Rock County needs a good Canadian restaurant.

I would say the Buckhorn SupperClub is the best around in Rock county and still one of the best next to other counties. The servers are wonderful and their outdoor patio is amazing. The scenary is great for a sunset picture. One of my favorite dinners there is a filet dinner with thier freshly steamed broc and that amazing baked french onion soup. Don't forget to add their bleu cheese butter to that filet! Yummy! I also absolutely love their seafood platter...mmmmmm. I had to save the best for last! The Lobster Boils! So much fun and delicious. :)

Glad to hear Emigail's is still good, haven't been there for too long.
Have been to Butterfly, good food and service.

Hanson's USED to be THE place to go for a GREAT burger...not any more since it's changed hands a few times. Last time there, tables were dirty, a bottled condiment on the table looked like it had been there since the 1950s and the burgers were nothing like they used to be. I think Skip's in Afton might have the best bar burger around now, especially the Stump burger, IMO.

Anybody been to the Butterfly in Beloit lately? Used to like that place but haven't been there in awhile.

Park Place: Good family restaurant, good food
Pizza: Tony & Maria's (takeout)but you can't find any better
Village Inn, Footville: Good steaks
Buckhorn and Lake House Inn: Very good food
Cozy Inn: Best Chinese
Los Amigos: Best Mexican, not a big place, but good food

Cozy Inn by far is the best place in town!!! I love Cozumel too. Surprise nobody has said anything about The Dog House...I know its not fancy or sit down, but they do have some gooooood dogs and their wraps are delicious. The best place to be on a friday is in Afton at Skips!!!

Emigails at Newville has some really good Cajan style food, as well as a wonderful smoked prime rib on Saturday nights.

Fish fry- Cursing Stone at Glen Erin.
Fajhita's- Milwaukee Grill.
Stew- O'Rielys.
Pizza- Jim's Pizza.
BBQ- Famous Dave's.
Burger- Steve & Holly's, Red Robin.
Coffee- Mocha Moments.

Tony & Marias - best pizza on the face of the planet

Locally my favorite place to dine would be the Buckhorn Supper Club. The staff is friendly, outgoing, and always make great suggestions. I like to start with either the homemade onion rings or the crab cakes, then moving on to either a delicious side salad with their house poppy seed chutney dressing or a cup of their homemade soup, now the hard part choosing between the many fresh baked fish they offer or their melt in your mouth Prime Rib. By the time dessert rolls around I'm too stuffed to fit another bite but I usually take a piece of Peanut Butter Pie home. The only complaint I have about the Buckhorn is the decor...It is in much need of a facelift. Paper place mats? Ripped and semi rusty chairs? How can the owners justify charging what they do for food and drinks and then seat you in a dining area like that? This is why when the weather turns around I plan on dining on the patio overlooking the beautiful Sunsets Lake Koshkonong has to offer.

My vote is for Milwaukee Grill.

EMMO46: The Duck Inn is great in my book, but it's not in Rock County, which was the focus of my blog in this case.
luckywithBs: Thanks for the suggestion that I'd be a credible restaurant critic, but it's not my job, nor even my job to recommend restaurants for review. I'll make sure Ann Fiore, who edits our kicks section, sees this blog, however.
Greg Peck

"WOw somebody doesn't like Italian House bread. First one I have heard of."

My whole family thinks Italian House bread is awful. We tried eating there a few times and were always disappointed in the food so we gave up. Just not our style, I suppose...

I don't think anything comes close to the Buckhorn in Rock County. The staff is friendly and professional, the owners do their best to make everyone feel welcomed and the food is awsome. I usually have a hard time deciding between the prime rib, filet or broiled shrimp. Besides that, it is a great atmosphere being one if the few supperclubs left with a view of Lake Koshkong.

So yes, Mr Peck needs to review some new places listed in previous comments, as well as some that have been around for awhile also listed in previous comments-for Rock County! Local places! Plenty to choose from!

Park Place Family Restaurant and Mac's Pizza Shack. Good food at great prices and outstanding local ownership.

In case anyone's been out of the state for almost a year, you can't smoke in bars, restraunts, or places of business since last July.

Bobbleheads Sports Bar & Grill

I enjoy the Stagecoach, as well as Milton Family Restaurant. Great food, staff, and the owners REALLY care. Mario's Pizza in Edgerton is pretty good too.

frogger, Hanson's is the pub/restaurant on Cranston and Hwy 51. Excellent hamburgers!

