Hollyhock Hill Restaurant

Mashed potatoes were awesome.
Gravy was plain but my sister thought it was great...good texture, just not rich-tasting.
Red beets (I hate them in all forms) my dad loved and took home the leftovers.
Chicken was perfectly fried and very moist inside but there was no flavor to the breading. I'm a fan of the way they cut the breasts.
Biscuits were very good.
Butter was soft.
Apple butter was delicious (we brought home the leftover).
Tomato-based soup with chicken and rice was loved by all.
Green beans were nice and bacon-y.
Corn was just corn.
Salad was fresh iceberg (only). Opinions were split on the dressing-fairly plain (I hear...I despise lettuce).
Cottage cheese was the good kind, not the chalky-textured kind.
Ice cream promptly arrived when we had finished and we had fun customizing our sundaes from the caddy of mint, chocolate, and butterscotch syrups.

Where else can 8 people go for dinner and be walking out the door, well-fed, un-rushed, and happy in less than an hour and a half? Service was very attentive and our waiter was a nice guy, everything arrived very quickly yet not before we were ready for the next course. He was sure to ask how we wanted the checks split, and our waters were never down below half. The decor is something else. There are indeed hollyhocks painted on all the walls and lots of flower, candles, and lace. It reminds me of "grammy's house". You're drinking out of antique-looking blue goblet-type glasses. Cute place. It isn't the best food I've ever had, but the experience was very good overall. The family had a good time, and all the families around us seemed to be having a good time too. I thought the $18.95 price tag was fair for soup, salad, complete dinner, dessert, and drinks.

This was a "compromise" choice for Thanksgiving 2011. We arrived timely for a late seating (7:00 pm - we understand this is considered a late dinner in the Midwest). We had opted for ham rather than turkey.  It was dry, sparse and it was necessary to argue with a recalcitrant waiter to acquire two additiional slices of ham - multiple times! He was more than happy to plop down enough potatoes for a party of 8 but for a reason that was never explained, was simply not able to provide more than 2 thin slices of meat at a time (when we WERE able to get his attention and specify our requirements). The whole dining experience left me very uncomfortable: poor, unresponsive service (even with consideration given to the fact that it was a holiday), mediocre food, below average atmosphere. We had been here a few years earlier and had had quite a pleasant experience (also for Thanksgiving).  Bottom line: inexpensive, but not worth even the moderate price.

I came here with a lot of family. We were visiting from California and it turned into a mini-reunion. The food was great, family style is always good, and there was plenty of it. The staff was very attentive, my water glass was never empty. The place has a very cool atmosphere. I had a great time!