The Top 10 Restaurants In Janesville Wisconsin

Nestled along the curves of the Rock River, Janesville, Wisconsin is known for its sublime botanical gardens and historical roots as a blue-collar manufacturing hub. Here’s our guide to 10 of the areas best local restaurants.

Citrus Cafe

Cafe, Diner, Restaurant, American

The aroma of freshly squeezed orange juice hangs around like a tropical haze in Citrus Cafe. Stop by for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The diner features local specialties, such as bacon from a nearby butcher. The menu includes a variety of dishes including Nutella Dream Swedish pancakes, minced ham-and-egg breakfast burritos, gyro sandwiches and triple-decker club sandwiches, old-fashioned ice cream sundaes and milkshakes.

Cozumel Mexican Restaurant

Restaurant, Mexican

Cozumel Mexican Restaurant is a no-frills lineup of Mexican fare featuring dishes with tropical, Caribbean-inspired twists that make for a satisfying lunch or dinner. Start off with one of Cozumel’s luscious margaritas and fresh-out-of-the-fryer chips with salsa. Try main courses such as Chuleta a la Mexicana –marinated pork chops topped with green tomatillo sauce – and Burrito Gordo, a massive 14-inch burrito filled with steak, chicken, rice, beans, sour cream, lettuce, tomato and cheese.

Fuji Sushi and Steak House

Bar, Diner, Restaurant, Japanese

Fuji Sushi and Steak House is a sushi bar with an upscale lounge and hibachi grill. Traditional dishes are grilled and stir-fried in front of diners’ plates, then served immediately. Over at the sushi bar, diners can order precisely-prepared sashimi, all of it deliciously fresh and eye-catching in beautiful, bright pinks and oranges, as well as various combinations of sushi rolls. Wind up the night on a cozy leather sofa in the ornate lounge with a drink or two, such as a warm sake or a more inventive Pomegranate Saketini cocktail.

GR's Sandwich Shoppe

GR’s Sandwich Shoppe is a welcome escape from the area’s numerous chain restaurants. The locally owned eatery features vegetarian and vegan options as well as one of the best Reuben sandwiches in town. Try the Mediterranean Beef Wrap or the Turkey-Pesto Panini. If you arrive earlier in the day, you can try GR’s breakfast menu, which features an egg sandwich, a breakfast Panini and more, along with one of GR’s specialty coffee drinks.

H & S Hibachi & Sushi Japanese Express

With its inexpensive menu and casual, low-key atmosphere, H & S Hibachi & Sushi Japanese Express serves traditional Japanese fare. Start off a meal with a crab egg roll or seaweed salad, then move on to sushi rolls – many are topped with vegetables shaped to look like plump birds and fish – or meats seared on the hibachi grill: chicken hibachi and shrimp hibachi are local favorites. Home delivery is also available.

Italian House

Italian House is famous for its ‘Gondola’, a massive sub featuring the perfect ratio of ham, salami, cheese and lettuce on freshly baked bread; it is regularly adding other subs to its menu, too, including the MacDaddy, a toasted sub packed with roast beef, American cheese, pickles, onions, lettuce and a special sauce. Other Italian favorites include bruschetta, mostaccioli with meatballs, Asiago ravioli, and fettuccine seafood Alfredo.

Luke's Deli

Deli, Restaurant, Dessert, American

Luke’s Deli has choices such as the garlic-turkey wrap, chicken cordon-bleu sandwich and turkey-artichoke melt available throughout the year. It also as a seasonal menu which changes regularly. Some of the sandwiches introduced as seasonal options in the past include the ACT – asparagus, cheddar cheese and tomatoes grilled on sourdough bread – and the Smokehouse Turkey Melt that is made with warm, shredded turkey, bacon, grilled onions, cheddar cheese and a special smokehouse sauce.

Mocha Moment

Cafe, American

Mocha Moment is a creamery/roastery/bakery/coffeehouse which features a large deck which looks out on to the woods beyond. Serving pastries, light lunches and coffee concoctions, Mocha Moment is a getaway: a tranquil space to relax and catch up with friends, and a welcoming place to sit by yourself to work or meditate.

Park City Family Restaurant

Restaurant, French, American, Dessert, Vegan, Vegetarian

Park City Family Restaurant serves classic comfort food and American fare. Beloved by locals for its casual eats any time of the day, an incredible French onion soup – perfect for chilly Wisconsin days and nights – the grilled chicken sandwich and its Friday fish fry are highlights of the menu; free pie on Tuesdays is a definite draw too.

South Padre

South Padre is a food truck that roams around the city stopping at various locations throughout the week. It specializes in wild-caught American seafood including lobster tails, Mahi Mahi, blue gill from Lake Erie and red snapper. If you’re looking for an on-the-go meal rather than raw foods to cook at home, go for the fish tacos, lobster mac ‘n’ cheese, shrimp ceviche and even shellfish bisque. Since the truck doesn’t stay in one place for long, check out its Facebook page for its exact hours and location.

About the author

Haley Henschel

Haley Henschel is a Journalism and Global Cultures student living in Madison, Wisconsin, whose interests include the media, illustration, feminism and pizza. She plans to move to Australia after graduation to pursue a career in travel writing and eating too many Tim Tams. Keep up with her escapades on Twitter.