October is here and it is #NationalAppleMonth! From caramel apples and apple picking to Halloween renditions of the poison apple and apple pies on Thanksgiving, the apple is the prime fruit to celebrate to mark the middle of fall.

Vote for your favorite local apple orchard!

A new wing joint has opened up in Rockford! Once a ghost kitchen inside of The Pomodoro, Baked Wings is now open on Riverside in Loves Park.  

We wandered in to try the new location and ordered a feast! We tried their “soon to be famous” Garlic White Cheddar cheese curds. They hit the nail n the head with these large cubes of delicious cheese, lightly breaded and fried to perfection. Serious cheese lovers rejoice! Finally, a curd that is more cheese than breading. Available in three flavors, we can’t wait to go back and try them all.

Next up, the wings. The baked wing concept is a healthier take on the chicken wing. Combine that with their lineup of flavor rubs and you have a wing that tastes just as sinful as its fried and dunked brother but packs a lighter punch. They have 13 flavor rubs to choose from, and 13 dunking sauces… to really give you the freedom to explore any flavor profile you desire.

We tried the Chili Lime, Garlic Parmesan, and Buffalo Hot rubs. Each spice rub has its own flavor profile. The heat really came through on the Buffalo Hot, and the Garlic Parmesan makes your mouth just melt. Add some fried to your order, and you’re all set.

With an expanded menu, there is definitely something for everyone at Baked Wings. You can get full service at the bar, or order at the counter and take a seat in the main dining area. Check out Baked Wings and tell us your favorite wing flavor!

Sometimes, you just need a hearty breakfast. Fresh Start Cafe on Forest Hills Road will fuel you up for whatever is coming your way!

First things first, you gotta try the coffee. Always fresh, and always hot, the coffee at Fresh Start Cafe is delicious. If you like it fancy, they have you covered with a cafe menu.

We tried to stick with the classics! You can't go wrong with biscuits and gravy or a classic breakfast skillet. A hearty plate with two biscuits layered in thick sausage gravy is a great place to start. Served with two eggs your style, this meal is a stunning classic. The sausage gravy is excellent. The flavors are excellent and it'll warm you up during this chilly season.

The skillet menu has something for everyone. We opted for the corn beef hash skillet. We know, we know, corn beef hash can be polarizing... but Frest Start Cafe serves it up perfectly. The skillets are loaded with potatoes, two eggs your style, meat, veggies, and cheese. Served with two adorably mini pancakes, this is the perfect savory and sweet combo to keep you coming back.

Start your next day at Fresh Start Cafe!

Many folks don't realize that Stone Eagle Tavern is locally owned and operated! They have fresh seafood and locally sourced steaks, making this a delicious destination on East State Street.

We wandered in to try Stone Eagle Tavern and with a menu including wood fired pizza, fresh seafood, hand cut steaks, and more... we didn't know where to start! The Seafood Augratin and the steaks came highly recommended by the amazing staff, so we dug in.

The Seafood Augratin can only be described as the best thing that has ever happened to me. Fresh seafood medley in a cheesy augratin sauce and baked with a crisp breading top simply melts in your mouth. This is a very rich dish, but so completely amazing. The menu described it as a masterpiece, and we agree.

Next up was a New York Strip, cooked to your preferred temperature and so many add-on options available. They offer a garlic crust, parmesan crust, mushrooms, onions, and more! Personalize your steak just the way you want it. We tried the parmesan crust because cheese makes everything better. The steak was perfectly cooked and served on a warm skillet. Stone Eagle gets their steaks from Eickman's, so you know it was delicious, tender, and packed with flavor.

You get to select delicious sides along the way, and we highly recommend the brussel sprouts, if green is your thing. They were deliciously prepared in a way that makes you forget you're eating vegetables. The garlic mashed potatoes added that classic vibe to the steak.

If you have room, they will bring by a hard to say no to dessert platter. Life is short, order dessert.

We hope you check out Stone Eagle Tavern for your next night out, or brunch with friends and family!