Food souvenirs from Beloit area?

[Runningmom]

I am visiting my daughter at Beloit College next weekend. Not much of a restaurant town, I know. I'd like to bring back some food stuffs for the rest of the family that are regional specialties not available in New England. Shopping is pretty limited to supermarkets, I guess although I will have a rental car. Any suggestions? Last time I was there I discovered CoCo Wheats--chocolate cream of wheat, which is a complete--and welcome--novelty here. Any other suggestions? Prosaic is fine.

[rockfordchowhound]

This reply may be a little late for you.
Rockford has a place that makes potato chips, it is called Mrs. Fisher's. Fulton and North Main area.
Wonderful potato chips!

Rockford Chow

[Pizzahound]

Absolutely. One of the brothers who owned the business (I heard they recently sold to a couple of employees) used to live behind my grandparent's house on Peter Ave. He had two kids my age that I played with in the kindergarden 2nd grade age range. Back then people had weekly home deliveries of chips in plastic tubs. He would park his Mrs. Fishers delivery truck in front of his house. Unfortunately for him and his route customers, he didn't know that his boys had a key to the truck and would go in when he was distracted and pop open the tops of the chip tubs and munch away. I of course would have never done such a thing and just stood there watching them... not! They were great!

[jlawrence01]

One question.

We head off to Beloit Snappers and Beloit College games throughout the year. What are the good places to eat in and around Beloit?

The only response we have evern gotten was "Don't."

[teamkitty]

Cafe Bel-Wah is good as is El Jardin, just on the edge of Janesville. See my review under that title. It was outstanding. Maria's on the very sketchy south side of Rockford has amazing steaks and a lovely, oily, meaty Italian salad. Go there for the 5 o'clock seating or you'll wait at least 45 min _with_ a reservation.

[toldenburg]

We have great eats in Beloit--it just depends what you're looking for--good mexican-La Casa Grande, good italian-DiSicilian or Dominico's, great supper clubs- The Gun Club, The Butterfly, The 615 Club, Liberty Inn, Bennedetti's, --casual dining you can't miss with The Rock on the River, Hanson's or Denali's; upscale dining Cafe Belwah. The most unusual pizza is Tilley's--a legend in Beloit--super thin pizza, also other good, but cheap food. Happy dining!

[danieljluebke]

I think good food can be found in Beloit. As for close to the college, the downtown has some good options. Denali's is reasonably priced with a wide variety of options that are very tasty. Bagels and More for a great sandwhich. La Casa Grande on Fourth Street has awesome Mexican food, (everything). For a wonderful Italian meal try Domenico's. If your looking for something more upscale, Cafe Belwah and the 615 Club are within walking distance of the college. If you want entertainment, The Gun Club is another place with fine dining and a casual atmosphere, and it has an AWESOME blues night every Thursday. If you can, go there. My favorite chain restaurant is Atlanta Bread Company, its alot like Panera but with a larger menu.

[jasong]

I kept hearing about Tilley's being such good pizza, so I finally tried it. I was not impressed, there is much better pizza in Beloit. I would take Domenico's any day over Tilley's.

[chicagostyledog]

The Gun Club Restaurant in Beloit has always been a favorite.

Gun Club Restaurant
1122 East Colley Road
Beloit, WI
608-362-9400

The chocolate chip cookies at the New Glarus Bakery are some of the best in WI.

[MilwFoodLover]

There's an Amish bulk food store just west of town that may have some items not found back home.
Kaufman's Country Store
9550 West State Road 81 Beloit
608-362-1750
I second the stops in Brodhead and Monroe and I'd add Dodgeville and New Glarus to your little tour. Landjaeger is a Swiss dried sausage (in these parts) that I think is quite a treat and probably not found back home. http://www.ruefsmeatmarket.com/ and next door is my favorite bakery in the state. http://www.newglarusbakery.com/ Dodgeville is home to an artisan cheesemaker whose name escapes me but one of the cheeses was declared best in the U.S. in its category. It also has a Land's End outlet that might be worth a stop.

[DetectDave]

You are hop skip and a jump from some great cheese factories over by Brodhead and Monroe. If uou look under Green County Tourism, you will find the links.

[funholidaygirl]

To get a true Kringle you will have to drive to Racine and in my opinoion get a Pecan one from Bendtsens. A bit of a drive but in my opinion you will get raves from people back home. It is a taste treat. I live in Racine right by Kringle alley so I know which ones are the best.

[fryrose]

If you are packing a cooler, consider some of the great bratwurst and sausages to be found in stores. Kringle are also carried in a lot of stores and are a large pastry that is shrink wrapped and can withstand the suitcase. I would have added maple syrup but that sounds a bit ridiculous to haul to New England.

[katebauer]

I first had cheese curds when visiting Madison. From what I can tell, fried cheese curds are preferred in Minnesota while those in Wisconsin eat fresh cheese curds. Fresh cheese curds squeek in your teeth.

[Runningmom]

Thanks. My daughter told me about these, including the squeaking part. Guess I'll have to buy some.