Sunday Brunch

Hanks has the best Sunday brunch in the Illinois Valley. It may appear somewhat pricey, but you get value for your dollars. My wife and I used to go once a month when we lived in Ottawa, and now less often. The chocolate cake, made in-house, is to die for!

Hank's farm is very cute -- especially the outside. It's fun to see the peacocks and all the animals & birds. The "barn" is quaint and the pond is very pretty. The food, however, is ordinary at best. It tastes like restaurant supply portions that have just been heated up. There is no such thing as a fresh vegetable, only canned or frozen. The salad bar is uninteresting -- iceberg lettuce from a bag, salads full of mayonnaise, & a huge block of some very bland cheese that is dry on the edges, & all hacked up by people cutting into it. Entrees are just blah, no imagination, nothing you couldn't make better at home. The prices are high for the area, so you would think they would try to serve better food. I like to go out for a treat and eat something prepared by a chef, something healthy, wholesome and fresh. This place is very disappointing.

It was a wonderful experience. The food was good and service was great. We also were really impressed with the atmosphere. Have made plans to go back.

Hanks is, and has been, our favorite area restaurant for many years. My wife and I are 60. We especially like the salad-bar, which you can sample at nominal price. The variety of salads, cheese, bread there is changed daily and is always prepared with a "down-home" taste.

There is also a very good variety of Entree's available, with their specialty being Italian food. I particularly like The Prime Rib....the taste, and tenderness of the Meat is mouth-watering!! Some other favorites of the local clientel are Chicken or Veal Parmagiana or Chicken Cacciatore.

The kids will enjoy the outside atmosphere where the Peacocks announce visitors arriving, and the ducks, geese, rabbits, and goats are people-friendly.

All in all, I think If you try Hank's Once....a return trip is gauranteed !!

Great food at a great price! I had the seafood ravioli on a first date from match.com with a WONDERFUL LADY from Ottawa. Hanks has a plentiful salad bar and friendly people! We will be most definitely be back on our one year anniversary of dating in early December.

Hanks Farm Restaurant is a great place to gather with your co workers or your family as my co workers and i go there occasionally to eat some great food and have a good time and the staff there are really friendly and helpful