Riverside Family Restaurant

I came here unintentionally and got a nice surprise.  After a friend and I spent the day doing research at Newberry Library, we took Ogden home and were going to stop at Czech Plaza -- only to discover that they're closed on Tuesdays.  We were so disappointed -- he was in the mood for beef in dill sauce, and I had a yen for wienerschnitzel --then I remembered the Riverside and suggested we go there.  My friend had already eaten there some time ago, so he readily agreed.  We got there about 5:30pm, which turned out to be just right.  What a good idea that turned out to be!

We weren't disappointed.  Since this was my first visit and I haven't had most of the Bohemian food on the menu, I can't speak to that.  But I can tell you this:  that schnitzel was crispy on the outside, tender-soft on the inside, grease free, and was so nicely executed that it needed only a generous squeeze of lemon to be perfect.  It was the best schnitzel I've had since dining at Berghoff's, and I'm not kidding.  I had boiled buttered potatoes and red beets with my schnitzel, whereas he had fluffy-light bread dumplings and red cabbage with his beef in dill sauce.  The very sweet waitress, who provided excellent service, was very prompt in getting to us not long after we sat down.  she also brought me a bowlful of gravy on the side (it may have been intended for the two schnitzels, but they didn't need it -- so I used the gravy for my potatoes).  For starters, my friend had the day's special pea soup with croutons whereas I had the beef noodle soup, which was a very good, light broth with plenty of superthin noodles.  Both were very good but not as deserving of raves as the entrees.  My friend really enjoyed his beef in dill sauce, though he still thinks that the same dish at Czech Plaza has a slight edge over Riverside's version.  On the other hand, it's been so long since I've been to Czech Plaza that I'd hesitate to call their breaded pork tenderloin better than this wiener schnitzel.  This was very good and a much better value than its equivalent at Berghoff's.

But the best part of the meal were the dessert pastries.  My friend has had the wonderful kolacky there before, but once I heard our waitress describing the cheese-and-apricot turnover, I knew I had to have it.  An excellent choice!!!  They make everything from scratch there, including the pastries and desserts, and this was the lightest, flakiest turnover I've ever had.  So fresh, too!  It literally melted in your mouth.  They bring it dusted with powdered sugar, and it looks like an oversized kolacky, but the dough is much lighter than that.  Delicious!!!  You must try it.

As we were there at the start of the dinner hour, I can't speak to how loud it gets at peak capacity, but it was very agreeable while we were there, not crowded, and with jazz vocalists playing in the background (Ella, Frank, Tony, and some big swing band -- yay! -- and Bobby Darin, whom I could do without).  but let's face it:  as comfy as the setting is, you're there for the food.  And it was great -- a very nice surprise.  I'll be back.  The only reason I didn't give it five stars is that it was my first time there, and it would be unfair to rate it  at five stars without tasting more of the menu.  But it was at least four and a half stars!  They must have remodeled not that long ago, because the interior is much nicer than your typical family restaurant without actually being a white-tablecloth place.  On-site parking, too.  High marks all around.

I just love it here. Fantastic food....Wienerschnitzel which is both crispy and tender, fluffy dumplings, good gravy, excellents sides including red cabbage, which is both sweet and tart, but also has a depth of flavor beyond that.....oh, and the fish soup. GOOD LORD ALMIGHTY THIS SOUP IS SO GOOD. In addition, the staff is sweet and attentive. And Frank and Nat are on a continuous loop overhead...oh, and a little Tony Bennett too. And I didn't even mention the apricot cheese turnover made in house. So, so good!  And the cost? 2 bigs meals and a few  drinks?  Less than 30 dollars. And I have a meal for tomorrow. Did I mention how much I love this place?

Old-school European restaurant, keyword: old. The scent of Old Spice and Liz Taylor Passion hung heavy as we entered this fine establishment for lunch...must have daily senior lunch specials. Aside from the lingering eau de toilette, service was top-notch, food was served in speedy time, and every dish went down like its main ingredient, butter. The navy bean soup app was great. My chicken liver, dumplings, and red cabbage were thoroughly enjoyed. Potato pancake = phenomenal. My wife's weinerschnitzel was fair; I've had a couple better. Too much breading and too little meat in my opinion, but seasoned well and flavor above reproach. Dessert kolaczki were average, nothing out of this world, but paired well with a post-meal coffee or take-home treat. All in all, a solid lunch option in the Riverside area. Prices were right too, which only helped their cause. Well worthy of a second visit if we're in the area and looking for some schnitzel. CASH ONLY!