwich! Not that lunchmeat crap..lol I had an Alpine chicken sandwich..it was good. Good vegetable soup! read more

Monticello Red Wheel Restaurant - Vegetable beef soup - Seafood Near Me - Monticello, Illinois

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This has been a great place until this trip. The waitress brought out our food knowing the wrong eggs were on the wrong plate. My ribeye was suppose to be rare and was not even pink. The waitress never came and asked how our food was. She did ask if I needed a box, since I did not eat my $15 breakfast. I said no, the steak was way over cooked. She simply walked away. Never apologized. Never offered to make it right. So sad. We have eaten here many times. This was our go to place because the steaks are always cooked perfectly and the staff is over generous to help you with anything. Don't be alarmed if your fav food is no longer edible and no one cares. Just another product of a world that doesn't love others. So sad. read more

This is a small family restaurant next to Best Western hotel . I was in town visiting friends and they eat there all the time . We were there for breakfast acouple times and the food is great, large selection on the menue . It's a place where everyone knows everybody . So the coffee was on the table for my friends before we even sat down . The place to go for a friendly atmosphere and great food read more

Fair diner along our route. Good portion sizes. Not an exotic restaurant but solid midwestern diner food in a small town close to the highway read more

For 3 adults plus an 11, year old and a 13 year old and finally a16 month old. Cost was higher than expected. Bill wasn't totaled up which would have helped I suggest that start doing that when your breakfast for3 adults, a 11 year old, a 13 year old and finally a 16 month old a bit of a shock bill came to 96.83 not including a tip. Food itself tasted good but prices for most were ala cart. Bill should have been totaled up before bringing it to the table. Something to consider. The price didn't include the tip of $20. dollars that was left. read more

NO Stars!!! resturant is trash! building needs serious work. Burger was not seasoned and dripping with grease on the plate before it was brought to me. "sirloin steak" was just a burger was also plain. do not go try this place!! read more

After coming from Sarasota Florida and spending the morning at Allerton Park with my family we were hungry so we decided to stop at The Red Wheel for lunch. Should have known better to take the chance when the parking lot was empty. The food tasted like it was all out of a can. Here's the part that really is upsetting. After we had decided that we were done trying to ingest the overpriced canned food and we were ready to cash out I was informed that there would be a 4% charge on the total for using my debit card as payment. 4% is quite a big jump in price when feeding a family. If that information would have been posted on the door I would have left since I was already on the fence about eating at said establishment. Anyone who claims that this food is good doesn't know what good food tastes like and should probably try adventuring out from the area. read more

When I stepped through the door, my nostrils were violated by the smell of public bathroom. Everyone stopped eating in the uncomfortably small, claustrophobic dining room and stared at me. A man told me to sit anywhere I wanted. The vibes were bad. The food, however, was somehow worse. The gyro tasted like cat meat and the fries tasted like soggy paper towel. They somehow managed to have no flavor at all despite myself dousing them with all of the condiments on the table. After I managed to choke down my horrendous meal, I got up and had to pay. The machine wasn't working, leaving me standing awkwardly in front of the whole restaurant for a good 10 min. Never felt so good to leave and smell the fresh air (which I will never take for granted again). read more

Everything is shareable portions. We just wanted to try "everything". Gyro skillet feta cheese was spoiled. It happens, I really like the rest so I'll give it a second chance as everybody I know loves this place and never had an issue like this. read more

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This appears to be an old school 70s or 80s style highway diner. It was clean and odor free, unlike some reviews I read. The waitress was pleasant and accommodating, although it appeared she was working both rooms by herself. Our BLTs were good and the onion rings tasty and plenty of them. I read several of the negative reviews and have come to the conclusion these people would only be satisfied with a five star restaurant, which this place does not claim to be. I suggest you just stay home so the rest of us don't have to put up with you. read more

Very disappointed with the food. Bland and flavorless. Our dog, normally finishes every ounce of human food that we give him (safe for dogs, of course!), didn't even want to finish the leftovers we gave him. Not. Even. The. Dog! Wanted this food. The breakfast patties were bland, the gravy was flavorless and too much of it- as if they were trying to cover up how bad the rest of the food was. Too much butter on the toast that it was kinda soggy. Toast was barely toasted long enough to begin with. read more

