When one thinks about iconic foods of Illinois, cheese fries from Rockford’s beloved Beef-A-Roo have to come in near the top of the list. In fact, it would be safe to say that Beef-A-Roo’s cheese fries have a cult following.

Beef-A-Roo has been a Rockford institution for more than half a century.
Facebook/Beefaroo
The business opened in 1967 with a western-themed restaurant that served up some of the area’s tastiest beef sandwiches.
Chip M/Google
It has since added several locations in the area.
In addition to its famous roast beef sandwiches, Beef-A-Roo has expanded its menu to include tasty burgers, as well as chicken and pork tenderloin sandwiches.
Beef-A-Roo/Google
You can even choose from a number of healthy salads.
Beefaroo/Facebook

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Beef-A-Roo has also gained notoriety for its over-the-top shakes, which are works of art unto themselves.
Beefaroo/Facebook
But the restaurant’s most beloved dish - the one that folks keep coming back for - is the cheese fries.
Adria Rybarski/Google
The dish is simply an order of Beef-A-Roo’s crispy, fresh French fries topped with rich, cheddar cheese.
The company certainly recognizes the cult sensation its cheese fries have become, even referring to them on corporate vehicles.
Beefaroo/Facebook
The Beef-A-Roo mascot that participates in community events like parades and fun runs happens to be a (very) large order of cheese fries (with legs).
Beefaroo/Facebook
The restaurant even sells popular merch, some of which is geared toward recognizing the cult status its cheesy fries enjoy.
Beefaroo/Facebook

Whether they’re empirically the best Illinois cheese fries or not, Beef-A-Roo fans certainly have no doubt. Beef-A-Roo has several locations in the Rockford area, including Loves Park and Machesny Park. You can learn more on the Beef-A-Roo website.

If you’re in the Rockford area, consider washing down your cheese fries with a beverage from Prairie Street Brewing, the oldest brewery in the Land of Lincoln.

Are you a fan of Beef-A-Roo’s cheese fries? What other Illinois dishes enjoy a cult following?

To discover even more of the best food in the state, check out our three-day road trip to the best restaurants in Illinois. With three meals a day and snacks outlined, you will still have lots of time to see the sites as you drive across the state. Before you head out, take a look at our road trip packing guide so you don’t forget any critical items.

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Featured Addresses
Beef-A-Roo, 3401 S Alpine Rd, Rockford, IL 61109, USA