Eat + Drink

Wisconsin State Fair debuts new hours at the 171st annual event

July 30, 2022 @ 6:00 am

By Mary Sisk Rock River Current Get our newsletter WEST ALLIS — The Wisconsin State Fair will have new hours at this year’s 11-day...

Time to eat up this weekend at Chow Down Food Truck Fest in Rockford

July 22, 2022 @ 2:08 pm

By Chelsea Meyer Rock River Current Get our newsletter ROCKFORD — Hope you worked up an appetite this week because this Saturday it’s time...

Blue Collar Coffee Co. moves locations in downtown Beloit

July 20, 2022 @ 6:00 am

By Mary Sisk Rock River Current Get our newsletter BELOIT — Blue Collar Coffee Co., is moving locations in downtown Beloit to offer better...

New beer festival coming to Beloit, featuring 49 breweries

July 6, 2022 @ 6:00 am

Lager than Life beer festival is coming to Beloit at Preservation Park, 3444 S. Riverside Dr., from 3-7 p.m. on Saturday, July 23. By...

Rockford's new smash burger food truck invites you to its grand opening

July 5, 2022 @ 12:02 pm

By Mary Sisk Rock River Current Get our newsletter ROCKFORD — A new smash burger food truck is making its way to the Stateline,...

Sweet Basil Cafe in Cherry Valley plans to reopen after repairs

June 28, 2022 @ 6:00 am

By Mary Sisk Rock River Current Get our newsletter CHERRY VALLEY — Sweet Basil Cafe abruptly shut its doors earlier this month after a...

Need plans this weekend? Here are events in Rockford for whatever you feel like ...

June 23, 2022 @ 6:00 am

By Mary Sisk Rock River Current Get our newsletter ROCKFORD — This weekend is full of fun things to do in Rockford, and you...

Drink in '90s nostalgia at this new downtown Rockford coffee shop

June 8, 2022 @ 6:00 am

By Mary Sisk Rock River Current Get our newsletter ROCKFORD — Walking into Pete DuFoe’s new downtown coffee shop is a bit like walking...

'A cheesecake lover's dream come true': Brothers bring their desserts to Machesn...

June 8, 2022 @ 6:00 am

By Mary Sisk Rock River Current Get our newsletter MACHESNEY PARK — After supplying other restaurants with desserts, two brothers are bringing their homemade...

Here's how you can invest in this fast-growing Rockford vodka company

May 18, 2022 @ 5:45 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our newsletter ROCKFORD — You can now invest in a fast-growing vodka company with a local ownership...

'A landmark here in Rockford': Lino's Restaurant marks 50 years in business

May 3, 2022 @ 6:02 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our newsletter ROCKFORD — Sitting down to dine at Lino’s Restaurant can spark feelings of nostalgia for...

Ways to spoil mom in Beloit for Mother's Day

May 3, 2022 @ 2:59 pm

By Chelsea Meyer B103 Rockford Get our newsletter BELOIT, Wis. — What would we do without our moms? She’s the chef, ATM, the nurse,...

212 Grindhouse announces sudden closure of downtown Rockford burger restaurant

April 27, 2022 @ 9:11 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our newsletter ROCKFORD — A downtown burger restaurant closed its doors Tuesday evening in an abrupt move...

The Mill aims for late summer opening after renovating former Cronies in Machesn...

April 27, 2022 @ 5:45 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our newsletter MACHESNEY PARK — A husband-and-wife team is busy renovating the former Cronies Bar & Grill...

Ready for music along the Rock River? Prairie Street Brewing has set its Dinner ...

April 19, 2022 @ 6:05 am

By Chelsea Meyer Rock River Current Get our newsletter ROCKFORD — There’s nothing like getting off work on a Thursday in the summer and...

Fresh burgers and custard made 'the Freddy's way' come to Machesney Park

April 11, 2022 @ 1:14 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our newsletter MACHESNEY PARK — Village President Steve Johnson was a fan of Freddy’s Frozen Custard &...

Photos: Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers opens in Machesney Park

April 11, 2022 @ 12:33 pm

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, 9901 Orlando St., Machesney Park, opens at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 12, 2022. It is the Wichita, Kansas-based chain’s...

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers to open in Machesney Park on Tuesday

April 8, 2022 @ 11:43 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our newsletter MACHESNEY PARK — Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has set an opening date for its...

