Denny&#x27;s

We finally tried The Norwegian for brunch and really enjoyed our experience! There was a short wait…read morewhen we arrived, but it wasn't bad at all, and the service was good throughout our visit. We ordered a few different things so we could try a little bit of everything, including the breakfast sandwich, æbleskiver, an egg dish with potatoes, and some drinks. The æbleskiver were definitely fun to try and came with dipping sauces, and everything was beautifully presented. The breakfast sandwich was decent and filling, and the potatoes were really good too. We also tried a drink flight along with a Bloody Mary, which was a fun way to sample a few different flavors instead of committing to just one drink. Everything looked just as good as it tasted. The atmosphere is cute and cozy and definitely has more character than your typical brunch spot. I also liked that the menu has items you don't see everywhere else in Rockford. Overall, we had a great brunch experience. Good food, good service, and a unique menu. We would definitely come back to try more!

We drove to Rockford from Madison to eat here specifically and tagged on going to the Anderson…read moregardens. We were not disappointed! Fantastic food and service! The place is really adorable too. We just happened to swing by here once after a flight delay and they were booked, so we knew it must be good. If you're up for some excellent Scandinavian fusion cooking with some adorable ambiance you found your place! Just be sure to have a reservation on the weekend. This was absolutely worth the wait and the drive!

Cute items for sale - homemade soaps!

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Eggsclusive Cafe

4.2(386 reviews)

1.4 mi

My husband and I went to Eggsclusive Cafe on a Sunday morning for breakfast. The restaurant was…read morefairly full but we were able to get a seat right away. The restaurant was nice and bright with a lot of sunlight coming through the big windows. I had the French toast combo that came with biscuits and gravy. My husband got the corned beef hash skillet. The food was really good. I highly recommend Eggsclusive Cafe!

The food here is always great, I've eaten in as well as to go - food quality is on point. The…read moreservice is close to one of the best in Rockford, I have visited multiple times with a group of 8+ and they take care of us! The vibes are your typical cute diner, and I'll continue coming here!

Chicken Cabo Skillet

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Inside of restaurant

Fresco at The Gardens

4.0(185 reviews)

4.6 mi

My husband and I met my cousin and his wife here on a beautiful sunny day which made the gardens…read morelook fantastic. Two of us had the Fresco burgers. The buns were toasted which made mine dry. The sandwich itself was dry throughout. It had some kind of sauce sparingly on both sides of the burger. It wasn't served with ketchup, which is fine, if there is something to make it moist enough. Maybe if the sandwich had had more than one tomato. I asked for fruit instead of the fries and the fruit was wonderful - strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, pineapple. Another person had a lovely salad, which I didn't catch the name of, but I'm sure the unique part of it was that it had beets on top. The final person had the Nashville Fried Chicken Sandwich. He felt the sandwich was left in the fryer a little too long. Jamie H was our waiter and he was very attentive. He came and filled our drinks before they were even empty. Made sure we were happy with everything. Big problem!!! All they had left for dessert, at lunchtime, was 3 different sorbets. Very disappointing!!!

When visiting the Andersen Japanese Garden we started our visit with lunch at Fresco at the…read moreGardens. The dining room is stunning with a full wall of windows that make the inside feel like you're in the garden. They also have two outdoor seating areas and we sat in one. The patio is structured so you feel like you are seating in the trees. The menu was average. I couldn't find anything on the lunch menu that interested me so I ordered the breakfast sandwich. The bagel was huge and it came with a nice portion of scrambled eggs and sausage that seemed made in house. It was served with a bowl of fruit which was topped with delicious granola. The waiter was friendly and attentive. If we return to the garden we definitely get lunch there again.

A view out the north side of the restaurant. And what a view!

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Strawberry Orange Juice

Lydia's Cafe

4.5(117 reviews)

4.8 mi

Stopped here during our weekend trip in from Chicago with my husband and two boys (1 and 4) and…read morecouldn't have been more impressed! I've never been to a more kid friendly place - toys for the kids to play with, a treasure chest, stepstool in the bathroom, incredible service and the food was delicious! Highly recommend!

The food does not photograph well but it tastes so good!!! Best breakfast we had in Rockford by…read morefar. The burrito was so good, since I got it with no cheese I asked for verde salsa on the side which was the right move - highly recommend the mod. Lots of bees outside, recommend sitting inside -which is our only regret.

Pork and chorizo bowl with guac

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Rockford omelette

Johnny Pamcakes

4.1(201 reviews)

3.4 mi

What a surprisingly wonderful experience we had here. Besides excellent service, I believe these…read morewere the fluffiest and best tasting pancakes I ever had! The other entrees our table had were thoroughly enjoyed as well. We only wished that the coffee was stronger. However, adding flavored creamer helped and the refills kept coming without needing to be asked, which was much appreciated. We would definitely come again when in the area.

