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Surprise! 💥 We Launched Another Location!

Surprise! 💥 We Launched Another Location!

Rockford Buzz

Posted On: May 10, 2022

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Rockford Buzz has expanded its reach and now it's time to start another location with our neighbors at the Stateline Buzz. We're so excited to make this big step in our journey and happy to introduce you to the (Jake) of the new location. Check it out. 😎

More Rockford Buzz Stories

Take a Stop at The Detour

Take a Stop at The Detour

Have you ever stopped into The Detour off Riverside? Us neither, until recently! I have to say, it felt a lot like a place where everyone knows your name.The second we saw Reuben Rolls on the menu, we ordered them. It says it comes with three, and we weren’t sure how there wouldn’t be bloodshed in the attempt to share them. Thankfully, they cut them in half in anticipation. They know exactly how delicious these are and now so do we. They serve the rolls with a sweet chili sauce and 1000 Island. This is the first Reuben roll we’ve tried with sweet chili, and it was a pleasant surprise! Don’t shy away from this combination, take our word for it. These rolls were large and perfect for splitting with 2 people.Next up, the Detour Brat. Loaded with sauerkraut and beer mustard, this is a brat for brat lovers. The sauerkraut was fresh and the brat was grilled to perfection. Also, shout out to the bun! This brat needed a sturdy support system, and the brat buns at The Detour were up to the task. No flimsy soggy buns around here. The fries on the side were a real treat. They were salted and almost tasted… buttery! They were amazing.We ended on the homemade Mac & Cheese with grilled chicken and buffalo sauce. The heat was perfect and paired beautifully with the homemade cheese sauce. Nothing beats a curly pasta. It can be fun to eat like a kid again. Oddly satisfying was how small they cut the grilled chicken. I didn’t have to break out my knife for this meal, and could just dig right in with everything perfectly prepared and ready to eat. The pasta was a great al dente texture.The Detour served up a delicious dinner, and the atmosphere was classic neighborhood bar. Next time you are in the area, grab a seat and dig in. See you there, Rockford!

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Family Brunch at RBI Brunch Bar

Family Brunch at RBI Brunch Bar

RBI rebranded from late nights to brunch bar and we had to check them out!We grabbed the whole family for this outing, so let’s start with the kids menu. With the classic options, this is definitely going to keep the kids happy so you can enjoy your breakfast in peace 😂. Pancakes with a side of sausage caught our small’s eye, and breakfast vanished in a flash, so it must have won approval.The adult humans tried the Short Rib Skillet (8hour braised beef short rib, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, and cheddar cheese) and the Loaded Breakfast Biscuit (a buttermilk biscuit, seasoned chicken carnitas, pico de Gallo, chipotle aioli, and avocado). The Short Rib Skillet was as amazing as it sounds. If you love a savory breakfast that will absolutely fill you up, this is it. With a generous pile of hash browns and two eggs cooked your way, you can’t possibly leave hungry. The meat was tender and delicious. The vegetables were fresh and the whole skillet was delicious. It also comes with a side of toast or pancakes… of which the obvious choice is pancakes. The pancakes were cooked to golden brown perfection and served with real butter; the perfect sweet ending to a savory skillet.The Loaded Breakfast Biscuit was a southwest masterpiece. The biscuit added a hearty base to this meal, and the chipotle aioli brought the perfect level of heat and sauce. The carnitas spiced chicken was delicious and perfectly prepared. With pico de Gallo, cheese, and salsa, this is a fun twist on a classic biscuit breakfast. Served with a heaping pile of hashbrowns, you can’t go wrong.Next time you are looking for breakfast on the east end, give RBI Brunch Bar a try. See you there, Rockford!

