Great diner. Nice and clean stopped on the way back to Chicago. Breakfast omelette was good. Bread was homemade.
(5)
Jack P.
I stopped in at Stella's for breakfast on a Saturday morning. It was not as busy as I expected. Got seated right away and proceeded to check out the breakfast menu. It has a lot of good choices of egg dishes, pancakes and other sweet breakfast offerings. All are priced in the $5.00 to $9.00 range, the latter being the omelet choices. I liked that they offered a Greek omelet complete with gyro meat, but I elected a no-meat offer of a veggie scramble. Hash browns come with the breakfast items, but the toast is extra. I found that a little odd for a diner. That said, the rye toast I ordered was superb. And made on the premises, like the white and wheat choices. The egg dish was good, but service was very slow. Of course, I was on no sort of mission that day, so it didn't matter. Coffee as expected was standard diner variety-weak. But Stella's is a nice stop in small town Stockton. It's fun to see a big family of farmers at a long table eating the eggs their hens may have laid. Lunch and dinner served as well.
(3)
Joe H.
Great food and service! French onion soup was delicious! Great stop along route 20. We will be back next time we travel through!
(5)
Janice G.
Great food, reasonably priced. Glad that we stopped. The homemade bread and soup were delicious.
(5)
William M.
We have been going to galena for 25 years and have never stopped in downtown Stockton . What a gem! All homemade foods, cheap! Pasta, chicken, beef, burgers, fish , salad and sandwiches. But all made it ha ton of care. Pies and cakes all homemade too. Felt like I was in Mayberry. The OnLY disappointment, no wine or beer. Otherwise, please please stop here..
(5)
Lori H.
I see this place through the eyes of someone who has always wanted to own a place like this, but has been too chicken to take the leap. And as someone who has a friend who has also worked very hard, struggling through disappointment to finally find success with his own cafe and pie establishment. I understand the blood, sweat and tears that goes into what we get to experience as artsy, welcoming, easy going and delicious. When my family stopped in while on an antiquing day trip, I knew I had chosen to stop here having looked online for a place to eat while passing through. They had no idea, but were soon as smitten as I. Though the server/owner was the only one serving the dining room, she did a good job of covering the folks in the space and though she moved with urgency she never made you feel anxious as she made time to appreciate our happiness with our meals. If you want to live this life running, running, running, stuffing your gullet with mosigre importance put on the speed of service than the food you could be enjoying, perhaps you shouldn't stop here. There's a Mcd's up on the highway for folks like you. Me, I'm going to take the few, very few extra minutes that it takes to let some fabulously friendly and talented people make my meal with homemade breads, signature sauces and unique flavor combinations that delight your senses.
(5)
J L.
EXCELLENT! Quality, unique, tummy. pleasing omelet! Finally someone that knows how to cook hash browns! !! Best break
(5)
Nicole G.
Not a bad stop on or road trip. We went based on the yelp reviews we had read (plus it's only three minutes from rt. 20. Stella's is the epitome of a small town diner - the staff is laid back and the food is decent. If you're in a hurry or you're overly concerned with food safety and sanitation, I don't recommend it. However, if you're down for a quaint spot as you pass through town, I would certainly recommend.
(3)
Maria C.
Thank you yelp. Used the Yelp app to find this place on the way to Galena for an anniversary weekend with my husband. A diamond in the rough!! Great homemade food. Had the chicken pesto sandwich and homemade cream if potato and sausage soup. My husband had the breakfast BLT. Both were absolutely outstanding. Food to warm the soul. The Decour was old-fashioned cute and quaint. I was really happy that we found this place instead of opting for McDonald's. thank you gun yelp and to all the yelpers who left reviews.
(5)
Esther J.
Glad we found this place! Delish! I got the gyro with a side of southwest chili (amazing!) and my husband got the barnyard chicken sandwich with a side of fries. Food arrived hot and was very fresh. Delicious! So glad we stopped here instead of McDonald's. Decor is local artwork, tastefully done.
(5)
Dan T.
A charming little cafe. Service was very pleasant and genuine, all quirks and special wishes with a smile treated and food was good with an excellent value. For 3 we paid only 22 $ (pancakes, 2 orders of egg, hash browns and toast and some tea). The also have a little podium for live music.
(5)
Jennifer K.
