Root Beer Saloon

I feel the air needs to be cleared on some of the negative reviews (and defensive responses from the owner):
Roger Ebert was known for routinely surprising other critics with positive reviews for movies like «The Hangover» that most of his peers regarded as too low-​brow to consider, but he always defended his rating by assessing the movie in light of how successful it was at achieving what it had set out to be, rather than evaluating how close it came to being the greatest film of all time. In that regard, the Root Beer Saloon is wonderful. There really is no place like it – hell, a place like this may not even be legal in most cities!
Walking into the Saloon for the first time remains an experience I’ll never forget. Donna Summers was blasting on the speakers while an entire flock of stuffed waterfowl swirled overhead. If you’ve ever wanted to feel like you’re in a Quentin Tarantino movie just before something goes down – this is the place. It’s worth doing for the experience alone, and the root beer is crafted with care.
Is it a little dusty and rough around the edges? Listen, as bad as tourists from Chicago want Southern Illinois to be more like the Wisconsin Dells – it ain’t that. And Alto Pass is RURAL Southern Illinois. This is where people wear camouflage sincerely and have outdated views on things you wouldn’t believe. Go. Enjoy the ride. Just mind your manners and don’t expect it to be a sleepy vacation spot. These are rural people making a life doing what they love and trying to bring something special to their community. Respect that.

Like many others we were on the wine trail, saw the signs and decided to give it a shot. The place smelled like a thrift store and the animals were all totally creepy. We were expecting that if you call yourself a root beer saloon you would at least have more then one type but no, there was a selection of exactly one. The owner/​slash waitress was less then friendly and definitely seemed like she wasn’t really looking for customers. Overall would not recommend.
Edited to add:
Interesting comment from the proprietor about my review. While I appreciate the challenge they must face as a small business owner, they have opened themselves up to public opinion by running a public restaurant. Just like they are allowed to post signs about how no pictures are allowed in their store, I am allowed to write about my experience. What I find chilling is that they went to the length to look me up in Unilocal to find out where I live and call me out about that. Stalker much?! Seriously, should I be looking over my back shoulder now because I didn’t like the service of a restaurant?

I’m almost scared to write a review based on responses I’ve read from the owner but here it goes…
We went to Alto Pass on a whim and decided to stop in. I used to frequent The Rootbeer Saloon when I was in high school but I don’t remember the glasses of Rootbeer being as pricey. ($ 5.27 for two) The guy working was nice and chatted us up but I’m not certain we’d stop again.

I’ve been to the Root Beer Saloon three times, all well within the posted times it’s supposed to be open. There was even a dry-​erase board sign out front: «Open for lunch today.» But it’s never once been open during posted hours that I’ve been there. I’ve heard the same from multiple friends and relatives. What a shoddy way to run a business, especially one that’s out of the way.
Edited to add after owner reply:
I’m sorry, but customers shouldn’t have to call ahead to make an «appointment» at a business with clearly posted hours of operation.
Reading Cyndi L.‘s replies to negative reviews only solidifies that these people are unpleasant and unprofessional and shouldn’t try to make their living interacting with the public.

Atmosphere is definitely unique. However if you want to be surrounded by 1000’s of dead things that are dusty, and drink root beer that you can buy at the grocery — Have at it. We didn’t stay to eat as we were lured in by a flier for a salmon festival, come to find out it you could get some smoked salmon on a bun if you wanted to pay almost ten dollars for it. Not what I’d call a festival.
The bathrooms are the plastic port-​o-​johns that are located across the park. Enjoy!
Cash only.
* In response to the comments.
Perhaps I was a little harsh calling the croissant a bun, I do apologize.
I am sorry you don’t agree with my review; understand that it is not mine alone. Part of opening yourself up to court of public opinion is accepting the good along with the bad reviews. There were 7 of us that were there, 4 of which are local to Anna and Murphy, all had the similar comments.
When we asked about the festival, we were told to order off the menu at the end of the bar, which did not mention the grand feast as noted in your comments. We had come in looking for exactly what you described, and were truly disappointed not to find it.
Customer service that day was about par with the tone of your comment.
You are correct they don’t sell keg root beer at the grocery here in town, however, they do sell Sprecher root beer by the bottle, and when poured into a glass, its the same Sprecher you served.
No doubt you are proud of your collection, you should be, It must have taken thousands of man hours to shoot, mount and hang every piece in your collection. And it IS impressive! And it is NOT my thing, and I’m entitled to that opinion.

Food is good, and atmosphere is unique. Not much seating inside, so not good for groups. There is no bathroom on site – or at least that they let patrons use – you have to use a port-​a-​potty a couple blocks away in the park.

Very eclectic place! Root beer was on tap, and was pretty good. The croissant roll sandwiches were great, and the roll was huge. I had fresh key lime pie.
We got to see some of his custom guitars. The man is an artist.
Better like stuff dead birds.

I found this place on a mountain biking trip. The owner/​chef, Mike, makes some mean food, totally not what I was expecting from some po-​dunk town in the middle of nowhere. I had a crayfish po’boy and it was easily one of the best I’ve tasted. I also tried 2 of his pies, and this man can cook his ass off. They have root beers on tap as the name would suggest and the décor is super eclectic-​antiques roadshow meets a northwoods lodge type of environment. Not only is he a restaurant owner, but he also makes bad-​ass custom guitars.