If you’re craving a kindly word and a robust dining experience, make the trip out to Freeport Bar & Grill. Located in the tiny burg of Freeport, which considers itself the “Gateway to the Delta,” the restaurant is a favorite dining spot for recreational river-goers. The affable bar area is often filled with chatty, sunburned regulars on the weekends, and the restaurant has a well-deserved reputation for its hearty sandwiches and house-rotisseried chickens. Try the fabulous chunky chicken salad sandwich, enlivened with pieces of chopped apple and walnut, and piled on multi-grain bread with tomato slices and a fuzzy handful of alfalfa sprouts; and the hefty warm corned beef and Swiss cheese sandwich, served on swirled dark/light rye bread generously doused with Thousand Island dressing. Dinner items are sturdy, ranging from a brandy peppercorn steak and prime rib to garlic pasta pomodoro. A customer favorite is the “California Special,” a half roasted chicken on a pile of tender caramelized onions, briny green olives, artichoke hearts and red grilled potatoes. Freeport also offers a good selection of beer-friendly appetizers—the sweet, crispy shoestring onion rings are addictive. On warm days, opt for a patio seat if you can. The outside seating is lovely, with a burbling fountain and lots of plants surrounding the tables. The cheery servers and bartenders make you feel right at home, and no one cares if you’re wearing flip flops and a tatty sun visor. — Kira O'Donnell

Insider tip: Freeport hosts a very popular karaoke evening each Friday night from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Reservations: Suggested

Payment methods: AmEx, MasterCard, Visa

Alcohol: Full bar

Corkage fee: $10

Hours: Monday–Friday: Lunch 11 a.m.–4 p.m.; Dinner 4–10 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: Brunch 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Dinner 4–10 p.m.