Family-owned 815 Kitchen celebrates grand opening in west Rockford

July 12, 2025|By Kevin Haas|In Eat & Drink, News, Rock River Current, 815 News, Rockford, Trending, Business, Restaurants, Featured

Yazuri Villanueva takes an order from Alderwoman Janessa Wilkins on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 815 Kitchen, 479 N. Springfield Ave., Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — A new family-owned and operated restaurant on the city’s west side specializes in an assortment of jerk menu items and Chicago-style food.

815 Kitchen, 479 N. Springfield Ave., celebrated its ribbon-cutting on Saturday after starting with a soft opening about three weeks ago.

The restaurant’s top sellers in its first few weeks have come of what it dubs, “Our Famous Jerk Menu.” That include jerk chicken cheese fries, jerk Philly chicken or steak, jerk chicken or steak wraps, jerk salad, jerk nachos, jerk cheese fries and jerk chicken over rice, among others.

It also has Chicago-style hot dogs, wings, a housemade Italian beef, gyros, tacos, Chicago-style Polish sausage, shrimp, catfish and a multitude of sandwich and housemade burgers options.

“We try to put our touch in everything. Everything is made with love,” said Anwar Abdalghani, owner of 815 Kitchen. “We care about the customer. We care about the quality of the food.

He took over the former Alize’s Grill space, remodeling it with a new look that comes with new flooring, paint and kitchen equipment.

Anwar Abdalghani, owner of 815 Kitchen, cuts the ribbon on the restaurant on Saturday, July 12, 2025, in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

Abdalghani, a native of Jordan, cut the ribbon Saturday in a celebration with the The Greater Rockford Arab Chamber of Commerce, Alderwoman Janessa Wilkins and Winnebago County Board member Angie Goral.

“I’m so happy to see this young man doing the job and having such a nice, clean place for people to come,” Goral said. “If you have good food and a clean place, people will come.”

Wilkins said it was a win for the city, and one that feels more personal because it’s in the ward she represents.

“It’s always exciting when food comes to Rockford,” Wilkins said. “So if we can find a great place for it be, and that’s in the 7th Ward, that’s a win-win.”

Abdalghani said he grew up around the restaurant business because his father is a chef. He’s also a business partner in Mr. J’s, 1803 Kishwaukee St.

“We asked them to think seriously about this part of the city. They accepted our motivation and we’re here now,” said Mustafa Abdall, president of the Greater Rockford Arab Chamber of Commerce. “I encourage everybody, Rockford — west, south, east north — is good for investment. Come to invest in Rockford.”

Abdall said 815 Kitchen offers a nice blend between cultural cuisine and regional food. Abdalghani said he’s excited to have new customers come try out what they have to offer.

“We have delicious food, I guarantee that,” he said. “You will love our food and enjoy every bite out of it.”