A chocolate fountain, a smoked fish station, and peel-and-eat shrimp all share the same Sunday buffet. That alone got my attention. Then I learned a 1944 sailboat sits inside the dining room.
The seafood list keeps going. Paella, oysters on the half shell, clams casino, and shrimp etouffee all make an appearance. Smoked trout and lox wait nearby with cream cheese, which feels like a very good plan.
I like how this Illinois spot mixes a riverside view with a little bit of playful weirdness. There’s a restored windmill indoors. There’s a koi pond too, and the decor leans proudly nautical.
I believe brunch should feel like an event, not just eggs on a plate. And somehow, this place makes a seafood feast beside an Illinois river feel perfectly natural.
Sunday Brunch Turns Into A Full Seafood Parade
Every Sunday from 9:30 AM to 2 PM, Port Edward Restaurant rolls out its famous Sunday brunch buffet. It’s all-you-can-eat, and the seafood lineup is the main event.
Paella sits near Peel and Eat Shrimp and Fried Shrimp. Shrimp Etouffee brings a Louisiana-style twist to a Sunday in northern Illinois.
Oysters on the Half Shell show up too, along with Clams Casino and Stuffed Crab Shells. Salmon gets two treatments, baked and served with dill sauce.
Seafood Alfredo rounds out the hot side of things. That’s a lot of ocean for a riverfront table, and I mean that as a compliment.
Here’s a practical tip worth remembering. Reservations are available for Sunday brunch, so booking ahead makes sense.
Want the fancy upgrade? Alaskan King Crab Legs can be added for an extra charge by the pound.
Coffee and juices are part of the deal, so the morning caffeine is covered. Pace yourself with small plates first. The buffet is wide, and the dessert table is still waiting at the finish line.
Save Room For The Smoked Fish Station
Smoked fish fans, this corner belongs to you. The brunch at Port Edward Restaurant gives it a whole dedicated station.
Smoked Gravlax leads the lineup. Smoked Salmon, Smoked Trout, and Lox join it, so there’s real variety instead of one lonely tray.
Cream cheese sits right alongside. Grab a fresh roll from the bread selection, and you’ve basically built your own deli moment.
Nearby, the cold salads keep the seafood theme going strong. Crab Salad, Shrimp Salad, Tuna Salad, and Herring Salad all make the list.
Octopus Salad and Seaweed Salad add a bolder edge. Those two are great picks for curious eaters who like trying something new.
Clam Chowder also appears on the buffet. A warm cup can balance out a plate full of chilled fish.
My suggestion is simple. Start cold, then move to hot dishes, so flavors stay clear and nothing gets soggy.
A fruit and cheese station offers Wisconsin and imported cheeses plus seasonal fruit. It’s a nice reset between rounds. Honestly, you could build a whole brunch here before touching the omelets.
Breakfast Lovers And Prime Rib Fans Can Share A Table
Not everyone wants shrimp at 10 AM. Good news, because the brunch keeps the classic breakfast crowd very happy.
An Omelet Station anchors the morning side. Eggs Benedict, Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, and Pork Sausage fill in the rest.
Sweet tooth? Fresh Belgian Waffles and French Toast are on the list. Biscuits and Gravy bring the comfort-food energy.
Then comes the carving station, which feels like a Thanksgiving cameo. Prime Rib and Turkey are both carved for the buffet.
The sides lean hearty too. Mashed Potatoes, Macaroni and Cheese, Green Beans, and Stuffing with Gravy round things out.
This mix matters for groups. One person can load up on oysters while another sticks to waffles, and nobody feels left out.
Families also get flexibility from the sheer range. Picky eaters usually spot something familiar fast, like mac and cheese or scrambled eggs.
I can’t imagine a better peace treaty for a family that never agrees on breakfast. Everyone wins, and the plates get very full.
A Chocolate Fountain Waits At The Finish Line
Chocolate fountains rarely appear outside of weddings. Port Edward Restaurant puts one on the Sunday brunch dessert station anyway.
That fountain is only part of the sweet spread. Assorted pies and cakes line up beside cheesecake and cookies.
Jello makes the list too. It’s a fun, slightly retro touch that kids will probably spot first.
Sugar-free dessert options are also offered. That’s a thoughtful detail for guests watching their sugar but still wanting a treat.
Fresh seasonal fruit from the fruit station pairs nicely with the fountain. Strawberries dipped in chocolate feel like the obvious move.
Plan your strategy here. After seafood, carving station meats, and waffles, dessert can sneak up on you fast.
A smart approach is grabbing a small sampler plate. Try a bite of cheesecake, one cookie, and something dipped, then decide what deserves a second trip.
Kids will love it, but adults won’t exactly be shy either. Good luck walking past a flowing wall of chocolate without stopping. I certainly wouldn’t bet on myself.
