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BEST RATED ROCKFORD, IL BARBECUE RESTAURANTS

3 Best Barbecue Restaurants in Rockford, IL

Expert-recommended Top 3 BBQ Restaurants in Rockford, Illinois. All of our barbecue restaurants actually face a rigorous 50-Point Inspection, which includes customer reviews, history, complaints, ratings, satisfaction, trust, cost and general excellence. You deserve only the best!

Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que Rockford - Rockford, IL Barbecue Restaurants
Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que Rockford - Rockford, IL Barbecue Restaurants
Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que Rockford - Rockford, IL Barbecue Restaurants
Best Barbecue Restaurants in Rockford IL - Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que Rockford video
10+ YEARS IN TBR
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FAMOUS DAVE'S BAR-B-QUE ROCKFORD

(5.0 Score)
3303 North Perryville Road,
Rockford, IL 61114 Directions

Since 1994

Specialty:

✓ All-American BBQ Feast ✓ Feast for 2 ✓ Flying Pig Feast ✓ Beast of a Feast ✓ Signature Sampler Platter ✓ Cheese Curds ✓ Burnt Ends ✓ Southside Rib Tips ✓ Fried Pickles ✓ Smoked Brisket Egg Rolls ✓ Hand-Breaded Chicken Strips ✓ Sweetwater Catfish Fingers ✓ Traditional Wings ✓ Boneless Wings ✓ BBQ Nachos ✓ Southern Fried Shrimp ✓ St. Louis-Style Spareribs ✓ BYO Sandwich ✓ Georgia Chopped Pork Sandwich ✓ BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich ✓ Texas Beef Brisket Sandwich ✓ Hickory Chicken Sandwich ✓ Dave's Favorite Burger ✓ Ultimate Burger ✓ Devil's Spit Burger ✓ Smokehouse Grilled Cheese ✓ The Manhandler Sandwich ✓ BBQ Beef Sandwich ✓ Dave's Sassy BBQ Salad ✓ Chicken Caesar Salad

"Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que Rockford serves award-winning BBQ ribs and hickory-smoked meats in a casual, family-friendly setting. Pitmaster Dave Anderson has won over 700 awards for his BBQ. Their menu includes house-smoked meats, burgers, sandwiches, and more. Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que Rockford uses only high-quality meats, hand-rubs them with fresh spices, and slow-cooks them to perfection. They also offer catering with pit-smoked BBQs, homemade sides, and handcrafted desserts. Their award-winning ribs include St. Louis-style spareribs, Baby Back Ribs, and various rib and meat combos. They have locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, and Florida. Visit and enjoy delicious house-smoked meats, burgers, and sandwiches. A private dining room and happy hour food are also available for your convenience.

2026 Update: Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que Rockford has a sit-down and dine-in, order to go, or cater your event."

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Price:

Signature Sampler Platter Appetizer $25.50
Cheese Curds Appetizer $16.00
Burnt Ends Appetizer $18.00
Southside Rib Tips Appetizer $16.00
Fried Pickles Appetizer $13.00
Smoked Brisket Egg Rolls $15.00
Hand-Breaded Chicken Strips Appetizer $18.00
Sweetwater Catfish Fingers Appetizer $17.00
BBQ Nachos Appetizer $17.00
Southern Fried Shrimp $15.00
Pick 1 Combo $24.00
Pick 2 Combo $29.00
Pick 3 Combo $34.00
All-American BBQ Feast® $97.00
Feast For 2 $62.00
Flying Pig Feast $55.00
Beast Of A Feast $60.00
Byo Sandwich $16.00
Georgia Chopped Pork Sandwich $14.00
BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich $14.00
Texas Beef Brisket Sandwich $17.00
Hickory Chicken Sandwich $17.00
Dave'S Favorite Burger $17.00
Ultimate Burger $19.00
Devil'S Spit Burger $17.00
Smokehouse Grilled Cheese $15.00

Discount:

Join Rewards & get $5 Off

Tuesday – $40 Feast for 2

Contact:

(815) 636-0300 (877) 833-9335

Mon-Sun: 11am - 9pm

TBR® Inspection Report:

Mission BBQ Rockford - Rockford, IL Barbecue Restaurants
Mission BBQ Rockford - Rockford, IL Barbecue Restaurants
Mission BBQ Rockford - Rockford, IL Barbecue Restaurants
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MISSION BBQ ROCKFORD

(4.8 Score)
6820 East State Street,
Rockford, IL 61108 Directions

Since 2011

Specialty:

