Josef | Steakhouse & Oyster Bar

Josef Steakhouse & Oyster Bar

Fresh Seafood, Prime Aged Steaks & Casual Bar

Josef Steakhouse & Oyster Bar is an elegant white tablecloth restaurant and bar in Rockford, Illinois. The restaurant can accommodate up to 160 guests in the dining rooms and bar with additional outdoor seating for 40 on the most beautiful and secluded patio in the city. The cozy bar at Josef’s is a destination in itself and is a stop for most guests for a pre-dinner cocktail and also for many who choose to dine in the bar as well. Guests enjoy watching the oyster bar chef prepare specialties such as Ahi Tuna Carpaccio, Lobster Avocado Cocktails and of course shucking oysters. We are available to host events, such as showers, bridal parties, rehearsal dinners and daytime events. There is no charge for the use of our facilities.

HOURS OF OPERATION

Mon through Sat open at 4pm in the bar and patio,
dining room opens at 5pm (no closing time)

Chef

Josef Schwaiger

Austrian born chef, Josef Schwaiger has been in the restaurant business for over 40 years. Raised in a skiing village outside of Vienna, Schwaiger started his formal training in European classic cuisine and catering management at the age of fifteen. Schwaiger worked all over the world including Barbados, where he continues to own three upscale restaurants. In Barbados Josef won many awards; notably that of Caribbean Chef of the year on two occasions.

Schwaiger opened his first restaurant in Rockford, IL in 2005, Josef Steakhouse & Oyster Bar. The restaurant, which Schwaiger opened with his wife, Cherri Rittenhouse, a Rockford artist and professor of art at the nearby Rock Valley College, focuses on fresh seafood, aged Angus steaks and innovative preparations of classic dishes. Desserts are freshly prepared daily by the pastry chef and supervised by Josef. A unique part of the restaurant is the Oyster Bar in the lounge which features oysters, stone crab, lobster claws, shrimp and caviar as well as iced vodkas and French Champagne by the glass.

Happy Hour

Monday-Saturday
4:00-6:00 PM

DRINK SPECIALS

Mixed Well Drinks
$4.50
House Chardonnay & Merlot
$5.00
All Beers | Draft & Bottles
$1.00 Off

SMALL PLATES

Scotch Egg
Hard boiled eggs wrapped in sausage, rolled in panko & deep fried. Served with a spicy whisky aioli.
$4.50
Bajan Saltfish Cakes
Salt cod fritter, barbadian spicy sauce
$4.50
Pommes Frites
$4
Jerk Chicken Wings
$5
Burger Slider
Mozzarella Cheese
$4.75

Private Rooms

No Room Fees

Our entire restaurant is available for your wedding or event - up to 150 guests.

PRIVATE ROOMS
The Waterford Room
2-14 Guests
The Ambassador Room
Up to 22 Guests
The Board Room
Seats Up to 50 Guests

Full Service Weddings
Custom Menus