OMG! I just happened to visit the Wooden Duck for my first time, during Blackburn Colleges…read moreHomecoming. The restaurant was packed and the staff hustled to provide good service. Lucky for me, I was able to get a seat at the bar. My adult beverage was a draft Flight by Yuengling. For lunch, I went with a Pork Tenderloin Sandwich with a side of Fries. The tenderloin was crisp and had good flavor. However, it had a perfect shape, so I could tell it came from a bag and was not done in house. I enjoyed the thin crisp fries. A roll of Paper Towels served as your napkin. Typically I prefer linen, but for a dive bar, paper towels do the trick. I also liked that the Wooden Duck has hooks under the bar. Hooks provide a safe place for purses and jackets. I got a giggle when I used the mens room and the owner showed his political views by having a caricature of the governor in the urinal. They even had a witty disclaimer, so you shouldn't be offended. I got a second giggle when I looked around the bar and realized, about 60% of the guest were an alternative lifestyle. So everyone is welcome at the Wooden Duck.

How did I get here. We retired to a small town that doesn't have a DMV office. So we drove the 20…read moremiles to the thriving metropolis of Carlinville (not really,charming for sure, but just big enough to have cheap plaza office space for a state govt. office). So of course although my wife had done extensive research on all the documentation we would need to pay a state to drive our car...we had missed one. So we went to the Wood Duck for lunch while we waited for our credit union to send us a lien release form. We had talked to the kind soul at the DMV and she was "all-in" on this place. She was so right. It is an intimate space, with a small bar out front, and then a few more tables in a back area. We took a booth right in front of the kitchen. It is a very "locals" place. There were some police having lunch (likely the entire force, at least by weight)...and one of them stared me down as if he had never seen a veteran, former DoD executive, in a collared shirt, and khakis in a public restaurant before. [Yes I was the only pepper in the salt]. The actual restaurant staff was excellent, and welcoming. Our server was a whirlwind of effecient hospitality. I got a pork tenderloin sandwich (and later the same day was invited to join a pork tenderloin sandwich group on FB)... ordered the fries, not clear if that came with them, didn't keep the reciept. My wife got a cheesburger that she was very happy with. My tenderloin was crispy, juicy and a bit too salty in a good way. This place is a definite keeper on the list of places we will be willing to travel to over time. Perhaps if I come back often enough, Barney will get used to "others" visiting his little fiefdom.

We came in town to stay at the Campground House Airbnb (which btw is awesome) to fish, have…read morebonfires, and have an "unplugged" weekend. We decided to have a "night out" one night and started out at the Anchor Inn. Having been to another bar in the area where we were made to feel super unwelcome, this was an amazing contrast to that. As soon as we walked in, everyone waved and said hi to us. After a few minutes the owner came over to welcome us and we all took a shot together. The rest of our time there was spent discussing other fun stuff to do in the area and Illini sports! :)

Food is decent, but prices are steeper than expected for the area. After hours the DJ CRANKS the…read moremusic for 2 people on the dance floor, even though the majority of people in the establishment would like to be able to continue their conversation. I left this establishment an hour ago and my ears are STILL ringing because of the unnecessarily loud music. (Even after asking them to turn down the volume and being told no). Seems odd to me that the bartender and their friends get to dictate this.

Jim is my hero. Prices are killer - service is impeccable. Jim will out gentleman your ass 24/7…read more We'll be back.

Pad See Ew, add chicken. Thank me later…read more Both times I have been to this restaurant the service has been incredible and the food amazing. Worth the drive from STL and always a stop while in Carlinville.

I was passing thru Carlinville and spotted Sun Thai , decided to give it a try. I have the Beef…read morePho , it was a large serving and very tasty. I just ordered mild with a bit of heat and was very pleased. Quick & friendly service. Would definitely recommend. The restaurant is in the historic original building and location of the Ariston Cafe opened in 1924. The building itself dates to 1854 and was the first 3 story building on the town square.

