Hensell's Oaken Bucket

First time visit. It was clean..it was busy. The food selection was great. Prices within reason. Service was slow. The drinks took time making the table but the food was prompt. Both a dinner..and the burger were excellent. Refill on drinks was never offered.

Breaded shrimp and a side salad... Not impressed. Drinks are good & strong , $4.50 for top shelf. Not many options if you're sticking to a low carb diet. Might be back in the summer to enjoy the deck.

One of the best burgers you can get in the South Bend area! The patio area, looking out on the St. Joseph river, is a wonderful place to sit when the weather is nice.

We really like sitting out by the river. We had salads this time. Both were a good quality. The Honey Balsamic was a pleasant surprise. They are popular so be ready to wait a bit at dinner.

Fast service when I went. Got the taco special (Tuesdays) which is a great price. The taste was decent but too greasy.

We always have good service when we go and their burgers are great.

Everything was pretty good. I had a ribeye steak which was delicious. Their beer was on sale which was a plus! The only complaint would be the size of the bathrooms. The door opens and takes up most of the bathroom. Gotta squeeze in before you can squeeze out. Over all staff was pleasant, the decor is nice, and the service is decent

A staple. One of the only restaurants around that sits on the water(St. Joesph river)!! Decks are shaded and relaxing!

It was my first time there staff was friendly and had one of the best burgers I have had.

Love the scotch eggs!! It's me and my boyfriend's favorite place!

Our waitress was friendly and helpful. This restaurant is on the lake which make for a beautiful backdrop. I ordered a salad that was suppose to made with Romaine Lettuce. It was served with iceberg. When I inquired I was told it was a mix. Well it was salad from a bag ... you know the kind with the weird after taste. I didn’t see romaine lettuce but I was hungry so I ate it. Not ok to list one this and serve another less desirable item. I asked for grilled chicken and that was really good. I had ice tea and had to ask for refills. I won’t be back.

If Ya Don't Know Already...You Should...Top Drawer For Sure...

The Oaken Bucket is an iconic restaurant, and the Hensells have taken it to a new level over the past decade, with the back porch, the decor, and the menu. It's awesome, and in the top 5 of restaurants that define local character.

Everytime I drive by this place I want to pull over and eat there. The food and atmosphere are awesome. Great place must have burgers and chicken.

Reliable comfy place. Food's always yummy. Stackers are great. Be sure to check the beer prices before you order, though, as there can be some surprises. No idea why.

Great food and great prices. Local hidden gem

The service here is excellent. Interior of the upper area is rustic with wood benches for booths. I could see that being an issue if you have back problems or for the elderly although they do have padded chairs at the table tops. We're pescatarian and my husband likes their veggie burger which is what he got. I tried their portobello burger with swiss which was, sadly, very bland and flavorless. The sweet potato fries are really terrific though. I'm giving a 3 out of 5 but, because of their awesome service, we will be back and I'm planning to give their fried shrimp a try.

The Oaken Bucket is a local tradition. Despite changing owners a few times, it remains one of the best places you can get a burger. The rest of the menu is great too! Staff are very friendly and courteous. I've enjoyed Oaken Bucket for 30 years and look forward to another 30!

Our visit to Hensell's Oaken Bucket was pleasant. We sat on the deck with a great view overlooking the St. Joseph River. The staff was friendly and attentive and the food was good. The rib eye steak sandwich was excellent! This is a nice place to go with the family.

Usually the food here is pretty consistent. There was a time I ordered a chicken marsala and it wasn't that great but overall I enjoy this place. I like the seating outside on the deck in the late spring early summer time. You get the feeling of being tucked away on their outside deck, with how the set up is and the river sits not far away .

Really good perch and coleslaw special for lunch. Very nice server. She was friendly and fast.

Service was mediocre as well as the shrimp basket. We do like the atmosphere and locatiom.

Went with my family and although we couldn't sit downstairs due to a party, the food and service was GREAT. Kenny served us and did a great job, and the atmosphere was nice. My second time coming, and won't be the last time I will.

