The Tea Room at the Depot
(41 reviews)301 N Main St, Mackinaw, IL 61755, USA 309-359-4832 Website Suggest Changes
The Tearoom At The Depot offers a unique dining experience for all in a historic Train Depot. Our specials change with the seasons, and our building is a National Historic Site. Garden Gate Floral is a part of the Depot which affords a variety of shopping pleasure. We're open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch, and are also available for private lunch or dinner parties.
Recent reviews
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Sandra Badgerow
Love the Tea Room at the Depot.I am gluten free and they are very helpful suggesting items on the menu. They have a gluten free chocolate desert that is DELICIOUS! I always look forward to dining there.
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Carol Hanafin
Returned after 15 months from last visit with a friend that had never been. Somethings never change, still could not get a refill on tea, never came back to check on us until check time..... My sandwich was special of day and had not flavor at all (roast beef, tomato and cheese - grilled) needed a spread/dressing of some sort. My friend got the Molten Lava Cake and since they serve everything at once on a tiered plate rack, the cake was no longer molten when friend was ready to eat it. Cold fudge filling instead of flowing hot fudge. Not sure a great first impression was made. And sprinkles and mounds of bagged whipped cream does not make it a homemade dessert.
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Sharon
I've visited The Depot many times and it never fails to deliver! The food is excellent & presented beautifully. The servers are dressed to fit the atmosphere of the tearoom (which is a big plus). The dining area is quiet, peaceful & visually gorgeous! Fantastic gift shop is lots of fun too.
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Beth Williamson
Good food - terrible service. We went with a group of 8 women. We all ordered separate items. One ordered a Trio, but without dessert; she was charged for the dessert anyways. Others ordered entrees/salads without certain toppings - got those toppings anyways. The server came with our handwritten tickets explaining that parties over 8 are charged gratuity. (Not posted anywhere or stated in the menu - but a common practice and not too surprising.) We each paid our bill and mine was with a credit card. The manager came chasing after me saying that his staff person forgot to add on her own gratuity, but he would just go ahead and add it onto the already SIGNED credit card receipt. Really? You're going to chase after me for $6 when you just had a $160 table, because your staff can't do math? And commit a federal theft charge, because he TOLD me (didn't ASK me) that he was going to do this. The food is good, but not worth the hassle.
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SJ 12/13/11
Excellent service, yummy food, and absolutely wonderful desserts! And the gift shop is a great place to spend time if waiting for your table. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit!
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Melinda
We held a private luncheon at The Tearoom at the Depot on Monday and had a wonderful time. The food was great, as was the service and atmosphere. Our entire group felt very welcome, unrushed and truly catered upon. Many of our guests had never been to the Depot before, but they will all be returning! Thank you to Josh and staff for making our lunch such a memorable event!!
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Kathy
Our first time there and everything was wonderful! The soft music, the decorations, the quality of food and service. It gave us the relaxing break we were looking for.
Thank you!
I read the other reviews including the person who wasn't happy and that is too bad, but MY GOODNESS how often do you get such a nice response from business owners......they apologized ....that's almost unheard of these days. That would go a long way with me in letting by gones be by gones.
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Christy
Be sure to ask how much time is allowed for a reservation. I attended a bridal shower at this tea room and at 2 hours with three gifts remaining to be opened, our party of 11 was directed to relinquish our table. We were then moved to the food prep area 'garden room'. While I understand that another party was waiting to take our place, the final gifts were opened and we were out the door in less than 15 minutes. A lovely day ended on a sour note.
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Linda Toepfer
What an excellent place for my birthday lunch! I am so glad that my friend found you. We had an excellent adventure with a pleasant drive, wonderful food & drink and great service. We spent 2hrs having lunch and it was fabulous! We even made new friends with the women at the next table and exchanged cameras for picture taking! Thank you for such an enjoyable day.
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Gale
I have visited Tearoom at the Depot about 50 times in the past 4 years. It is ALWAYS excellent! I love the three tier presentation. The desserts are awesome, especially the 7 Layer Pie, Chocolate Mint Pie, and the Bread Pudding. The Aspen Tea is fantastic (I enjoy it hot) and the flavored decaf coffees are always excellent. Everyone I bring to the Tearoom is impressed. And be sure to take time to shop at Garden Gate Floral after you have your tea. It is always a GREAT experience. In November, they decorate the shop with a number of Christmas trees - it is just so beautiful! We are lucky to have these wonderful businesses in our area.
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Arlen Edelman
This is an awesome place to go for lunch. They have a great staff that is upbeat! The food is always excellent and I would recommend this place to anyone!