We were on our way from Kansas to South Bend looking for a homey place to stop and eat a bite for lunch. After going to a closed restaurant and then one without seating, we decided to get back in the highway and try something else. We were so glad we did! I called the Red Wheel and talked to Marah. She gave me the low down and even the exit number. We had the best lunch...I had breakfast, which is served all day. The Walleye my boyfriend had reminded me of my pops' fish fries when I was a kid. The waffles are big and embellished with fruit purée and whipped cream. Amy was an attentive waitress and took great care of us. The Red Wheel Diner is definitely the place to eat...you don't need a reason to go! read more

Very good, reasonably priced breakfasts with good service. The menu has a lot of variety, with senior offerings and a few kid's plates as well. We plan to go back and try the house-made corned beef hash and the cinnamon crepes. One note: they charge $3.50 for splitting orders. read more

Love this little diner! Their menu is virtually endless and the prices are great. Staff are sweet and attentive, service is quick. My favorite is the homemade lasagna, which is a giant portion enough for 2. Highly recommend! read more

I have been here a couple of times. We have a dear friend that likes to eat here. When a friend is offering to treat you to dinner, you can't really argue about where you are going to dine, at least not in this case. Anyway, while I appreciated the gesture, this place is not one of my favorites. I have had way worse, but I have definitely had better. As I have mentioned in other reviews, I am a strict vegetarian (vegan) so my options are often limited, especially at a restaurant such as this. I often end up with fries or a plain baked potato and a salad at many places, including this one. As far as salads go the ones I have had here are alright, but nothing special and mostly made up of iceberg lettuce. Their french fries have got to be your run of the mill frozen crinkle cuts that you see at most any place that doesn't make their own. I can just picture the bag in my head that would read "Gordon Food Service..." My friend and husband seem to enjoy enjoy their meals when we have been here. Usually prime rib. Just, from my perspective though, the vegetables on the side looked pathetic-obviously previously frozen, watery and mushy looking broccoli, etc. There is a main dining room which is brightly lit or you can sit in the larger bar area which is darker and more comfortable. Both sides have always been dead when we were there though. The ambiance is a little lacking and seems disconnected, but it's hard for me to put it into words. Too open?? In any case, not especially comfortable to me. The jukebox never seems to be working right either so I had to get refunds. So, you won't starve here and it's alright just not something I am super excited about or would recommend to a friend. Like I said, if it were up to me, this wouldn't be my first choice. I don't want to hurt anybody's feelings, but I doubt this would be Gordon Ramsay approved... It could be greatly improved with some fresh vegetables and less frozen stuff. In my case, the company of my husband and friend made it alright. I wasn't there for the food. Just to catch up and have a good time among ourselves. And I did mention they have a bar, right? =) read more

Good casual restaurant. Food is uneven. Breakfast best meal. The problem is this, I think, chain tries to offer too many things, making it hard to be good at much. Still, a nice place to go where everyone wants something different. Wait staff very attentive - usually no wait to get a seat. Near Interstate exit. Big area for groups. I think if you stick to basic food, you will be happy. read more

Great food and service by Kathy. We will be back! Best Greek skillet my husband ever had!

Located across the parking lot from the Best Western, it's clean and family-friendly. Excellent service by the wait staff and hostess. I was seated immediately and coffee and water were in front of me before I even had a Janice to open the menu. I always look for good local spots to have breakfast when I'm out-of-town and this place was great. I had the All-in-One Omelette and it was truly one of the best omelettes I've had anywhere! The hash browns that came with it were perfectly crispy and not greasy. They kept my coffee cup filled and always were checking on me. If I'm ever in the area again, I'll definitely come back! read more

I just had the worst experience at this place. The waitress, Kay, obviously hates her job. Not entirely sure why she works as a waitress because she is really not good at it. She is condescending and rude. She never smiled and acted like we were bothering her when we asked her for things. Excuse me, isn't that your job to fill up my water glass??? Oh wait, no it's not because she never filled it up!! She was just awful!! The food was dry and just as bad as the waitress. If you are looking for a place to eat in Monticello do not go here. There are way better options in this great town. This place is very expensive for what it is too. For an order of 2 pancakes with sausage it was $25.00. When I questioned it, they got very defensive and treated us really bad. They told us "you will pay for what you ordered!!" Then they went through the list of everything they charged us. Warning: They will charge you for everything they can, Watch what you ask for because they will charge you for it. They never once tried to be understanding or so say sorry. They were defensive and mean. I don't like mean people so I will not go back to that hostile environment again and I would encourage anyone else considering it to NOT go. read more

