Spillway Lodge — Restaurant in Vernon Township

Very nice location, great decor/atmosphere with very friendly and helpful staff. Unfortunately, that was the best part of our experience.

We started off with two Pepsi's, both of which were room temperature and flat, as if we got Pepsi from a two litre bottle that had been opened for a while. The second round of Pepsi was slightly colder but still very flat.

Our potato skin, onion ring and Jalapeno popper appetizer came and all was good. The onion rings were undercooked, tasted decent and we ate them all regardless.

The worst part and factor that determed I will likely not visit again was our entrees (and price of said entrees). We ordered a seafood "platter". A very small plate with three small shrimp, two very small stuffed crabs and a handful of thin clam strips and an 8 or 9 oz piece of orange roughy arrived. After eating some of it, for $18, I was shocked and slightly irritated. The roughy fish tasted like low quality fish sticks, just very mushy and fishy. The crabs were average tasting but very, very small and far undercooked. The clam strips felt like we were eating the little fried bits of batter at the bottom of an onion ring basket.

We then received our $21 rack of skimpy ribs and a plate of bread, which were the saving grace, even though the ribs were, again, skimpy but also burnt on the outside and undercooked/tough on the inside. Well seasoned and the bbq sauce was good, similar to Sweet Baby Rays. The bread and butter was very good for what it is.

All in all, I don't think I will return. Everything served seemed to be purchased at a Kroger or Walmart and quickly cooked and served. The price point of $60 would've been acceptable had the food been relatively good. I can't stress enough, it's located in a beautiful spot and our waitress was fantastic, but I felt extremely ripped off by the time I sat down in my...

If I could give -5 rating I would. It was earned. Horrible experience! Our names were removed from the waiting list even though I had the buzzer in my hand. When we checked on it and they acknowledged the mix up, we were not seated. They seated others while we continued to wait an additional 10 minutes. Once seated we waited about 15 minutes before the waitress addressed us. At this point, I ordered my drink and meal since I had 15 minutes to review the menu. My husband and I got the same meal to keep it simple. We asked for prime rib and potato and directed to the salad bar to start. We got salad and ate it without a drink. After about 20 minutes, no water, prime rib arrived. No potato or water. She said the meat was hot she would be back with the potato. She reappeared shortly after and set 2 glasses of water on the table. Someone else arrived with the potatoes after we were 1/2 done with the prime rib. At that point I asked for a box. Yes we should have left earlier during the evening. Service never improved. When it was time to pay of course the waitress apologized by saying “sorry I treated you guys bad”…really now! Then the hostess approached the table and asked with a big smile “how was everything”…was she joking? Never will I go there again and it was obvious I was not welcome...

We drove right by the Lodge because it looks like a house not a lodge. There is signage, however. Once we were inside the main dining area, it captures the essence of an old lodge. Wood beams and fireplace. I'm sure this is very romantic at dusk or for a late dinner, but it doesn't feel like that during the day when it's well lit. When we walked in, it smelled like my grandma's house, so this place has obviously been here and been successful for a long time.

What this place offers is OUTSTANDING seafood and pretty good service for the cost. The Tilapia and Shrimp Scampi was spectacular. Salmon and Shrimp were also delicious. He chose the bourbon glaze on the side. It was a nice addition. The filets were huge. Cooked perfect and on beds of rice pilaf. The shrimp scampi wasn't overwhelming garlicky, which most restaurants usually overkill. You could taste the shrimp, which I enjoy. The salad bar was pretty varied and offered a good selection of mostly fresh options. (The broccoli was soft, but other than that, no complaints.) Appreciated the good service. Shout out to Angi. There is a view of the spillway, so I'm sure in the spring and fall seasons, the view would be amazing.

I'd highly recommend this restaurant. Hats off...