Oldy but goody. Â Been going there since I was a little kid & just recently went there for Mothers Day. Â This place has & never will change a thing about it...Same ol' menu, same ol' fish tank in the front, same ol' bar...But I believe that is exactly what I like about the place. Â
The view is awesome because you stare right out at the good ol' dirty Delta waters with the boats & jet ski's zooming by...which my son loves =)
This is the kind of place you have to love for what it is: Â an unpretentious, kinda kitschy, dive bar/restaurant. Â Riverview Lodge has apparently been a fixture in Antioch since the 40s and was probably quite a happening place back in it's heyday. Â We were there on a Saturday night and there was only one other table occupied in the dining room and a couple locals at the bar.
The drinks were strong and the service was super friendly but the food was pretty mediocre. Â Our party tried the Lobster/Crab Au Gratin, Shrimp Creole, Crab Louie, Shrimp Curry, Blue Cheese Bread and Clam Chowder. Â The entree portions were large but unfortunately the taste was, for the most part, just so-so. Â Bummer.
I'd probably go back to try some fresh fish or the prime rib... or maybe just for the booze!
Location the only draw. Â Old and musty but that could be an asset, it wasn't this time. Â Lunchtime on Saturday and only the window tables were taken. Â Flo would fit right in here, if she smoked.
Chowder was pretty thin, bread was pretty mediocre, fish and chips was just OK with undercooked fries. Â My calamari plate was the worst I have ever had, overcooked and tasteless. Â I didn't even eat half and I LOVE calamari.
We got this place as a recommendation from some old timers who grew up in the area. Â We would NEVER go back
When you drive in your first impression is of the bar but continue around to the front and you will see the door to the restaurant (just over half of the building).
We visited at night so I can't comment on the view but it was a quiet and calm night that was quickly getting colder.
On a Saturday evening the restaurant was mostly empty, just three other tables with people. Â By the time we finished dinner there were only two other tables (both new people). The look and feel is used, it still has wood paneling on the walls with some kitchey sea/river related stuff about. It could use some updating, or just a bit of a remodel to make it more clean but along the theme. This place was billed by a friend as a replacement for Spenger's in Berkeley (since they went so far down hill after the owners changed years ago) but this place doesn't have the same ambiance (Spenger's made dusty and weathered seem intentional).
We started off with the onion rings and clam chowder. Â The side of onion rings would fead a table of high school boys, it was huge and very tasty. I liked the flavor and it had the right amount of crunch, also they weren't very greasy. Â On the other hand the chowder wasn't great, caned quality I would say and the oyster crackers that came with it seemed hard and a bit stale.
For dinner my wife and son had the shrimp scatter, Â and I had the fish and chips. My fish was well cooked with a good crust, it was a bit hard and crunchy but had good cling to the fish I hate it when the fish just falls out of the breading). The accompanying french frys were average stake cut. The two orders of shrimp scatter were average tast wise but were overcooked. The crust was hard like with my fish but so was the shrimp inside. Overall it was an oil heavy meal.
Deserts were uninspiring (the pies are not made in-house) so we opted to go elsewhere for ice cream instead of trying what they had. It was not a bad experience, it just isn't worth making the drive again.
4 stars for the food. Â 2 for the service. Â Â
The ambience of the place is generally cleaner than what's been stated in the last review. Â It's still old-fashioned wood paneling, but still has a modern feel.
I came here on a Friday with a total party of six. Â Two of us arrived, and the rest of the party shortly afterward. Â Our whole party sat there at least 20 minutes before a waitress showed up with water and to ask about our orders. Â They seated us at the table next to the fireplace, which was on a slight but noticeable downward slant. Â Thankfully, the table was adjusted so that it was still flat and did not wobble. Â Still, I was NOT happy to see a family of four that was seated 10 minutes after us and two tables away get served first, especially since we'd already waited over 10 minutes by that point (and there were only one or two other tables eating at the time). Â When the waitress finally got to us, we ordered our food, and one of our party ordered a shrimp and crab au gratin, which we were told would take about 25 minutes to make. Â No. Â It actually took over 45 minutes. Â So we were there over an hour and a half before we finally got to eat our food, though they did give us plenty of the blue cheese bread, which was tasty and spicy, with just enough blue cheese bite.