Johnny Pamcakes is a regular place for my wife and I. The service is always great and they have…read moreservers who have been there a while so you feel comfortable coming back know your service is consistent and always great. The are also on DoorDash now which makes ordering easier than before. The food is always great. We usually get breakfast but if you can come for brunch the have really good fried chicken. This place is always making great comfort food as well. The ambiance and the customer service is what makes this place so special.

Country fried steak

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Friday fried cod special. You get 3 pieces of cod and your choice of 2 sides.

Hoffman House

3.5(139 reviews)

0.3 mi

A lot has changed since the last time we visited a few years ago…read more We were looking to break out of what I call our "DeKalb" funk since we have been eating a lot in DeKalb when we do eat out. I thought of Hoffman House, which is co-located inside a hotel. We'd eaten there years ago, and their prime rib was very good. While driving north, my wife looked it up. They changed from a white table cloth restaurant to more of a sports bar theme. Their entree list was rather anemic and just not worth the trip, except they did offer Prime Rib on Saturday. We made the trip. For starters, when you walk in there is no hostess station. The bartender told us "Sit where ever you want." so we found a booth that was clean and sat down. The seating was, well worn as in worn out. The seat covers were chipping on the chairs, and the booth seating was just dead. Our server arrived and we placed our order. My wife ordered tea, and I had a Guiness draft which was properly poured. The server brought out 4 honey buns, which are light and fluffy, sprinkled with powdered sugar, and served with a honey butter blend. They are best when they arrive - HOT. (Eat them as they arrive) It wasn't very long before the main course came out. No salad was offered. My Prime Rib was ordered and served medium rare, and the baked potato was cooked properly. I was expecting some horseradish sauce with the Prime Rib - nope. My wife did enjoy her shaved Prime Rib sandwich - the roll it was on was nice, and she opted for the premium onion strings, which were tasty. Why just okay? This was a place to go for a nice dinner with your family. It has transformed into a tired sports bar. Lots of screens, but it's kind of half-hearted with regards to the sports bar theme. Servers aren't in sports uniforms, there isn't a lot of stuff on the walls. The seating is worn out and should be either refinished or replaced. It feel like they ran out of money or concepts during the conversion, and just stopped. There is nothing compelling here to bring us back.

Our family contracted the Hoffman House to provide food for our family reunion. My immediate family…read moreis vegan, so we ordered food from the vegan menu and it was tasteless, not prepared according the description on menu, the veggies were raw unseasoned and inedible. I have contacted the contact at Hoffman House to be reimbursed for the meals. I will update my review if this matter is settled to my satisfaction which looks like being reimbursed for the meals that none of us ate.

Waiting for breakfast

Shaved prime rib sandwich, with au jus and onion straws

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Salad bar!

GreenFire Restaurant Bar & Bakery

3.9(885 reviews)

3.4 mi

Enjoyed a business dinner here. Upscale but not overly fancy. Food was on point!…read more I enjoyed their OLD FASHIONED cocktail. I had asked for a smoked old fashioned, which they thought they could do, but apparently no longer had their smoker accessible. I ordered a STEAK with side of mashed potatoes and sauteed onions. I had a brown gravy to pour on steak whichade the dish phenominal, exploding in umami flavors. We were a large party and service was great.

We came back a second time for the shrimp Dijon and the oysters since they were out the last time…read more Service was spot on ambiance was chill. The dip o feel instead o pita should have like crispy litto breads it's truly missing a crunch factor . The salad was quite delish and fresh

Cowboy bone in rib eye

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Wood fire pizzas!

Banana Cherry Bakery

4.8(149 reviews)

3.1 mi

Whether you want a sweet treat or a meat pie BCB is the place to find it. The best croissants,…read morescones, muffins, and cm cookies. They sell out sometimes, so go early.

Can we just say HOW amazing this bakery is! I am kicking myself for not asking what their names are…read morebut I plan to come here as long as it stays open. Sweet couple(if they are married) DELICIOUS baked goods and just overall a beautiful way to start your weekend. I love their BEAR CLAWS but today they didn't have them.

Ready to be eaten.

Almond Croissant

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Chocolate and almond croissants. Huge!!

Jerry's Cafe

4.3(71 reviews)

2.4 mi

5 stars for Jerry's Cafe in Rockford…read more This is a nice breakfast & lunch cafe in Rockford with some classic breakfast and lunch dishes with some Mexican dishes as well. I tried the Corned Beef Hash Skillet and the Shrimp & Grits - both were very good and big portion sizes that will definitely fill you up. The service was good, the place inside has plenty of seating but just know that it can get very busy on weekend days. Overall, a nice place to stop for a meal for breakfast or lunch.

