Smoking Harry’s

Been going here since I was little, had awesome fish frys Friday, good food good prices. Owned by a older man and he is the nicest guy, but has awesome food I would bring anyone I know here

I stopped at Smoking Harry’s after spending the morning at the Rochelle Railroad Park. I’ve driven past many times, and always wondered why it was called Smoking Harry’s. I Googled it, and found it’s because Harry smokes in his joint. I also learned they had the best burgers around. Indeed, Harry smokes, and the burgers are great. Harry tells me he uses seasoned beef after shopping many purveyors, and tried many different suppliers for the buns. He found winners on both counts. If you drive up and think «I’m not sure about this place», then just keep driving. If you’re the type that won’t mind dining with farmers, bikers and truckers, you’ll understand Smoking Harry’s.

Smoking Harry’s is an old-​school joint with old-​school feel that hipster twits can never understand. The food is typical Ron Swanson stuff: meat and fried. I haven’t been there in a while not sure if they do the fish anymore but if they do get it. Smoking Harry and his son «Smoldering Joe» as we called him are two of a kind and is the bar.
As for illegal smoking — Screw the State.

First of all, you have to appreciate Smoking Harrys’ as an «Old School» dive bar. This place is classic. Smokin’ Harry is your bar host and his son tends to the grill area. I was here to test the acclaimed burger, voted best burger in the Rockford area. After a couple of PBR’s the GF and I ordered a cheesburger with everthing. It arrived BIG with melted american cheese, sweet onion, lettuce and tomato. Tender, moist and steaming hot. Absolutely delicious! Be prepared for a unique experience. Try it!

Smoking Harry’s actually features Smoking Harry! He smokes behind the bar, which is illegal in Illinois. This place still has Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman prominently displayed on the walls and doesn’t appear to have had any aesthetic updates for years. I didn’t dare eat there, so I got carry-​out. The burger was a half-​pound and was pretty good, but it cost almost 6 bucks without any fries. You can get a better burger elswhere with fries and a drink for the same price. Avoid Smoking Harry’s, unless you like sitting in an old bar drinking cans of Miller Lite with a bunch of middle-​age men from rural Illinois. Bonus comment from Smoking Harry: «You want me to put mayo on a burger? The guys will shoot me!»