By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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You Gotta Try This is the Rock River Current’s dining feature focused on signature dishes at your favorite local restaurants. Want to see one of your favorites here? Email news@rockrivercurrent.com to suggest a local staple.
Where: Kandi Kafe
Address: 3134 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford
Owner: Vivian Lott
Opened: Dec. 3, 2021
Hours: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday (Orders must be made to-go after midnight Friday and Saturday)
Related: Get authentic southern grits at this new Rockford restaurant
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You have to try: We like all the breakfast options at Kandi Kafe — from biscuits and gravy to waffles and chicken —but the restaurant’s specialty is grits.
What’s in it: Kandi Kafe’s homestyle grits are served with a side of one or two eggs and toast. You can get shrimp, sausage or bacon, fish or chicken served with your grits.
Related: New LoCost grocery store opens on Rockton Avenue
Why you should try it: Vivian Lott, the restaurant’s owner, said cooking grits has been a family tradition. The Greenville, Mississippi, native brings that tradition to her Rockford restaurant. Customers say they like the homestyle authenticity to Kandi Kafe’s food.
“It’s got the homestyle flavor, the simplicity is not like going to one of the bigger restaurants,” said Thomas Kivel, who ate Monday at the restaurant with his wife, Cindy. “It’s simple home food.”
Cindy Kivel, who used to dine at the space when it was Angle Inn, said the restaurant’s atmosphere is “more cheerful” and brighter now. And she was impressed with the food.
“Kandi’s is going to be here for awhile,” she said.
For more information: facebook.com/KandiKafe
Photos: Breakfast at Kandi Kafe in Rockford
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas.