Best/Worst restaurant experience in Peoria area

[Bradleyfan1]

You guys talking bout the 70's really helps me feel young being born in 83.... thanks! Whats every ones feelings about MR G's...... Im hungry lol

[Future Walk-On]

You guys talking bout the 70's really helps me feel young being born in 83.... thanks! Whats every ones feelings about MR G's...... Im hungry lol

used to eat there when at BU then it closed ...but did it reopen?

[Da Coach]

used to eat there when at BU then it closed ...but did it reopen?

Mr. G's closed in November, 2011 due to the bad economy. Then the owner of One World Cafe bought the restaurant, remodeled, and reopened last summer-

http://www.pjstar.com/news/x1488478100/Hot-dog-lovers-rejoice-Mr-Gs-is-coming-back-to-West-Main

http://peoriahistoricalsociety.blogspot.com/2012/07/mr-gs-remodeling-under-way.html

[Skut Farcus]

Just goes to show, there are plenty of good places to eat in Peoria that aren't chains but easy on the wallet.

[TNel]

I have a gift certificate at Murphy's that I got for my 21st birthday. Is the food there still good?

[Chico]

I have a gift certificate at Murphy's that I got for my 21st birthday. Is the food there still good?

That gift certificate might pay for a small coke nowadays.

[Canton BU fan]

I like Johnny's Italian Steakhouse which is moving to East Peoria.

[molar50]

Best Italian in Peoria is Basta's in Peoria Heights. The chicken parmesian is the best in Peoria and my wife and I can split the meal. The portions are huge. Another good restaurant in the Heights is Jim's Bistro. They are always busy and have consistent good service and food.

[Da Coach]

Best Italian in Peoria is Basta's in Peoria Heights. The chicken parmesian is the best in Peoria and my wife and I can split the meal. The portions are huge. Another good restaurant in the Heights is Jim's Bistro. They are always busy and have consistent good service and food.

Great choices. I developed a whole new appreciation for Italian dishes because of Basta's. I also can't believe nobody mentioned Kelleher's downtown.
I don't mind the chain restaurants if you are looking for something fast before a game, but unless you have a bunch of little kids to drag along like Tornado, I prefer a nicer restaurant. Unfortunately, Peoria doesn't have too many really nice restaurants, and the better ones don't seem to last long. It is worth going to Chicago to try some of the fantastic restaurants there.

I like Johnny's Italian Steakhouse which is moving to East Peoria.

By the way- Johnny's Italian Steakhouse, one of my favorites, will reopen in East Peoria, next to the new Holiday Inn on September 10, 2013. Just in time for the basketball season!-

http://johnnysitaliansteakhouse.com/peoria/

http://johnnysitaliansteakhouse.com/east-peoria/

[tornado]

Hey - I don't drag 'em - they drag me

[BuBraves55]

I like the corn dog bits at Carver Arena during a Braves game.

Used to be the best deal in Peoria, that's for sure. It was like 2.50 for them a couple years ago but now it's up a buck or so. Still an outstanding choice.

[Canton BU fan]

I used to like Shakey's back in the 70's before it became a buffet. I liked watching them twirl the pizza dough. And remember the big long benches and tables?

[Da Coach]

I used to like Shakey's back in the 70's before it became a buffet. I liked watching them twirl the pizza dough. And remember the big long benches and tables?

Decent pizza, and cheap. And the large tables were great for getting together in a big group.
When I was still a student (in the '70's) we'd meet there for pizza and beer. I didn't drink beer, so I had to make up for it by eating as much pizza as possible.

[tornado]

Shakeys was fun - they were initially right on North University next to Steak & Shake & in front or where Wal-Mart is...then they moved way out north near Pioneer Parkway - but in college they were really one of the best deals on pizza after a ball game.
The two restaurants right on the corner of University & Main back in the 60's & 70's - Avanti's & LaHood's were both great pizza & other Italian food - but I always loved LaHoods pizza the best...

Avanti's moved across the street when they re-designed the intersection and opened some other locations - and LaHoods morphed into LaGondola (under slightly different ownership) but neither seem to make their pizzas exactly the same way and don't taste the same...

Here's a trivia question - What all time favorite Peoria restaurant - now closed - was the site of a recruiting dinner that the Bradley head coach had with a well known top recruit - who then narrowed his college options and Bradley was in his final two - but instead he chose University of Kentucky...
Afterwards - his troubles became notorious..

If you don't know - find the answer here in another thread...

http://www.bradleyfans.com/vb/showthread.php?p=283130#post283130

some of the same questions & more were in a trivia thread once before...

http://www.bradleyfans.com/vb/showthread.php?t=16816

[Canton BU fan]

I also loved Farrells at Northwoods Mall but it seemed my parents would never take me there unless it was my birthday. We did go to Hunts a lot. Great chocolate pie and strawberry pie.