Some restaurants don’t just serve dinner—they set a scene.
HOBNOB in Racine sits right along Lake Michigan, pairing old-school supper club style with views that steal attention before the first bite. Step inside and you’re met with leather booths, low lighting, and a mood that feels straight out of another decade.
Prime rib nights are the main event, and the secret is very much out. Plates hit the table heavy and generous, the kind that make conversations pause.
Regulars plan their week around it, and newcomers learn fast why reservations matter.
Between the lake breeze, the clink of cocktail glasses, and comfort food done with confidence, HOBNOB delivers a night that lingers. This is where Wisconsin tradition shows up dressed sharp and hungry.
A lakeside legend since 1954
HOBNOB has been anchoring Racine’s shoreline since 1954, and you feel that history the second you step inside. The building looks straight at Lake Michigan, so sunsets paint the dining room while the bar hums with old fashioneds.
You are not just going out to eat, you are stepping into a story that locals have been telling for decades.
The supper club format here is comforting and familiar. Expect warm rolls, soup, and a crisp salad before mains, plus classic sides that lean into Midwest nostalgia.
Prices sit at the $$$ tier, but the atmosphere and service cadence aim to make it feel like a night out worth dressing up for.
Open Tuesday through Sunday with earlier weekend hours, HOBNOB balances date nights, anniversaries, and family milestones. Reservations help, especially on prime rib nights when booths fill quickly.
If you love a throwback vibe, the 1950s decor, glowing bar, and piano music will land perfectly.
The crowd is a mix of longtime fans and first timers chasing the shoreline view. You come for steak and seafood, but stay for the ritual.
It is a Racine rite, best enjoyed unrushed.
Retro decor and time-capsule ambiance
Inside, HOBNOB feels like a glamorous postcard. Plush booths, wood paneling, faceted mirrors, and a sweeping bar pull you into the 1950s.
The room glows at night, with lake reflections shimmering through big windows and a piano lending that lounge hush you rarely find anymore.
Details matter here. Coat check sets the tone, then candlelight and low ceilings invite long conversations.
You notice the little flourishes, from classic glassware to a relish presentation that whispers supper club tradition without turning kitschy.
Some seats show their age, so ask for a comfortable booth if you care about cushioning. That said, the space is impeccably kept, like a time capsule polished for special occasions.
It feels cinematic, and your photos will look it.
If you love mid century style, HOBNOB is a mood board you can dine in. You are not rushed, the soundtrack is live some nights, and the lighting flatters everything.
Come early for a drink at the bar to watch the room come alive while the lake goes blue to black.
Prime rib nights and steak standards
Prime rib nights pack the house, so plan ahead and ask about cuts. You will see single and double cuts, end cuts when available, and au jus that begs for a dip of warm roll.
When ordering medium well, request butterflied for an even cook, a smart move servers often suggest.
Steaks span ribeye, filet, t bone features, and specials that rotate. Char and seasoning lean classic rather than chef driven, so expect straightforward flavors that spotlight the beef.
Pair with garlic mash or a baked potato done right when the rush is on.
Quality can vary on the busiest nights, and some guests report doneness misses or fatty slices. If anything is off, speak up early and give the kitchen a chance to make it right.
When they hit the mark, the plates are generous and deeply satisfying.
Order a steak you genuinely crave, not just the splashy option. The filet with mushrooms is a sleeper favorite, and a medium rare ribeye with a proper sear is tough to beat.
Add a bold red and settle in.
Classic cocktails and ice cream drinks
The bar is the heartbeat. Brandy old fashioneds arrive strong and balanced when the muddle is on point, and the bartender’s banter sets the tone for the night.
You can go Wisconsin supper club traditional or branch into a Manhattan before dinner.
Save room for an ice cream drink if you love nostalgia. Brandy Alexanders and Grasshoppers come in frosty goblets, creamy and celebratory.
They pair with the lounge vibe and turn dessert into an experience, especially after a salty steak.
If sweetness is not your lane, ask for a split pour or lean toward a drier gin martini. The wine list is classic, with approachable bottles like Coppola Director’s Cut featured at friendly price points.
Service is attentive at the bar, and pours are generous.
On busy nights, clarity matters. Call out preferences like less sweet, extra bitters, or no syrup mix to help your drink land.
Grab your cocktail at the bar before seating to enjoy the lake view and watch the room glow into evening.
Soup, salad, and the relish moment
Part of the charm is the rhythm. Warm rolls arrive, then soup like baked onion, steak soup, or clam chowder.
The soups are hearty and savory, with the steak soup praised for tender chunks that eat like a meal starter.
Salads rotate between Caesar, house with creamy garlic, and a hot bacon spinach that screams supper club. Ask for dressing on the side if you prefer lighter coverage.