Good food and lots of options. Friendly service. Prices were good…read more The Spanish Benedict was really good and a unique menu item.

A view towards the Kitchen

1/2 Chicken Pecan Salad, 1/2 chicken Tuscan (shared with sis)

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Machine Shed Restaurant

3.4(332 reviews)

0.1 mi

You talk about the best homemade country fixins, you've got to be talking about "The Machine Shed"…read morein Rockford Il. Best food you've ever eaten, and the service is way over the top. We're definitely going to make another trip to Rockford.

I love The Machine Shed…read more We have been here several times in the past two years and every meal has been fantastic. The restaurant is sometimes a little loud but it is always clean. Our servers have always been pleasant and during our first visit, she walked us through the menu and told us her personal favorites. The slaw and cottage cheese is my absolute favorite part of the meal.

Gift shop

Spinach and artichoke dip

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Gift shop

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

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8 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Carole J.

0

1

0

8 years ago

They were reallly slow and rude the waitress chased us out the door as we were leaving and she didnt seem to care i hated this place i jever wanna come back i would rather eag my own poop. Terrible service. read more

Brown A.

0

1

0

6 years ago

I give Denny's the up most respect I ordered delivery it's was absolutely amazing food was well cooked and it came really fast I LOVE YOU DENNYS read more

Nicole S.

0

2

0

5 years ago

I love this place friendly staff wonderful cooks overall my kids love it accurate service and nice clean place to dine.

Todd R.

0

7

0

9 years ago

How does Dennys run out of bacon? Must be a depressing place to work. None of the staff are smiling.

Karn L.

0

1

0

6 years ago

Dirty ass cups . Asked for new drinks over and Over and still brings out a dirty ass cup . Karen mad

Alexander S.

0

1

0

4 months ago

Recommended good customer, You feel at home, quiet placeAnd not to mention the food is very good omg

Melany P.

0

1

0

6 months ago

Me encanto el servicio Erick es muy amable .!!!! La comida estaba deliciosa y me gusto el ambience

Michael C.

12

14

1

14 years ago

See my tip.

Denny's - diners - Updated October 2026

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3.7

(33 reviews)

I hate leaving bad reviews but the breakfast experience today was poor. I got the thick French…read moretoast with a side of crispy bacon. The French Toast had zero flavor. Tasted like bread. No vanilla, no cinnamon or anything. My fiancé got pancakes with a side of bacon. The pancakes were decent, nothing spectacular. Both of our sides of bacon did come out crispy like we ordered but both sides of bacon were covered in little fuzz. It wasn't human hair it was more like fuzz of some kind. My dad got the lumberjack special. The eggs were cooked exactly like he ordered but the sausage is super low quality. Not to knock Aldi, but the sausage tasted exactly like the yellow box you get from Aldi. Needless to say we won't be back.

I live by a lot of four and five star restaurants where I live and I am spoiled! I was in Rockford…read morefor a week and I wanted to eat at a non chain restaurant. We went to the Alpine View Restaurant. Not only did we feast on tasty dishes we were treated like dignitaries. It was so good we went there for THREE dinners! They probably thought we were nuts, oh well! We came for the daily specials and some of the best homemade soup in Illinois! We tried the Ruben soup, which was creamy yummy soup with tender chunks of tasty corned beef. The broccoli and cheddar soup is the best in Illinois! It's creamy cheesy broth, pairing well with the tender broccoli bits. So yummy! We had the cabbage and corned beef; a huge plates of goodness. The fried catfish was delicious; great crust and portions were huge. The pork chop dinner with two perfectly cooked pork chops and applesauce was a home run! They were tender and so juicy! Kudos to the chef. The waitstaff were five star caliber and should be working in a five star restaurant in Chicago. Cecilia and Alli took care of us during the three dinners. They were friendly, polite, knowledgeable of the menu. They were prompt and anticipated our needs before we asked. They were excellent! A shot out to Staci who always welcomed us. Recommendations: The baked potatoes are over cooked. Make some pudding or jello please.

Potato Shak

3.9

(72 reviews)

Great local place! The owner is wonderful and always manages to put a smile on your face, even when…read morethings get really busy. You can tell they truly care about their customers and the community. Always a great experience and definitely a place worth supporting!

This place is officially, without a single doubt, my favorite place I've tried in YEARS…read more Is it "old"? Yes. Is it clean? YES. So I'd say it's NOSTALGIC. And, AMAZING SERVICE! Love the counter seating. Food was fabulous and fast! I CANNOT WAIT TO COME BACK! Cash only. ATM on site.

Sunrise Family Restaurant

3.5

(44 reviews)

We go here all the time Mostly for breakfast…read more Good service. Good price. My mother is a regular customer. And meets some other retirees there.