You Can Actually Eat Inside A 1944 Sailboat
A 25-foot sailboat named the Porpoise sits inside the restaurant. It was built in 1944, and it now works as a tiny dining room.
The cabin seats up to four guests. That makes it perfect for a small family celebration or a memorable double date.
Reservations for the Porpoise are taken by phone. Each booking includes a souvenir photo, which is a sweet keepsake.
Think about birthdays or anniversaries here. A meal inside a boat makes the day feel bigger without needing a big party.
The boat isn’t the only quirky seat in the house. A restored 1920s windmill stands between the lobby and the Salem Lounge.
That windmill holds an intimate nook for two to four people. Yes, an actual windmill, indoors, in a seafood restaurant.
An indoor koi pond adds even more watery charm. Colorful fish gliding by fit the nautical mood nicely.
Ask about these special seats early, since space is very limited. Four seats on a boat don’t leave much room for latecomers.
Every Wall Tells A Sea Story
Diving helmets, whaling harpoons, and a sperm whale jaw bone live in the Regency Room. That’s not your usual brunch backdrop.
Founder Edward Wolowiec, known as Mr. Ed, loved music and scuba diving. His passion shaped the big nautical collection seen throughout the building.
He also loved reusing materials. Wood came from old barns, and seating came from old churches.
Tables were crafted from a World War II ship, the USS Liberty. The Mermaid Room and Lobster Cove feature ship hatch covers and brass portholes.
Mr. Ed’s own artwork hangs on the walls too. It gives the place a personal touch you can’t buy from a catalog.
In April 2024, the restaurant finished a major makeover. Dark wood walls turned bright white, and mirrors now reflect the river.
Clutter got trimmed back, but the history stayed. The update kept the character while letting in more light.
AAA Motor Club once called it one of Mid-America’s Most Unusual Restaurants. After all those harpoons and portholes, that label feels earned.
River Views Make Every Bite Better
Floor-to-ceiling windows in the Salem Lounge frame the Fox River. Panoramic views like that make lingering over coffee feel totally reasonable.
Port Edward Restaurant sits right on the water at 20 W. Algonquin Rd., Algonquin, IL 60102. Few Illinois restaurants can claim this kind of front-row river seat.
The lounge also hides a Secret Room with cozy seating. Food and drinks aren’t served there, but it’s a fun little discovery.
Mirrors added in the 2024 refresh bounce river views around the space. Even interior tables get a bit more of that waterfront glow.
Seasons change the scene in a nice way. Summer brings bright water, while colder months turn the river calm and quiet.
Request a window table when booking brunch if you can. It never hurts to ask politely.
Algonquin itself makes a pleasant stop in the Fox River Valley. Pair brunch with a riverside stroll and you’ve got a relaxed Sunday plan.
A view this good does half the work. The buffet just finishes the job beautifully.
Summer Belongs Out On The Dockside Patio
Warm weather opens up Dockside, the outdoor dining area beside the Fox River. It runs seasonally and depends on the weather.
Seating is first-come, first-served. Showing up a little early on a sunny weekend is a smart move.
Live music plays on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the season. Food, river breeze, and a band make a pretty great combination.
Boaters have a perk worth knowing. The riverfront setting makes it a natural stop for anyone already cruising the Fox.
Patio meals pull from a full menu beyond brunch. Fresh seafood and steaks both appear, so options stay wide.
Bring sunglasses and maybe a light jacket for evenings. River air can cool things down once the sun drops.
Families can enjoy the open-air vibe without the formality of indoor dining. Kids tend to like watching boats drift past, and parents like the scenery.
Short Illinois summers deserve to be used well. Spending one evening on this patio sounds like a solid way to make the season count.
Sixty Years Of Seafood Started With A Small Waterfront Bar
Back in 1960, Edward Wolowiec became a partner in a waterfront spot called Anchor Lounge. Four years later, he bought out his partner.
That 1964 move created Port Edward Restaurant. The restaurant celebrated its 60th anniversary in June 2024.
Growth came step by step. An addition went up in 1973, and the building expanded from 50 by 70 feet to about 14,000 square feet.
Mr. Ed also chaired the Illinois Restaurant Association. He helped found several Illinois banks too, which shows how rooted he was locally.
He passed in 2022 at age 92. Current owner Ziya Senturk, known as Z, has since focused on renovations while honoring the founder’s legacy.
The regular menu carries that history forward. Seafood Stuffed Mushrooms have been a favorite for over 55 years.
Signature Lobster Bisque and Maryland Classic Crab Cakes also appear. A kids menu for ages 11 and under includes Fish and Chips and Grilled Cheese.
On the first Friday of most months, a Surf and Turf Buffet appears too. Six decades in, this place still knows how to throw a feast.
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