Wishful Acres 'Brewkraine' is 'the fastest selling beer we've ever released'

March 28, 2022 @ 12:38 pm

By Chelsea Meyer B103 Rockford Get our newsletter LENA — From pints to growlers, individuals quenched their thirst while supporting the people in Ukraine...

Last Indoor Winter Market of the season this weekend in Rockford

March 28, 2022 @ 11:23 am

By Chelsea Meyer B103 Rockford Get our newsletter ROCKFORD — The sun is shining, but we’re still getting a taste of that cold Midwest...

Prices could skyrocket after U.S. bans avocados from Mexico

February 15, 2022 @ 12:23 pm

By Chelsea Meyer Rock River Current Get our newsletter Holy guacamole! In case you missed it, there was a Super Bowl ad that aired...

Prices could skyrocket after U.S. bans avocados from Mexico

February 15, 2022 @ 12:23 pm

By Chelsea Meyer Rock River Current Get our newsletter Holy guacamole! In case you missed it, there was a Super Bowl ad that aired...

Top places to get your sweetheart something sweet for Valentine’s Day

February 14, 2022 @ 12:34 pm

By Chelsea Meyer Rock River Current Get our newsletter ROCKFORD— It’s Valentine’s Day. If you’re looking for last minute gift ideas, there are a...

11 local brews that pair perfectly with your Big Game snacks

February 10, 2022 @ 10:51 pm

By Gordon Mays 95.3 The Bull Get our newsletter While most eyes will be on the well-executed playbooks of football’s biggest game of the...

Customers 'elated' with return of Carlyle Brewing Co. in Rockford

February 2, 2022 @ 5:53 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our newsletter ROCKFORD — Mike Youngblood was cleaning out his home bar area about two days ago...

New restaurant Pho 27 Asian Cuisine brings taste of culture, family and traditio...

February 2, 2022 @ 6:05 am

By Chelsea Meyer Rock River Current Get our newsletter ROCKFORD — There are no recipe books, measuring spoons or instructions when Ann Boutchannha prepares...

Eat ice cream for breakfast with Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Co. in Janesville

January 31, 2022 @ 12:13 pm

By Chelsea Meyer Rock River Current Get our newsletter JANESVILLE — There is always a crazy random holiday, and this one is proof that...

Win a keg full of chili cheese dip for the big game

January 31, 2022 @ 11:46 am

By Matt Hall B103 Rockford Get our newsletter Who wouldn’t love a keg filled with chili cheese dip? The makers of Hormel Chili...

Little Debbie is rolling out 7 ice cream flavors

January 28, 2022 @ 12:29 pm

By Chelsea Meyer Rock River Current Get our newsletter If staying away from sweets was one of your New Year’s resolutions, nice job, you’ve...

McDonald's adding fan inspired menu hack items

January 27, 2022 @ 3:37 pm

By Matt Hall B103 Rockford Get our newsletter Do you have a “menu hack” when you get McDonald’s? Maybe it made the list...

Krispy Kreme to give blood donors free donuts and coffee

January 25, 2022 @ 11:23 am

By Chelsea Meyer B103 Rockford Get our newsletter To help combat the nationwide blood shortage, Krispy Kreme is giving away free donuts and coffee....

Rockford has spirit: Locally created Rock'n Vodka wins awards, gets featured on ...

January 20, 2022 @ 8:56 am

By Chelsea Meyer Rock River Current Get our newsletter ROCKFORD — A sweet-tasting spirit created in Rockford is showing up on store shelves across...

Budweiser is hiding golden cans into packs for a $1M prize

January 13, 2022 @ 11:18 am

Budweiser is hiding 10,000 GOLDEN cans of beer in specially marked packs throughout the U.S. If you find one, you don’t get a magical tour...

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Wendy's Frosty cereal is REAL and this is where you can get it in Rockford

January 13, 2022 @ 11:07 am

By Chelsea Meyer B103 Rockford Get our newsletter ROCKFORD — So, here I was in the cereal aisle of Meijer on Perryville Road, grabbing...

"We love the support from our community": 15th annual Chocoholic Frolic in Rockf...

January 12, 2022 @ 12:01 pm

By Chelsea Meyer B103 Rockford Get our newsletter ROCKFORD — The Arc of Winnebago, Boone and Ogle Counties has hosted its annual Chocoholic Frolic...

Rockford Region Restaurant Week is back

January 12, 2022 @ 11:27 am

From news reports Get our newsletter ROCKFORD — It’s the most delicious week of the whole year. In partnership with the city of Rockford,...

