Power down, robot…read more While driving to Wisconsin, I needed some caffeine and was quickly approaching Rockford. I decided to see if there were any cool local coffeehouses to drop in and get my usual americano and Velvet Robot won me over with the unique name. Knowing nothing else about the place, I set GPS and took a detour for caffeine. I headed in and went straight to the counter. The barista was chilling out on a couch and watching a movie since no one else was in there. We made some odd small talk while I ordered my usual americano. That's when things got weird. He asked if I wanted steamed milk in mine despite me ordering it just black. He seemed confused as I was telling him that they are usually just water and espresso shots. As he was putting my drink together, I noticed he used the handwashing faucet to add the water to my drink. I thought that was really really odd and if not a bit unsettling. Surely they have an actual tap for adding water to drinks? After my drink was made, I went on the hunt for the bathroom. The building that houses Velvet Robot is massive. It almost feels like a mall or a convention center. It was seriously a 1.5-2 minute walk to the bathroom and along the way, it was wide open spaces filled with a church and some offices. As for Velvet Robot itself, it honestly feels like the kind of coffeehouse I would've designed in my early teens. It had cool aesthetics, there was a small arcade corner, stickers adorned the coffee counter, and skateboards with sick art along the walls. I really dug the feel and vibe of the interior. Sadly, when I got to my car and started sipping on my americano, I knew this robot fizzled out. The americano tasted like it was made with drip coffee instead of espresso. Which is weird since I saw the barista make my drink. On top of that, having to explain to the barista what and how to make an americano was a head-scratcher for me. So, while I loved the aesthetics and vibe of Velvet Robot, the disappointment in ordering and taste of my drink has me leaving one of the lowest scores I've ever given to a coffeehouse. Definitely a 5/5 for vibe but 1/5 for coffee and ordering. Maybe if the future allows me to revisit Velvet Robot again, I would gladly give it another shot (no pun intended). But, I don't see myself trying it again until I've had a few of the other places in Rockford first.

super delicious cold brew! I was scared it was gonna be too bitter but it was amazing if u like…read moresweet but not too sweet drinks! 10/10

Very good service. Great coffee. Nice and quiet and everyone was very friendly. Would go again!read more

The coffee was good, but the rude service left a bad taste in my mouth. Coffee with a smile is a…read morepersonal preference.

The chocolate chip cookies were fresh, big and sooo good. The chicken pesto panini was fresh and…read moreflavorful! If we come back to Rockford, we will stop here again!

Best ham and Swiss sandwich I've ever had in my life. The smokey flavor of the ham pairs perfectly…read morewith the buttery roll, cheese and mustard sauce: Chili was okay, bakery items are amazing (especially the cookies). A bit pricey as a lunch option but absolutely worth a visit!

Our first trip was definitely not our last. We enjoyed breakfast. The pancakes are fluffy and…read moreflavorful. I will be back for lunch

Absolutely fantastic food, nice new owners, and a fairly reasonable price. ($6.50-8 for a sandwich…read more $4.50 for fries). Seriously delicious sandwiches. Totally worth a stop

I've eaten here for years. The food here is always fresh and delicious with satisfying portions…read more And Muda's pies are to die for! The service is always attentive and with a smile. The family that runs this place treats you like family too. The decor is cute and pays homage to the historic Lincoln Highway that goes through town. A great place for a great meal!

A fun stop on our way to Oregon, IL. Good food and friendly service. We loved the tomato mac soup…read moreand rolls.

Worst customer service I have ever had at a coffee shop. Rude woman works there. Any question I had…read morewas met with attitude. When they were out of half their menu, I decided not to eat there and just sit with my husband who ordered a coffee. She came to our table to lecture us on why we had said we were getting a sandwich then changed our minds. Blamed us for starting to make sandwiches we never officially ordered or payed for (my husband is allergic to pork, and they were out of alternatives so we decided against it). What kind of customer service is that?

Great coffee, food and room rental options. They host an…read moreonline bookstore at https://bookshop.org/shop/katiescup and they host www.carsandcoffeerockford.com and www.rockfordmidtownmarket.com as part of their community outreach.

5 stars for the Cherry Valley Cafe…read more I really enjoyed this cute little neighborhood cafe. There is plenty of seating inside, and our waitress (I believe her name was Pam), was extremely friendly and provided quick and great service. I also got to meet the owner who was very nice. I tried the Mushroom & Swiss Omlette, which was fantastic. It went great with their local signature hot sauce, which had a nice smoky kind of taste to it and wasn't crazy spicy, perfect for breakfast. The prices are super reasonable as well. Overall, you should definitely support this small business and check out Cherry Valley Cafe - it's very close to the Hurricane Harbor Rockford water park if you're planning on going there in the summertime.

Delicious food, attentive service! Exactly what you'd expect in a small-town diner. I'll be back!read more

We have been there multiple times and its never disappointed. The parking is street side but there…read moreis a lot nearby. The restaurant is very nice with a very good menu the has breakfast any time. We asked for the turkey with bacon, lettuce, tomato & avocado to be made like a panini and the said sure. We also had what the call the 5 x 7 it is 5 tacos for $7. They were made to order el pastor with tomato, lettuce and onions

Visiting Dixon Illinois for a little antique hunting and stopped at Fresco On First for lunch…read more Easy to find, easy to park, large vintage downtown venue. Very spacious with large windows and modern boho vibe. The menu was extensive for breakfast and lunch and the decisions were hard to make. Our order was delivered timely, fresh and d visually exciting - and the food tasted as good as it looked. Great experience that makes me one to return and explore the menu further!