Fitzgerald's Genoa Junction — Restaurant in Genoa City

First things first. We got to the restaurant at 4:05 and the door was locked and the sign said closed. We knocked on the door but no one answered. They open at 4. We had to call them on the phone and the girl was kind of snooty on the phone. So…… The fish was very good. It really is. However, the young girl serving it was not very personable. She was on her phone texting every time we came up to get something. And we had to wait for her to stop texting to get served. I don’t quite understand why that would be allowed. It looks bad for business to me. When I asked for a refill for ice tea they wanted to charge me another $.75. Who does that at a buffet? Every restaurant that I’ve been to in my life, and I am 54 years old, I’ve always gotten a refill on iced tea. Mostly because it’s so cheap for them to serve. For that matter everybody gives you refills on soda. It’s all you can eat, but they can’t give you a refill on your ice tea without charging you? Not a very good business practice in my opinion. It cost more for a slice of lemon than it does for the tea. A teabag is $.10. They probably get it cheaper because they buy in bulk. The food was good, but the serving girl was less than inviting. She acted like it was a burden to serve everyone because she had to put her phone down for a few seconds. I will not return. It’s a matter of principle and that is such a shame. Seems to me it’s just greed on the owners part. Something I do not condone and I will not be a part of. So think about it. Our bill tonight was $100 plus but we won’t be back because you want to charge me $.75 for a REFILL of something that cost you a few Pennies. How dumb. And also lay off the sugar on your Apple dessert. It was way too sweet. Not very palatable after you eat a bunch of fish and butter. Try something on the lighter side perhaps. What’s next? Are you going to charge for the butter? The salt and pepper? Ridiculous. I’ll boil my own fish and guess what I’m going to have, unlimited ice tea. You should change your refill policy and I might come back. Maybe you can leave a note on here explaining why you do that. I’d love to...

My expectations were very high from family and friends' recommendations, along with the online reviews. Unfortunately, that was not our experience. We went there for our very first time this past weekend, on Saturday night. The young lady at the buffet serving us seemed irritated with my 82 yr old elderly aunt, who couldn't hear well. Then, same gal was snappy with my husband who went up hoping the fish was refilled and told him they weren't serving ANY food at the moment. We knew they were waiting for fish, but NO food could be served? I didn't understand that. My aunt wanted to take home the half of chicken breast she couldn't finish and was told she couldn't ( even though the the buffet server told her she could) ... Then, too top it off, after waiting 15 minutes in the fish to be refilled, we asked a waitress passing by if she knew how much longer it would be and she said she'd find out and never came back. We waited a few more minutes then decided it wasn't worth it at this point. My husband and I each heard that buffet server be rather mean to two different people. I could over look how tired the place looks and a few other little critiques, but, I cannot overlook rudeness and poor customer service. And, for the price paid, to not be able to have a second helping.. of anything ... that I definitely won't overlook. 3bbq bones, 1 potato, 1 salt piece of rye bread and 1 small broken up piece of cod/1 unbroken piece (too thick and too rubbery) pc of cod was not worth $22 to me. My aunt paid the same and had to throw out her 1/2 chicken breast, had 2 small pcs fish, 1 potato, 1 piece of salt rye bread and coleslaw. No one had seconds.. I could see not allowing someone to take left overs home once they're on a second helping but on your original plate of food that...

Wow! Wow! Wow!

Five stars is almost impossible to get, but the food here is incredibly delicious!!! (Yes 3 exclamation marks).

They don't take plastic. They only take check or cash. They do have an ATM where you can use your plastic to get cash.

The restaurant is in an old house in town. You can eat upstairs or downstairs. We tried upstairs and it wasn't bad, but remember it's an older house. Next time we're going to eat downstairs.

Food is served via a buffet and there is one on each floor so you don't have to traverse the stairs all the time.

The buffet is simple: cole slaw, onions & potatoes, fish, chicken ribs. That's it. If you're looking for a broad menu go somewhere else. If you're looking for incredible fish, chicken or ribs - in my opinion there is no place better in Northern Eastern Illinois or South Eastern Wisconsin!!

We paid $19 for the "full boat." We were a little taken aback by the older house, the informal setting and the buffet style, but once you taste the food you're glad they focus entirely on making incredible tasting food.

I don't like fish. I tried on serving of fish and found it to be very delicious. I'd eat it again, but I wanted to save room for as much chicken and ribs as I could eat.

The ribs and the chicken are barbecue. If you want fried chicken you'll have to find it elsewhere. If you want barbecue chicken and ribs, again, come here!

They cook the food outside in a pavilion with a couple of grills, three "cauldrons" and a trailer full of wood. I asked and they said they cook there all year round.

Can't say enough about their food and I find the 5 stars...