When the food finally did arrive, it was much better than the service was. Â Since it was a Friday, I'd ordered the cioppino, which is their Friday-only special. Â It was hearty, tasty, hot, and filling, loaded with plenty of good rich seafood. Â I seriously underestimated the portion size and got the large bowl instead of the small, which was absolutely HUGE, and by the time I'd eaten my fill, the level of liquid in the bowl had barely dropped an inch. Â They packed the rest in a large cup for me and I managed to get three more full soup bowl meals out of it over the next couple of days, so it was definitely worth the price.
If you're not in a great hurry, I'd recommend this place for an awesome meal.
Hope the service improves, though.
Super old fashioned place on the San Joaquin River. Â Had a fried Oyster sandwich which was delicious. Â Their Potato Salad and Tartar sauce was also very good. Â Place was built in 1947 and shows it's age, but the food is great and they have very reasonable prices. Â If you are looking for a down home, old fashioned, friendly atmosphere setting with no frills you don't need to go to the Louisiana Bayou, just go to the Riverview Lodge.
Review Source:I'm not sure where to start with this review ... My dad went here as a kid and saw it in a book about the area recently. Â After trying to get him to return the next time he was in town ... or the next time ... or the next time ... I finally convinced him. Â I think the biggest hurdle was that he thought it would take a lot longer to get there than he though (remember, in his days there were no freeways).
We entered through the bar area because I didn't go far enough around the parking lot to see the actual entrance. Â Wow, talk about a step back in time not only with the decor but also with the patrons. Â I think my dad and I were the youngest people in the place! Â The bar was ... what I would have expected I guess. Â The main dining room was also dated - as a matter of fact, it reminded me of my grandparents house with the real wood paneling. Â
We came for one thing and one thing only (well, besides to reminisce about my father's childhood) - the cioppino(fish stew). Â The cioppino is only available on Fridays (unless there is leftover which then they sell on Saturdays - I asked the waitress what the likelihood of leftovers were and she said pretty good). Â The cioppino was good - the small bowl was MORE than enough and we dipped the fresh sourdough into it to gorge ourselves silly. Â We didn't try anything else but my dad insisted I take a menu home.
All in all it was okay. Â It was more a nostalgic trip rather than a foodie trip. Â We'll probably go again but thank goodness my dad only visits a few times a year!
Dirty looking, sticky surroundings.  The grease  of ages is all that holds this place together.  Overcooked and over priced food.  The waitress is straight out of Flo sitcom, a fizzled out version.  So sad - this location in beautiful.  Maybe Mac's Old House can purchase this ? Just a thought..  a big MEH....
Review Source:I like to go to the Riverview on occasion with my family. Its definitely an old place but the older a place is the more character it has. And this place is full of character. Its all nautical themed since its sitting on a pier right by the river/delta. Right when I walk in I always notice their fishtank. For a while they had a big fish in there that would rearrange its tank everyday. Kinda cool. When ever I go there I make sure to sit by the large windows. That way I get a nice view of the water and boats that go by. Sometimes I see fisherman out there and its cool to watch and see if they catch anything. Sometimes you spot the feral cats that wander around but they don't bother people. The waitresses there are usually older women that are very friendly and kind. The service isn't very bad at all. The food arrives pretty quick. I've never had to wait very long for my food or drinks. The food is pretty average, just like any other diner. They have a bar on the other side of the restaurant. I can't say much about it though, since I'm not of drinking age, but it seems to be a quiet place to enjoy a drink. Although the place is pretty average, there is something about it that is charming.
Review Source:If it were cheaper I'd probably give it another star. Â The menu was bland and so was my dish. Â My girlfriend got a cheeseburger, which the cooks scorched. Â I suppose they were used to cooking for old people. Â
I got some crab creole casserole, which was like $17. Â There was indeed a lot of crab in there, so that was appreciated. Â The rice that came along was pretty good. Â The creole spices tasted like maybe a boring mixture they got in the spices isle at Safeway. Â I would have ordered the fish and chips but I figured if I'm spending $15 on fish and chips I might as well shell out a couple more for a crab based dish. Â
That was the food, the atmosphere was about as bland and outdated as my casserole. Â A whole page of the menu was dedicated to casseroles. Â Who the fuck orders a casserole at a restaurant? Â Oh yeah, old people. This is a place with a large bar, that is right on the water. Â The waitress was old and beat, the type of person you'd expect to see working as a waitress at a shitty casino in Reno. Â This place could be so much more with new ownership, with the structure already in place and especially the location right on the water. Â I lived in New Jersey for a few years, and say what you will, but there are some restaurants and clubs and bars right on the water, and they take full advantage of the location. Â The river/bay is obviously a bit different than the ocean, but water is water, and this place could be a great restaurant. Â Also, I heard no music. Â Zero. Â None. Â Only a few old people in the restaurant and granted we were eating early.