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Jalapeno Taco Grill Now Open

Jalapeno Taco Grill Now Open

New restaurant alert! Jalapeño Taco Grill opened recently and you have to give it a try, just like we did.This half-service restaurant is perfect for families in a bit of a rush. Order at the register and then grab a table. We highly recommend their fresh juices! We tried the strawberry and the cantaloupe and they were so fresh and refreshing. This will bring us back time and time again alone! And we haven’t even had the food yet.The meal is brought to your table and you can dig right in. We tried the burrito suizo, a classic burrito covered in mild sauce and cheese (what isn’t good covered in cheese?). Served with rice and beans on the side, this burrito was a crowd pleaser. Stuffed full with meat, this will fill you up! The sauce was full of flavor.  Up next, Mexican style tacos. We like variety and tried the asada, carnitas, and pollo. The carnitas were out of this world! So juicy and tender and piled high. 10/10, would recommend! The chicken was marinated and had a great flavor, not just your standard grilled chicken. The steak was finely cut, for easy eating, and seasoned to perfection. You can’t go wrong with any of them. Doubled up corn tortillas keep these tacos together for a clean eating experience. You can also get the tacos American style if you prefer.Do yourself a favor and try the flavors of Jalapeño Taco Grill on your next night out. See you there, Rockford!

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Favorite Reading Spot

Favorite Reading Spot

It's Get Caught Reading Month in May it is all about reading books and raising awareness regarding the advantages of indulging in literature. The options are unlimited. So get your hands on some books and start reading at your favorite place in town!

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We love I Luv Sushi!

We love I Luv Sushi!

We traveled to I Luv Sushi near E State Street and Bell School to sample their menu. From appetizer to dessert, follow our experience!Before we even dig into the food… we have to give a shout out to Brian, our outstanding server. From beginning to end, Brian added to our experience with amazing recommendations that did not disappoint and made us feel like coming back just to hang out with him again. Thank you, Brian, for the awesome experience!We started our meal with the gyoza. The pan fried dumplings can be either veggie or beef and are served with an amazing sauce. This is a pretty small appetizer, perfect for a light snack before the main course. Served warm and delicious! (So delicious, in fact, that we devoured them before getting a photo 😂.)Next up, a variety of nigiri. Nigiri is a type of sushi where the rice is molded by hand and the fish or other topping is pressed by hand atop the rice. We selected the yellow tail and scallop nigiri, and Brian recommended the special that week. Everything was fresh and beautifully presented. Brian’s pick was as stunning as he described, and you can add authentic Japanese wasabi for a slight upcharge.The rolls came next: Philadelphia roll, Rainbow roll, and Surf & Turf roll. The surf and turf roll was a recommendation of Brian’s, and was truly amazing. The beef was seared to tender perfection and it was filled with shrimp tempura, cream cheese, avocado, and asparagus. This was a fun and delicious roll. The rainbow roll is perfect when you can decide which topping you want. With a little bit of everything, it’s a crowd pleaser showcasing crab meat and avocado inside, and topped with salmon, tuna, white fish, albacore, and avocado. The Philadelphia roll is a classic with smoked salmon, avocado, and cream cheese. There are so many more options at I Luv Sushi, so bring your appetite and taste for adventure.We ended on a sweet note with strawberry and chocolate mochi. A perfect ending to a wonderful evening.With a fun and unique atmosphere, outstanding service, and amazing food… you cannot go wrong at I Luv Sushi! See you there, Rockford.

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Breakfast at Sunrise Family Restaurant

Breakfast at Sunrise Family Restaurant

Looking for a great place for the whole family to enjoy breakfast? Join us on our adventure to Sunrise Family Restaurant!We first started with coffee, because well… you know. If you start your day without coffee, you are our hero 😂. No worries about your cup running cold here; they are diligent about circulating to warm it up.The whole family came along this time, so let’s start with the kids menu! There are plenty of choices for your little ones and ours had fun choosing his meal and side. One Swedish pancake and a side of fresh fruit were reported as “really really good” and the speed at which it was consumed backs up that detailed report. Kid-approved, check. 😁Next up, the adults! We started with the corned beef skillet. Coming with pancakes or toast, this is a filling meal to start any full day. The skillet was hot, and the eggs come as you ordered them. The pancakes were fluffy and cooked to perfection! Next up, the French toast with two eggs, bacon, and sausage (patties or links). The perfect sampler that allows you to swap between French toast, pancakes, or a waffle. The eggs and bacon come made to your order (we ordered crispy!). The French toast was sliced thick and delicious.For a family breakfast with something for everyone, give Sunrise Family Restaurant a try! See you there, Rockford.