A Jason's Deli should be opened. Soup & Salad, all you can eat, organic veggies, and no high fructose corn syrup drinks.

Cozy Inn and Tony and Maria's is what I get when I come in for a visit. Not fine dining, but I can get all I want of that where I live.

Yes H&S is good too.
There is a place pub type in Beloit on Cranston Rd. Right off of 51. Cannot remember the name but very good too.
WOw somebody doesn't like Italian House bread. First one I have heard of.

The Buckhorn use to be my favorite when the Keilman's owned it! Excellent place to eat. The new management has higher prices but the food is only mediocre.

Wedges, great french, dip awesome sundya fish and wings,

Benedetti's fish fry is great and they have delicious coleslaw, too!

smrphoto-i agree went there last week for lunch and again this week for lunch..very, very good.

I see no one has mentioned H & S across from the mall next to US Cellular, they have great sushi & even better hibachi! I eat there at least once a week.

Liberty Inn in Beloit for Dinner.
.
Knutes in Orfordville for Fish Fry.
.
Dog World in Beloit for binging.

Tried BaZingas formerly Jumbos last Friday for their fish we heard it was good and wow ! Excellent to say the least. They also serve sliced and battered tater slices similar to mojos but much better my wife got a side of mac & cheese she said it was awesome as well.Price was very good with plenty to eat. New owners and atmosphere,try it !
As far as steaks,ribs or seafood ,my Weber on the deck with a cold beverage is the best in town,hands down !

Although I normally do take-out, The Cozy Inn has great dine-in service. Benedetti's in Beloit is good for an occasional treat. I liked the Gun Club in Beloit, I wish they would have rebuilt it. I used to order escargot whenever I dined there or at the Hoffman House in the Ramada Inn.

My personal favorite is Benedetti's in Beloit.

Seriously?

Knutes in Orfordville can't be matched, either inhouse or his catering.

Awsome!

Also, Anchor Inn in Newville has great steak nights at great prices and the best chicken strips you will ever have (hand breaded, original recipe).

Lukes in Milton is very good. Good fish and great steaks.
Love the Duck Inn. Also, My Apartment is very good. The best hashbrowns imo.
Buckhorn is overpriced for very mediocre food, but has a nice atmosphere.

Hard to beat ding-a-ling in hanover Awsome food!

Fin's and Anchor Inn, both in Newville

jstwndrn - I too have noticed the new Indian restaurant near the corner of 14 and Pontiac, and have been awaiting its opening. I love Indian food. I hope it opens soon, is good, and does well. We'll see.

I hear ya, Tusker. Nee's Taste of Thai on Milwaukee was a gem. Has anyone heard anything about an Indian restaurant opening where the Chinese buffet place was by ShopKo?

I grew up in Janesville and have lived here most of my life. In my youth in the 50s, I remember some decent eateries that my folks took me to which are now long gone. In the 60s, I also remember some decent places that included the Buckhorn and Lake House on Lake Koshkonong, as well as the Duck Inn, which remain among my favorites to this day. In the 70s, as has been mentioned by others, the King's Pub was very decent and the dining room at the Monterey Hotel was pretty good for lunch. Harpo's was also good, as were a few others.

Later, IMHO, Janesville became a wasteland so far as decent restaurants were concerned. It came to appreciate only the mediocre, and fast food and chain restaurants. One could go 20 miles in any direction and do much better, so far as supper clubs, ethnic food, and most everything else were concerned. This is still largely true today, with a very few exceptions.

A lot is about taste. I personally don't care for most all fast food and for most all chains/sports bars such as Applebee's, Ground Round, Fuddrucker's etc. etc. These are places to stop for a fast bite perhaps, but they are not really restaurants in my view.

Janesville has also always been certain death for most decent ethnic restaurants. Cozy Inn has survived since my childhood, and is still fairly good for Chinese. However, many, many oriental and Mexican restaurants have popped up, lived a short life, and died. This is not because they were all inferior. In fact some were rather exceptionally good. Rather, they died because a meat-and-potatoes town could not appreciate or support the occasional real ethnic jewel that appeared. If it wasn't Taco Bell, it was abandoned by the Janesville masses no matter how authentic.

On a more positive note, I personally think El Jardin is Janesville's best Mexican restaurant. I do not care for Cozumel or Hacienda Real, though perhaps that's just because there are many styles of Mexican cooking and I prefer El Jardin's. That being said, there are much better Mexican restaurants in Walworth county than in Janesville (for example Hernandez in Delavan, and my personal favorite El Palenque in Lake Geneva). Again, maybe it's just a matter of taste.