Several years ago my Aunts and I met here for breakfast during the week, as it is the middle point between our towns (Rockford and Dubuque). I remembered a fantastic experience. This past weekend we were meeting my Aunt once again and decided to hook up at Stella's for Sunday brunch. I am toggling between 1 and 2 stars as I type. VERY torn. The first of our party of 5 arrived at noon. They were immediately seated and waited almost 15 minutes for a cup of coffee.....that is when we arrived. Apparently they have a brunch, which is mostly silver buffet servers with sterno cans underneath them. Many people were enjoying the "buffet" throughout the time that we were there, but none in our party opted for that. I would just like to say that we were there from noon until 1:45 and the ONLY time any of the employees went to the brunch table was the older gentleman tearing it down. NEVER did food get temped or replenished. The grubby black tablecloth was filthy and never got wiped off, no one refilled any of the items or checked on the food in any way. I am unsure what the price for the brunch was, as the first thing out of our server's mouth was, "Are you ready to order?" This was before my husband and I had a cup of coffee or had a chance to even look at the menu. QUICKLY, we ordered. The menu raves about "home-made" corned beef hash, hand cut this and that. We placed our order and waited....and waited....and waited.....45 minutes before the first plates hit the table. From there it took almost another 15 before all of the orders were completely on the table. I ordered the "Hash Plate" which is their "house-made" corned beef hash with 2 eggs poached medium, rye toast and a glass of tomato juice. My eggs were very well done. My husband actually commented that maybe we should make deviled eggs sometime soon....I figured after 45 minutes I would just eat them and like them. No sense in holding off the meal too much longer. The corned beef itself was very good. I believe it was thick sliced deli beef with frozen shredded potatoes, but certainly better than the stuff that comes out of the can. I cannot comment on anyone else's meal. The service was horrendous. Had our server been attentive and apologetic this review would be much kinder. We actually had to flag a different server down at about the 25 minute mark to ask for more coffee. Our food got dropped at the table with several items missing and yet another flag down to someone asking if the remaining items were on their way. My tomato juice was eventually served warm. The entire time that we were eating our meal, not one person checked on us or asked us if we needed anything. Luckily, the to-go boxes were on a shelf behind my Aunt so she didn't have to find someone to take care of grabbing one for her. The portions are decent size. A couple people ordered a meal with a large side (such as my Aunt who ordered a breakfast with a side of pancakes). It was an unfortunate experience.....and unfortunate for us because the only sit down restaurant between here and Dubuque is Stella's (that I know of).
(1)
Merty M.
Before discovering this little jewel the best breakfast I ever had was at a place called "Two Gals" near The Boulder Damn in Nevada in the early 90's. Now Stella's Cafe holds the title! This place is absolutely incredible. BEST BREAKFAST EVER and super cool atmosphere. It's worth every minute of the 45 minute commute to get my grub on at the coolest place around! And come hungry, even my fat a$$ can't get in Stella's Clean Plate Club.
(5)
Crysta A.
We were looking for a non-chain lunch on the road between Galena and Chicago, and Stella's was a great find. (Thanks, Yelp.) This place is cute, right on a small town Main Street, with friendly service and great food. The decor is great - look up at the awesome tin ceiling. It has a very vintage vibe, with 50s music on the radio and black and white photos on the walls. We both ordered sandwiches - BLT for me, chicken pesto for my boyfriend - and both were delicious, and relatively large, served with a pile of fries. Our total bill was $16 for both sandwiches, plus iced tea. We would definitely return, especially since this was just a mile south of Route 20, so a very easy and worthwhile detour.
(4)
Tim H.
This place was great.....we had shrimp, potato, sandwich, soup, apple pie and 2 drinks - with a good tip bill was under $25.00!!
(5)
Dusty K.
A gem. Sitting all smug on the corner of Main street, how typically rural American I might add, is a fantastic artsy cafe. Stepping in was like stepping into the 1950s. The music may have been upbeat but the walls held onto it's historic soul. The place looks 100 years old on the inside from the hard wood floors that creak as you walk to the tin ceiling with intricate detail. I'm happy to report that places like this still exist around the country. It's less than a mile off route 20 so you really have no excuse to not stop here. I originally came on a Thursday for lunch as we headed to Galena for the weekend. To my surprise, I was delighted to see so many things made from scratch. Homemade breads, homemade potato chips, and an aspect of pride about doing so. I was in heaven. My chicken sandwich with bacon was a tasty treat. But as a lover of french onion dip, the homemade chips and dip were out of this world. Don't tell anyone but I was licking the dish clean. My mouth is watering just thinking about this. We left with a bill of $19 for 2 lunches, a drink, and an appetizer. You really can't beat it. In fact, I loved it so much we came back on our return home. We stopped in on Sunday for their breakfast buffet. The hash browns were freshly grated and the carrot cake was insane. Moist, loaded with nuts, and the cream cheese frosting was nothing short of perfection. I can't wait to come back.