16 years later: The reinventing of RBI Brunch Bar in Rockford

January 6, 2022 @ 6:05 am

By Chelsea Meyer Rock River Current Get our newsletter ROCKFORD— For the last 16 years, RBI Bar & Grill was a place for locals...

Rockford area Girl Scouts launch first cookie orders of the new year

January 5, 2022 @ 1:33 pm

From news reports Get our newsletter ROCKFORD — It’s Girl Scout cookie season and the girls have been hard at work. Since Dec. 13,...

Get authentic southern grits at this new Rockford restaurant

December 1, 2021 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our newsletter ROCKFORD — Vivian Lott wants her new restaurant to have the feel of an old-fashioned...

Celebrate National Fast Food Day with these deals!

November 16, 2021 @ 11:58 am

By Chelsea Meyer B103 Get our newsletter It’s National Fast Food Day. What is your go-to fast food restaurant? Whether you’re hitting up the...

Starbucks' holiday menu includes a new "Sugar Cookie" Iced Latte

November 10, 2021 @ 9:27 am

By Chelsea Meyer B103 Get our newsletter Starbucks switched to its holiday menu last week, and this year they have an iced latte that’s...

How long will all that Halloween candy stay good?

October 29, 2021 @ 12:48 pm

By Chelsea Meyer Rock River Current Get our Newsletter Your kids are probably going to end up with a huge stash of candy this...

Candy corn bratwurst is 'slightly sweet and not scary at all'

October 13, 2021 @ 2:17 pm

By Matt Hall B103 Get our Newsletter This is how you celebrate Halloween in Wisconsin: A specialty grocery store in Madison, Wisconsin, is making...

Candy corn bratwurst is 'slightly sweet and not scary at all'

October 13, 2021 @ 2:17 pm

By Matt Hall B103 Get our Newsletter This is how you celebrate Halloween in Wisconsin: A specialty grocery store in Madison, Wisconsin, is making...

Rockford's Beefaroo named best fast food chain in Illinois

October 8, 2021 @ 6:30 am

By Matt Hall Rock River Current Anybody in Rockford will tell you that for fast food there’s one place that you just gotta try,...

You Gotta Try This: Smoothies at Ripe Life Juice Co. in Rockford

October 6, 2021 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current You Gotta Try This is the Rock River Current’s weekly dining feature focused on signature dishes at your...

Rockford barbecue spot adds cannabis-infused sauce to the menu

October 2, 2021 @ 7:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current ROCKFORD — A barbecue restaurant on the city’s west side has introduced a new cannabis-infused sauce that sets...

New wine bar aims to be perfect blend with downtown Rockton

September 30, 2021 @ 7:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current ROCKTON — Connie Kieffer had admired the village’s quaint downtown since she first passed through as a young...

Girls Scouts of Northern Illinois to begin fall sales

September 28, 2021 @ 6:00 am

Local Girl Scout entrepreneurs will begin in-person sales Oct. 4 offering gourmet nuts, candies and magazines through the Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois’ Fall...

Here's how a Rockford family's sauce recipe is like a winning lottery ticket

September 23, 2021 @ 6:05 am

By Chelsea Meyer Rock River Current ROCKFORD — As a young girl, Mary Rivera would sit at the kitchen table with her mom and...

Ripe Life Juice Co. in Rockford takes fresh approach to proper nutrition

September 17, 2021 @ 6:00 am

By Chelsea Meyer Rock River Current ROCKFORD — Good health begins with what we fuel and put into our bodies. Jamar Luster, owner and...

Pretzel City Brewfest will feature more than 150 beers

September 15, 2021 @ 1:45 pm

By Chelsea Meyer Rock River Current FREEPORT— Quench your thirst on Sept. 25 from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Pretzel City Brewfest....

Taco Bell Is Trying Out a 30-Day Taco Subscription Service

September 15, 2021 @ 11:08 am

By Chelsea Meyer Rock River Current Taco Bell is giving you the opportunity to have the best month ever with its Taco Lover’s Pass....

You Gotta Try This: Mahi mahi protein bowl at Baci's Kitchen in Rockford

September 8, 2021 @ 7:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current You Gotta Try This is the Rock River Current’s weekly dining feature focused on signature dishes at your...

Celebrate National Beer Lover's Day at these Rockford area breweries

September 7, 2021 @ 3:28 pm

By Chelsea Meyer Rock River Current Whether you’re a fan of dark or pale, hops, bitter, or smooth, raise your glass and cheers to...

Wammy's Kitchen owner turned moment of inspiration into one of Rockford's bigges...

