Eckert's Belleville Restaurant is part of a historic, 8th-generation family-run farm and entertainment destination. It offers a country-style dining experience with a focus on seasonal activities like fruit picking and festivals, making it a popular spot for family outings.
Customer Perception
Customers generally have positive experiences, praising the friendly staff, good food, and relaxing atmosphere. The restaurant is noted for its classic American comfort food, including fried chicken and pulled pork. While some seasonal events like the tulip festival have received mixed reviews regarding value, the overall sentiment for the restaurant and farm experience remains strong, with many appreciating the family-friendly environment and the opportunity to engage in farm activities.
Additional Details
Eckert's is known for its pick-your-own fruit offerings, a country store, a donut and custard shop, and a garden shop, in addition to the restaurant. They serve Coca-Cola products.
Weekends and during seasonal festivals can be busy. Visiting earlier in the day or on weekdays might offer a more relaxed experience. Breakfast is served daily.
Great experience at Eckert's for Mother's Day. It was a way for my mother-in-law (89 years young) to enjoy a little bit of outdoor pseudo gardening, since she doesn't have a garden of her own to work in anymore. I think she had lots of fun and enjoyed the wagon ride to the field as well. It's a very well-run operation overall and amazing that this is the 8th generation to run the family business. As a small business owner myself, having grown up nearby enjoying Eckert's in the 60s and with my own kids in the 80s, I say "Kudos to the Eckert family!" Job well done.
Visited several times over the years usually to pick apples. Recently went to the tulip festival and was pretty disappointed. The price is about $20 to see a pretty small tract if land with different tulip plantings. Very underwhelming. I have been to the flower fields near San Diego and this was not even close. Before going out to the tulips, there is a market, a donut shop, a cider bar, and restaurant on the grounds. They also had some music. This is a fun atmosphere but it was pretty crowded and there are not nearly enough restrooms on the grounds. The ciders were pretty good. For apples, it a pretty good experience over the years. For the tulips, not so much.
5
Had a great time at the Tulip Festival, beautiful set up with plent of photo opportunities. Best advise is to come early, people are nicer and there are fewer screamimg kids, drunks, and maybe you will miss the girls that are wearing barly nothing with their bits hanging out. There was no waiting for the wagon ride when i arrived and the line was moving quickly. By the time I came back there was a line all the way down to the restautant.
5
Spending Mother’s Day at Eckert’s and having a great time! The cider is excellent, the atmosphere is relaxing, and all the flowers around the property look amazing this time of year. It’s a perfect place to walk around, enjoy the scenery, grab a drink, and spend quality time with family. Definitely one of the better seasonal spots to visit when the weather is nice.
5
First time visiting in decades 😂. Restaurant was good - pulled pork sandwich served with their apple butter BBQ sauce on the side, apple cider cole slaw and choice of side (I chose green beans). Plenty of meat on the bun and quite tasty. Big selection to pick from on their menu - burgers, fried chicken, chicken sandwich, chicken salad, salads, various sandwiches, soups, etc. Coke products served for all those that like it, sorry Pepsi lovers. Desserts offered but we didn't order any - we were all stuffed from lunch. I'm sure they would be good too.
Visited the store after lunch to see what we couldn't live without - evidently quite a few things. Apples - the usual, gala, honey crisp, Jonathan, ...... But one I've never heard off Sweet Maia. I asked about it and was told it's specific to Eckert's - it's a cross between 2 apples and they just started offering it 2 years ago. Haven't tried it yet but hoping it'll be good! The store is stocked full of jellies, jams, salsas, bakery goods, cheeses you don't normally see (balsamic cheddar, onion cheddar, and lots more and the usuals - smoked gouda, cheddar, Swiss, etc. You can try their apple cider at a self serve station for a quarter. They always have activities going - pick your own fruits when in season, pumpkin picking and other festivals offered.
Also available is a donut and custard store, in addition to a garden shop. Plenty of things to do.
Eckert's is located about 30 minutes outside of St Louis in Illinois, off interstate 255. If you get a chance - stop in for a bite or browse the store.