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Bike Parking : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Helen Z.
Great diner. Nice and clean stopped on the way back to Chicago. Breakfast omelette was good. Bread was homemade.
(5)Jack P.
I stopped in at Stella's for breakfast on a Saturday morning. It was not as busy as I expected. Got seated right away and proceeded to check out the breakfast menu. It has a lot of good choices of egg dishes, pancakes and other sweet breakfast offerings. All are priced in the $5.00 to $9.00 range, the latter being the omelet choices. I liked that they offered a Greek omelet complete with gyro meat, but I elected a no-meat offer of a veggie scramble. Hash browns come with the breakfast items, but the toast is extra. I found that a little odd for a diner. That said, the rye toast I ordered was superb. And made on the premises, like the white and wheat choices. The egg dish was good, but service was very slow. Of course, I was on no sort of mission that day, so it didn't matter. Coffee as expected was standard diner variety-weak. But Stella's is a nice stop in small town Stockton. It's fun to see a big family of farmers at a long table eating the eggs their hens may have laid. Lunch and dinner served as well.
(3)Joe H.
Great food and service! French onion soup was delicious! Great stop along route 20. We will be back next time we travel through!
(5)Janice G.
Great food, reasonably priced. Glad that we stopped. The homemade bread and soup were delicious.
(5)William M.
We have been going to galena for 25 years and have never stopped in downtown Stockton . What a gem! All homemade foods, cheap! Pasta, chicken, beef, burgers, fish , salad and sandwiches. But all made it ha ton of care. Pies and cakes all homemade too. Felt like I was in Mayberry. The OnLY disappointment, no wine or beer. Otherwise, please please stop here..
(5)Lori H.
I see this place through the eyes of someone who has always wanted to own a place like this, but has been too chicken to take the leap. And as someone who has a friend who has also worked very hard, struggling through disappointment to finally find success with his own cafe and pie establishment. I understand the blood, sweat and tears that goes into what we get to experience as artsy, welcoming, easy going and delicious. When my family stopped in while on an antiquing day trip, I knew I had chosen to stop here having looked online for a place to eat while passing through. They had no idea, but were soon as smitten as I. Though the server/owner was the only one serving the dining room, she did a good job of covering the folks in the space and though she moved with urgency she never made you feel anxious as she made time to appreciate our happiness with our meals. If you want to live this life running, running, running, stuffing your gullet with mosigre importance put on the speed of service than the food you could be enjoying, perhaps you shouldn't stop here. There's a Mcd's up on the highway for folks like you. Me, I'm going to take the few, very few extra minutes that it takes to let some fabulously friendly and talented people make my meal with homemade breads, signature sauces and unique flavor combinations that delight your senses.
(5)J L.
EXCELLENT! Quality, unique, tummy. pleasing omelet! Finally someone that knows how to cook hash browns! !! Best break
(5)Nicole G.
Not a bad stop on or road trip. We went based on the yelp reviews we had read (plus it's only three minutes from rt. 20. Stella's is the epitome of a small town diner - the staff is laid back and the food is decent. If you're in a hurry or you're overly concerned with food safety and sanitation, I don't recommend it. However, if you're down for a quaint spot as you pass through town, I would certainly recommend.
(3)Maria C.
Thank you yelp. Used the Yelp app to find this place on the way to Galena for an anniversary weekend with my husband. A diamond in the rough!! Great homemade food. Had the chicken pesto sandwich and homemade cream if potato and sausage soup. My husband had the breakfast BLT. Both were absolutely outstanding. Food to warm the soul. The Decour was old-fashioned cute and quaint. I was really happy that we found this place instead of opting for McDonald's. thank you gun yelp and to all the yelpers who left reviews.
(5)Esther J.
Glad we found this place! Delish! I got the gyro with a side of southwest chili (amazing!) and my husband got the barnyard chicken sandwich with a side of fries. Food arrived hot and was very fresh. Delicious! So glad we stopped here instead of McDonald's. Decor is local artwork, tastefully done.
(5)Dan T.
A charming little cafe. Service was very pleasant and genuine, all quirks and special wishes with a smile treated and food was good with an excellent value. For 3 we paid only 22 $ (pancakes, 2 orders of egg, hash browns and toast and some tea). The also have a little podium for live music.
(5)Jennifer K.
