Chelsea Meyer shows off the triple burger at JC’s Burgers on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, after taking her first bite at the Rockford restaurant. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
By Chelsea Meyer
Sponsored Content
Taste the Town
It’s time to Taste the Town, and today we’re featuring JC’s Burgers in Rockford.
You might already know and love their original location in Davis Junction, but now this family-run business is bringing its burgers, chicken and signature flavors to a second location at 2921 City View Drive in Rockford. That’s off the northeast corner of Rockton Avenue and Riverside Boulevard in northwest Rockford.
The new location means more room, more menu options and a full bar, but the family passion behind the food hasn’t changed.
Behind JC’s are Megan, John and Chawn Scanlan, a family who knows a thing or two about the restaurant business. In fact, their story goes back much further than the opening of JC’s.
PHOTO | Bugers, hand-battered tenders and more at JC’s Burgers in Rockford
It all started in 1985 when John and Chawn Scanlan opened the Filling Station in New Milford. At the time, John was working in a machine shop and Chawn was working at a candy factory. They decided to take a chance, invest in their dream and build a business of their own. What started as one bar eventually grew into multiple locations. Today, that family legacy continues with the Filling Station and two JC’s locations.
How did JC’s get its start?
The idea was simple: find an old gas station building, renovate it and turn it into a burger joint with a smaller, more focused menu. John wanted to keep things simple, but he also wanted to get the food just right.
That meant a lot of burger research.
Megan was living in Las Vegas at the time, and when John started working on the perfect burger recipe, she became his unofficial taste tester. They visited burger restaurants and chains all over Las Vegas, trying different flavors, seasonings and combinations.
JC’s Burgers won the “Best of Ogle County” award for its burger in Davis Junction. The restaurant has now opened a second location in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Eventually, John took all those ideas, added his own twist, created his own seasoning, and came up with the burger that customers have come to know and love.
Megan joked that she was pretty much sick of burgers by the time the process was over, but that hard work definitely paid off.
And it’s not just the burgers that get special attention.
One of the things that makes JC’s stand out is the amount of preparation that goes into the food. Their burgers are made with fresh ground beef prepared daily by an in-house butcher who works with a special brisket blend. John Scanlan also creates his own seasonings, marinades and recipes, including the special flour mixture used for the hand-breaded chicken fingers at the Rockford location.
The chicken is marinated before being coated in specially seasoned flour, giving those chicken fingers their own signature flavor. You’ll also find his homemade chicken sauce, along with pork chops seasoned with his own barbecue blend.
If you’re looking for something other than a burger, don’t overlook the pork chops or the pork tenderloin. The pork is hand-cut by their in-house butcher, pounded out for the tenderloin, and seasoned with recipes John has developed himself.
The on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at JC’s Burgers in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
In fact, Megan admitted that after eating so many burgers during the recipe-testing days, the pork chops have become one of her personal favorites.
One thing you notice when you walk into JC’s is that this isn’t a business where the owners are sitting behind a desk somewhere. They’re right there in the kitchen, cooking, checking on food, talking with customers, and making sure everything is running smoothly.
With the Rockford location being newer, the family has been especially hands-on, helping train employees and making sure the food stays consistent between both locations.
While the Rockford location carries the same familiar flavors and family recipes, the bigger space allows them to offer even more. You’ll find additional menu options, hand-breaded chicken fingers, a full bar and draft beer. It’s a little more room to spread out while still keeping that familiar JC’s feel.
The classic melt at JC’s Burgers with two burger patties, American and Swiss cheese, grilled onions and melt sauce on toasted sourdough bread. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
They’re looking to make the restaurant a place where there’s always something happening, and they’re gearing up for a big celebration.
JC’s Burgers will celebrate its grand opening on Wednesday, Nov. 25. They’re giving away $2,000 in cash, with the drawing taking place at 7:30 p.m. You can earn entries by coming in on Wednesdays starting at 5 p.m., and you must be present to win.
Then, keep the party going with That 70s Band performing from 8 to 11 p.m. So pull out those bell bottoms and get ready for a fun night.
From the freshly ground burger blend to John’s special seasonings and recipes, there’s a little piece of that family history in everything they serve.
So whether you’ve been making the trip to Davis Junction for years or you’re just discovering JC’s here in Rockford, there’s a new spot to add to your list.
And trust me, after hearing how much work went into perfecting that burger, I think it’s safe to say Megan’s many rounds of taste testing were worth it.
Info | JC’s Burgers
Where: 2921 City View Drive, Rockford
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.
Grand opening: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25
Photos | Burgers, hand-battered tenders and more at JC’s Burgers in Rockford
Taste the Town is sponsored content that showcases the culinary skills of restaurateurs from across the Rockford region. It’s created in partnership between B103 Rockford and the Rock River Current.
Dining and Cooking