Thunder Bay Grille Rockford Info
Amenities
From the business
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Identifies as women-owned
Service options
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Outdoor seating
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Takeout
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Dine-in
Highlights
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Fast service
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Fireplace
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Great coffee
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Great dessert
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Sports
Popular for
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Breakfast
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Solo dining
Accessibility
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Wheelchair accessible entrance
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Wheelchair accessible parking lot
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Wheelchair accessible restroom
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Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
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Alcohol
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Beer
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Cocktails
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Coffee
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Comfort food
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Happy hour drinks
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Happy hour food
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Hard liquor
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Healthy options
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Late-night food
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Small plates
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Vegetarian options
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Wine
Dining options
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Breakfast
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Brunch
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Catering
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Dessert
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Seating
Amenities
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Bar onsite
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Restroom
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Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
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Casual
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Cozy
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Trendy
Crowd
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Family-friendly
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Groups
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LGBTQ+ friendly
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Tourists
Planning
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Accepts reservations
Payments
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Credit cards
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Debit cards
Children
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Good for kids
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High chairs
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Kids' menu
Parking
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Free parking lot
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Free street parking
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Parking
Other
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LGBTQ+ friendly
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Identifies as women-owned
Best KPortal Reviews
My husband and I get together with a group once a month and we like to scout places ahead of time to see if they are worth taking the group to. Thunder Bay Grille (TBG) did not make the list.
I do not understand the glowing reviews for this place. First off, the atmosphere, this place needs an update.
Secondly, I will say the service was good. Our server (Sarah) was friendly, polite and attentive and I have no complaints about her.
However, the food leaves much to be desired and the prices are really expensive. TBG loves to throw the word 'roasted' around on their menu but it seems the kitchen doesn't know what roasted means.
We were there about 4pm on a Monday. I didn't see any other diners in the restaurant until we left. They appeared to be getting ready for a large group in their side room. People started to arrive slightly before 5pm for that.
My husband got the $32 walleye. (I forgot to take photos of his) He had to pay a $2 upcharge to get a Caesar salad, which is nitpicky. It shouldn't have cost him extra with the price he was already paying. He said the salad was good.
He got a decent sized piece of fish. The menu says it comes with roasted potatoes and roasted veggies. They looked steamed. He said there was no seasoning or flavor on anything. There was also no presentation. All these white foods came out on a white plate. It just looked so boring and unappetizing.
He got a soda and it was $3.79. Our server was good about getting him reills and he didn't have to ask for them but she probably should have asked to see if he wanted more.
I am a plant based eater. They had a vegetarian menu and I needed to ask for it but I was informed they were re-doing the menus and the prices could be different. The menu said $15, I was charged $14, so that was a pleasant surprise. On a side note, I understand that can happen but a restaurant should never charge more than what the printed menu states so I hope they aren't doing that.
I got the Balsamic Portobello. This is what the menu said "grilled portobello mushrooms, pan roasted cherry tomatoes, roasted mushroom medley, couscous and balsamic reduction, served with garlic crostini"
What they sent out was a bowl with lebanese couscous (which is the very large type, not what you most often see) and it was topped with chopped portobello (I highly doubt I got a whole portobello, it wasn't much food), mushroom medley (which just seemed like regular cremini mushrooms to me) and tomatoes.
It looked terrible. They should have served a whole grilled portobello with the couscous as a side item topped with the mushroom medley and tomatoes. The tomatoes were grape, not cherry and they were just cooked down until overcooked, the mushroom medley was not roasted and the portobello was not grilled. I think the portobello, mushrooms and tomatoes were all chopped and tossed into a pan and pan cooked.
The crostini didn't come out with my meal so the server had to go back for it (not her fault). It was slight, overcooked and seemed like it wasn't freshly made,. Again, on a Monday, nothing needs to be made ahead of time.
I chose the side salad, it was a decent size but it was obviously pre-made and refrigerated. At 4pm on a Monday, they didn't need to be pre-making salads. The greens weren't very fresh and the Thousand Island salad dressing was obviously a low cost food service type dressing. At these prices, they should be making fresh dressings (especially Thousand Island, it's very easy to make) or at least use a higher quality product. It was something I'd expect from a cheap diner.
