Steam Plant Family Restaurant — Restaurant in Belvidere Township

2 stars bc the food was good. Normally I have good service at steam plant, but tonight was a different story. First we were greeted by the hostess, who I thought was just another customer due to the very unprofessional bright fluorescent leggings and pink shirt. Then as she approached us to seat us she dropped the menus several times. After being seated our waitress asked us our drink order, I stuck with the water my boy friend asked for a coke. She walked away and came back about 5/10 min later asking our order, with out bringing a coke. Then we ordered our food and she said it would 25 min for our food, i ordered the texas chicken sandwitch (grilled chicken brest, bacon, sweet baby rays sauce, and cheddar cheese), he got country fried chicken. So she then walks away giving our order to the cook. 25 min later she comes back finally bringing my boy friend his FIRST drink and our food. As I look down I know right away my food is not right. She asks if their is anything she could get for us, I ask for a cup of ranch for my fries. "Coming right up". As I look my food over I figured that I had been given "the chick" (grilled chicken brest, bacon, and Swiss cheese). At least the food was hot and my sandwich was good so what ever. Now 10 min has passed and still no ranch cup. So I look over and she is busy cleaning up trying to get out. Cool do what u gotta do to get home, but maybe bring me my ranch first? Then she starts chatting up the only other customer in the place. I still don't have my ranch. Another 10 min pass boy friend gets his second drink, I don't get my ranch. I'm livid at this point. We finish up our food and never got my ranch then come to find out I was charged for the texas chicken but did not get the texas chicken. so now I'm done bc the wait staff would rather try to close early than tend to your ONLY current paying customers, that are paying part of ur hourly wage. Your lucky you...

Went to the steam plant with three other people this weekend. We ordered two crispy chicken sandwiches, beef, liver meal, and a Denver omelette meal. The first thing I noticed was that the entire staff had changed over to a new staff. I haven’t been there in a few years, but I didn’t recognize anybody there. The chicken breast themselves looked kind of white and milky looking after being fried. The picture on the menu showed a really nice and beautiful crispy breaded chicken breast for the sandwich. It was nowhere close to that. My wife had the beef liver and it was pretty dried out and she said not full of flavor. I had a Denver omelette that had an over abundance of cheese. A little too cheesy. The hashbrowns I ordered were burnt. I also ordered a cup of the vegetable soup. The taste is completely different than how it used to be. Plus, it was kind of oily on top. To be honest the only thing that we got that tasted great with the coffee. I’m sorry to be harsh, but I’m really disappointed in this place. The waitress asked me how the food was and we said, not that great. She said oh I’m sorry. Never an offer of anything in compensation or anything like that. When we left the person that was at the register was I believe the owner. He seemed very friendly when we went up to the counter and ask again how everything was. I said not good not really. He looked at me and said, oh. That was it nothing like what happened? What was wrong? Tell me about it. What can I do to make it better but nothing like that. I’m thoroughly disappointed and I will not be going...

A Local Gem That Actually Cares About Your Order

I placed an order for the Berry Blast crepes and hot cocoa through DoorDash - and within 30 seconds, someone from Steam Plant called me directly to confirm the details. Not to rush me. Not because they were out of something. Not because they were closed. Just to make sure I was getting exactly what I wanted.

She asked if Swedish-style pancakes were okay, confirmed if I was good with whipped cream on the cocoa, and talked to me like an actual human being. No script, no rush - just thoughtful, friendly service that caught me completely off guard in the best way.

Honestly, when I saw the number pop up right after ordering, I braced for the worst. I figured they were calling to cancel or say they had just closed.

Nope.

They were calling to make sure my food was made how I wanted it.

They also proudly mention farm fresh eggs on the menu, which tells me they're going the extra mile on ingredients - and likely supporting local farms too.

And the food? My jaw is still on the floor.

The crepes were absolute perfection - soft, slightly crisp edges, bursting with fresh berries, sweet but not overpowering. The cocoa? Warm, rich, topped with love - literally handwritten with my name on the cup.

This wasn’t just breakfast. This was a hug disguised as a meal.

Steam Plant has earned my respect, my gratitude, and a permanent spot on my favorites list.

Support this place. Seriously. I'll definitely be eating...