It turns out a lot of Tri-Cities Central readers still hold a soft spot for the Mill Race Inn.

After we featured a piece on the beloved Geneva landmark, readers wrote in from all over to share memories that spanned decades: brunches with family, quiet riverside anniversaries, baby showers, honeymoons, and even a few shifts behind the bar.

These stories paint a vivid picture of what made Mill Race so special — not just the meals, but good times with family and friends in a unique environment. The reader recollections were fun for me to read; hope you find them interesting as well.

An unforgettable birthday surprise

We loved Mill Race Inn and hosted Mom & Dad's surprise birthday parties with extended family in the beautiful space! We also loved weekend brunch and would travel from Lombard to enjoy.

Our most memorable visit was for my birthday one year. My husband Diego planned an elaborate day filled with activities to celebrate, starting with breakfast at Mill Race Inn. It was a week day, we'd both taken the day off from work and he'd made a reservation for 9 am. When we arrived, we entered and were greeted by silence and an absence of people - no greeter, no diners.

Confused, we walked around looking for someone, wondering where everyone was! Finally, someone came from the back and informed us they were not open for breakfast during the week, but opened at lunchtime.

Scanning the reservation book for our name, they found it... for 9 PM not AM! Since they were not open for breakfast during the week, they assumed when he called for the reservation, he meant for dinner!

At our disappointment, they unbelievably sat us, took our order and the chef who was there prepping for lunch at this hour, whipped us up a lovely breakfast for my birthday - just the two of us with the restaurant all to ourselves! 

It was an amazing kindness we have never forgotten and we miss Mill Race Inn! 

—Colleen & Diego Flores | Lombard, IL

The Summer of ‘76

In 1976, after my first year at the University of Iowa, I took a summer job at the Mill Race Inn, as a cook's assistant. I was quickly moved to bartender in the service bar. That summer the Gazebo was new, and I became the main bartender out there, at the ripe old age of 19 (I think I didn't look a day over 15!).

Back then you could tend bar at 19, and there was no state certificate to dispense alcohol. I taught swim lessons at the Geneva Community Pool in the morning, then rode my bike, or sometimes drove my mom's car, to work the lunch shift at the Mill Race, and also often worked evenings, especially on weekends. That was a fun and memorable summer.

Similar to the Little Traveler, the Mill Race Inn would get large groups from all over northern Illinois for lunch on weekdays. Anyone who was a frequent guest there might remember that, at least in the 70's, all of the servers were women, in similar uniforms, and all of the bussers were teenage girls, also in uniforms.

One other memory I have is that house-made bread was served, and leftover bread was placed in a container in the foyer, which people, especially children, would take out and feed to the ducks; a practice we now know is bad for the ducks.

—Michael Johnston | Batavia

Baby showers and beyond

When I saw the headline of this story, it immediately tugged at my heartstrings.  I am 60 years old but growing up and as a young adult, this is where we went for special occasions. 

My mom often took my sister and I shopping and here for a special meal.  My favorite memory was my sister's baby shower that we had at the Mill Race Inn in 2002 and I couldn't imagine a more special place for us to have it.  Everyone that attended said that this was the nicest shower they had ever been to.

The feeling there was something I don't think I've ever experienced again and it makes me so sad when I drive by the lot where it used to stand. Thanks for the story about a once amazing restaurant.

—Paula Chaussey

Great first impression 

I loved the article about Mill Race Inn. I was transferred to the area (Batavia) and my wife was very resistant to moving here. We lived in a small town in Michigan along a river. When showing her the area, one of the first places we went is for drinks on the Mill Race Gazebo.

The next was Chianti in its old place, then to the Mill Race Inn, and Pottawatomie Park. She was mad at me later saying I cheated by taking her to the very prettiest places in the area.

—Local resident

More memories

“When I was living in Crystal Lake, my sister and I would make road trips down to Geneva to take my mom out for Mother's Day to Mill Race Inn.  It was one of my mom's favorite places to dine.”

—Dave Purdy | St. Charles

“Great memories of the Mill Race Inn. Had many anniversary dinners there.  One in particular when we had a table by a window overlooking the river and a beautiful snow falling with a full moon.  Perfect celebration!  One of our all time favorite places!”

—Local reader

“I had many delightful meals and afternoons at the Mill Race Inn with my parents, but my best and favorite memory was on my honeymoon with my new husband. We then spent almost every year there on our wedding anniversary. We will be married 50 years next year and I so wish we could spend it at The Mill Race Inn. Such a lovely venue!”

—Reader from Wheaton

“I remember enjoying meals at Mill Race. You had a choice of 5 entrees written on a chalk board!” 

—Local reader

📖 Thanks for reading

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