Switzerland Native Chef Alex Camen trained for three years as a professional Chef and also completed a two year program to become a professional server. Chef Camen arrived in the United States at age 22 and continued to be inspired and perfect his craft, cooking and creating new dishes.
Chef Camen brings a European touch to historic Main St. in downtown Union IL. Chef Camen's passion for cooking and perfection is apparent in each dish, whether a twist on a traditional favorite or one of his original recipes.Checkers II is a cozy restaurant located in Union IL, on historical Main St. Established in 1991 Checkers offers everything from traditional American cuisine to European inspired dishes.
Chef Camen brings a European touch to historic Main St. in downtown Union IL. Chef Camen's passion for cooking and perfection is apparent in each dish, whether a twist on a traditional favorite or one of his original recipes.Checkers II is a cozy restaurant located in Union IL, on historical Main St. Established in 1991 Checkers offers everything from traditional American cuisine to European inspired dishes.
Reviews (24)
Mlke Allen
Jan 01, 2022
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I've been wanting to try this place for 2 years now finally did today...everything was fantastic...really enjoyed the house beer on tap...reminds me of a slightly lighter Sam Adams...onion rings were delicious...flavorful and crunchy..had a Reuben sandwich that reminds me of the ones I used to get when I was in my early twenties in Chicago...son had a Phillie cheesesteak that looked fantastic...definitely go hungry because you will leave stuffed...omg....already planning our next visit
Jaime Dyskie
Oct 23, 2021
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Seemed like a great small town restaurant to stop for a bite to eat. Service was extremely slow and there were several servers working. It took over an our to get our food. Cheese curds and Italian beef wrap were delicious, but turkey club was not good. We asked for no tomatoes and the turkey club came with extra tomatoes. Great place, if you have all day!
Len Stafford
Sep 29, 2021
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Stopped for lunch on Monday. Sausage platter and soups were ordered with Weiss beer on tap.
All was delicious and that Paulaner Weiss was great from tap. Our waitress was a young lady that was a bit new and she did a great job. Service was great. We sat outside and they were accommodating to us. Will go back for the German food.
All was delicious and that Paulaner Weiss was great from tap. Our waitress was a young lady that was a bit new and she did a great job. Service was great. We sat outside and they were accommodating to us. Will go back for the German food.
Linda Johnson
Sep 27, 2021
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Bill L.
Sep 19, 2021
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It's saturday night in september ( october fest eve) Busy, busy, but a 2 hour wait for food is unacceptable. Hey wait, where is my red cabbage ? Second time in three weeks no red cabbage. I questioned the owner, who told me promptly to get out. Something happened, for the waitress came and told us that the meal (2) was compted. Hey, I like the place and will go back and resolve my differences with the hot head ownwer.
Cindy R.
Sep 12, 2021
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S. R. N. D. P. T.
Sep 03, 2021
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This review could have gone really great or really terrible. We were first timers at this Restaurant & Bar. They looked slow on the inside but they were busy outside. The bartender was brand new and helping wait tables inside. She was doing her best and very friendly. The struggle was real. She apologized repeatedly and we weren't even complaining. We could see the demands on her.
What swung this review toward 5 stars was when another waitress noticed that we had been waiting forever for drinks and jumped in to help. She kept jumping in and she was just as friendly and apologetic as it gets.
What swung this review toward 5 stars was when another waitress noticed that we had been waiting forever for drinks and jumped in to help. She kept jumping in and she was just as friendly and apologetic as it gets.
Cherise Sherwin
Aug 29, 2021
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Nice restaurant! Nicely decorated. We were greeted immediately, allowed to choose any table. One other couple already seated. Server came to the table about 8 minutes after being seated. She was friendly, but smelled of cigarette smoke. We ordered drinks. Got those quickly. Waited about 12-15 minutes to order. Started with the liver pate, very dark in color. Crackers were old!! Pâté was unflavored!! We ordered dinner. One was a steak$30.00, one broasted chicken and shrimp florentine . Two of us ordered loaded baked potato. Dinner came, cole slaw was hot!! Asked for cold slaw! Potatoes were old
Patricia Meloy
Aug 02, 2021
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NOT a chain eatery serving fast-food classics like burgers, hot dogs, french fries & shakes.
The chef is from a well-known German restaurant Dieterle's from Woodstock and he fixes the most authentic German fare in the area. Summertime eating arrangements include outdoor picnic-style tables and a gazebo. A delightful spot for adults and family dining. Carry-out dinners available. Very popular specials and chef's choice menu items. 10 out of 10!
The chef is from a well-known German restaurant Dieterle's from Woodstock and he fixes the most authentic German fare in the area. Summertime eating arrangements include outdoor picnic-style tables and a gazebo. A delightful spot for adults and family dining. Carry-out dinners available. Very popular specials and chef's choice menu items. 10 out of 10!
Wes Sedlacek
Jun 14, 2021
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One of the only places in a reasonable drive that has a authentic German section of the menu. I almost always get something off the German section, but the menu is full of other great food too. Everything I've ever ordered has been really good. It's a nice cozy atmosphere great for a weeknight dinner. It is definitely worth checking out!
Lorie R.