Don't know what the negative reviews are all about. Everyone can have a bad day n just be off a tad. As for me, had the AYCE Fried Chicken and it was very good. Service was also very good n attentive. WILL be back next time I'm thru this way. :)) read more

Food was good but the place needs cleaned. Getting out of the car on a hot day and theres an oder hanging in the air. Either its the grease dumpster or sewer issues with the septic tank. They need to mop the floors with ckean water. Water can only hold so much dirt before its no longer cleaning read more

My husband and I are from Los Angeles but recently visited Monticello, IL to re-locate his parents for retirement. We stayed at the Best Western, so eating at the Red Wheel was pretty simple, being that they share a parking lot and all. We ate at the Red Wheel about 3-4 times. The staff was friendly, the breakfasts were hearty and good and very good prices! My hubby and I had a late-night cheeseburger there at 8:30pm and it was delicious. So if you are looking for a quick, inexpensive bite to eat that's not a drive-through, I would actually recommend the Red Wheel. :) read more

I ordered carryout for the all you can eat fish and it was a huge serving and the best fish I have had in a long while. the other order was a bacon cheeseburger and fries and considering it was carryout by the time we got it home it was very good. read more

Such a variety of a menu Sunday was Prime Rib for $13.99. I have never ate here. I asked for medium when I got it a good size but looked like they put on the grill-bad sign & dried out. I tried and taste was really off so asked my husband to taste and he agreed was terrible. I asked for replacement it was all they had. They said they would give me a steak to replace which ribeye was the same price. I was brought a sirloin that had gristle throughout the piece & never saw our waitress again. read more

I was in Monticello for business and was staying at the Best Western across the parking lot. I had read the reviews on this place and was not optimistic but I wanted a quick dinner and didn't want to drive to Champaign. I ordered one of the Monday specials which was the rib eye. I was expecting a skinny little rib eye steak. I was craving red meat and didn't care... This steak came out and the first words out of my mouth were "Yabba Dabba Do". The steak was huge! I cut a small piece off the end and it was delicious. I cut through the middle and it was actually super rare/raw. The waitress took it back apologetically to have it cooked. This was her first day on the job and she did great, very sweet and attentive. Steak came back out cooked to perfection. I'd go back in a heart beat. Friendly staff and extremely reasonable pricing, especially for the portion size. read more

Cute railroad theme. They have a heck of an after-chuch crowd and the food is down-home country cooking. Quite tasty. Nice service staff, fairly attentive. Home-ish. read more

I am a fairly strict carnivore. I will eat leafy plants but usually avoid them for personal reasons. However I do like to eat the fleshy parts of fruits. This place has the kind of food I will eat. Biscuits and gravy, bacon, eggs, pork. WOW. It's like being at home with my Mommy and Daddy. B read more

You could probably make better breakfast food at home. Food was bland. Good portion size for your money, though!

My husband and I have eaten here a couple of times. Yummy breakfast and good when you just don't want to cook!

Stopped here for breakfast on a Friday. Got seated right away. I had the vegetarian skillet and my boyfriend had the gyro skillet. Eggs were cooked perfectly, and it was a great meal. The waitress was great and very attentive. There are lots of options on the menu and I would recommend this to anyone looking for a good breakfast! read more

Monticello Red Wheel Restaurant - Vegetarian skillet and gyro skillet. Delicious! - Seafood Near Me - Monticello, Illinois

Don't even bother, it's nasty! Old grease, nothing potatoes was cooked right! Lettuce salad not fresh and was plain. Fish was appealing to the eye, golden brown but was raw and slimiest ever on the inside!Waited at cash registers 10 minutes, no one in site. Will not be a repeat customer. read more

Food was decent but everything was overpriced. Fries weren't included with meal, staff was less than average & cheese sticks were too small.

Service was friendly and good, but the hot turkey sandwich lacked any sort of flavor. Very disappointed.

I bought three $25.00 Restaurants.com certificates for The Red Wheel in Monticello and recently attempted to use one of them for a family lunch. Before I could even give it to the cashier an extremely rude manager looked over to me to say that the owner doesn't accept the certificate and continued to rudely state that they never gave permission to Restaurants.com to include their restaurant. I asked to speak to the owner, who was on the premises, and I was told he was too busy to talk with me. There was no, "I'm Sorry", "Sorry for the inconvenience", etc... It would have at least been nice to have a sign posted regarding this issue. Instead, my family and I have eaten for the last time at this establishment. read more