When we walked into this restaurant, we were all VERY concerned because it smelled like a dirty…read morebathroom. The staff didn't seem to be bothered by the smell at all and simply brushed off as something that happens after it rains and because the building this restaurant is in, is old. Well, I guess that convinced us enough to stay because we did. But despite there only being 1 or 2 other small parties of people in the restaurant, I could feel the waitresses stress, which sort of rubbed off on me, so I felt completely on edge the entire time I was at this restaurant. This being said, and after our kids accidentally knocked their milk all over the table and floor (a dish rag was thrown at it, no mop was brought out to help us clean up), we ordered our food and let's just say, I had pretty low expectations, and I could tell the rest of my party did as well. Well, this restaurant redeemed themselves with the food because everyone was VERY pleased with what they ordered (my husband LOVED his food, which is pretty unheard of for him) and my baked chicken wings were pretty good as well. I didn't request EXTRA EXTRA crispy, and I should have, but they were still pretty good and I probably could have eaten another batch. If I were offered food from this restaurant in the future, I'd probably order it to go because the ambiance of the restaurant sort of ruined the experience for me.

Great food for a small town bar. Some upscale choices such…read moreas Ahi tuna sashimi and the sweet and spicy shrimp.

I was a bit disappointed when I went into the bar. I was expecting more of a sports bar with some…read morefood and more premium/craft beers rather than just a tavern with bar pizzas. The bar tender was nice enough, but probably knowing I was from out of town or not being a regular, held conversations with the locals. It seemed like a good place to hang out for some drinks with friends though.

The service was amazing by Laura to is outsiders from Wisconsin. Highly recommend this bar…read moreestablishment!

We were in town for the annual Christmas Market and was ready to be blown away by delicious chili…read more However, what we were served was a major disappointment. The ambiance is plain and simple, no thrills. It's a large room filled with tables and booths. There's no bar. Their beverages range from fountain Coke, bottled Fritz's Premium Soda Pop and Lemonade. We all giggled when they served three small sleeves of saltine crackers. Why three, wouldn't one have been enough? None of us are fans of saltines, each of us commented we prefer oyster crackers for our chili or soups. There were three of us and we all ordered the same thing. We each ordered a single taco and a small chili. When our orders of chili were placed in front of us, each of them had a thin layer of grease on top. Not wanting to disappoint the other two diners, we each kept silent about the gross appearance until we were finished and outside the restaurant. Once outside we all commented how flavorless and greasy the chili was. It had a burn, but it was not from a robust chili flavor. The taco was plain and simple in a soft tortilla. It too was nothing to write how about, but it a lot better then the chili. The service was good for a chili parlor. I kind of felt sorry for the server, there was only one and she was hustling taking care of the entire dining room. Will I return? - No, we all had heartburn after dining. When: December 6, 2019 Why: Lunch before shopping the holiday market.

Nov 5, 2019 Parking…read more- limited street parking Staff - very helpful and pleasant Waitress - very good Butterbean soup - seasoned. Good. Hotdog with chili topping- Good Prices very affordable.

Excellent food and HOT for takeout. The time was exactly as they said the orders would be ready…read more Would definitely go again!

First off, get off the interstate and find those little hidden gems. This place has the most…read moreunbelievable pork tenderloin Sandwich out of ever had. First off by the looks of it, You're, like, holy c*** this is huge.The best part is the taste! perfectly tender and juicy and seasoned how fun.

An old bar with some way cool character! The owner was a cool chick. Had a great burger & seasoned…read morefries. Prices were fair, food was good, great ambiance. I definitely recommend!

Had a delightful weekday lunch here on a recent road trip. I went with the pork tenderloin "shoe."…read more If you aren't familiar with the "shoe" it's a mid Illinois thing with Texas toast, topped with your choice of protein, fries, and your choice of sausage gravy or cheese sauce. Each element of the plate was great, good tenderloin, lightly battered, crispy fries, and outstanding cheese sauce. They were very busy with the local crowd, including a couple of tables of card players. Just one employee and a cook holding down the fort, but they managed well. Wish I knew what was in that cheese sauce.