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Welcome Chavez Mexican Restaurante

Welcome Chavez Mexican Restaurante

One thing Rockford loves is a new local restaurant, and the welcome our community has extended to Chavez Mexican Restaurante at 5494 E State St, Rockford, IL 61108 is no different! With a newly renovated interior, friendly and amazing staff, and delicious food… you can’t go wrong.Listen, before you get upset that there is no photo of the chips and salsa… let’s say they were so good we didn’t even come up for air, let alone a photo 😂. With bottomless refills, you might be full before your entree arrives. Add an appetizer of cheese dip or guacamole and you’ve got a happy table.There are, however, photos of the margaritas. Don’t miss an opportunity to check out the bar. Besides being beautiful, they sling a delicious drink.Entrees arrived and we started with the enchiladas tricolor. Sautéed spinach, roasted poblano peppers, caramelized onions, roasted corn, and meat of your choice. All of that is wrapped up in corn tortillas, smothered in velvety red, green, and white sauce, with sour cream, grated quasi fresco, and served with cilantro lime rice. First of all, the cilantro lime rice was amazing. We don’t often talk about the sides… there is a reason this one made the review. The meld of flavors in these enchiladas was amazing. So incredibly flavorful and the texture of the meat was perfect. The sauces really brought this to life.Next up was pollo chihuahua, wood-fired grilled chicken breast topped with grilled onions, mushrooms, house chorizo, and melted chihuahua cheese. Served with traditional rice, black beans, and tortillas. This came with soup, and we opted for the seafood option. It was a traditional spin on clam chowder but loaded with a variety of seafood and a slightly lighter consistency. This was an amazing addition to the meal. If you are a soup lover, you definitely need to try this one. The chicken was amazing! Stacked with house chorizo really packed on the flavor. Everything was fresh, juicy, and absolutely delicious. This was a huge meal, perfect for sharing or for tomorrow’s lunch.There are so many amazing options, we cannot wait to visit again! …and again, and again…. See you there, Rockford!

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Italian Feast at Sam’s on Harlem

Italian Feast at Sam’s on Harlem

Now we know if you are a fan of Sam’s Pizza… you have a particular Sam’s that you like to frequent. We decided to start making the rounds and started with Sam’s on Harlem!We kicked things off with their specialty salad. Home dressing, loaded with cheese, eggs, and Italian sausage… this is always a crowd-pleaser and worth the upgrade.We had the whole family along this time and the classic Italian dishes like angel hair pasta with their house sauce kept the kids busy with no complaints at the dinner table.Next was their Fettuccini Alfredo. You can pick your protein, and we opted for the classic chicken. The star of the show was their homemade Alfredo sauce. The consistency was spot on and the portion was perfect. Not a dry noodle on the plate. If you are an Alfredo fan… this is definitely one to try.I feel like no Italian restaurant review is complete without trying the Chicken Parmigiana. Two chicken breasts fried crispy, topped with mozzarella, and then layered with house sauce… you can’t go wrong. Served on a bed of fettuccine, this is a dish that won’t leave you hungry. The chicken was cooked perfectly. The crisp remained while leaving the meat juicy. The house sauce is savory and the fettuccini was served with a spoon for twirling perfection.Entrees come with ice cream, so don’t forget to enjoy a scoop before you leave!Stop into Sam’s on Harlem for classic Italian favorites.

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Favorite Place to Explore the Outdoors

Favorite Place to Explore the Outdoors

Spring has sprung and we are headed outdoors! Where is your favorite place to explore?

