WDL
Lino’s: ‘Home-Away-from-Home’ Dining
By Peggy Werner
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or almost 50 years, Lino’s Pizza and Italian Restaurant, 5611 E. State St., has been a favorite option for people celebrating special occasions. But it’s also a “home away from home” for folks who just want a great meal any night of the week. The Lino’s experience is consistent and that’s by design. “We try very hard to stay the same,” says Charlie Schweinler, co-owner. “As the world changes and other restaurants try to keep up with the latest trends, we try to remain that place where people can connect, get homemade food and enjoy us because we are who we are.” Schweinler is married to the founder’s granddaughter, Celeste, whose dad, Joe Battista, is co-owner with his brother, Jim. The name “Lino’s” conjures images of homemade pizza, cheesy lasagna with
a thick red sauce and daily specials like veal or chicken parmagiana or deep fried cod, accompanied by a special salad topped with egg, sausage and a special dressing. The secret is simple. All recipes are made from scratch with top quality ingredients, Schweinler explains. “Italian food is not complicated. It is a few simple ingredients done right that give people a warm and good feeling,” he says. Lino’s founder Michael Battista came to the U.S. at age 19 and earned an engineering degree. He worked for the Sunbeam Corp. before he met wife Pasqua in Rockford, also an Italian immigrant. They used her family recipes to launch their business and, one by one, her siblings came to America and contributed
In the Spotlight
Top Picks for Local Restaurants Baci’s Kitchen Fast-Casual, dine-in, carry-out. 2990 N. Perryville Road, inside A Perryville Place. (815) 329-6922. Open 7 days/wk. at 8 a.m. BkLD. Complete menu at Baciskitchen.com. Backyard Grill & Bar Casual/American. 5390 Elevator Road, Roscoe, Ill., (815) 623-6677. 2nd St., Loves Park, Ill., (815) 6369430. LD M-Th 11am-midnight, F-Sat to 2am, Sun noon-10 p.m. $-SS. Bravo Pizza Italian/American. 376 Prairie Hill Road, S. Beloit, Ill., (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $. Capital House Lunches, fine dining, sushi bar, gourmet coffee & pastries, martini bar. 308 W. State St., Rockford, (815) 708-8989. LD T-Th 11am-10pm, Fri.-Sat. 11 am-10pm. $-$$$. Ciao Bella Ristorante Upscale-Casual/Italian-American. Daily specials. 6500 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, Ill. (815) 654-9900. LD M-F 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat. 5-10 p.m. $$ Cucina di Rosa Italian Bistro/Bakery 1620 Bell School Road, (815) 395-5040. BkLD. M-Sat 7am-9pm. $$ Dos Reales Mexican Restaurant Casual/Mexican. 5855 E. State St., (815) 227-4979. LD $-$$.
398-5700. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11 pm. GreenFire Upscale-Casual/American contemporary. Live entertainment. 6795 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford, (815) 3163473. BkLD M-F 11am, Sat-Sun 8am. Bar open late. $$$. Hearthrock Cafe Restaurant/cafe. Baked goods, coffee, breakfast, lunch. Inside Benson Stone Co., 1100 11th St., (815) 227-2000. BkL M-F 7:30am-3pm; Sat. 8am-3pm. $-$$. Lino’s Italian/American. 5611 E. State St., Rkfd. (815) 397-2077. D M-Sat 4:30am-10pm; Sun. 4:30am-9 pm. $$. Maciano’s Casual Italian. 6746 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park, (815) 633-7500; & 5801 Columbia Pkwy., Rkfd., (815) 227-5577. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $-$$. Olympic Tavern Upscale-Casual/American. 2327 N. Main St., (815) 962-8758. Extensive beer list. LD M-Th 11 a.m.-midnight; Fri-Sat. to 2 a.m. $-$$. Prairie Street Brewhouse Upscale-Casual/American. 200 Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am10pm, Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$.
Fresco at the Gardens. Casual/American Café. 318 Spring Creek Road, (815) 316-2256. BkL Daily 7am-3pm. $$
Salamone’s North Italian-American. 2583 N. Mulford Road, Rkfd. LD. Sun. noon-10 p.m.; Mon.-Th 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat. noon-11 p.m. (815) 639-1200
Giordano’s Casual/Italian. Stuffed pizza, salads, entrees, sandwiches, desserts. 33 Executive Parkway, Rockford, (815)
Taco Betty’s Casual/Mexican-American. 212 E. State St., Rkfd., (815) 977-5650. LD Daily 11am-1am. $$. ❚
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Smart Living Weekly
to the success of Lino’s. Many of the 100 or so Lino’s employees have worked at the restaurant since it opened in 1972. Lino’s is open from 4:30 to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 4:30 to 9 p.m. on Sunday. For reservations or carryout, call (815) 397-2077. ❚
Jan. 9
To advertise call 815-316-2300
Merrill & Houston's Steak Joint
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ocated at 500 Pleasant St., Beloit, inside the Ironworks Hotel, the restaurant features mouthwatering steaks, along with a full-service menu of fish, chicken and and seafood selections. Named after the men whose 1858 foundry became Beloit Corp., Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint celebrates Beloit's rich industrial history. Many of its components are constructed with repurposed materials salvaged from historic buildings. Leather seats, hardwood floors and many historical photographs lining the walls give the space a rustic feel. Merrill & Houston's is available for private and corporate events. The main dining room seats 120 and the banquet room can accommodate 200 guests. Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint is open daily at 4 p.m. ❚
