Chris Green
Rockford Register Star
Published 5:05 a.m. CT March 7, 2023
Big Jon's Dogs N' More is about to get a little bit bigger.
Jonathan and Cooper Tobin, owners and operators of a seasonal food truck, announced they are expanding into their first brick-and-mortar shop, which will be called Big Jon's More Than Dogs at 105 Buchanan St.
"People have been asking for this since we opened," Jonathan said. "So, rain, shine or snow, we will be open all year long to serve all your favorites from the hotdog cart, plus a whole mess more."
The couple, who have operated their food trailer since June 2021, will occupy a storefront being subleased by EK Cakery.
The space, just under 600-square-feet, will be an intimate setting with three to four tables, a couple of stools at the bar, a couch and coffee table.
Popular foods item served by Big Jon's Dogs N' More include Chicago-style hotdogs, polish sausage, Italian beef, walking tacos, a dog of the week as well as soups, chilis, paninis and salads.
The breakfast menu will include paninis, breakfast burritos, oatmeal bowls and a weekly quiche.
The community is being asked via a post on the couple's Facebook page to help fill out the menu with suggestions of their own.
Regardless of suggestions, the couple said fried foods won't be served, citing the costs, insurance liability and the effort to clean the cost of fryers every day.
Fried food also doesn't fit with the vision of the restaurant the couple has.
"We're really trying to focus on upscale and elevated cafe or bistro foods. Nothing is going to be prepackaged and full of preservatives," Cooper Tobin said.
Looking at the success that Food 4 Fuel has been enjoying by offering healthy, portion-controlled pre-ordered foods for pickup, the Tobins said they want to provide Belvidere a similar service by offering a variety of freshly prepared grab-and-go meals.
"Everybody is just so busy now days and our lives are so complicated," Cooper Tobin said. "We feel like food should be one thing that should not be complicated for anybody. It should just be healthy, fresh and delicious."
The Tobins plan to move in this month, open in April and reserve use of their food trailer operation for special events and private parties.
Ek Cakery owner, Erica Simmons, said is looking forward to the Tobins opening up their shop.
"Once they move in, we're going to be weddings only with the exception of once-a-month pop ups," she said. "So, we'll still be able to serve our community, but this will make my life a little more manageable."
Chris Green: 815-987-1241; cgreen@rrstar.com; @chrisfgreen
