Log Cabin Steakhouse — Restaurant in Galena

I have been coming to this restaurant for about 30 years. Every time I visit Galena I come and eat here. I really do feel that the food here is the best in town. My experience this past Thursday evening was good and bad. I think the food was excellent. We had a rib eye steak and it was really juicy and delicious. The restaurant gets the steaks from Allen Brothers according to the advertisements posted on their walls.

We did ask for it at medium temperature and it came out medium rare but we eat it without sending it back. We had great service from a young waiter. He was very attentive. Before we sat down to eat we sat at the bar and the bar tender was not really friendly. He didn't seem to have any interest to strike up a conversation. Seemed like he just wanted to pour drinks but not strike up any conversation. Very serious. Usually a bar tender is friendly and is inclined to show some smile or something friendly. It seems like the friendliness of the owners or management has diminished over the years. They certainly have no shortage of customers and the owners have expanded and opened another restaurant down the street. It feels like they just care less over the years. Money is rolling in so we don't need to show as much concern. The wait staff were very friendly but the management were all about money and not much else.

The part that did bother me the most is that my fiancee and I ordered the steak and we split it. The restaurant did not split anything. They didn't split the steak, they didn't split the potatoes. They did bring out 2 salads but otherwise didn't even bring out 2 plates until I asked the waiter to bring out extra plates. Yet the waiter charged us a split charge AND an extra charge for the salad. This is upsetting because I spent over $100 for all the food and drinks yet the restaurant charged me $6.95 for sharing a steak yet they did absolutely nothing for the $6.95. It's really not about the amount. It's the principle of the concept. I thought the fee was very inappropriate even though technically they can charge it since it says it on the menu. I have split meals countless times in Chicago and have NEVER gotten a split charge. Coincidentally, we also were charged a sharing charge the night before at an Italian restaurant in town. I can understand if you come in and order 1 entree and nothing else. But when you order food and drinks for over $100 and you do nothing to split the food and yet you charge $7 for nothing, that seems a little ridiculous. I will still give the rating of 4 stars since the over all experience was very good. I hope next time my...

★★★★★ A Standout Experience from Start to Finish – Hospitality, Flavor, and That Old-School Magic

We visited Log Cabin Steakhouse on the 4th of July, and honestly? It was the most American thing we could’ve done—celebrating freedom with phenomenal food, incredible service, and a vibe that felt like home (but fancier).

Our night started a little rocky—not because of the restaurant, but due to an issue at our Airbnb. We had to call and push back our reservation last minute, and that’s where the first spark of greatness happened. The gentleman who answered the phone didn’t just say “sure, no problem.” He expressed genuine concern, asked if we were okay, and reassured us without rushing through the conversation. You could hear the kindness in his voice. That level of care and hospitality is so rare, and it meant a lot to us before we even set foot through the door.

Once we arrived, it was clear this place is something special. The atmosphere is rich with history—old-school charm with a classy, timeless feel. It’s the kind of steakhouse that’s been doing it right for decades, and you can feel that pride in every detail.

Now let’s talk food— The steaks were absolutely amazing. Cooked to perfection, juicy, tender, and full of flavor. Not just “good for a holiday” good—this was top-tier, peak steakhouse quality. The pork chops were thick, well-seasoned, and delicious enough to steal the spotlight on any other plate. And the Greek fries? Total surprise star. Golden, crispy, seasoned with herbs and lemon like they were sent down from Mount Olympus. I’m not even a “fries person,” but these were next level.

Service was flawless. Our server was attentive without hovering, the drinks were kept full, and the timing between courses was perfect—even on a busy holiday night. It’s clear the team here works like a well-oiled machine, with just enough old-school charm to make it feel like you’re part of the family.

In a town full of restaurants with charm, Log Cabin Steakhouse still manages to stand out. The combination of hospitality, incredible food, and a staff that truly cares makes it more than just a dinner—it’s an experience. We came in a little frazzled from the chaos of the day, but left full, happy, and totally impressed.

We will absolutely be back. This spot isn’t just a gem in Galena—it’s a reason to...

As a long time customer living close by we go to the log cabin quite a lot and always have had great service and super food,HOWEVER, having said that, we just returned Saturday night and while the service was impeccable the food was not. my wife ordered the seafood platter which was its usually fine dish and i ordered the porterhouse steak which i always get there and its always been great before,NOT this time the first steak they brought me looked like burnt shoe leather and was crispy fried so i asked to have it sent back as i had requested a medium steak. my wife was done eating her meal by the time i received another steak,this time it was raw, no can do,so i had the waiter take it back again,meanwhile my potatoes and mushrooms were by now ice cold and my wife was wanting to leave,another five minutes passed and my steak arrived back and as cut into it it was obvious they did nothing to it as it was still raw. as i talked to the waiter about the problem the chef was having he said QUOTE we have had the same chef for thirty years. as i am one not to go to extremes to complain,i paid my bill which was 85.00 and took my meal home to cook it with no reimbursement from management and only an attempt to apologize from the waiter because the service was great i left the waiter a 10.00 tip however,we will not be going back to the log cabin in the future due to the fact that the food has obviously gone downhill. in all good conscience i can no longer recommend the log cabin and suggest that while in galena you spend your hard earned cash at another...