One of my favorite places to stop on business trips. The hamburger here is massive! If you have an appetite then look no further! Excellent views of the river and the wait staff here are friendly. Would not be disappointed!

A local favorite! Good food, reasonable prices, and a great view of the river in the summer. 10/10 would recommend!

We go here once a year with a very large group (20+) and the staff is extremely accommodating. They have a view of the St. Joseph river. Although it may not be the most picturesque body of water in the world, it is still nice to have.Highly recommend taking on the king burger here. If you're up to it, even try the actual challenge. It's certainly a unique experience. Other than that, the food is good not great but it fills the belly.

Friendly staff. Food is freaking amazing. And it’s great in the summer you can sit outdoors and look over the water.

Nice place to grab a bite. The deck is a great spot for dinner

Great staff, well priced food, cheap beer, best outside seating in town during the warm months. If you sit outside expect your service to be a little bit slower as they must go up and down stairs. The outside seating gets busy. Enjoy the atmosphere and just expect it. If you want faster service sit inside.

Great value on mixed drinks and craft beers

I love the food in the atmosphere here the people are very friendly and helpful are drinks never once went dry they have a beautiful area out on the deck where you can go and sit by the river in the summer in the evening it seems really romantic. My only issue was that my husband ordered a huge one pound burger and they couldn't make it because they didn't have any buns for it. However it's still on their menu and he wasn't told when he ordered it they had to come back and tell him. I'm sure it was just an oversight that and it can happen anywhere. But what he did order was delicious and what I ordered was also delicious.

Great food and service. The overhead lighting at the table was far to bright and there was a drunk patron making a scene (loud and verbally abusive). Management did nothing to address the situation.

The Hostest With The Mostest made our whole experience even before we sat down and got any food or drinks. She was wonderful and funny. Very friendly. Strong winds did come through and blow some of the umbrellas around but they reacted in a swift manner and assured everyone and everything was okay. It was a good laugh for everyone out on the deck. The food was good from the ceasar salad to the burgers. Just great service and food

The view of the river is peaceful, the food is very good and filling and you can't beat $1.50 drafts!

Great food and views of the St. Joseph river! Our waitress, Kayla C, was so friendly and had several great suggestions on her favorite foods there. We aren't from the area but I would go out of my way to return, especially if she was our waitress again!

Excellent service by wait staff and bartenders. Awesome tasting food served in friendly comfortable atmosphere.

The food was okay, the service was great, and the atmosphere on the deck overlooking the river can't be beat in this town. If you're up for a burger and a beer, this place is great. My grandmother often says it reminds her a bit of outdoor dining in Europe--on the water and with a beverage. If you're in the area and want an affordable meal outdoors on the water, this is a good place to go.

Great food, service and prices. The family loved it. Would go back

Hate to say it but...not all that great. 2 patty melts ordered medium..they were both well done and dry as a bone. The bread should have been grilled right ? I mean that's a key component right ?..nope it was like warm bread. So 2 burgers and an onion ring. 25 bucks. Hmmmm

Great place to eat on the water. Been there many times. The downstairs is always quieter and they have great burgers at great prices.

Food was good , refills were slow in coming .

Great outdoor view. Best burger I’ve ever had. Wonderful and quick service. Couldn’t ask for a better way to eat.

Excellent place to go for a burger/fries! Other delicious eats as well. Great service, but a little bit small inside. Although there is outdoor seating for the warmer months. Blake, the cook is a real good guy and he makes excellent food! Still a 5 star restaurant!

Amazing food and service e. We live eating outside on the deck

Love the food and the staff is so friendly! The deck is amazing. Cozy place!

The atmosphere was casual, friendly and quaint. Being on the St.Joe river only added to its ambiance.I believe there is seating on the outside deck facing the river, but we opted to stay inside where it was warm and cozy. This place is famous for its burgers, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint! They were phenomenal! We will be coming here to feast again and again!