Hands down one of the best lunch spots in B/N.
The options are pretty limited if you're counting calories (hummus plates, a few salads, grape leaves), but if you're not . . .
* Best fries in Bloomington-Normal
* Best Gyro in Bloomington-Normal
* Best Cheesesteak in Bloomington-Normal (get the super with provolone, peppers and mushrooms - 2 meals in 1).
Awesome, awesome food.
I really like The Rock! Their new location is awesome, and they feature a lot of great specials for every day of the week. I love burgers and gryos as much as the next, but what really sets The Rock aside from the other places is their selection of Mediterranean fare as well. I love being able to get grape leaves, feta cheese, baklava or spinach pies with my meal.
I really love the fries here, as well as the hamburger buns because they have sesame seeds!
Very decent prices, I found that they offer some coupons in the student coupon that they hand out at the beginning of every semester. My fiancé and I tried their gyros special in addition to baklava for me (I had tried this delicious treat in AndalucÃa, Spain and became addicted...and have not been able to encounter this treat until this restaurant). The sandwiches were a good size for the money, and were quite tasty. Could have been a little bit larger for the money, but that's because I'm accustomed to other restaurants. Their fries are amazing, very fresh and tasty! I would recommend this restaurant if you're in the Bloomington-Normal area.
Review Source:I had a mixed experience at The Rock. Â My garlic chicken wrap was delicious, but the dolmas were incredibly soggy, even more so than I expect from dolmas. Â My girlfriend's Greek salad, though, was just outright pathetic. Â Flavorless lettuce and the dressing that tasted like it came in an institutional-size can were the worst parts, but the massive amount of black olives dumped on top and the total absence of red onion or peppers. Â The price was right, though, and the location is certainly convenient for college students.
Review Source:I just don't get it. Â We ate here again and it was just okay, again. Â My husband loved the beef dipped...but I just...I don't get it. Â It was just okay. Â Everything seemed over fried. Â The cheese balls, the fries, the kids' burgers...meh. Â
It seemed clean inside. Â The high chairs looked like they have not been cleaned in quite some time. Â The place is small and a little cramped for my liking. Â
I had the gyro and it was like every other gyro in town. Â Nothing to write home about.
The new location is fantastic, and the food is better than ever. Â I LOVE the gyro - fresh pita and the combo is a great lunch deal. Â Prices are good and the service is fast and friendly. Â I've only had the burgers, gyros and the greek salad, and they were all top notch (but the gyro is my favorite). Â I bring people here all the time and have never been disappointed. Â Try the outdoor seating when the weather is nice - what a great addition to Uptown!
Review Source:Great food... Had the gyro and fries. Def worth the trip around the block several times looking for parking! Service was excellent and place was very clean! Option of ordering ahead online is also a convenient addition.
Outdoor seating available with an excellent view of the area. We will be back for sure.
Oh and the Baklava was awesome!!!
Just got my man and his co-worker (both Amtrak Conductors on their way through on a Chicago bound) the Super Philly and the Super Gyros to go. The service was really quick, nice, and personalized. Â I boarded the train with them and these two are so into their sandwiches right now and they keep talking and talking and talking about how good they are. Â "The olives dude"..."This is sooo good and messy man." Â In fact, I think if a naked lady walked by right now they wouldn't even notice. Â Anyway, I snuck a piece of gyros and it was very good. I'll definitely get them sandwiches from The Rock again. It just made me pretty popular with the Railroaders.
Review Source:For some reason I had a taste for a gyros and it so happen that I just passed by and say this place. They have a very large dining area and was greeted as I walked in. They have daily specials but I had my mind on the gyros special (includes a drink and fries).
They gave me a cup and told me that they will bring the food to me. The food came fast, first thing in my mouth was the fries, I loved the fries...(steak fries) It was crispy just the way I like it. The second bite was the gyros and it was juicy. The whole meal was perfect, I enjoyed every part of the meal including the part when the server came by and asked how was my meal. Â I was impressed.
I would definitely come back, especially for the fries and of course everything else.
Really like The Rock. Â It's new location uptown Normal is very nice, and VERY close to the Normal Theatre...a plus!
The seating is ample, although a little close together. Â The staff seem to know what they are doing, also nice.
Hummus is just ok- had it one time, really good, and another it was just ok.