When the spinach salad is balanced, it is smoky, sweet, and a perfect prelude to beef.
Some nights include a relish platter or crackers and dips. The nostalgia is strong when the vegetables are crisp and the pickles snappy.
It is a small, communal moment that makes the table feel like a celebration.
To make the most of the progression, pace yourself. Soup and salad are generous, and mains are bigger than they look.
You can always bring leftovers, and the courses are best enjoyed slowly with a cocktail in hand.
Seafood and surf n turf favorites
HOBNOB’s surf n turf roots run deep. Shrimp cocktails, oysters Rockefeller on select nights, and lobster tails join steaks to create that mid century feast vibe.
When available, steak and shrimp specials make an easy win if you want both worlds.
Fish fry mentions pop up less than you might expect, but the kitchen shines on simple seafood done attentively. Ask your server about the freshest options that night, especially if the lake is restless and you want something lighter than beef.
Chicken Oscar appears on many tables, though execution has varied. If you love the idea of asparagus, crab, and velvety sauce, confirm how the kitchen is running and request careful prep.
Done right, it is rich and indulgent, best shared or split.
Pair seafood with a bright white or a classic martini. The menu is built for contrast, so alternate bites and slow down.
You will leave happier if you lean into variety rather than tackling a single heavy plate.
When to go and how to book
Hours are straightforward: closed Monday, then Tuesday through Thursday 5 to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday 4:30 to 10 PM, Sunday 4:30 to 9 PM. Prime rib nights and weekends are the crush, so reservations are smart.
If you want lake glow, aim for sunset and request a window table.
Arrive early to settle at the bar, sip an old fashioned, and watch the piano set start. Parking is on site, but it fills fast when events are on.
The staff handles private parties smoothly, so do not hesitate to call if you are planning a celebration.
For steak doneness above medium, ask for butterflied to avoid scolding and ensure even cooking. It is a hospitality forward move you will appreciate.
If you have dietary needs, call ahead and clarify what is feasible in a steak house kitchen.
On holidays and peak summer weekends, lock your spot a week or more out. If flexibility is possible, midweek dinners feel roomier and service has more breathing room.
You will taste the difference on the plate and in the pace.
Service, pacing, and what to expect
Service here aims to be classic and attentive, with servers who know the menu and the history. On great nights, they anticipate needs and guide you to the right cut or cocktail tweak.
On slammed evenings, pacing can wobble and refills or check backs may lag.
Speak up kindly and early if timing goes sideways. Let your server know if soup or salad has not appeared or if a steak’s doneness misses.
Most fixes are quick, and management checks in when they can to make things right.
If a booth feels tired, ask to move before your order lands. The team usually accommodates when possible, especially if you booked for a special occasion.
You will be more comfortable and more focused on the food and view.
Gratuity policies vary with group size, so clarify for larger parties. When service sings, it elevates every course and makes the evening feel seamless.
You are here for ceremony and hospitality, so help them help you.
What to order: a confident game plan
Start at the bar with a brandy old fashioned or a dry martini if you like less sweetness. For starters, consider shrimp cocktail or baked onion soup, then the house salad with creamy garlic on the side.
You will pace better if you share an appetizer and save room for dessert.
For mains, the prime rib single cut medium rare is the classic move. If you want medium to medium well, ask for butterflied.
Prefer a steakhouse staple with less risk? The filet with mushrooms is a dependable standout.
Choose potatoes you love. Garlic mash when you want comfort, baked potato when you want a canvas for butter and chives.
Add a side of seasonal vegetables to break up the richness, and you will finish happier.
For dessert, split a Grasshopper or Brandy Alexander and linger while the piano plays. If wine is your lane, a bold cabernet pairs beautifully with beef.
You leave with leftovers and memories, which is the HOBNOB way.
Essential details and contact info
HOBNOB Restaurant sits at 277 Sheridan Rd, Racine, WI 53403, right on the lake. The phone number is +1 262-552-8008 and the website is thehobnob.com for menus, hours, and booking.
Map coordinates land at 42.6632144, -87.808976 if you are dropping a pin.
Hours are closed Monday, open Tuesday to Thursday 5 to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday 4:30 to 10 PM, Sunday 4:30 to 9 PM. Pricing is $$$, reflecting the full supper club experience with soup and salad included on most entrees.
Dress is smart casual, with a vintage spirit that encourages a little polish.
Expect a 4.3 star crowd consensus across more than 1,600 reviews. Guests rave about the view, the throwback ambiance, and hearty portions, while some note inconsistencies on prime rib doneness and pacing.
It is worth the reservation when you want a night that feels celebratory.
For events, ask about private spaces and timing around live piano. Arrive a touch early for the bar and sunset.
You will understand why locals call it the king of supper clubs once the room lights up.