Jun 05, 2021
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Our table of 5 were very disappointed at Checkers. They need help it took a half hour to get a drink trying to find a waitress to help us.I ordered Hunter Shnitzel. I had to send it back it was so cold it seemed it came out of the refrigerator sent it back another 20 min. My husband and one friend ordered baked cod. It came out fried. Our other two friends food never came until we were almost done we asked where is there food waitress kept saying it's coming by that time they told her to have them packed. They never ate except a appetizer. Our appetizer were the worst oyster Rockefeller I
Ruth C.
May 29, 2021
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C. D.
Jan 21, 2021
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Outstanding food and service. It was great to eat inside and have a normal meal despite being in idiotic Pritzker land. Ordered Reuben and it was great. Huge. Onion rings not worth $10..do not bother with them. Out of a bag and fried. Icky. Ordered sausage sampler platter and it was good. Service was good. Beer great. Would return.
Brittany P.
Oct 17, 2020
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James K.
Sep 21, 2020
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We first found this great little place last month while searching for German food close to home without going east. The food and the portions were amazing. Terrific homemade soup and the sausages and schnitzel covered the plate. We saw they were having an Oktoberfest weekends in September so we had to go back. We went last Saturday with reservations for 6:30. The front was a little harried but we got seated fairly quickly. Unfortunately, the service after that point went downhill. It took a good 15 minutes to even get something to drink and our food order wasn't even taken until after
Jan M.
Jul 13, 2020
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Sunday duck dinner with a friend. Great food, great prices, great service. It was our pleasure to have Lori as our server and she was efficient, friendly, and took great care of us. Dessert was apple strudel, which I highly recommend. Outdoor area is very nice. Do yourself a favor and check this place out.
Cassandra K.
Apr 19, 2020
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Evelyn W.
Jan 11, 2020
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This restaurant is off the beaten path so we made an effort to get there, in bad weather. The place was crowded. When we just got there a waitress screamed at us to move. That made us feel very unwelcome! Got seated very quickly, sat there for over 20 minutes no one approached us. I called over a waitress, and told her we've been waiting, she said, she'll get us someone. No one came! We were made to feel like outsiders and because we weren't locals, we weren't welcome. I truly felt I was back in 1950, fighting for my civil rights. It was obvious that the staff did not
Eric S.
Oct 06, 2019
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Went here for our anniversary lunch and was pleasantly surprised. Had the Jaeger schnitzel with spaetzl and red cabbage, and it was a lot of food for the money. I never take food home and I have enough for dinner tonight. The wife got a smaller meal and she was satisfied. Its a very small place up front and service was a bit slower for the amount of people that were there but the food makes up for it. We'll be back in the future.
Dana M.
Nov 25, 2018
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I agree with other yelpers- this is a gemstone! After visiting the Illinois Railway Museum, my husband and kids and I searched for a family friendly restaurant and found this one. We were well accomodated and given a large booth right away. The server was a sweetheart and brought crayons and coloring books for my young kids and also made sure their food came quick (she saw they were getting antsy). The food was really delicious and well portioned. I had the chicken schnitzel dinner and my husband had the 12oz burger. Both were cooked to perfection. The meats were moist and I could tell the sides
Paul H.
Nov 22, 2018
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Daniel J.
Jul 18, 2018
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This is a fun place to go to when you want to come out with friends, but there is just one, big problem: flies. In the restaurant when I went, there was a very big fly problem, or at least when I went. Fly swatters were brought out, but it didn't work by where we were sitting. Anyways, the service was solid, the atmosphere was okay, and they do have a video gaming area, but I did not visit. The food was very good and reasonably priced, and I had the Tuna Melt, and it was average, but the potato fries and coleslaw were both excellent. When we went, the only dessert that was provided were Apple
Judy S.
Oct 16, 2016
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After a lovely (though cloudy) day enjoying the Woodstock area Autumn Drive (29th annual, BTW), we were famished and chose Checkers II for a late lunch. We were seated immediately by a very kind and hard-working hostess. The atmosphere was nicely decorated and inviting. Pub-like, clean, attractive decor.
Our server, Laurie, was very attentive; and we noticed that everyone serving seemed to be very good-natured -- laughing, smiling, helping each other out, joking with customers. Laurie took very good care of us, and the food was very tasty (steak sandwich for hubby, "The Queen" green
Our server, Laurie, was very attentive; and we noticed that everyone serving seemed to be very good-natured -- laughing, smiling, helping each other out, joking with customers. Laurie took very good care of us, and the food was very tasty (steak sandwich for hubby, "The Queen" green
Fred M.
Jul 12, 2015
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I brought my wife and two kids here today. I used to come here a lot with my parents, but it's probably been 10 years or more since I've been here. They had a nice crowd for a Sunday afternoon (I'm guessing 80% of capacity).
The place hasn't changed a bit. It's clean and well maintained with a good dose of country charm.
They offered three homemade soups: corn chowder, french onion, and tomato bisque. The corn chowder was excellent - the other two were very good.
Our entrees were all very good, but most notably my daughter and I had a taste test. She had chicken
The place hasn't changed a bit. It's clean and well maintained with a good dose of country charm.
They offered three homemade soups: corn chowder, french onion, and tomato bisque. The corn chowder was excellent - the other two were very good.
Our entrees were all very good, but most notably my daughter and I had a taste test. She had chicken