Husband LOVES the gyros. Â I like their chicken salad (a salad, not chicken salad).
Since my original review the Rock has moved to Uptown Normal after being displaced by another apartment building/chain restaurant monstosity on Main Street. Â While I honestly do miss the ambiance (if you can call it that) of the original Rock on Dale Street, the new location is just awesome. Â You can sit in the window and watch people passing by on North Street inside a modern yet very tastefully designed restaurant. Â I think the prices went up a bit to compensate for the added expense of the new restaurant...and they spent some serious bucks on this place...but it's totally worth it. Â They also have outdoor seating in the summer which is usually always taken up but if you can snag a table there's not a better location in Uptown.
The gyros can't be beat and the chicken philly is just sublime. Â The fries are also the best fries you will find in BloNo hands down. Â I've never had any of the dessert out of the case since the prices already lighten my wallet enough, but it looks good also. Â
Alright....this review is done since I need to run out the door to get a gyro:-)
Delish!!! I had the chicken gyro and fries, and they were impressive! The fries taste lightly battered and are crispy and delicious. They needed salt or ketchup, but I prefer to add my own anyway. The chicken on my gyro was perfect! Food was fresh and tasty! I love the new location too...clean and simple with some nice touches. Keep it up!
Review Source:This is one of my two favorite places to get a gyros in B-N. The gyros are off the "spit" and then grilled and they aren't greasy. I hate when a place has the deli sliced gyro meat. Wasn't a fan of the fries. They had a coating that made them too crispy. My GF had the cheeseburger and it was just okay.
Review Source:I'M SHOUTING AT YOU BECAUSE IT'S SO LOUD IN HERE I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU HEAR ME! BETWEEN THE ACOUSTICS & THE UNDISCIPLINED KIDS RUNNING AROUND NEARLY KNOCKING SERVERS OVER I REALIZE I SHOULD HAVE SAT OUTSIDE.
ok, enough drama. whaddya need to know?
- You order at the counter. They take all cards. Except  punch cards from other restaurants.  That would be silly.
- Tried the Super Philly Cheese Steak in a 6 in. version and it was really yummy. Â Add some lettuce and tomato and I think it would have been perfect. Hubby said the burger was similar to Hardee's, so that's not the caliber I was expecting per other reviewers. Â Was it good? Yes. Best in town? Not quite.
- Fries are yummy coated in something reminiscent of tempura but pretty unique for #BloNo fry fare.
- Food is good. We will go back and try the gryos and tzatzaki sauce everyone keeps raving about. Then I'll decide if more gold stars should be awarded.
- Service was friendly, quick and even brought the meal to us. Â Which is critical since the acoustics mean I wouldn't hear my name anyway.
- Prices are reasonable and they have free refills on pop (yes I said pop, not soda) via your standard pick your poison machine. Â Tangent Alert: Why has no one in the world innovated this standard piece of machinery?
- Aside from the unruly children driving us (and other patrons) nuts, the atmosphere is pretty cool inside. And a few tables outside are a nice alternative too.
Other pertinent info: Fri & Sat nights expect to see mini-dresses and other hooched out attire.
SUPER baklava ($1.25)!! Â It was very, very good.
For our meal, we had gyros and garlic chicken and shared an order of fries. Â The garlic chicken ($5.45) was delish and the gyros ($5.45) were 'sooooo good' according to my son. Â They also have super gyros which has additional toppings such as feta and olives and more meat (6.99).
People seem to be nuts about The Rock's fries in a couple other reviews. Â I didn't think they were anything that fabulous but I am a french fry snob. :-) Â If you've never had the fresh cut fries from Hot Doug's Encased Meat Emporium fried in duck fat, I feel sorry for you - you haven't really lived!
Anyhowwwww, I digress...
The Rock is a walk up to the counter and order and stuff in a plastic basket place. Â I never visited the old location but this location is very stylish and has very friendly people working there.
The gyro cheese burger (6 oz. is $5.89 and 1/2 lb. is 6.39) sounded completely awesome but heavier than I wanted to tackle today. Â Obviously, it's made with sliced off the spit gyro meat PLUS a burger patty and it comes w/grilled onions, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, mustard, ketchup and gyro sauce.
The Rock salad also looked very intriguing and is something I will have to try. Â Again, gyro meat and gyro sauce along with the usual salad ingredients.
