Popular Rockford area barbecue restaurant under new ownership

A noted local barbecue restaurant is under new ownership and is adding to its already popular menu.

Ritchie's Smoking BBQ, 7828 N. Second St., Machesney Park, is now owned by Taylor Griep, who worked for longtime owner Ritchie Lane, who retired earlier this year.

"This is exciting," Griep said. "We are excited to be a staple — stay a staple — and do as much as we can for the community."

City officials and members of the Parks Chamber of Commerce officially welcomed Griep as the restaurant's new owner Thursday during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

"This is a longstanding area and building," said Parks Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman Mike Broski. "Your food is excellent, and I know you'll be a success. And we'll do whatever we can to further that."

With an already extensive menu of brisket, pork, mac and cheese and sandwiches, Ritchie's was named one of the area's best BBQ restaurants at the 2022 What Rocks Community Choice Awards.

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Griep is keeping all of restaurant's favorites like brisket, baked beans and pork on the menu while adding several new items.

"We've added chicken, appetizers, French fries, onion rings, and mozzarella sticks," she said. "And we've added salads and ice cream. The recipes for brisket and pork will stay the same. Recipes for cornbread and baked beans will stay the same."

Machesney Park Mayor Steve Johnson was glad when he learned Griep's plan is to carry on Ritchie's legacy as a flagship business in an area the city is going to great lengths to improve.

"This is truly our downtown part of Machesney Park," Johnson said. "We are in the middle of a beautification plan for our downtown area, and this business fits perfectly in that plan."

Johnson said the plan for Machesney Park's downtown includes partnerships with local restaurants to create more open-air dining areas, new walkways, lighting and enhanced shopping experiences.

"We want more ambiance for people" Johnson said. "We are trying to build a corridor like you see in places like Naperville."

Griep is looking forward to how the city moves forward with the beautification project and says she's honored to be a part of the process.

"We are a family business trying to be here for your family," she said, adding that the business is now donating a portion of its proceeds to local nonprofits.

"We just joined up with CARE for PETS," she said. "We are doing donations by month to different organizations for pets. I also have a 12-year-old who goes to Harlem Middle School, so we are getting involved with kids' things."

Ritche's Smokin' BBQ is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and offers indoor and outdoor seating, pickup and online ordering.

Jim Hagerty is a reporter at the Rockford Register Star. He covers business and growth and development along with local news and features. Contact him at jhagerty@rrstar.com.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Ritchie's Smokin BBQ in Machesney Park has a new owner