The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by David Grimes for The Quill
Whether you're just coming in off the river or need to satisfy a craving for some fried catfish, you should stop in at the Oquawka Diner, located just about as far as you can go traveling west on Schuyler St. in Oquawka before you need to switch to water craft at the edge of the Mississippi.
"We used to be just next door on the lot (west) of us before we built this in 1997," says owner Sandra Olson, who also works as a transitional care nurse at Burlington's Great River Medical Center.
"Our new location is where the old Blue Goose tavern used to be."
If you need more specific directions, look for the building that proclaims "Ye Olde Fish House" on the outer south wall.
"We used to have that saying in the dining room of the old diner," Olson said.
Olson and her staff of 12 employees will tune up your taste buds with the best in home cooking and comfort food whether you're ready for breakfast, lunch or dinner and at moderate prices.
Tuesdays through Fridays you can enjoy blue plate specials for around $4 with entrees that include roast beef, chicken, small catfish, meatloaf and veal. Specials include mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls and a vegetable.
If short orders are what you're looking for, choose from a variety of sandwiches including the cold sandwich, the jaw stretcher, and cook Rick Pullen's Rick Burger.
"(The Rick Burger) is one of our more popular items since he came up with it in the late "80s," Olson noted.
I tried one to see why and found it to be enough for two people or two meals, with or without a side of fries and cole slaw. The Hardee's thickburger lineup has nothing on Rick's creation.
Garnished with American cheese, mayo, tomato and lettuce (and probably any other condiment you want), the Rick Burger is a tasty solution for the famished diner.
The fact that it's cooked fresh, to order and hot off the grill makes it all the more appealing.
But if really want to experience what packs in the locals as far as loyal patrons from Burlington, IA, Monmouth and Galesburg, the Friday night all you can eat catfish buffet for $7.99 is probably the best way to do it.
While restaurant hours are normally 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. (until 2 p.m. on Mondays), Olson said it's not uncommon for the diner to remain open until 8 p.m. on Fridays due to the large volume of business.
Carryouts are available at the Oquawka Diner, but nothing beats a good sit-down meal with a view of river traffic right outside the window during the summer months.
"We have seating for well over 100 customers," Olson said.