✓ Brisket ✓ Pulled Pork ✓ Pulled Chicken ✓ Turkey ✓ Sausage ✓ Meat Sampler ✓ Ribs ✓ Baby Back Ribs ✓ Chicken ✓ Salmon ✓ Smoked Cheeseburger ✓ Brisket Sandwich ✓ Chopped Brisket Sandwich ✓ Pulled Pork Sandwich ✓ XL Combo ✓ XXL Combo ✓ Garden Greens ✓ Maggie's Mac-N-Cheese ✓ Fresh Cut Fries ✓ Baked Beans ✓ Kickin' Collard Greens ✓ Green Beans ✓ Cold Slaw ✓ Super Seasonal ✓ Potato Salad ✓ Bottle Classics ✓ Fountain Soda ✓ Kettle Brewed Iced Tea ✓ Summertime Lemonade ✓ Ice ✓ American Heroes Cup ✓ Kid-Mac ✓ Pulled Pork Slider ✓ Pulled Chicken Slider ✓ Turkey Slider ✓ Brisket Slider ✓ Jr. Ribs ✓ Pulled Chicken Sandwich ✓ Turkey Sandwich

"Mission BBQ Rockford serves delicious BBQ and classic sides with memorabilia honoring soldiers and first responders. This restaurant is located in Perryville Shopping Center. They offer authentic, homemade BBQ in a warm and patriotic setting. As the founders of Mission BBQ Rockford, they work every day to honor their nation's heroes and celebrate what makes their country great. They traveled across the U.S. from Texas to Kansas City, Carolinas to St. Louis to learn the secrets of great BBQ. Every day, they serve authentic BBQ made from the freshest, most flavorful ingredients in a patriotic dining room. Mission BBQ Rockford also provides a separate menu for kids. Gift cards are available for your loved ones.

2026 Update: Mission BBQ Rockford customizes everything your way to make the best of your budget."

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Price:

Meat Sampler $14.49
Baby Back Ribs $3.29
Chicken $11.39
Salmon $17.49
Smoked Cheeseburger $9.74
Brisket Sandwich $13.99
Chopped Brisket $13.49
Pulled Pork $8.99
Pulled Chicken $8.99
Turkey $9.49
Xl Combo $6.00
Xxl Combo $8.75
Garden Greens $5.54
Maggie'S Mac-N-Cheese $3.59
Fresh Cut Fries $3.49
Baked Beans $3.39
Kickin' Collard Greens $3.44
Green Beans $3.54
Cold Slaw $3.34
Super Seasonal $3.64
Bottle Classics $3.84
Fountain Soda $2.99
Kettle Brewed Iced Tea $2.99
Summertime Lemonade $2.99
Ice $2.50
American Heroes Cup $4.99
Kid-Mac $9.49
Pulled Pork Slider $8.74
Pulled Chicken Slider $8.74
Turkey Slider $8.99
Brisket Slider $10.49
Jr. Ribs $11.74
Brisket $14.49
Pulled Pork $9.49
Pulled Chicken $9.49
Turkey $9.99
Sausage $9.99

Discount:

Free sandwich for active duty service members & veterans

Contact:

(815) 357-4276 (630) 282-7769

Mon-Sat: 11am - 9pm
Sun: 11:30am - 8pm

TBR® Inspection Report:

Smoke House Barbecue - Rockford, IL Barbecue Restaurants
Smoke House Barbecue - Rockford, IL Barbecue Restaurants
Smoke House Barbecue - Rockford, IL Barbecue Restaurants
10+ YEARS IN TBR
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SMOKE HOUSE BARBECUE

(4.8 Score)
432 West Harrison Avenue,
Rockford, IL 61104 Directions

Since 2010

Specialty:

✓ Show Boat ✓ Chicken and Shoulder Sandwich ✓ Shoulder Dinner ✓ Baked Beans ✓ Chicken Shack ✓ Shoulder Sandwich ✓ Chicken ✓ Coleslaw ✓ 1 Lb Pork Shoulder

"Smoke House Barbecue provides slow-cooked BBQ in a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. They have a great menu with reasonable prices. They offer catering for holidays and special occasions. They take pride in hand-smoking everything fresh for their customers. Smoke House Barbecue is a kid-friendly restaurant. Their staff provides excellent service with care and kindness. They offer quick bites and comfort food and have wheelchair-accessible entrances, parking, and seating. Their chicken dinner comes with two sides, including BBQ fries, baked beans, coleslaw, collard greens, or regular fries. Their Sho Boat features Boneless pork shoulder, BBQ fries, and a garlic bun. They accept credit cards for payments.

2026 Update: Smoke House Barbecue menu features mouthwatering options, including amazing fries and comfort food staples."

