15 Best Restaurants in Rochelle, IL

Rochelle is a small city in Illinois' Ogle County, a few miles West of Chicago.

Surrounded by farmlands, Rochelle is known for its rich granaries and as “Hub City” because it’s strategically situated along several main thoroughfares.

It’s between the Burlington Northern Santa Fe and the Union Pacific railroads.

If you’re traveling to Rochelle as a stopover on your way to Chicago, there are a lot of great things to do in this quaint town, along with a variety of restaurants to try.

Here’s a list of the best restaurants in Rochelle, Illinois:

Culver’s

Culver’s is a renowned chain of restaurants in Illinois specializing in burgers, frosted custards, and ice cream.

Their cheese custards and cheesecakes are particularly popular among their wide selection of desserts, so it’s a perfect stop if you’re looking for sweet delectables or cold treats.

When getting their frozen custards, you can customize your own by selecting a variety of toppings—an exciting activity for the kids, too!

Of course, dessert is just half the picture, as Culver’s is packed with delicious burgers and sandwiches in case you want a quick lunch.

Try their fish sandwich and Butter Burger, that's guaranteed to melt in your mouth.

Culver’s is along the city’s South Dement Road connecting to I-38, making it convenient if you’re going to Chicago after.

Iron Skillet

Across Culver’s on Petro Road lies Iron Skillet, a famous local restaurant that offers American comfort food.

They’re famous for their delicious chicken fried steak, hash browns, and pasta dishes that’ll keep you full throughout the day.

If you want something lighter or healthier, the restaurant is also famous for its salad bar with plenty of options.

Iron Skillet also has a breakfast buffet if you want a heavy meal before traveling to Chicago or other nearby cities.

If you’re looking for an affordable and great variety of meals, Iron Skillet is a great option, be it for lunch or dinner.

Acres Bistro

Acres Bistro is a chic restaurant located along Lincoln Highway in the city's center.

It's a great place to have a quaint and elegant dinner, with its ideal location.

This farm-to-table restaurant has Instagram-worthy food thanks to its fresh ingredients and beautiful plating.

For their specialties, try their Cubano, burgers, and quiche.

They also have several drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), making it a great dinner date place.

With beautiful indoor decor and an emphasis on fresh ingredients, Acres Bistro is one of the best restaurants in the city, both in food and ambiance.

El Sol

Just a few walks from Acres Bistro is El Sol, a Mexican restaurant along 4th Avenue.

If you’re looking for a proper taco, El Sol has you covered with its wide range of tacos made with the freshest ingredients.

The servings here are very generous, making their prices reasonable, which will keep you coming back if you love Mexican cuisine.

Their extensive menu offers dishes like their Lengua a la Mexicana, carne asada, and bistek ranchero.

To complete the experience, El Sol also has Mexican drinks like horchata and a slew of local sodas from Mexico.

El Sol is a haven for Mexican food lovers; give it a try because you won’t regret it!

Aldo’s Pizzeria and Red Brick Pub

Aldo’s Pizzeria and Red Brick Pub is another restaurant just a few walks from El Sol and Acres Bistro, located at Lincoln Highway.

As the name suggests, Aldo’s Pizzeria and Red Brick Pub is known for its delicious pizzas and pasta.

They also have a wide range of Italian specialties like seafood marinara, shrimp scampi, chicken parmesan, and baked stuffed shells.

Still, their pizzas are the star of the show.

They have American-style pizzas and authentic Neapolitan pizzas.

For their Neapolitan selection, try their bruschetta, diavlo, and rustica—guaranteed to give you an authentic taste of Italy.

Aldo’s Pizzeria and Red Brick Pub is one of the best Italian restaurants in the city, so give it a try if you’re looking for a loaded dinner.

Butterfly Family Restaurant

Butterfly Family Restaurant is a great option to consider if you want a versatile restaurant that is great for families and friends.

Also located along Lincoln Highway, this family restaurant is in the northern part of the city, near Helms Park and Athletic Complex.

It’s one of the most visited restaurants in Rochelle, highly regarded for its breakfast menu, salad bar, and pasta.

They’re also famous for their wide range of pancakes—perfect if you’re looking for a sweet meal to start your day.

You can choose between their buttermilk or Swedish pancakes; Belgian waffles are also available.

With so much to offer, Butterfly Family Restaurant is the best place to take your family and friends to enjoy any meal throughout the day.

Country School of Rochelle

Country School of Rochelle is one of the food institutions in the city that almost every local knows.

It dates back to the 1970s, serving flavorsome deep-fried chicken that would rival the best ones in the country.

Crispy and juicy, their finger-licking fried chicken is available as a meal or in party trays if you’re traveling with a big group.

Besides its famous fried chicken, Country School of Rochelle also has amazing burgers, fried seafood, and a wide selection of flavors of ice cream.

A pride of Rochelle, this restaurant is a must-visit on your Illinois adventure.

You can find it along 7th Street, near Helms Park and Athletic Complex.

Sunrise Family Restaurant

Just a few walks south of Country School of Rochelle, on North 7th Street, lies another family restaurant that locals are fond of—Sunrise Family Restaurant.

Famous for its breakfast menu, Sunrise Family Restaurant is a great way to start your day.

They have fluffy pancake varieties and savory breakfast plates, like their Country Fried Steak and Sunrise Platter featuring bacon, eggs, and hash browns.

