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Burger Barge
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Drive-Thru:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Dive-y
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
38 reviews for Burger Barge
Review Highlights
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"Scott the bartender behind the "Tiki Hut" bar is AWESOME." In 5 reviews -
"I'm dreaming of frips and blobs." In 3 reviews -
"Chings = chips (homemade) + onion rings." In 4 reviews
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38 reviews in English
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Review from Michael S.
Sunnyside, NY
5/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Fried Food. They have a fried food appetizer tray that consists of fries, chips, fried shrimp, mozzarella sticks, and jalapeno poppers. All the grease ones heart could desire. The burgers were pretty good too. I opted to get the regular burger so that I could compare it to other burger establishments. Rating: average. I recommend getting one of the fancy burgers, because the regular burger is nothing special.
Sit on the back deck, the view of the river is cool. We were there during a thunderstorm. Great setting for drinking beers and watching the storm roll in. -
Review from Alaina L.
Minooka, IL
3/21/2012
Oh my goodness, how I craaave Burger Barge. Went to college at Bradley and after moving back to the Burb's, Burger Barge is one of the main things I miss about school, besides the binge drinking, of course. There are a huge variety of burger's to pick from, many with delicious fried foods topping them. The appetizers are also delicious, try the frips. The decorations are so fun, it's like an episode of Sponge Bob inside.
I'm drooling thinking about it.. seriously, go! -
Review from Veronica H.
Rosendale, WI
Dive.
Should be on an episode with Guy for Diners, Drive ins and Dives.
Also known as a greasy spoon.
Food is delicious ; wild variety of burgers with tasty toppings.
Atmosphere is comfortable, but the interior decorating is a sight in itself.
Personalize ur napkin, and they will put it on display.
Price is reasonable too. -
Review from Jon S.
Peoria, IL
Updated - 5/21/2012
Had to knock a star off bc service is getting freadful lately and for some reason they let some idiot customer smoke inside the place! Nasty
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/22/2012
I really like this place, it has a fun atmosphere, you have to love a burger place with a tiki bar… Read more »
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Review from Meredith E.
Rochester, MI
3/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
I have no idea where to even begin this review. This place defines dive. The outside would scare you away with the deflated shark, condemned house with a restaurant sign and randomly scattered Christmas lights, if you didnt know the food was amazing. Strange and interesting drink and food menu. Odd variety of tropical cocktails and margaritas. Beers including Keystone Light and Stag. PBR is top shelf here. The burgers had a strange mix of toppings as well. I got a Shroom Burger. A burger with deep fried portobello mushrooms and barge spicy mayo. It was FABULOUS. However, the first burger put in front of me was the BBQ pork plus burger with coleslaw and a side of onion rings. I took the burger apart to double check that it wasnt mine and had a few onion rings. When the waiter returned I informed him of the wrong burger and he picked it up and gave it to a gentleman at a different table. YES HE DID THAT. I also heard a waitress tell the cook to f off.
A beer and burger was $10. Not bad for an entertaining evening. -
Review from Ron R.
8/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is one of the few restaurants in the Peoria are that is accessible by boat- By far, in my opinion this is the BEST. They used to sell their burgers off of a pontoon boat in the river, but the health department started giving them problems, so they moved to their current location.
Recently they opened the "Tiki Barge" which has a more open feel. They also had live music when we were there, on a Sunday!
Last time I heard, the meat was from a local provider, you know the one on War Memorial- with the big black fiberglass cow? Yeah, that one-
Now, here are my food suggestions- hidden near the back of the menu is something called the 'mini moo'. It's a burger that is half the size of the huge assed heart attack they normally sell. It's available in the same way as any of their other burgers, my favorite is the chilli cheese burger with a bit of mustard.
Also, you can get a mixture of chips and onion rings, they call them "chings". -
Review from David B.
Peoria, IL
10/20/2011
A very very strange place. Are there building codes or architects in Peoria?
The food is good, a strange collection of burger choices and fried foods. It is on the water, or at least as close to on the water as you get in Peoria.
Skip McDs( and the other 50 burger chains in Peoria) and try Burger Barge. -
Review from Greg S.
Orion, IL
2/7/2012
A great little dive! Fantastic food, to many burgers to choose from, a must for any burger lover A+
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Review from Mike G.
