The Port “The Place to Be”

One of our favorite places to eat. I have enjoyed their ribs and burgers, my husband likes their prime rib.

We ate there on a Friday night around 7:30pm. It was very busy. We were seated right away and even had a large group. Service was friendly and fast. Food was good.

Yesterday, at the insistence of my good friend Kip, we had Supper at The Port "the Place to Be" in Bridgeport, Illinois. I had long known about The Port, and had heard of its Reputation as a Great Place, but I had never stopped in before... silly me, huh? I went to the Door to open it for Kip (it's kinda a funny Competitive thing we do), and when we entered, suddenly I felt like I had just entered one of the Great "Gin Mills" that I had come to know, and love from Back in the Day when I was in Canada and working for Sperry Rail Service. "Gin Mills", as we called 'em, are what are typically known in this Region as Taverns... and a "Great Gin Mill" is the kind of Place that you actually want to bring the Wife, Kids, your In-Laws, Extended Family, Business Associates, Co-workers, Your Boss, Your Boss's Boss... Just about Everybody within your Social Circle. After Kip and I were guided to our Table (which could have comfortably accommodated a Party of 6), we were Hosted by the charming and endearing Hallie, who was Prompt, Courteous, and Considerate of us two Old Guys that hadn't a Real Clue of what we were going to have for Supper. Now, Kip decided on Ribs, but Hallie had to Break his Heart and inform us that they had run out of Ribs. Kip then changed tack, and decided to have a Steak and a Baked Potato... and he must have been fixated on Potatoes because he ordered Potato Salad for his Second Side. Hallie then turned to me with a smile and asked what I would have. I said that I would have what Kip had. Hallie was all over that like the Atmosphere Covers the Earth, but she knows her Stuff, and finally got me to Break Down and substitute Fries for the Potato and Coleslaw instead of Potato Salad. These were actually the Selections that I wanted to make Initially, so Kudos to Hallie! After Hallie departed, I took leave of Kip for a moment and just took in the Atmosphere. People were enjoying themselves and their Meals inside the Cool Climate Controlled Environment while outside the Weather was more than a little bit Humid and somewhat Unsettled, threatening of Rain or Possibly Thundershowers. Now, I need to Confess something here, and that is that I am a Smoker. I don't Recommend it and I try not to Influence others to start... ... but, every once in awhile, because I do smoke, I find out about Something that I might have otherwise missed... I approached the Bar which is a Centerpiece of The Port, absolutely Beautiful in it's Presentation, but before I reached it, I noticed another Hostess stepping out into the Dining Area to check on her Customers. I asked her if there was a Designated Smoking Area... hoping to get permission to just go 'round the 'Back of the House' and kinda hide out and Meditate on All that I was experiencing... ... and she said "... Yes, we do have an Area, just step through that Door right there and you will find it!" as she gestured towards the Door... Now, this wasn't the Front Door... but it was actually across from it, and I made the Assumption that I would be exiting to the Back of the Establishment... What I found, was not only a nice Place to Hide for a Smoker's Moment, but an Entire Outdoors Dining Area, set up in such a way that anyone like myself that Craves Dining "al Fresco" considers absolutely Heavenly! I about Fainted! Inside, two Employees (One of which was introduced as the Owner) welcomed me in to share a Moment and join with them. We chatted about Bridgeport and what had brought me to The Port... and we Recollected about the late Gene Hugh, a Railroader on the B&O that like so many, had become a Mentor to me about 50 odd years ago... and we talked about the Imprint he had left on Bridgeport where he had lived with his Family... and his Imprint on myself when I was not quite an adolescent in Clay City, Illinois... Time Flew like an Arrow and suddenly, Hallie had found me again, and announced that my Supper has been Set at the Table with my friend... I went back in and sitting with Kip, enjoyed the Finest Steak Dinner that I have had in Many Years. Bruno Biava

Good food. Nice atmosphere but could be a little better. Service was great

Food options are great home made food fresh and ready. Service employee are hopping and doing there best to serve. There is a lot of space, tvs to watch, games to play, and drinks of choice. This is definitely a place to trying out. Fantastic town and inviting people. Must try!