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Dinner at The Olympic Tavern

Dinner at The Olympic Tavern

The Olympic Tavern is a three-generation restaurant that has existed since shortly after WWII. They offer outdoor dining and an interior that brings cozy comfort. One hungry evening, we headed out to sample the fare.We started with spinach and artichoke dip, because why not? Life is short… eat all the cheese you can. The hot and melty concoction came out piled high with tortilla chips. You can also get veggies… but again, life is short. The cheese-to-meat ratio was excellent, and this was an appetizer so good it quieted the conversation.  Next up, the Reuben with sweet potato fries. Served with honey mustard on the side… these fries are worth the trip. A slightly sweet offset to the savory Reuben. Let’s talk about this Reuben! The ratio of sauerkraut to meat was spot on, and layered with cheese and dressing… this one is hard to beat. The bread is buttered and toasted and the results are excellent.We followed that with the Prime Philly: shaved ribeye sautéed with peppers & onions on a soft hoagie with provolone or the homemade sharp cheddar sauce. This was a big sandwich, which is perfect for a big appetite! The ribeye brings a different level of flavor to this Philly, and you can taste the freshness in the veggies. Pair this with your side of choice and you are set.  Whether fish, steak, sandwiches, or pizza is your jam… The Olympic Tavern has you covered. Check them out the next time you find yourself hungry. Let us know what you try!

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A Sky High View at Fozzy’s Skybox

A Sky High View at Fozzy’s Skybox

Whether you have a family member on a sports team, or frequent the various expos that come to our area, you may have heard of Fozzy’s Skybox. We ventured out to try it for ourselves.If you’ve been to Fozzy’s on Riverside, you’ll be excited to know that they have a sister bar in the Mercyhealth Sportscore Two. Besides the awesome sports simulators that you can reserve ahead of time, enjoy an excellent selection of food while you hang out and enjoy the view from the top.We took the whole family this time and started with the Fozzy Smash Burger: 2 burger patties, American cheese, secret smash sauce, shredded lettuce, tomato, pickle, and served with fries. This classic burger is perfect for anyone in the family and customizable for even the pickiest eaters.The next burger we tried was the Rodeo Burger: cheddar cheese, applewood smoked bacon, lettuce, fried onion straws, and bbq sauce create this divine dish. I mean, any burger with bacon has my attention. You can’t go wrong.  The burgers are chuck and Angus blend, bringing them some extra flavor and keeping them juicy and delicious.Next up is a dish you don’t expect from a burger joint… which is why we love Fozzy’s, there is something for everyone! The Asian Bowl comes with chicken, fried brown rice, egg, wonton strips, red & green peppers, onion, and mushrooms, with your choice of either teriyaki, Korean pepper, Sriracha honey, or sweet & sour sauce. We opted for teriyaki sauce and the dish was packed with veggies, protein, and flavor! The amount of sauce was perfect, no swamp at the bottom of the bowl making everything soggy. The veggies were fresh and the healthier option is perfect for anyone looking to keep that top of mind.Next time you visit an expo or local sporting event, check out Fozzy’s Skybox!

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A Burger at Baker Street

A Burger at Baker Street

Sometimes you just need a classic burger and mac & cheese. So we headed to Baker Street Burgers to try the classics.The Baker Street namesake is their Baker Street Cheeseburger. Two 1/4 pound patties on a toasted brioche bun with gouda cheese, signature BSB sauce, caramelized onions, and pickles create this masterpiece. One bite into this juicy burger and you know you’ve made the right choice. The flavors blend beautifully, no ketchup needed here! The patties are cooked to perfection, just how you like them. Served with your choice of side, this will certainly fill you up and power you through the day. We decided to try the parmesan tots, because who doesn’t love a good tot? Fried to crisp, golden perfection and then dusted with deliciousness. These add that fancy flair you didn’t even know tots needed.Next up, a slight deviation from classics, Buffalo Chicken Mac. Cavatappi noodles, spicy buffalo cheese sauce, fried chicken breast, ranch drizzle, and a blue cheese crumble bring two classics together for this dish. This a generous portion of pasta! It comes in a deep bowl and did not disappoint. You can ask for extra buffalo sauce to take the spice level up a notch or enjoy the medium temp of this as is. You simply can’t go wrong with buffalo chicken and mac & cheese.Pair these dishes with one of their specialty cocktails or beers on tap, and you have yourself a delicious meal. We hope to see you there next time, Rockford!