When my wife and I both worked downtown, we regularly hit Cozy Inn for lunch. When a place has stayed in business in the same location for 90 years, they're doing something right. Very right.

Burgers Rule! Red Robin, Famous Dave's, Fuddruckers.

crunch-munch: The Rock is okay, burgers are so-so, hot wings are good. Best thing is eating there in summer and sitting along the river while enjoying an adult beverage.

McDonalds it is

park place is the best fish fry and bar food

Many supper clubs already mentioned are good. One place not mentioned yet, family owned and reliably good is Domenico's in Beloit, whether it be pasta, pizza or steak. And the buffet/salad bar rocks.
Favorite in Beloit for authentic Mexican is Azteca. Also nice in Beloit, along with 615 and Cafe Belwah, is the Liberty Inn. Last, but not least, the Ding-A-Ling in Hanover.

The Milton Family restaurant for the best fish fry! They also have great breakfast meals...REAL hash brown and great omelets.

tater-all plcaes are smoke free

Eagle Inn on Center Avenue and Cazumel's are favories.
Chain favorite; Culvers.
Least favorite: Italian House and their 'famous' sugar bread. Great food for kids. For adults, not so much.

Milwaukee Grill..Ground Round..Cozumel..Wendy's..KFC..Taco Bell are my stops.

Um...no one likes the Duck Inn?
Why?

King's Pub will never be beat in downtown Janesville! Now we leave the county to drive to Duck Inn. It's the best and we usually see so many Janesville folks there you might as well say it's Rock County.

Cafe Belwah, and 615 for fine dining in Beloit. Best pancakes in Beloit are at Shortstack. Love the breakfasts at Salvador's and Sunday morning breakfast at the Marine Corp League...really good biscuits and gravy there. Someone mentioned Jersey's and I have to agree. But my ultimate favorite restaurant since turning vegetarian is Fuji. Someone said it's a chain, but I don't care. I love that place and go to Janesville just for the sushi. Wish Beloit had one!

This is in Green County but The Dining Room in Monticello is the best!

for a really good fish fry check out Gameday bar & grill (used to be Overtime Tap)...excellent fish!!

How about Eagle Inn on Center Avenue

There used to be a nice one on the county line, but after thinking a little I guess that one was in Walworth County so that would not count.

Umm tater...I'm sure your issue was with the actual smoking going on, if it was a smoke filled room and all. And seeing as though you can't smoke anywhere in Wisconsin anymore, I'm sure you will be just fine.

As non-smokers, my wife and I have had several meals ruined by having to sit in smoke-filled areas even though they've had those supposed air purifiers running. Two of those restaurants have been listed here: My Apartment and Harpo's on 11. I'd love to visit these restaurants again, but am afraid of the smoke stench. Can any of you comment whether the issue is better now than say, 3 years ago?

Italian House, Fuji and Cozumel are my favorites.

I enjoy The Cracker Barrel myself and yes it is a chain but come on really is there a good family owned restaurant in Rock County?

For an awesome Friday night fish fry my wife and I think The Cursing Stone Pub at the Glen Erin Golf Club in Janesville cant be beat.

For a nice dinner: The Armory or Speakeasy. We haven't been to the Metropolitan for a couple of years. It was never as good after it moved across the street. (A shame really, as it used to be my very favorite.) Cafe Belwah has excellent food, but the service is poor.

For a casual dinner: Sophia's (Beloit), El Jardin, Cozumel, Domenico's (Beloit), and Milwaukee Grill.

For a nice breakfast/brunch/lunch: Bass Creek Espresso (Afton) or Bushel and Peck (Beloit).

My favorite place is My Apartment. It's a friendly neighborhood bar and grill with good food, reasonable prices, and friendly staff. We;ve always felt at home there.

And all of these are a matter of opinion, but it would be nice for some local reviews. I don't drop everything and run up to Madison to get dinner. Not with gas prices etc, anyway. There's a lot of great restaurants right here in our area, as many have listed.

I think some of you are missing the point...the object of this is to get a review of Rock County places to eat that isn't a chain restaurant. Locally owned places. I'm not disputing what anyone is saying, but the idea of Mr Peck's article is for locally owned.

If you're squeezing nickles, Weirdo's for Blatz and pigskins is always nice. (For atmosphere, bring your own candle.)

Helgeson's Harpos on Hwy 11 is great. I've never had bad food or service. Friday fish is really good. I'm not a big steak fan, but I've heard they serve some of the best around.