We should have just gone elsewhere. Â Lesson learned. Â I would suggest learning that lesson the easy way and stay away.
Happy hour M-F Â 4-6pm well drinks are $2.50. Â Small drinks but fairly strong. Â
Friday happy hour they have a hot cater dish with fried mozarella sticks, fried oysters and fried calamari strips that are free. Â They put them out at 4pm so probably best time to eat the oysters when they are hot and fresh. Â
Never had dinner here since most items start at $15 up to "market price." Â Tried their clam chowder which was around $5 but the clams tasted old and not real fresh; fail. Â It's really hard to find restaurants that actually make GOOD clam chowder. Â Even the oyster crackers which come in the plastic see through packets were stale. Â 2 stars for the clam chowder.
3 stars overall rating is for the cheap happy hour, free appetizers on fridays from 4-6pm during happy hour and just for the sake of being redundant, a nice view of the delta through the back of the bar.
My mother started going here when she was a child. She remembers when she was able to order her own lobster thermador. She remembers when my grandmother figured my father was going to be a member of the family and they took my dad there. Then the age old problem happened: through the years, the service declined and the portions became smaller. So about 25 years ago, my parents walked out and vowed not to return.
Fast forward to this year. I am trying to come up with a great place to take my dad for father's day (he has become somewhat sentimental lately) when I recalled him lamenting the loss the Riverview Lodge about a month ago. So I let my fingers do the walking in my browser, and I notice that they are still in business. My next and most important stop is here at Yelp- as it was above 3 stars- it was time to reintroduce my parents to this place.
Last night I took my dad (he is busy on Father's Day and so if we want to celebrate, we have to do it during the week) to the Riverview Lodge. The Restaurant was just as my parents remembered with the exception that it was dead- we were the only people in the place. Our Server, Debbie, was nice and a great example- observant and on hand without hovering (which is a real trick when there is only one table occupied).
The food was great. The clam chowder was thick and creamy- obviously made on premise. I ordered the frog legs (something on my bucket list). For those who say it tastes like chicken, it does not. It tastes like a clam on a bone. I recommend trying them if nothing else to say you have. The next course was a mixed grill with scallops, rock cod, prawns, and oysters. I don't usually enjoy my seafood fried, but this was an exceptional fry- not too oily and light and crispy.My dad had the Lobster Thermador- and let me tell you, these guys don't mix the lobster with scallops or other "fillers" as some higher end restaurants do. Â Stuffed to the gills (har-har) we didn't have room for dessert. I nervously asked my parents if the food had improved and they both agreed that it was back to the "OLD RIVERVIEW STANDARD". Yay!
The only thing that I am concerned with is that I think that everyone has written off this place and they need to go give it another try. Go and ask for Debbie, she will take great care of you while you sit back and enjoy a meal from a different time.
The only reason i stumbled on this place is because a local car club held their annual show at the parking lot of this place and we decided to eat there. MAN OH MAN were we in for a good surprise, i had the best fish and chips with the tastiest Cole slaw I have EVER eaten!! not to mention the French Fried Onion rings!!! But i hear that the serve a KILLER Cheippinno ( IDK how to really spell it lol)
anyway its become a regular spot for my baby doll and I.
I agree with previous review....this place is a gem. Â Just realized I go here regularly but haven't Yelp'ed it yet. I take it for granted I guess.
First, it's where I like to go when stressed. Â Sit in bar or dining room, relax, gaze out at the river, fish (yes, they jump), birds, boats, even listen to the trains going by. Â A really comfortable friendly place.
Second, the bartending always seems great (always a great martini but I don't know how they do with drinks from this millenium), also decent, very reasonably priced wines.
