Going out for holiday brunch in the Rockford area? Check out these 16 popular places

There’s nothing like a leisurely brunch with family or friends as a respite from the frantic holiday season. But, where to go? The following is a partial list of some of the Rockford area’s most notable spots for brunch.

Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St., Rockford

This popular Swedish-American eatery known for pancakes and lingonberries is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. Other brunch favorites include handcrafted omelets, farm fresh eggs and meats, soups, salads, sandwiches and burgers. Stockholm Inn has been satisfying hungry appetites since 1968.

Stockholm Inn is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Saturday; 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

RBI Brunch Bar, 3870 N. Perryville Road, Rockford

Entrees include Swedish pancakes, Belgian waffles, biscuits and gravy, breakfast skillets, French toast and RBI omelets. The menu also has an extensive selection of burgers, salads, sandwiches, wings, pizza, tacos, fajitas and quesadillas. RBI Brunch Bar is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. seven days a week.

The menu also features different flights of mimosas.

The Norwegian, 1402 N. Main St., Rockford

The Norwegian offers Scandinavian breakfast/brunch eats and cocktails in a warm, Nordic-chic space with wood ceilings. The brunch menu features salmon and egg, Croque Madame, sourdough waffles and Shakshuka, which is a combination of simmering tomatoes, onions, garlic, spices and gently poached eggs. The Norwegian is open 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. It’s also open 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Magpie, 126 N. Madison St., Rockford

The downtown favorite features a large selection of brunch entrees including omelets and pancakes to biscuits and gravy. Magpie also offers a unique selection of custom mimosas. Magpie is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Fresco at The Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford

Brunch menu includes everything from Steak and Eggs and Salmon Oscar to Classic Eggs Benedict and South of the Border Hash. Enjoy a delicious meal while soaking in the spectacular atmosphere. The restaurant is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

The Machine Shed Restaurant, 7475 E. State St., Rockford

The Machine Shed specializes in Midwest comfort food, according to its website. Brunch items include hearty skillets, farmer’s benedict, the Shed’s Omelet and The Pork Producers Breakfast. The Machine Shed is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Jerry’s Cafe, 2601 N. Mulford Road, Rockford

Jerry’s Cafe’s brunch menu features an assortment of skillets including steak, chicken, asparagus and what is billed as “The Ultimate Skillet,” which consists of ham, mushrooms, green peppers, onion, Jack and cheddar cheeses. The menu also includes scrambled eggs, omelets and French toast. Lunch entrees include burgers, sandwiches, soups, salads, quesadillas and fajitas. Jerry’s Cafe is open from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

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Potato Shak, 5529 N. 2nd St., Loves Park

The menu at this iconic Loves Park diner features ribeye steak with two eggs and toast, bacon, ham and veggie skillets, biscuits and gravy and three egg omelets. Potato Shak is open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Gill’s Diner, 7834 N. 2nd St., Machesney Park

Gill's Diner has been a staple in the community since 1962. The brunch menu includes steak and eggs, country fried steak with homemade sausage gravy, diced ham and scrambled eggs and country fresh eggs. Gill’s Diner is open daily from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m.

Lydia’s Cafe, 1703 Rural St., Rockford

The menu includes Swedish pancakes, build your own omelets, scrambled eggs, French toast, burgers, sandwiches and chicken wraps. Lydia’s Cafe is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Johnny Pamcakes, 3700 E. State St., Rockford

Johnny Pamcakes serves breakfast favorites all day including omelets, buttermilk pancakes and French toast. Not in the mood for breakfast? Try the Cajun chicken croissant, steak fajita wrap or the grilled chicken breast salad. Johnny Pamcakes is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

Irish Rose Saloon, 519 E. State St., Rockford

A staple in downtown Rockford for decades, Irish Rose’s brunch menu includes huevos rancheros, blueberry crepes and eggs and farmers hotel hobo hash. Irish Rose is open from 2 p.m. to 12 a.m. Monday through Thursday and 11:30 a.m. to 12 a.m. Friday through Sunday.

Swedish Pancake House, 3601 N. Main St., Rockford

The restaurant serves skillets, specialty omelets, biscuits and gravy, burgers, sandwiches and salads. Swedish Pancake House is open daily from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Eggsclusive Cafe, 7105 N. Cherryvale Blvd., Rockford

Eggsclusive Cafe’s slogan is “A new way to do brunch.” Skillets include Mexicana, farmland, meaty and mango jalapeno. There’s also a variety of eggs benedict choices. In addition to traditional breakfast offerings, the menu features a variety of salads, wraps and sandwiches. Eggsclusive Cafe is open daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Stone Eagle Tavern, 6445 E. State St., Rockford

The restaurant's brunch menu features Stone Eagle Seafood Quiche, Door County Stuffed French Toast, Cali Breakfast Crepes and breakfast burrito huevos rancheros. Stone Eagle Tavern offers a unique dining atmosphere thanks to its legendary proprietor, Jimmy Vitale. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Cracker Barrel, 730 N. Lyford Road, Rockford

The restaurant serves breakfast all day. Cracker Barrel’s signature favorite is called Grandma’s Sampler, which includes two buttermilk pancakes, two eggs, a strip of bacon, one smoked sausage patty and a sampling of country ham. Cracker Barrel is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Did we miss any of your favorite spots for brunch? Let us know.

Ken DeCoster covers business news and features. Contact him at 815-987-1391, kdecoster@rrstar.com or @DeCosterKen.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Check out these 16 popular brunch spots in the Rockford area