Naperville, IL
My daughter and I were driving through Peoria for a tournament and while on the interstate we searched our handy YELP app on the smart phone to find a local burger joint. Something unique and not a national chain (nothing against those because my family loves eating there too).
We found the Burger Barge! If you were to look up "local burger dive" in Wikipedia, the Burger Barge would be at the top of the list.
Getting there is a bit tricky but if your turn off right onto Black Jack drive at the casino and hang a right, you'll find the Burger Barge at the end of the frontage road.
We didn't mess around, we both ordered the Captain's Burger which is a loaded cheese burger with Pastrami and a large order of rings. Excellent food, we sat in the Tiki Bar area because there was some live entertainment that Friday night and the server was friendly and nice.
Like my other review of Emo's Dairy, I'm sure the Peoria locals know this place well, but if you're traveling through this nice Illinois river city and it's lunch or dinner time, make the trip and enjoy the burger . . . especially if you like to try local spots. -
Review from Dan G.
New York, NY
2/1/2012
Great, unique burgers. They are not afraid to throw a ton of toppings on your burger.
This is the definition of local fare.
I recommend. -
Review from Jessi J.
Miami Beach, FL
3/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Well, to be honest, If your looking for a burger in Peoria, this is the place to go. It was cooked good, just the right amount of greasy, and cooked right around medium. The reason Im giving it 4 stars is because I ordered the Anchor, where it was a burger on top of the fries coated in chili and cheese. I didn't know I would be receiving a heart attack on a plate. lol
Again it was good, but there was just WAY too much cheese on there. They put shredded cheddar on the fries at the bottom, which was good, then a layer of chili, good, then the patty, ok, then more chili, wow, and then a VERY thick layer of liquid cheese, and this was where it was a little too much. If you love your cheese, dive in. But for me, even with my artery clogging meals of the past, this was too too hefty.
But let me rehash. The taste was there, and its about as divey as can be, even to the point of the bartenders drinking with you. Its a good experience, and definitely a decent burger, but Go normal, don't drop anchor, or youll be dropping anchors for the next day or two. lol -
Review from Marcas B.
Peoria, IL
11/8/2011
Used to eat here often. Service diminished, portions varied. They left their cole-slaw sitting out. Mayonnaise + un-refrigerated = make customers sick. Entire family got food poisoning.
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Review from Jan c.
Saint Louis, MO
1/2/2012
i went with some co workers when i was in town and it was quaint. The food is ok and service is fair. I probably wouldnt go back unless the fellows insist. lol
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Review from Jen B.
Peoria, IL
8/29/2011
Thanks to a fellow reviewer here on Yelp (Thanks Ron!!) I was armed and ready to order my mini moo when I met up with a group of friends here over the weekend. The weather was awesome and the place was packed! We waited over an hour for food but with 12 of us there and plenty of drinks coming our way, we hardly noticed. My Illinois style mini moo was perfect and had a nice mix of frips and fries accompanying it. I was too chicken to try their specialty drink that has a "limit 2" but will put that on my bucket list ;) Very nice addition along with the outdoor tiki bar/smoking area-would come on back here for some of those limited cocktails and a band some night!
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Review from Zach H.
Buffalo Grove, IL
4/25/2011
Venture to this place at least once a summer, probably more than that.
Good food, but greasy, some very novel food combinations on their menu.
Sea Shanty style decor, decent music, Big portions, slightly eccentric and eclectic style.
Very fun place late at night and in the summer. -
Review from Chris Z.
Berkeley, CA
1/27/2011
Burger Barge keeps it simple, and I'll do the same in this review.
Wherever you live, you need to know a humble place that will serve you a delicious burger without pretension. This isn't the place where you go for a $15 Kobe beef burger. This is the place where you go for a greasy, dripping, artery-clogging masterpiece.
Burger Barge is that place in the Peoria community. It's a shack near the river, which adequately sums up its decor. It's a burger dive.
It's always satisfying. You know what you're going to get. And you can sit outside in the sand. (Don't get your hopes up--it's a patio, not a beach.)
It's one of the few places in Peoria I miss now that I've moved away. -
Review from Stacey L.
Chillicothe, IL
7/28/2011
This place has gained a good reputation in the area for burgers. Anyone wanting to dine in elegance needs to look elsewhere. This place is a dive. Which, in itself, lends some charm. Not so charming, though, when we went last weekend on a 95 degree day to find they have no A/C. That alone will keep me away during hot weather from now on.
