Few things I enjoy more than a hot summer day on a boat, and docking at a more than adequate waterside joint for cocktails and snacks. Such was the case I hit Vickies Place, in McHenry, IL. McHenry is perched on the Fox River, which runs into the Chain of Lakes, on up to outside of Milwaukee, and south to the Illinois River, which rolls into the Mississippi about 25 miles north of St. Louis.
I’m sure most summer days Vickies is a mad house, but in the middle of a weekday after noon when we floated up, it was relatively quiet.
The menu has something for every taste. I will caution you in advance, this is one of those places you are going to get OVERSERVED in the food realm. I opted for an order of rings as a starter, which came with three different dipping sauces, very tasty, big mistake, as all of the oversized sandwches are accompanied by BOTH fries and onion straws.
Could be wrong, but had the feeling the rings weren’t made in house, but the onion straws were. Both were delicious. The fries? Those extruded things, I know they are popular with a lot of people, just not my personal favorites – I like to be able to tell fries came from a potato.
I went with the Black and Blue Lagoon burger, cajun seasoned hand-formed eight ounce patty, blue cheese crumbles, and blue cheese sauce – served on the most incredibly soft butter-topped roll. Dressed with lettuce and tomato, with a great pickle spear on the side. Real crunch.
The patty was quality beef, and the taste came through loud and clear. One fine hamburg sandwich. Couldn’t get anywhere near finishing the plate.
They have entrees, sandwiches, baskets, house-made pizza, and the ubiquitous Friday night fish fry.
Our server “K.C.” was affable, knowledgeable, and outgoing. Attentive without hovering. She’s wasting her talents there.
If you find yourself boating up the Fox, or driving the back roads of northern Illinois, Vickies is worth a stop.
Exterior
Rings & Sauces
Black & Blue Burger
Build Your Own Burger Option
Vickies Place Review