Several years ago my Aunts and I met here for breakfast during the week, as it is the middle point between our towns (Rockford and Dubuque). I remembered a fantastic experience. This past weekend we were meeting my Aunt once again and decided to hook up at Stella's for Sunday brunch. I am toggling between 1 and 2 stars as I type. VERY torn. The first of our party of 5 arrived at noon. They were immediately seated and waited almost 15 minutes for a cup of coffee.....that is when we arrived. Apparently they have a brunch, which is mostly silver buffet servers with sterno cans underneath them. Many people were enjoying the "buffet" throughout the time that we were there, but none in our party opted for that. I would just like to say that we were there from noon until 1:45 and the ONLY time any of the employees went to the brunch table was the older gentleman tearing it down. NEVER did food get temped or replenished. The grubby black tablecloth was filthy and never got wiped off, no one refilled any of the items or checked on the food in any way. I am unsure what the price for the brunch was, as the first thing out of our server's mouth was, "Are you ready to order?" This was before my husband and I had a cup of coffee or had a chance to even look at the menu. QUICKLY, we ordered. The menu raves about "home-made" corned beef hash, hand cut this and that. We placed our order and waited....and waited....and waited.....45 minutes before the first plates hit the table. From there it took almost another 15 before all of the orders were completely on the table. I ordered the "Hash Plate" which is their "house-made" corned beef hash with 2 eggs poached medium, rye toast and a glass of tomato juice. My eggs were very well done. My husband actually commented that maybe we should make deviled eggs sometime soon....I figured after 45 minutes I would just eat them and like them. No sense in holding off the meal too much longer. The corned beef itself was very good. I believe it was thick sliced deli beef with frozen shredded potatoes, but certainly better than the stuff that comes out of the can. I cannot comment on anyone else's meal. The service was horrendous. Had our server been attentive and apologetic this review would be much kinder. We actually had to flag a different server down at about the 25 minute mark to ask for more coffee. Our food got dropped at the table with several items missing and yet another flag down to someone asking if the remaining items were on their way. My tomato juice was eventually served warm. The entire time that we were eating our meal, not one person checked on us or asked us if we needed anything. Luckily, the to-go boxes were on a shelf behind my Aunt so she didn't have to find someone to take care of grabbing one for her. The portions are decent size. A couple people ordered a meal with a large side (such as my Aunt who ordered a breakfast with a side of pancakes). It was an unfortunate experience.....and unfortunate for us because the only sit down restaurant between here and Dubuque is Stella's (that I know of).
(1)Merty M.
Before discovering this little jewel the best breakfast I ever had was at a place called "Two Gals" near The Boulder Damn in Nevada in the early 90's. Now Stella's Cafe holds the title! This place is absolutely incredible. BEST BREAKFAST EVER and super cool atmosphere. It's worth every minute of the 45 minute commute to get my grub on at the coolest place around! And come hungry, even my fat a$$ can't get in Stella's Clean Plate Club.
(5)Crysta A.
We were looking for a non-chain lunch on the road between Galena and Chicago, and Stella's was a great find. (Thanks, Yelp.) This place is cute, right on a small town Main Street, with friendly service and great food. The decor is great - look up at the awesome tin ceiling. It has a very vintage vibe, with 50s music on the radio and black and white photos on the walls. We both ordered sandwiches - BLT for me, chicken pesto for my boyfriend - and both were delicious, and relatively large, served with a pile of fries. Our total bill was $16 for both sandwiches, plus iced tea. We would definitely return, especially since this was just a mile south of Route 20, so a very easy and worthwhile detour.
(4)Tim H.
This place was great.....we had shrimp, potato, sandwich, soup, apple pie and 2 drinks - with a good tip bill was under $25.00!!
(5)Dusty K.
A gem. Sitting all smug on the corner of Main street, how typically rural American I might add, is a fantastic artsy cafe. Stepping in was like stepping into the 1950s. The music may have been upbeat but the walls held onto it's historic soul. The place looks 100 years old on the inside from the hard wood floors that creak as you walk to the tin ceiling with intricate detail. I'm happy to report that places like this still exist around the country. It's less than a mile off route 20 so you really have no excuse to not stop here. I originally came on a Thursday for lunch as we headed to Galena for the weekend. To my surprise, I was delighted to see so many things made from scratch. Homemade breads, homemade potato chips, and an aspect of pride about doing so. I was in heaven. My chicken sandwich with bacon was a tasty treat. But as a lover of french onion dip, the homemade chips and dip were out of this world. Don't tell anyone but I was licking the dish clean. My mouth is watering just thinking about this. We left with a bill of $19 for 2 lunches, a drink, and an appetizer. You really can't beat it. In fact, I loved it so much we came back on our return home. We stopped in on Sunday for their breakfast buffet. The hash browns were freshly grated and the carrot cake was insane. Moist, loaded with nuts, and the cream cheese frosting was nothing short of perfection. I can't wait to come back.
(5)