Big Deal’s serving up big meals, friendly fun

By Joe Buttweiler

ROCKFORD – You can’t help but wonder when you walk into Big Deal’s Bar & Grill, just what is the big deal?

Is it the special of the day? Is it the generous portions? Are they watching Let’s Make a Deal every morning?

(PHOTO: T.J. Wiemann serves up another delicious burger.)

Well, two out of three apply, and they don’t have anything to do with TV game shows.

The origin of the unusual name for this eatery in Rockford has to do with a family member’s job promotion. And since Big Deal’s also signifies value and makes for an intriguing business name, it was chosen by Denny and Lori Paulus and their son, Steven, for their new bar and grill at the former site of Zax, 129 W. Main Ave.

Lori is used to cooking up big meals. She is the food service director for the Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock Community School District.

She and Steven had long wanted to open an eatery. “This opportunity came up so we thought it would be a good time to get into it,” Denny said.

The tavern opened Feb. 24, offering daily lunch and dinner specials.

“It’s a nice place. It’s my home away from home,” said Jimmy Moore of Rockford, who went to high school with Steven Paulus.

Moore, who was one of several customers at Big Deal’s on a recent Saturday evening, said he likes the Ranch O Burger, which is a big hamburger topped with ranch dressing and onion rings, and the breakfasts.

All of the burgers are one third of a pound, Lori said, and they’re served on a Kaiser roll. Other popular menu items are the steaks, breaded or broiled walleye dinners, and Iowa chops.

Lori, who cooked for 10 years at Whitetails in Marble Rock, said she’d like Big Deal’s to be known for its steaks and friendly atmosphere. There is plenty of seating, a pool table, video games and some awesome pictures of Yellowstone National Park.

So far business has been pretty good, Lori said. “I can’t complain.”

Her son Nick also works at the bar and grill.

Popular breakfast entrees include the Big Denny’s, which is two eggs over easy, cheese and hash browns with sausage gravy over the top. There are also omelets, waffles, pancakes and French toast.

(PHOTO: Lori and Denny Paulus.)

Appetizers include jalapeno poppers, cheese balls, hot wings, cheese fries and mini tacos. Sandwiches include BLT, chicken or cod fillets, French dip, Rueben and pork tenderloins.

An eye-opener on the burger menu is the Colossal Burger, with two patties, two slices of cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion. There is also a cheesy bacon burger; mushroom and Swiss Burger; and the Texas patty melt – a burger served on Texas toast with Swiss and American cheese and grilled onions.

Dinners – served with salad, roll and a vegetable – include fillets, ribeyes, sirloin steaks, Sockeye salmon, three types of shrimp, chicken breast, walleye and cod.

There are also Happy Deal’s for the kids, and carry-outs are available.

Big Deal’s opens at 6 a.m. Monday through Saturday and is closed on Sunday. The phone number is (641) 756-2304.