Covertly placed in a strip mall, the best buffet in Illinois is the definition of “you can’t judge a book by its cover.” From the outside, you can’t tell that what awaits is a smorgasbord of Swedish goodness. A homey locale, the Stockholm Inn has cornered the market on Swedish inspired buffets. The best part is that you won’t have to pay top Dala for an all you can eat, homestyle experience in the heart of Rockford.
Why Stockholm Inn Is One of Illinois’ Best Buffets
From its first home on 20th Street in 1968 to its larger (and current) location at 2420 Charles Street, Stockholm Inn is a Rockford institution. It should come as no surprise since Rockford itself is known for its Swedish heritage. Adorned with intricate Dala horses, the eatery is dedicated to all things Swedish, with a reputation similar to that of a Polish buffet in Illinois located a couple of hours away in Chicago. Because of that, this isn’t your average weekend buffet. The restaurant serves up typical fare like eggs and breakfast meats, without sacrificing its culinary identity. Many of the same dishes you’d see on the breakfast menu on any given day await along the buffet. So if you’ve been meaning to try something beyond your brunchy status quo, just follow the lingonberry aroma.
What To Eat at This Swedish Buffet
Two words: Swedish. Pancakes. The Stockholm Inn’s beloved pannkakor are the eggier, doughier cousin of the French crepe. Thinner than your traditional American pancake, these sweet breakfast eats give you the taste you crave without filling you up. Topped with lingonberry sauce, a few (or many) Swedish pancakes piled not-so-high on your plate are the ideal introduction to Stockholm’s buffet offering. Let’s be honest, they’re the star of the show.
What Else You’ll Find on the Buffet
Blanketed in warm gravy, Swedish meatballs are another fan favorite on the Stockholm Inn buffet line. These savory bites are half the reason many of us ever go to IKEA and a major reason for return trips to the home-style buffet. Though you can’t walk away without sinking your teeth into the gooey, heartwarming goodness that is the restaurant’s potato bake. The house recipe is, quintessentially, a cheesy potato casserole which is the key to many a Midwesterner’s heart. As a lifelong Midwesterner, anything melded with cheese goes straight into the classic regional foods category, regardless of the cuisine.
Honorable mention, though not technically part of the buffet, goes to the pastry case near the front of the restaurant. Don’t let your full belly stop you from going home with housemade baked goods. There is no such thing as too many cinnamon rolls. After all, you have to eat again later.
What To Know Before You Go
Unlike Stockholm Inn’s recipes, the buffet’s popularity is hardly a closely guarded secret. So there are a few things you should know. First of all, it is only served on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., priced at $16.99 for adults and $10.99 for kids. If you’re looking for an all-you-can-eat option on a weekday, or prefer an endless seafood buffet, you can check out a massive restaurant in East Peoria.
The restaurant doesn’t take reservations, so your best bet is to arrive early to beat the crowds. Luckily, there is plenty of parking out front. It’s also good to know that although the restaurant is open until 7 or 8 p.m. every other day of the week, they are only open until 2 p.m. on Sundays, serving breakfast…