This five star review for this little family owned barbecue joint is pretty much dedicated to one…read moredelicious sandwich that they've been serving up for a number of years now. I'm talking about the Sho Boat. Plenty of reviews have already mentioned it, and even though I've had other items on their menu, and they've all been delicious, when you stop by Smokehouse Barbecue, you will notice two things... 1. There is typically a line. 2. 99% of the patrons are getting the Sho Boat. So much so that the woman behind the counter just points to people with her pen and says, "Sho Boat? How about you, Sho Boat?" The sandwich consists of perfectly seasoned chopped pork shoulder. Smoked daily on the pit outside on the back of the establishment. It's an awesome blend of juicy, meaty chucks of pork with just enough fat to pull it all together. It's then covered in a sweet and tangy homemade barbecue sauce on a nice crusty French roll and served with a side of fries, which are also drizzled in their signature sauce. The Yelp! reviews for this place mostly feature pictures of this sandwich, as you will see here in mine. There's not much else to say that hasn't already been written. Yes, it occupies a side space in a local Shell gas station. Yes, it is family run business by people who are absolutely lovely, super friendly, warm and inviting. Lastly, and most importantly, the sandwich is fantastic! The Food Network has got a TV show where all of the top chefs in America tell you about their favorite places and things to eat. The exact name escapes me, but if there were one of these famous chefs that was from Rockford, Illinois, there is no doubt they would be telling you about the this sandwich. It's that good. Again, their menu features more food besides the sandwich, although it is quite limited... But if delicious barbecue is your thing, and you don't mind waiting a minute or two, then this is a must have. Some of the reviews said this is cash only, however when we were there, they were taking a credit card. There is also ATM inside of the establishment. Smokehouse Barbecue isn't much to look at, but the people that work there know what they're doing, and it definitely shows! No frills... just one of the best sandwiches I've ever had served to you with a warm smile by wonderful people that care.

Passing thru Rockford and remembered a great little bbq joint near 20. Got their bbq pork showboat…read more Just as good as I remembered. They were quick and the food was flavorful. A small family business on the side of a shell station. Worth a stop

This place is everything you'd want to experience for simple food, great service, and great patrons.read more

Went in for a grilled chicken breast sandwich and what I received was a small frozen then grilled…read morechicken breast. The breast was not juicy, it was "watery" so I think it was cooked from frozen. Service was good, the bartender was very friendly.

We have stopped in these past two Fridays after the city market and the bartender just ignores us…read morewhile waiting to be served. Goes to wait on others before us. Clearly he say us because it wasn't that busy yet. Bartender with the beard. We will take our money elsewhere.

Javier has turned this place into a first class bar/restaurant. City Market has never been the same…read moresince Javier has introduced an outstanding Mexican Menu during The City Market venue. During the day from 11: 00 A.M. to 3: 00 P.M. this is the place to go and have lunch. A first class menu, great prices, great food and they are not stingy with the portions. On Friday they have the best Fish Fry and Fried Shrimp dinner that any of the social clubs in town can't even come close to as far as price, quality and size of the portions. Come on in and have Erica show you what a first class act she is and all of the rest of the beautiful bartenders that wait on folks at CJ's. Don't mind the skinny Old Troll that runs the place. He is the only detriment about CJ'S. Otherwise, I highly recommend a visit to CJ's Public House. Very friendly, inclusive and low key.

Cool bar not far from some other bars. 8th Ward is one of the better bars in Rockford, as far as…read morethe atmosphere and what's on the menu. It seems the drinks are better than the food though. For sure that's not as bad thing of course. The prices are higher than at the nearby dive bars, but you get real good stuff. At lunch it can get crowded. It also gets crowded in the evening. This place seems to always be crowded, which is a good sign of quality. It's about $9 for the cheapest cocktails. The seasonal list included the Pumpkin Pie Mule. Lots of pumpkin flavor in it. This was made with ginger beer, pumpkin pie spice, pumpkin syrup, and vanilla vodka. As for the food, nothing as special to be honest. It's about $14 for the Baked Bavarian Pretzel Sticks. That's a lot for not that much, and the prices are high on most other things. Great place except for the prices of course. It has better drinks than food. This is a fun hangout for lunch or for whenever.

This place was wonderful! Great beer/wine/drink selection!! We stopped randomly on way back to Indy…read morefrom Madison, WI!!! Food was great!! Would have ordered anything on menu it was that good!!!

They really need to clean the carpet in the slot area and every now and then clean the seats and…read moremachines. I could not take the smell and had to leave to get some fresh air. I coughed all night.

Amazing burgers. Good value for drinks. It's a dive bar so that's the ambiance you get.read more

I stopped in this bar last Friday for a quick drink with some friends. The first thing I noticed…read moreupon entering is that it was LOUD. I don't mean as ambient noise of people talking, but because the music was so loud I could barely think, let alone talk to the people with me. The bar is small and has the deep fryer and griddle right up front in the bar area. The poor bartender also doubled as the chef. There was no other wait staff or bartenders. She was the only bright spot of this bar. The service was great. There where quite a few people in there, including one guy that was making trouble. She handled them, us and was quick and responsive. She did get a little curt once, but I think it was because she was being bombarded with requests and questions. We only had one drink each before leaving. It was loud, the bathroom was kind of dirty and smelly and I just didn't like the cramped atmosphere.

Doesn't look like much from the road but the place has a pretty nice bar with a grill behind it,…read moreclassic Irish pub style. With an outdoor patio equip with TVs, it's a great spot to watch a Bears game with a friend and Philly Cheese Steak.

Stopped for a drink and we have never been here before. 740 pm on Friday and it's so quiet. She…read moresays it gets busy after 9 She showed us a menu and said she cooks and is the bartender We may stop sometime again and try the food.

This was my first time going and I got Terrible service. bartender was rude & licked her finger…read morebefore making my drink .

I always try to make Uncle Nicks. Baklava second to none. Best gyros in northern Illinois. Always a…read moregreat experience!

food it's good but the atmosphere is kind of rough to say the least…read more But the prices are crazy 5.99 a taco like wat are day thinking a little bit too. Pricey just for a taco so for that i give them a 3 star review because this is not a sit down. Restaurant, they have no commodities. The environment like I said, is very rough around here for them to be charging 5.99 a taco got to think about going there again especially if your buyin for more then one or for a family!