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Keith Grimm
Best Place Ive ever been to. Good Service, Great Food, Wonderful tea, Amazing Servers, Cozy Feeling, Beautiful area. Do not miss going to this place.
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Debbie Ramlow
I took my mom there for her 75th birthday! What a wonderful experience for her special day. Loved the gift shop also! Waiter was great and never felt rushed. Employees were great!
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Nan Miller
We went to The Depot to celebrate a special birthday, and we were not disappointed! We had a fabulous lunch... beautifully prepared, presented and served -- in a delightful atmosphere. We will return!
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Renee Titus
I was amazed by the quaint atmosphere and excellent food with an elegant and interesting presentation. I plan to come back many times. It was an incredible experience.
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Jane
The Depot offers such a fun eating experience. While you are waiting you can browse the gift shop. The atmosphere is excellent. The employees are very friendly and quick to wait on you. I never feel rushed to eat and leave. Their specialty is a three tiered lunch special with a soup or salad, sandwich and dessert...wonderful! When my cousin visits from Michigan we always have to visit the Depot! Always a delightful experience.
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Melba Steffen
I was very impressed with the decor and variety of foods provided. Everything was delicious
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Stacy
This is one of my favorite tea rooms. It is not a traditional Victorian setting, however the ambiance is warm and inviting yet sophisticated. The depot brings a historical feel, and the decor is top notch. The food is fabulous with many choices in every area of the menu. The tea is delicious with a nice variety. They are mostly flavored teas, and some basic. Not what you would think of as 'fine' teas - but definitely tea that you want to sip all day. Tea is served in individual pots, and I am unsure if it is loose-leaf or bagged. The service has a proper feel, yet friendly. One of the fabulous things about the Depot is that in the same building there is a fabulous gift shop. Visiting at Christmas time you feel like you are in a winter wonderland. You have to visit this one.
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Teresa Mack
I love this place! A friend and I enjoy going to different Tea Rooms in the Central Illinois area and have found this Tea Room to be our favorite so far. The food is great, the service is fantastic, and the atmosphere is completely relaxing. Thanks for offering us a wonderful experience each and every time we visit!
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anonoymous
The depot is so quaint! You really can feel the warmth and love immediately when you walk into the door! This is without a doubt the most relaxing and impressive establishment that you could ever bring your friends and family to! The food presentation is so unique, it simply takes your breath away. The only area of opportunity that I can see is their tea presentation. Their tea is bursting with flavor, but their presentation is average. They bring you your tea in a blue goblet. I am a bit surprised with how creative they were with the food presentation, that they did not put that same motivation into finding a beautiful way to present their tea. Make no mistake, The Depot is Central Illinois's best kept secret! This place is sure to win over your heart....go try it and absorb the experience.....
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Deanne Feasely
The food was good. The service was very poor, and the waitress was not very nice. I was told that they would do something special for the bithday person, and they did not. I have been the the tea room many times and have never had the server be so rude. I am not sure if I would return or recommend it to my friends.
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Anonymous
If you are looking for a wonderful outing with you and your friends, your husband, or your kids, this tearoom is the place to go! From the delicous food to the cozy warm atmosphere and service, you have got it made. Another postive to add to the many others is that either before or after you have your meal, there is a wonderful place attached to it where you can look around for goodies to buy. What more do you need but a wonderful lunch and a place to shop! Visit the Tea Room at the Depot today!
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Rosalie Summers
I loved the tea room's atmosphere and coziness. The service was very friendly and the food was presented beautifully as well as being wonderful and fresh. The gift/floral shop is packed with many unique items.I plan to return with all my friends.
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April Gerstung
Last Friday, December, 30, 2005, I was introduced to the Tearoom at the Depot, and I am honored.
The atmosphere was so cozy, the food was served with flair and our wait staff was a helpful, sweet and a gentle soul.
The Tearoom was suggested by a new family members, and my plan was to treat them. I had changed purses that morning, as for those of you who have done that, you can probably guess the rest of my story. No wallet. No credit cards. No drivers license! I quickly explained and asked if I could write a check. No problem was their response. And how many times does that happen today?
The Tearoom at the Depot in Mackinaw, Il., will akways be #1 in my book.
Thank you.
April Gerstung,
Morris, Il.
P.S. The raspberry tea is the best.
You must try it.
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Donna Engle
Discovered The Tearoom at the Depot this summer and have returned numerous times. Love the atmosphere, service and presentation of the excellent food. I would highly recommend it.
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Julie
This is a pretty place, but the service was very lacking when I visted. I could not get a refill or any service at all! Management attitude when informed of the problem was also surly and unpleasant. The shopping next to it and the decor are lovely. I just wish management and service were better.