Hensell's Oaken Bucket in South Bend, Indiana - Restaurant Review

Hensell's Oaken Bucket is located on the corner of Ironwood and Northside in South Bend, IN. With a prime location right on the river, dining on one of the decks overlooking the river is a must. Famous for its burgers, the decks overlooking the river are definitely what draw a crowd. Although busy no matter what night of the week, the Thursday we went on seemed slow, but lack of room on the decks had us waiting a very long time. The main reason for this is that a lot of people treat the deck as a bar and visit the Bucket just to get drinks. It didn't help that only one deck was open, due to lack of staff. The staff that was working that night was very friendly, offering us menus and drinks while we waited for a table to open up.

The deep fried mushrooms are an amazing prelude to a good meal. They're perfectly seasoned with garlic and served with ranch, which I substituted for buffalo sauce. The Irish Nachos are also a must try, waffle fries topped with nacho cheese, ranch, bacon bits, and chives. The veggie wrap is delicious, and a good size for only $6.99. If you're on a budget, a grilled cheese sandwich is only $3.19 and the view of the St. Joseph River is free.

As a vegetarian, I could not sample their famous burgers. However, when one was brought to my boyfriend it was huge, juicy, and (as I gathered from the look on his face) delicious. The patties are hand molded, and the black angus is apparently very, very good. If you're feeling daring, try the "King" burger; one pound of black angus on an eight inch bun with cheddar cheese sauce. Be warned; any extras or changes you might make, even if the server offers them to you, could be an extra charge! Always ask, and expect an extra charge with anything but chips as your side.

Hensell's Oaken Bucket serves a wide range of great food, from their famous burgers to Irish nachos to deep fried shrimp, most for less than $10. Eating on the deck is the main appeal and during the summer expect a long wait. The service is attentive and friendly, and the restaurant provides a great local atmosphere. A restaurant worth trying in South Bend, IN.