Fries and a drink with any sandwich is an additional $2.50.
Another tidbit from looking at their website, you can click on menu items and add them to your 'cart' to checkout and prepay and then pick your order up at the appointed time. Â Smart, very smart.
And the Rock is back!
Extremely glad that I put my name on the contact list, I found a recent email letting me know one of my favorite restaurants has reopened and is ready for my business.
After driving around for 15 minutes to find parking (at 4 on a Thursday), we finally sauntered in the restaurant to find a beautiful (and HUGE, compared to the last place) seating area, people enjoying their meals and a short line to order our food. The menu is above the ordering counter, but I didn't need to look, I already knew I was getting a hot dog meal.
Though it was busy, we didn't have trouble finding a table for 4 to sit at. They brought our food out to us and I was ecstatic. Not only did they deliver, they brought a perfect hot dog and the best fries I've had in a long time. My meal was $4.50 (2 for the dog and 2.50 for the combo), an excellent price for amazing meal.
One highlight: the soda fountain machine is self-serve (no more change for refills). I believe they've added a lot to the menu, and now have a small case with baked goods.
A great meal and good atmosphere; a place I would recommend to anyone looking for a decent priced, delicious meal.
Having been a student at ISU, I've heard a lot about The Rock but they were closed for a while. I visited The Rock's new uptown location yesterday on my lunch break with a co-worker. I had heard great things about the place from friends and my boss. Neither of us had been before and both left thinking it was going to be the new "go to" for us on our breaks. I had the jumbo hot dog chicago style with chili. Normally I avoid onions and tomatoes but the food was so good I didn't even notice them. He had a cheeseburger. We both commented on the fries right away. Definitely some of the better ones we've had. Especially uptown. The food can be describe in 3 simple words: Delicious, hot, and fast. Can't wait to go back for a soaked Italian beef. Look out Uptown, The Rock is taking over
Update: I have gone back twice since I posted this review. The second time I visited The Rock, it was Noon and the line was nearly out the door. I waited about 5 minutes in line and another 5 to get my food. The employees were fast and very nice. The girl at the counter even recognized me from the first visit. The third time I ate at The Rock, I took a friend who just moved to town. She loved it. Again, the food was fast and hot. One employee even came to our table to double check that they had our orders right before they brought out the food.
I have to admit that my 5 stars could be biased because these guys are so nice and I really want this place to do well. That said though, it's clear from the other reviews that I'm not an outlier to suggest that The Rock has some of the best grill food in town.
If you're looking to save a little coin, check out their daily specials. I really like the gyro and the burger is (like Brandon C. said) one of the best in town. If you're looking for a hot mess of BBQ deliciousness, try The Challenger. It's diced chicken on a pita with grilled onions, green peppers, mushrooms, etc. all smothered with bbq sauce and some shredded cheese.
Good people and good food.
I found The Rock while attending Illinois State University and still head back there quite often. It is a simple hotdog/burger/gyro place but the food is outstanding!
The best Gyros in town - the meat is perfectly seasoned and the pita is perfectly toasted. The pita never falls apart as you eat.
The Challenger is also a great choice! Don't let the name fool you - its worth it!
Prices are a little more ($1-2) than some other places but the extra buck is well worth the quality of the food.
The owners are great - always remember you if you come back. Plus homemade baklava!
Another great place about Bloomington-Normal that makes me wish I still was attending ISU, and not taking a break from going here, for now. This place, without question, had the best gyros in the Bloomington-Normal area, even if it does set you back a good bit of change each time you get them. :) And of course, going here was a nice occasional variation from always getting food at Southside(Dining Center), or the now-former Chatters(Dining Center).
It has other decent things on their menu, such as their burgers. And yet again, as I did in my U-Liq review on mentioning Z's, I enjoy that this place doesn't get as crowded as Z's, most of the time, except for their lunchtime rush. I don't hate Z's(enjoy also going there from time to time, if anything), and am only saying this to compare them to Z's. I'm hopeful that I'll finally get to try the Texas Toothpicks(a jalapeno fried snack) on their menu, the next time I go here, and also have something ready to wash it down with, in case I find them too spicy, lol.
EDIT: Forgot to say too that the owner is really nice as hell, I've had tons of nice chats with the guy from time to time. He's usually working, or at least stopping by several times a week(or his brother is working here).
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