Reviews   |   Write a Review

Price:

Show Boat $16.25
Chicken Shack $15.00
Shoulder Sandwich $13.00
Chicken Sandwich $8.50
Shoulder Dinner $21.25
Chicken Dinner $20.00
1 Lb. Pork Shoulder $20.00
Fries $5.75
Baked Beans $5.75
Coleslaw $5.75

Contact:

(815) 962-5512 (815) 965-7427

Wed: 11am - 6pm
Thu-Sat: 11am - 7pm
Sun: 12pm - 5pm
Mon & Tue: Closed

TBR® Inspection Report:

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FAMOUS DAVE'S BAR-B-QUE ROCKFORD REVIEWS

It has been quite awhile since we have eaten here, but it is as good as I remember from a few years ago. Every dish is delicious- from the ribs or pulled pork to the sweet corn bread and coleslaw! I drink plain unsweetened ice tea and it was so good! They offer slices of Baker’s Square pie too, so we brought some home to enjoy later. Highly recommended.

Aubrey our server was wonderful. Haven’t been to Famous Daves for a long time. I’m really glad we stopped by. The ribs are really, really good. You could taste the smokiness all the way down to the bone on the chicken.

The food was tasting great as usual! Our server Blake was also fantastic as he was very attentive and friendly to us. One of the managers also stopped by and made us feel welcomed. Our visit was enjoyable tonight!

Best BBQ in the Rockford area. Brisket melts in your mouth and this place has rib tips. Best BBQ beans ever as there is so much meat in the beans. Aubree was awesome!! - Sal S Reply

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MISSION BBQ ROCKFORD REVIEWS

The food was delicious and the staff was great. Several came by to check on if we needed anything or how our food was. Very friendly. This was my 1st time there and I had so much food I had to bring some home. I even sampled my daughter's food she ordered different items them I and hers was delicious too. I will be stopping by when I'm in Rockford again.

Everytime I have been here to eat, I have had nothing but positive experiences. As soon as I walk in the door, I am immediately greeted with a smile. Every staff member is kind, polite, and patient. The food is always delicious, tasty, and warm. The restaurant is always clean! I love their mission and I will continue to support this business.

I had a great first experience! The employees were very friendly and they were very helpful with explaining the menu! I LOVED all the sauce options! The summertime lemonade was perfect and the strawberry shortcake was mouth watering! Definitely would love to come here again!

SMOKE HOUSE BARBECUE REVIEWS

If you aren’t looking for it you wouldn’t find it. And I’m glad I did. The gentleman at the register was very polite and welcoming. The food arrive within 5 to 10 minutes and everything was hot. The pics I took doesn’t do justice to this food. The ribs were amazing, I ordered the sauce on the side and it was great as well. My husband had the grill chicken and is was very good. The yams, Mac and cheese and baked beans taste home made. And we finished this great meal with a caramel cake.

This is a quaint family owned restaurant that has been in business for about 20 years. The owners are very personable & friendly. They made us feel like a friend, not a customer. We had their specialty- the Sho Boat sandwich & fries. The food was exceptionally good & the portions were just right. We felt that the price was very reasonable. We will definitely return!

Nice Little restaurant on the side of a gas station. Great atmosphere and great women. Food was cooked great. Their Showboat is their specialty and by golly its actually good. Hard to write this review without taking another bite. If you pull into the gas station it's on the end of the gas station. Definitely give it a go.

TBR® Inspection Score Report

FAMOUS DAVE'S BAR-B-QUE ROCKFORD Total Inspection Points: 119/120
Current Evaluation: 9
Acknowledgments: 10
Business Hours: 10
Menu Images: 10
Complete Info: 10
Contact Info: 10
Exact Services: 10
Experience: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Location Proximity: 10
Reviews Accuracy of : 10
Variety of Menu: 10

TBR® Inspection Score Report

MISSION BBQ ROCKFORD Total Inspection Points: 115/120
Experience: 8
Acknowledgments: 9
Current Evaluation: 9
Reviews Accuracy of : 9
Business Hours: 10
Menu Images: 10
Complete Info: 10
Contact Info: 10
Exact Services: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Location Proximity: 10
Variety of Menu: 10

TBR® Inspection Score Report

SMOKE HOUSE BARBECUE Total Inspection Points: 114/120
Current Evaluation: 8
Reviews Accuracy of : 8
Acknowledgments: 9
Experience: 9
Menu Images: 10
Complete Info: 10
Emblem: 10
Exact Services: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Location Proximity: 10
Pricing: 10
Variety of Menu: 10