It seems like every week we're hearing about a new food spot opening soon in the Rockford area. The latest news of a mother-daughter venture with a creative cocktail menu is making the waiting game even tougher.

New Restaurants Opening in Rockford Area

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It won't be much longer before you won't have to drive into Chicago for some Buona beef or a Rainbow ice cream cone. Construction along Riverside Blvd has been buzzing for the last couple of years with a Starbucks Coffee, a Chipotle, and a Tom & Jerry's location all opening in front of Blain's Farm & Fleet.

Filling out some more of that open space will be the new Buona Beef/Rainbow Cone location. Two fantastic family-owned flavors will be opening soon. I've only had Buona Beef from the grocery store, and I've never had that ice cream. My entire family is excited for this place to go from this...

Buona Beef/Rainbow Cone on Riverside
Buona Beef/Rainbow Cone on Riverside

to this!

Buona Beef via Facebook
Buona Beef via Facebook
Buona Beef via Facebook

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New Capri Restaurant and Pizza Location

After a devastating fire, owners of Capri announced that instead of rebuilding in downtown Rockford, they would be redesigning an old gas station on Riverside Blvd into the new home for one of Rockford's best restaurant brands. I have missed this pizza so much. I can't wait to get a table (and to have their frozen pizzas back in my grocery store).

Capri on Riverside
Capri on Riverside

Speaking of E. State Street, Rockford will finally be getting a Raising Cane's. They will be moving into the old Stone Eagle Tavern location. The plan is to demolish the building and put up a new restaurant with a double drive-thru. Raising Canes in Rockford plans to open in the Fall of 2025.

Raising Cane's Facebook, Canva
Raising Cane's Facebook, Canva
Raising Cane's Facebook, Canva

You can learn to make Raising Cane's amazing chicken strip dipping sauce before they even open.


 

It's good if you're craving more food news.

Coming soon to the old Camera Craft location on Perryville Rd (next to the Peace Plaza) is

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Crave Kitchen & Cocktails

Located at 3801 N Perryville Rd, Crave is owned and created by Angela Vitale and her daughter Ava Vitale.

Crave Website
Crave Website
Crave Website

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Crave Kitchen & Cocktails will feature Angela's contemporary and classic cuisine vision paired with Ava's playful and inventive cocktails plus Rockford's only 90-point wine list, according to their website.

Crave Website
Crave Website
Crave Website
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Be sure to follow Crave on Facebook and Instagram as these two women are about to tell a great culinary story.

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In other Rockford news, look what city kicks off this gallery of horrible parking jobs!

19 of the Stupidest Parking Jobs in Illinois

Discover why Illinois, particularly Rockford, has earned a reputation for having some of the worst drivers in the US, according to a recent Forbes study.

Gallery Credit: Steve Shannon

What Illinois License Plates Looked Like the Year You Were Born

Take a look at the history of Illinois license plates. This photo gallery includes every plate used in the Land of Lincoln from 1911 to 2023. 

Gallery Credit: Steve Shannon

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