Third, and most surprising, is the food is really good. Â Standouts are Dungeness crab cakes (fresh, light, tasty, perfectly cooked), any grilled fresh fish, green goddess salad dressing, cole slaw, hamburger (big on sourdough roll), any poached fish with golden (?) sauce, and prime rib. Others like the Captains Plate and any deep fried fish but too heavy for me. Â Not an exciting menu, but someone can cook.
If you've been here in decades past, I think the food is actually prepared better now than ever. Â And still some cats there.
My husband and I came here hoping to discover a gem, we have lived near for years and never tried it. Sadly I was disappointed and not because of the food, the food was good but the service was TERRIBLE, and granted I have high expectations when I am paying someone to wait on me I was so angry with our waitress I don't care to come back. If she spent less time high on speed and more time paying attention to what people are ordering and not pitching a fit at the CUSTOMER about having to fix HER mistake she might get somewhere. I used to be a waitress maybe my standards are too high, but she totally ruined my experience here and I will most likely not be returning. Â PS. it was also quite EXPENSIVE, $30 for a soup, a burger and a coke
Review Source:All I can say is YES! It's still around! I remember when my Grandfather used to make special trips out from San Mateo to Riverview to have the great food. As a boy it was cool to go in to see the fish tank full of delta native fish. The food was always great and it's been a Bay Area institution for so long, it's worth patronizing them to embrace some good old local nostalgia. Now if they could bring back Morrow's Nut House to Walnut Creek so I could fish with my magnetic bait to catch a paper-clipped prize out of the fish bowl again, I think my life would be complete!
Review Source:Well, well, well, what do we have here? After our moment on the pier we came here to check it out.
Of all the years I have lived in this area I had no idea that this place was even here. Or I should say I didn't know it was even open.
We went in and sat at the bar that over looks the Delta. They have a pretty big bar and lounge area. This place is the definition of Dive.
We got another Cosmo to compliment the few we had up the street at Humphrey's. This is obviously not a regular drink here because they didn't even have martini glasses to serve it in.
Then I noticed they had Sailor Jerry Rum. Don't mind if I do. So we got one Diet and Sailor's.
It was very slow in there and from reading other reviews they have a restaurant that I didn't even notice.
Great local spot and an absolute hidden gem.
when i first walked in, it was like the whole restaurant and bar patrons stopped what they were doing and just looked at us for a moment. it was like they never seen asian people before. first thing came to mind was " aahaw man, this doesn't look good at all ". felt like i needed to get into my bruce lee stand because its true, all asians know martial arts.. just kidding. so my date and i waited to be seated. a waitress walked by and grab a couple of menus. she didnt say a word or looked in our direction. then i saw here standing next to an empty table and she looked at me, so i grabbed my fiance hand and sort of ran to her. didnt want her to get pissed at us.. im thinking if i piss her off, the whole restaurant will surround us. and i dont want that. so we sat there and read the menu. and all of a sudden, a asian waitress came out of the kitchen and a gentleman that i thought was flaming came out too. im thinking kewl, diversity!! now im feeling a little comfortable. the lady that seated us also took our order. after awhile, our waitress turned out to be a really nice person. my first impression about the restaurant when we first walked in turned out to be totally opposite. ok, about the food, i ordered the prime rib and my fiance ordered the fish and chips. OH MY GOD(BUDDAH.. J/K) the prime rib was the best prime rib i had in ages. the prime rib was cooked to perfection, med rare w/ bone. this restaurant cooks prime rib 6 days a week. how could they go wrong. it was excellent!!!! as for the fish and chips, excellent !!!! not to much batter, just right !!! go there and try the prime rib and fish and chips. Â thanks riverview for the best prime rib in ages !!!
Review Source:The Riverview Lodge has been around for decades with little to no changes. My grandfather worked here forty years ago, and since then, the menu has stayed exactly the same as well as the decor. I understand wanting to keep with tradition, but this restaurant really needs some new touches. The service varies - there are some waitresses that are very good at what they do and others that act really weird. The food is overall ok, the chicken and veggies are nasty but the seafood itself is pretty tasty. I don't drink alcohol so I can't comment on the bar.
Review Source:Perched on a dock (that I wonder if its up to code) with a beautiful view of the water.
The food is less than stellar, the drinks are on HIT and they really need to put up a bug zapper outside the main entrance. Â I must have inhaled six bugs last night walking in.
Matter of fact, feels like one is still stuck in my throat!
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