LAKE HOUSE INN IN NEWVILLE IS GREAT (GET LOTS OF FOOD) AND STAGECOACH ON HWY 26(GOOD FRENCH FRIED LOBSTER) AND THE NORTH SHORE IN FORT ATKINSON IN THE COUNTRY.

IF YOU WANT REALLY GOOD FOOD FOR VERY GOOD PRICES TRY ANNA MARIA'S IN SOUTH BELOIT, THEY GET VERY BUSY, AND HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR YEARS & YEARS, BUT NOT RELATED TO THE ONE IN JANESVILLE AT ALL

El Jardin is delicious.

NOT MUCH, JANESVILLE NEEDS MORE SATURDAY NIGHT DINING RESTRAUNTS..ONLY COUPLE HERE TO PICK FROM...THATS WHY WE GO OUT OF TOWN TO EAT OR EVEN OUT OF COUNTY OR ILLINOIS. LIKE STEAKHOUSE PLACES, NOTHING EXPENSIVE OR FANCY, JUST MORE GOOD SIT DOWN PLACES TO CHOOSE FROM.

Get this mayor to get restaurants in here! There are so few! Try Panera Bread, TGIF, Longhorn Steakhouse to name a few.

I agree with most already listed but would add the Duck Inn (even though I guess it's not actually in Rock County).

Milwaukee Grill is always good as well. Like I said many. Looking Glass for a good bar burger!!
La Esquienta downtown is good, as well as Cozumel and EL Jardin.
Time Out too. I am forgetting lots of them. Seems more to pick from than a couple years ago.

I forgot Cafe Belwau is very good.
Metro is good as well
Madison for Italian Bellini. I think that is the name.

Go to restaurant.com and become a member. Youll get emails for 80 % off of gift certificates. $20 for $2. Many good restaurants to pick from and some around here as well. Check often for new ones added.

Conway-Oriley is quite yummy and lots to pick from. I guess there are many to pick from depending what you are looking for.
My Apartment is good.
Armory
Speakeasy
Peking
Jims Pizza
Stage Coach
I hear they just did review on Sanford in Milwaukee. Haven't read it but it is a MUST go. Try the 7 or 10 course paired with wine and bring the credit card. You get what you pay for!!! AWESOME!!

For a nice steak at a VERY reasonable price we head to Jersey's in Beloit. Be careful about when you go. Between 5pm-7pm is the best time to go, because after that is gets really busy and later in the night gets loud. It is in essence a bar at that point.

Metropolitan...pfft! We used to love Metropolitan but last year on our anniversary, we had terrible experience there. Their service was shockingly poor and the food (which I used to love) was terrible. I don't think we'll ever go back.

Love the Buckhorn and their Roast Duck , also Norm's fish is Top Shelf!

I've got to say that Fuji has been a pleasant surpise. I never thought Janesville would have a good sushi joint.

Tosser--dont be so picky!! Its a blog! Opinions are all that hes looking for here, and hes able to have one like we all do!
I love the chain, Texas Roadhouse...but also My Apartment Lounge and Prime Quarter for special occasions.

Gopher's in Milton has the best burger anywhere (The Gopher Burger) and their Italian Nachos are a must!

Cafe Belwah in Beloit is one of Wisconsin's finest! The food is delectable and the ambience is somewhat elegant without being overly so.

Sophia,s in Beloit.

The Sizzlin' Grill is always a day-maker.

Probably because Bill is an editor for a Madison area newspaper and probably already did the reviews for another paper.
There should have ONLY been Janesville or Rock Co. restaurants in the 'local' paper.

I prefer Hacienda Real over Cozumel, but that's just my opinion. Both are very good!

Fuji is also a chain....Time Out; Steve & Holly's

Hooters is a chain, but dang, it's always great. The kids request it nearly every week!

Cozumel is pretty good, easily the best Mexican fare in the area. The chips are almost always fresh, the salsa is very tasty, and the frozen margaritas ... yum!

Fuji is also good; I'm not into sushi but the better half is, and their steaks are always nice. But it's the kind of place you hit maybe once a year, and don't feel a strong need to go back for a while.

Armory and Speakeasy are just OK, you'll get a good meal but I think it's overpriced. If I was entertaining a client though, those two pretty much make up the short list.

Tosser, this particular piece is a blog, and it is named Opinion Matters, why would he have to be impartial here? My family enjoys the Milwaukee Grill!!!!

O'Reily & Conways; Bazinga; When is the last time someone reviewed Milwaukee Grill? That's just a few to mention for Janesville...