Nick Fosberg knew exactly what he wanted to do in life. So, perhaps it’s no surprise that his Fozzy’s Bar and Grill, 6246 E. Riverside Blvd., in Loves Park, Ill., has become such a hit.
“I’ve grown up in the business my entire life,” says Nick, a Rockford native. “My dad has owned multiple bars in town. I always knew I wanted to have a bar.”
And, he knew he wanted to name it Fozzy’s, after a nickname the younger and elder Fosberg had earned from friends.
Dreams turned to reality in September 2019 when Nick and his wife, Michele, opened Fozzy’s in Loves Park. It’s a comfy environment where black leather chairs and a back-lit translucent bar top invite patrons to settle in comfortably and watch live sports. It’s the quality cuisine, though, that really sets this place apart.
“Most of it is coming direct from our supplier,” Nick says. “We get orders every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, so everything is as fresh as possible.”
The standout on this menu is the smash burger, assembled with two juicy patties, American cheese, shredded lettuce, tomato, pickles and a secret smash sauce. Pick your choice of sides, from classic French fries to crispy onion rings or cheese curds.
Equally beloved are the hand-cut, hand-battered boneless wings, made from tender, all-white chicken meat that’s never frozen. The buffalo chicken eggroll – hand-rolled with shredded chicken, cream cheese, shredded cheese, buffalo sauce and fried until golden – pays homage to Michele’s buffalo chicken dip.
“It used to be my signature dish, and we just kind of ran with it,” says Michele.
Entertainment and camaraderie at Fozzy’s keep people coming back. In addition to electronic dart boards and slot machines, the bar hosts themed trivia nights every Tuesday and singo bingo on Wednesdays. Friday brings Pick the Joker, where guests get a chance to win up to $4,000.
Weekends consist of live music or DJs, and Mondays children under age 12 can eat for free between 4 and 8 p.m.
The VIP program available at Fozzys.net gives customers access to updates on events, discounts and a free appetizer.
Fozzy’s Bar & Grill is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Friday and Saturday to 2 a.m. ❚