It took me a year to get back here. I enjoyed myself so much that I had to go see my girl Margaret…read more As soon as I walked in, I asked to be seated in her section. Sucker punch! Her section was full and she could not accommodate anyone else at that moment. I then asked for someone just as good. They gave me Ciara. She did not disappoint. In fact, dare I say it? She was as good as my Margaret. Oh, no! I'm not supposed to have two favorites, am I? Ciara has a smile that will light up any room. Ciara is as courteous a person you would ever want to meet. Ciara holds her own in a best server contest. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Having Ciara on your staff was one of the best decisions Sunrise Family Restaurant has made.

Doc's Diner

3.9

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Stopped on a very busy Sunday morning. This place is packed!…read more Definitely a greasy spoon classic 50s style diner. The food is good. The portions are large and they use American cheese in everything. lol A 4% fee when paying with a credit card is absolutely ridiculous and this is something that will have us not coming back

Food is good, portions often too large for me, service is reliably good. waitresses always check…read moreback that food meets your expectations and refill coffee. These all sound like minimal standards for any restaurant but sadly are no longer commonplace. Thanks for keeping the tradition That made customers happy to return.

Machine Shed Restaurant

3.4

(332 reviews)

You talk about the best homemade country fixins, you've got to be talking about "The Machine Shed"…read morein Rockford Il. Best food you've ever eaten, and the service is way over the top. We're definitely going to make another trip to Rockford.

I love The Machine Shed…read more We have been here several times in the past two years and every meal has been fantastic. The restaurant is sometimes a little loud but it is always clean. Our servers have always been pleasant and during our first visit, she walked us through the menu and told us her personal favorites. The slaw and cottage cheese is my absolute favorite part of the meal.

Tavern On Clark

4.0

(368 reviews)

Food was very good. My buddies loved the turkey sandwiches, turkey, sliced, very thin and piled…read morehigh! I had a BLT, which is not on the dinner menu, but BRAD had them make one for me anyway. And by the way, BRAD provided awesome service! Fried bacon appetizer is an absolute must!! comes with chocolate sauce! Everybody loved the sidewinder fries!!! Nice family restaurant atmosphere, wasn't too loud, we could all hear each other speak.

Complimentary bread was good…read more Potato soup was only broth Crab cakes had very little if any crab Truffle fries were way undercooked Seafood pasta has tiny scallops & shrimp & shrimp were tough. Bill was $65 B4 tip for 1 diner an app & a side of fries & 2 sodas We won't be back

Which Wich

3.4

(9 reviews)

They stop serving before 7:30. I was there at 7:25 , so if you want to try a sandwich from this…read moreplace call ahead and ask what time they stop serving so you don't waste your gas and time

Great sandwiches! Figured we'd try it out after seeing their grand opening sign and my whole family…read morewas pleasantly surprised. Almost all of us got the tuna salad sandwich and added our own unique ingredients and it was delicious. I like that it's a "build your own" system so we can all get exactly what we want on it. My wife got the Cuban and wasn't super happy with it, but also didn't do any add-ons because she didn't know that's what she was supposed to do, so it was mostly just meat. She thought it needed more to it. So I won't take a star off until we try it again and add some more to it. The wheat bread I got my sandwich on was fresh and seemed to be made from high quality ingredients. I'm so used to subway whose bread is lackluster, that this was a refreshing surprise. Honestly all the ingredients seemed fresh and it's a nice break from the other sub chains around. Someone else picked up the food for us, so I can't comment on service or the atmosphere, but the food itself might make this my favorite sub spot right now. Will definitely be coming back!

Charleys Cheesesteaks

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Charleys has always been one of my favorite places for hot and fresh sandwiches. The menu is simple…read moreand easy to order. They now have wings along side their cheesy bacon fries and delicious lemonades. The service can take a few minutes but that's because it's being made fresh from the grill so it's definitely worth the wait. The lemonade is kryptonite, especially the strawberry or peach. It's a must for me. The ambiance is like your typical fast/casual chain with a soda fountain machine and condiment area and pretty clean place to sit down and eat. Overall, this is a go to hot sandwich shop for me.

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Culver's

3.0

(31 reviews)

Please train your employees to know the difference between a shake and a smoothie. A smoothie…read moreshould not have ice cream. They made it wrong twice and after sitting in the drive through waiting area for over 30 minutes I decided to just leave because the food was getting cold. I ordered a watermelon smoothie and I got an orange shake.

Overall not bad. butter burgers were fresh, hot and good. pretzel bits were enjoyed by my wife…read more My fries were not hot and definitely not fresh made. People were very friendly and nice and the restaurant was clean and inviting. Overall, I got what I expected except for the fries.

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