September 4, 2021 @ 7:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current ROCKFORD — Sandra Pearson was mopping the floor in the sanctuary of her church when an idea struck...

Celebrate the fall season with Chilimania for its 31st Year

September 2, 2021 @ 1:12 pm

By Chelsea Meyer Rock River Current EDGERTON, Wis. — Chilimania is back in full effect this fall for its 31st year. The weekend-long event...

Twix Seasoning Will Make Everything Taste Like Candy Bars

August 31, 2021 @ 12:08 pm

Who doesn’t love Twix bars? They’ve got the caramel cookie crunch that you just cant resist. Well now you can put it on...

Viral TikTok Brings The Return Of Applebee's Oreo Shake

August 30, 2021 @ 9:57 am

“We fancy like Applebee’s on a date night, got that Bourbon Street steak with the Oreo shake.” That’s how the chorus goes to...

Wendy's Is Reinventing French Fries

August 27, 2021 @ 3:28 pm

Wendy’s may be changing french fries forever. They are currently reformulating their fries to make them crispier, so they last longer when people order...

3rd Annual Rock River Food Truck Fest on Saturday, August 28th

August 27, 2021 @ 12:40 pm

Not sure what you want to eat for dinner? There’s an option for everyone in the family, even the pickiest eaters, at the 3rd...

Dunkin’ To Release 3 New Beers Brewed With Actual Coffee And Donuts

August 27, 2021 @ 12:12 pm

Dunkin’ is releasing three new beers that are brewed with actual coffee and donuts. The donut chain teamed up with Harpoon Brewery to create...

Cheetos Is Selling a New "Nashville Hot" Flavor

August 25, 2021 @ 11:35 am

Nashville-style hot chicken sandwiches have gotten really popular in the last few years. Now the experts on spicy SNACK FOODS are getting in on...

Edwards Apple Orchard Open for the Fall Season

August 18, 2021 @ 11:04 am

It’s the moment we’ve all been CRAVING for! Mark your calendars, Edwards Apple Orchard announced its opening date for the 2021 fall season! Starting...

Girl Scouts Adding New Cookie in 2022

August 18, 2021 @ 7:39 am

The Girl Scouts are adding a new cookie called, “Adventurefuls” for next season. They are “a brownie-inspired treat featuring a caramel-flavored cream center,...

Curran's Orchard Opening for the Fall Season on August 21st

August 17, 2021 @ 1:19 pm

If you’ve been craving apple cider donuts, you don’t have to wait much longer because Curran’s Orchard announced that it’s opening for the fall...

Family-Fun at the Boone County Fair

August 10, 2021 @ 11:43 am

The moment we have all been waiting for… the Boone County Fair! Starting August 10th, and running through Sunday, August 15th, you can eat...

Drinks for the Dells

August 9, 2021 @ 1:29 pm

Drinks for the Dells at Prairie Street Brewing Co. for the ENTIRE month of August! All proceeds will support the free and low-cost nature education...

Enjoy Italian Culture with the 42nd Annual Festa Italiana

August 6, 2021 @ 11:49 am

You will be able to take a tour of Italy at Boylan Catholic High School, located at 4000 St Francis Dr, in Rockford, August...

Frozen Honey Is The New Summer Trend

August 4, 2021 @ 8:47 am

These days when it comes to trends, it’s all about what’s happening on TikTok. Well here’s the latest……Frozen Honey. Yes, it’s the new...

Do You Post Pictures Of Your Food?

August 3, 2021 @ 1:41 pm

These days everything is for social media and “The Gram.” Whether it’s a selfie or a picture of what you’re having for dinner,...

Olivo Taco Expands to Belvidere with Second Location

August 3, 2021 @ 10:36 am

Belvidere residents won’t have to travel to Rockford to enjoy iconic Olivo Taco as it opened a second location on 603 S. State Street...

Wisconsin State Fair Set to Open Thursday

August 3, 2021 @ 10:08 am

Remember last year when you could only get cream puffs to-go from the Wisconsin State Fair and everything was shut down? This year you’ll...

Raft Race Party 8.15

July 28, 2021 @ 12:57 pm

The Rock River Anything That Floats Raft Race 2021 was unfortunately canceled this year, but that doesn’t mean we can’t all still party together!...

Rockford Girls Learn Cooking Through J-Tech Home Economics Program

July 27, 2021 @ 10:39 am

On the city’s west side, Rockford girls have been learning cooking and home economic skills through a new youth program. Launched by founder and...