A lot of people tout this as the best burger around. I don't believe that, but it's alright. The food selection is pretty great, and my husband enjoyed his tenderloin, which was quite large. -
Review from Jonathan C.
1/28/2010
Are you hungover? Did you just wake up early to go to the casino and now need some food? Well whatever your reason for being out here at lunch time, you have no choice but to go here? Why, because its damn good.
Not sure what you want? Get the "Buy the farm". Its a porkchop, a 9 oz burger, and a chicken breast all piled onto one bun. If you think that sounds too healthy because of that lean chicken, the "Red white and Moo" has two burger patties and a porkchop on one bun. Only in America!!!!! -
Review from Kim A.
Chicago, IL
2/10/2010
It is 2:30PM. Chicago is under a foot of snow, and I'm staring at my half finished bowl of Campbell's Vegetarian Vegetable Soup (that's right, the ones with the ABC's). Most people would be dreaming about sunning themselves on St. Lucia, or mai tais in Fiji... Me? I'm dreaming of frips and blobs.
In school, Burger Barge was that thing we used to treat ourselves: "Sweet! Finals are over... the barge?"... yes! Or "Matt/Mike/Kevin/Joe Schmoe... what a dick! You need THE BARGE!" And so we'd go. We'd eat our little hearts out, take half it home, hit the bars, and reheat the rest a approximately 4:20AM (gotta love 4AM last call...). They serve meat and fried food, and they do it really well. Now living in a world of burgers from Kuma's, Hot Chocolate, and The Gage, with fancy ingredients and wacky bread... I miss the simplicity of Burger Barge.
So... if you ever find yourself in Peoria, IL, and are craving a bit o' grease and meat, do yourself a favor and make it to this shifty little shanty. -
Review from Jesse S.
Greenville, IL
1/9/2012
Had the beach boy burger it was huge and delicious the service was good too, the building is kind of a hole in the wall but don't let that scare you away
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Review from Tony H.
8/14/2008
Every Peorian's guilty pleasure when it comes to great burgers and other wacky shit. Looks like a sea shanty on the outside, and not much better on the inside, but the food & atmosphere are great. Photographs, hand-drawn pictures and writing all over the walls & ceiling by friends and local pro athletes add even more.
Offers a wide selection of starters, specialty burgers & build-your-own and other creations. My favorite burger is the Blue Beard's Burger (bleu cheese, onion and bleu cheese dressing. I substitute bacon for onion.) Burger is big enough, but if you want to pony up an extra $1.50, enjoy some great fries, their homemade hand-cut chips, or a combo of the two- "frips." My only complaint is that they don't toast, grill or do anything with the buns; they just leave it as is and it always tastes cold compared to the rest of the sandwich.
Their Spud-Toons are good two...basically two huge baked potatoes mashed together end to end, and served with your choice of up to four toppings. One day, I will try the "Buy the Farm," which is a sandwich with your choice of cheese, and a burger, pork chop and chicken breast all one on bun. One of these days....*drool*
Great service, everyone wears orange. There's outdoor seating on a makeshift beach, and a dock off the Illinois river, so you can pull up if you're out on the weekend. Best "sea shanty" food in the area! -
Review from Lawrence T.
Bloomington, IL
8/6/2011 2 Check-ins Here
As long as the furniture doesn't break and you love meat than this is the place for you. With a wide assortment of burgers their giant baked spuds there is always something new to try. Don't judge the place by it's outside appearance as the Burger Barge isn't a meal it is an experience. So grab a seat on the outdoor deck and be sure to order the fried clams
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Review from Rickyspitfire S.
Minneapolis, MN
1/8/2012
I had a great burger here in 2002 and am going to assume that not much has changed.
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Review from Joe H.
Ellicott City, MD
5/2/2011
I went for their all-you-can-eat lunch and was not impressed. The burgers were submerged in greasy water, every prepared salad was mainly mayonaise, and bread/buns were ok, but nothing special.
The taco fillnig was OK, but I wasn't expecting much since it's not a Mexican restaurant. They have a good bar which was well stocked.
Not terrible, just nothing I'd go out of my way for. -
Review from Mike T.
Bolingbrook, IL
4/22/2011
Never had a better burger than from Burger Barge.