They also put the tomatoes in the salad before placing it in the refrigerator and you shouldn't refrigerate tomatoes. It makes them inedible so I had to remove those from my salad.
Our bill came to $56.84 and I left a $11 tip. This meal, at best, was maybe worth half that cost. We have no issue paying higher prices for good food, this place, was expensive with mediocre food. I cannot recommend. Rockford has much better places for less cost.
I recently had the opportunity to dine at Thunder Bay Grille, a charming restaurant located in Rockford, Illinois. From the moment I stepped in, I was greeted with warm hospitality and a cozy atmosphere. The menu boasted an enticing array of regional specialties, showcasing the diverse culinary heritage of the area.
I opted for the local bison meatballs. The dish was seasoned to perfection with a blend of herbs and spices.
What truly stood out was the attention to detail and the use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients. It was evident that the chef took pride in crafting each dish with care and precision.
Overall, my experience at Thunder Bay Grille was exceptional. It provided not only a delicious meal but also a memorable journey through the culinary delights of the region. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to experience authentic American cuisine.
Not bad food and decent for the cost. Massive spot but well priced. Good looking menu and good service even on a slow day. Kitchen is well run and food looks good. Luckily, food is priced accordingly.
I got the Beef wellington, i can never pass it up. For $39 it lives up to the price tag. However misses the mark… slightly cold and quite bland. It is unfortunately covered in a bland cream that over powers any redeeming quality. Good ingredients, but then a frozen/ premade sauce on top just ruins it. So much potential, but no creativity. Make your own sauce or give it some color and you can charge 10 bucks more.
Cheap drinks and good wine list make it redeeming. So much potential being off the highway… disappointing but overall solid.
A good sauce would make it a must stop off I-90 Nothing else good in 100 miles.
OMG Thunder is an absolute revelation that I've regrettably overlooked in Rockford for far too long. I can't believe I've missed out on this culinary gem until now. The moment I tried the bison meatballs, I knew I had stumbled upon something extraordinary. The sauce that accompanied them was an explosion of flavors that left me wishing there were more than just three meatballs, despite their generous size.
Moving on to the Chicken Bacon Brussels Sprouts Fettuccine Alfredo, I was treated to a mouthwatering symphony of flavors. The combination was divine, and each bite was a delightful journey of rich, creamy Alfredo perfectly complemented by the savory chicken and bacon.
My husband opted for the Prime Rib Sandwiches, and though I only had a taste due it was undeniably delicious. He jokingly commented that the fries were "just fries," but hey, sometimes simplicity is key, right?
The overall experience was fantastic, and I'm already planning my return visit.Thunder Bay has now firmly secured a spot on my list of go-to dining spots, and I can't wait to explore more of their tantalizing menu offerings.
Stopped on our way through to Indiana - food was good and service was excellent.
A terrific stop in Rockford with quality food and attentive wait staff. They have a vegetarian menu so be sure to ask. Pasta Primavera is a great choice. It's a great atmosphere and they can handle large groups.
My boyfriend and I went to Thunder Bay Grille in Rockford this past Saturday night. He ordered the 24-hour pork ribs and on recommendation from our server, I ordered the seafood pasta pomodoro. The ribs were really fantastic. They were fall off the bone and came with a side so my boyfriend got the French fries and they were crispy and so yummy. My pasta was good but what could have made it excellent would have been to have had a bit more seasoning (i.e. salt/garlic salt) and for the noodles to have been cooked maybe a minute or two less. Other than that, the seafood was really good in the dish and the sauce was very flavorful.
Our server, Angel, was great. He was highly attentive and gave very honest and good recommendations when we asked for them. He was very personable and we appreciated how on top of everything he was and his friendly demeanor.
One major negative is the restaurant was very loud. The acoustics were not ideal. Our side of the restaurant wasn't even packed but there were just enough people to make it incredibly noisy. Overall, we had a great experience and will definitely be back.
Great staff!! Friendly, and they joke around with you.
Food is a little above average. Small portions on the chedder cheese nugg. Really nice inside.
I would go back again
Quick Facts About Thunder Bay Grille Rockford
Today
Opening Hours
| Monday | 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM |
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| Tuesday | 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM |
| Thursday | 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM |
| Friday | 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM |
| Saturday | 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM |
| Sunday | 09:00 AM - 09:00 PM |
How to go there
Location
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