If you’re craving omelets and biscuits, Sunrise Family Restaurant serves some of the best in the city, too.

They also have a great lunch and dinner menu, offering classic favorites like deep-fried catfish, sirloin steaks, and several pasta dishes.

New China Buffet

If you’re craving Chinese cuisine, you’re in luck because Rochelle has an awesome Chinese buffet called New China Buffet.

Both a buffet and a Chinese takeout restaurant, New China Buffet offers a wide range of scrumptious meals and dishes that’ll excite any Chinese food enthusiast.

They have a bunch of appetizers, ranging from egg rolls, assorted dim sum, and meats like spare ribs and chicken wings.

They also have a variety of authentic Chinese soups and noodles on top of their viands that highlight pork and chicken Chinese recipes.

With so much to offer, New China Buffet is a perfect place if you’re looking for an all-around Chinese feast.

Located along highway IL-38, this restaurant is easily accessible no matter where you go.

Flight Deck Bar and Grill

If you’re looking for a great place to dine and drink in Rochelle, Flight Deck Bar and Grill offers top-notch food with various alcoholic drinks.

The atmosphere here is perfect for drinking, especially with friends.

In the vicinity of Rochelle Municipal Airport in the Chicago Skydiving Center Campus, Flight Deck Bar and Grill is your go-to restaurant if you’re planning on observing skydivers or engaging in aviation activities.

They have an outdoor patio where you can enjoy a nice breeze and amazing sky views while you dine.

Flight Deck Bar and Grill also has excellent margaritas that come in various flavors—try the raspberry if you’re having trouble deciding!

For their food, you’ll find loads of meaty appetizers, entrees, and sandwiches that’ll make your mouth water.

Tecalitlan Restaurant

Tecalitlan Restaurant is a Chicago-based Mexican restaurant that has opened its doors in Rochelle, known for its scrumptious enchiladas, fajitas, and margaritas.

Apart from those, you’ll get the standard Mexican classics here, like tostadas, burritos, tacos, and even desserts like Mexican flans and fried ice cream.

Try the chicken mole, fajitas de camarón, and the tampiquena dinner—mouthwatering grilled arrachera steak served with an enchilada and sides like guacamole.

With a fantastic ambiance reminiscent of family restaurants in Mexico, Tecalitlan Restaurant is great for special occasions with family and friends, too.

If you love authentic Mexican food, try this establishment inside Caron Ridge Shopping Center.

Salt 251

Salt 251 is a bar and grill restaurant that offers an intimate and cozy vibe in case you want to grab a drink and enjoy a quieter environment, whether with a date or with friends.

It has great interiors, and several television screens are mounted in the bar area, making it a great place to watch some sports.

The menu features classic American bar food such as burgers, pork chops, and beer-battered fish—all given a culinary, artistic touch.

For drinks, Salt 251 easily has one of the best cocktails in Rochelle.

Try their Moscow Mule and Hazelnut Buttercream Martini, some of their best creations.

Salt 251 is located in Fairways Golf Course in the heart of the city.

The Dog Hub

If you want a taste of a proper Illinois-style hotdog, The Dog Hub along May Mart Drive is a fantastic place to get a quick bite.

Despite being a fast food restaurant, The Dog Hub has an extensive selection of sandwiches, burgers, and other side orders and combo meals.

For their signature Chicago-style hotdogs, you can add chili or cheese to their standard hotdogs.

The Dog Hub is also famous for its gyros overloaded with meat and comes with a drink and fries, too.

With other options like burgers, Philly cheese steaks, and grilled chicken sandwiches, The Dog Hub is great for those staying longer in Rochelle because you’ll definitely come back for more!

China Wok

Also located along May Mart Drive near The Dog Hub lies China Wok, another great Chinese restaurant offering fuss-free service and authentic Chinese dishes.

There are a lot of Chinese classics here that you can enjoy, whether by dining in or via takeout.

Some of the ones that locals particularly love are their Shrimp Egg Foo Young, Chow Mein, and stir-fried beef with mixed vegetables.

They also have amazing fried rice that you can get in various types, such as shrimp, chicken, roast pork, or the classic Young Chow.

They also have a buffet if you want to enjoy a Chinese feast.

China Wok is a great option if you're looking for the city’s finest Chinese dishes.

Alfano’s Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant

Alfano’s Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant is a great option if you want an intimate dinner at an Italian restaurant.

Located in Turkington Terrace near the city’s Kyte River, it has a rustic vibe and offers an extraordinary dining experience.

The restaurant has a comprehensive offering of pizzas, and you can also select the type of crust and even request it to be gluten-free.

A wide range of Italian appetizers, such as mozzarella sticks, bear nuggets, and breaded mushrooms, are also available.

If you’re planning on having a feast, check out their mouthwatering entrees, highlighted by their lobster ravioli, baked mostaccioli, and salmon vino bianco.

Final Thoughts

Despite its small population, Rochelle is a city full of interesting dining establishments that’ll make any traveler happy.

Whether you’re just stopping over in the city or looking to explore, Rochelle is a great place to enjoy good food.

Some restaurants here, like Flight Deck Bar and Grill and Butterfly Restaurant, are well regarded that they're considered an attraction on their own.

No matter what your itinerary looks like, checking out these best restaurants in Rochelle, Illinois, is a great way to take your food adventure to the next level.