I tried the red white and moo and I thought I was going to explode... I can't believe I even finished it.
Otherwise, the Illini Burger or the mushroom/swiss are good burgers.
You can't beat a burger with bacon, shaved ham, and a fried egg.
Burger Barge definitely beats Red Robin. -
Review from Dally W.
Peoria, IL
3/20/2011
Have been there twice. The burgers were very good. The fries are nothing special. It is a nice outdoor space to eat a cheap burger on a nice day.
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Review from Heather Y.
Roscoe, IL
12/28/2010 1 Check-in Here
Awesome burgers. They are always cooked great and there are a ton of great burger creations on their menu and you can create your own. Their homemade chips are also awesome.
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Review from Joanne W.
Plainfield, IL
6/21/2010
The Barge is the perfect place to get a delicious, cheap specialty burger (think Fuddrucker's, but half the price). The menu is extensive, and it will take you a few minutes to decide what you are going to clog your arteries with. But damn, I can't get enough of this cheesy decor and the Cheese Blobs.
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Review from George S.
Peoria, IL
1/2/2009
My friends have told me they get good burgers here. My wife and I have been there three times. Twice the burgers were so burnt they crunched when you bit into them. Both times, they took them back and gave us replacements. The other time it was OK, but nothing to rave about.
Apparently people think it's good, because there always seems to be a crowd there. For me, I'll go somewhere that's more consistent. -
Review from Timothy D.
Morton, IL
10/23/2010
The Burger Barge has very tasty burgers. The only problem is that every time I've been there the burger comes cold. Here's a hint: if you make a burger and the cheese does not even melt, the burger and the bun are too cold. This place would get five stars if they could fix the temperature problem.
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Review from Chris M.
Peoria, IL
10/13/2010 1 Check-in Here
Quite tasty for a burger dive bar.
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Review from juls m.
Chicago, IL
1/16/2009
What a delightful little dump. When I lived in P-town I couldn't get enough of this place. The best time to go is when it is warm enough to sit out back. Go ahead and bask in the glow of the cheap tiki torches and look out at the serenity of the murky Illinois while eating cheap pub food off of a tray. Yep, no plates here, but you can get pretty much any topping you can think of on your burger, plus you can get CHINGS! Chings = chips (homemade) + onion rings.
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Review from Emalee S.
Denver, CO
6/18/2011
Absolutely fantastic! Right along the river front, great atmosphere and friendly staff. And the burgers are amazing! This is to this day the only restaurant I've ever taken just one bite and been instantly hooked. Try anything with their Lucy meat, you won't regret it. The onion rings are good and served in plentiful portions. Fairly inexpensive for the amount of food you get.
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Review from Tony S.
Chicago, IL
1/25/2009
Burgers with chips or whatever else you want (literally) as toppings and cheap beers...Not a place to go when the weather is below freezing (it is a shack on the river) but summertime on the back deck? Not a bad option.
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Review from E T.
Peoria, IL
2/13/2010 1 photo
Scott the bartender behind the "Tiki Hut" bar is AWESOME! He was very friendly and so attentive. He suggested I have the Long Island, which by the way is 1 of 2 drinks they limit their patrons to 2 only, and it tasted like liquid candy. This time I ordered a corn dog and onion rings. I love corn dogs and you rarely find them on menus so when I do you better believe I have to get them! It was perfect, sweet corn batter and salty hot dog. Mmmm!
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Review from Josh E.
Peoria, IL
8/23/2010
Everyone seems to love this place, but I don't get it. The burgers are fine, but it tastes like they cook them ahead of time. I've gone a number of times, and consistently the buns are cold and stale. The cold bun really hinders any melting of cheese and the taste of the burger. They should really consider toasting the buns. The service is repeatedly poor and the dining area is cramped.
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Review from rachel e.
Eugene, OR
2/2/2009
i do love the burger barge. i love the beach boy burger (fried cheese balls on your burger? say what? i said fried cheese balls on your burger!). i love the fried clams. and i love sitting on the river looking at crappy peoria. i'm sorry peoria, i love you. but you are quite crappy.
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Review from Ethan H.
Lincoln, IL
7/15/2010
Great environment (fun, lively!)! Great burgers! Daily and weekly specials on food and drinks! Definitely going back. So many good looking things on the menu, it was really hard to decide!
