Smokey Bones in Rockford Closes Suddenly Shocking Locals & Employees

Another Rockford restaurant permanently closed its doors this week without even giving us the chance to say goodbye.

Tough Year for Rockford Restaurants

With two young kids that are very involved in sports, my family doesn't get a chance very often to enjoy a meal at a sit down restaurant, so I feel a little guilty whenever I see another one close.

Is it my fault these restaurants closed? Of course not. The truth is, the food business is a tough gig. One minute a restaurant can be THE place to go in town, then the next it's permanently closed leaving many people wondering why.

In 2025, Rockford area residents said goodbye to many favorites like Sunrise Family Restaurant on Wansford Way, Sweet Basil Cafe by the CherryVale Mall, The Pomodoro in Loves Park, and Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steak Burgers in Machesney Park. Now Smokey Bones on E State Street in Rockford has started the closing list for 2026.

Smokey Bones Closes in Rockford

Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill opened in the former Lonestar Steakhouse location on East State Street in Rockford back in March of 2019, and on Monday, January 12, 2026 it closed its doors for good. The restaurant's sudden closure came as a shock not only to many Rockford area residents, but sadly, for the restaurant's employees as well.

According to WIFR:

Twin Hospitality Group, Smokey Bones’ parent company, announced in September 2025 that it had identified 15 underperforming Smokey Bones locations which it planned to close. The company did not identify which locations were on the chopping block.

Statements may have been made about restaurant closings on the horizon, but it appears Rockford area employees were never notified their restaurant was on the list.

What Should Smokey Bones in Rockford Be Replaced With?

If you've lived in Rockford for a while, you probably remember how long the former Lone Star Steakhouse sat vacant before Smokey Bones took over the space and renovated the space. Now the two big questions are; how long will the Smokey Bones building sit vacant and what do you want to see replace it? Let us know what you think!