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Favorite Coffee Shop

Favorite Coffee Shop

March is Caffeine Awareness Month! I'm not sure who needs to be made aware of the wonderous drug that is caffeine, but I'll take any excuse to celebrate my favorite beverage.So tell me, where do you go for your favorite brew?

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A Clasico Favorite at Mi Placita

A Clasico Favorite at Mi Placita

In late 2022, Mi Placita opened up on Riverside. As a branch of Mexico Clasico, you know you are in for a delicious experience!We ventured into Mi Placita for a weeknight dinner and were greeted by the incredibly friendly staff. This is a great north-end option if classic Mexican dishes are your jam. We started with bottomless chips and salsa. The salsa was loaded with flavor and the chips were obviously fresh. Just like their south-end sister, if you order the guacamole, it is made fresh to your liking. I am always blown away by the freshness and flavor profile.Eventually, we moved on to our entrees. We asked what dishes were most popular and ordered those. We figured the masses of the Rockford area wouldn’t steer us wrong, and we were right! We started with Los Tres Amigos: sliced steak, chicken breast, and shrimp. Choice of garlic or diabla for the shrimp and served with black beans and avocado salad. Talk about delicious. The meats were all cooked amazingly. We opted for the diablo sauce and were delighted that it was actually spicy! This dish wakes up your senses. The grilled veggies (onions and jalapeños ) were fantastic and beautifully presented. With all the additional sides, this was easily two meals (maybe because we just indulged in bottomless chips and salsa 😜).Next up, the most popular fajita dish the Texas fajitas: sizzling grilled steak, grilled chicken & shrimp. Cooked with bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes. Served with rice, beans, lettuce, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, and tortillas. The shrimp was perfectly prepared. No chewy texture here. The generous portion of this dish makes it easily shareable. The flavors of the grilled veggies really shine in this dish. This is perfect for those who like to make their own handheld and don’t want to risk a spicy meal. Want to kick it up a notch? Just ask for hot sauce and go nuts!  Order your favorite margarita and you’re all set!  We definitely can’t wait to go back and try a few more of their specialty dishes. See you there, Rockford!

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A Beautiful Evening at Abreo

A Beautiful Evening at Abreo

Sometimes we ditch the jeans and t-shirt for something fancier. We headed to Abreo to celebrate the season of love. Lucky for us, we were starving by the time we got to Abreo… meaning we tried a lot of food 😂.  We started with shrimp asiago with lemon, garlic, butter, and a grilled baguette. This delicious buttery appetizer is perfect for two to share (but it’s so good you may not want to!). It comes served piping hot in a tiny skillet. Dip, dunk, and soak your baguette in garlic butter and asiago cheese topped with perfectly cooked shrimp.  Dinner came out and we started with the duck and figs, a seared duck breast, dried fig, honey-red wine jus, braised Tokyo turnips, and a crisp lentil croquette. The duck was prepared beautifully—the tender meat with delicious and prepared skin on, giving it a delightful crisp. The wine jus is a perfect pairing and is poured on your plate upon presentation. The crisp lentil croquette was a fun experience as a crunchy, flavor-packed side.Next up, the beef tenderloin with foie gras cream, garlic roasted maitake mushrooms, and roasted pumpkin. We requested a rare cook, and the beef absolutely melted in our mouths. The filet was seasoned beautifully, cooked perfectly, and absolutely perfectly paired with the rest of the plate. The mushrooms were delicious, the pumpkin was creamy, and everything was amazing.We couldn’t leave without dessert, and the warm chocolate cake with salted caramel was the perfect finisher. We added a scoop of house-made ice cream, which made an amazing dessert even better. This is perfect for two to share, but we recommend drawing a line in the cake… so you get your fair share 😉. Love knows no bounds, except your half of dessert.We can’t end this review without a shout-out to Jake’s favorite drink, the Hickory Stick. Whether you like a glass of wine or a signature cocktail, Abreo has you covered. The fantastic food is only one reason to visit, another is the amazing staff. From reservation to the end of our evening, the whole experience was smooth and friendly. Treat someone special in your life to a stunning evening downtown.

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