Adam DuvallPeoria Journal Star
Sports and food really do go hand and hand.
Ask any sports reporter covering an event, and they will say having great food options is a must.
Unfortunately, there aren't any concession stands on this list — that's right, no popcorn. So, these are the 11 places in the Peoria area that are consistently in my dinner rotation:
Weaver’s Fresh Food and Drink
This is one of the hidden gems of family-friendly spots in Peoria. The relatively new restaurant offers delicious fare from its appetizers to its chicken fingers (my son’s favorite) to the cheesesteaks and beef. My daughter loves the cheddar cheese balls, while the nachos offer a unique yet savory topping — diced pickles. Two must-haves: Tyler’s sauce and the coleslaw.
- Address: 7301 N. Radnor Rd., Peoria
- Phone: (309) 839-2725
- Website: weaversfreshfoodanddrink.com
- Hours: Open Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
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Molly’s Pizzeria
When back in my hometown of Chillicothe, Molly’s is a must. Always start with my wife’s favorite — pepper jack cheese bites — and then dive into the calzones. If there’s a bigger calzone in the Peoria area, please direct me to it. These are bursting with your choice of meats, veggies and the choice of five types of cheese. Order the large calzone and be prepared to eat it for the next 2-3 meals.
- Address: 223 Cedar St., Chillicothe
- Phone: (309) 270-8600
- Website: toasttab.com/mollyspizzeria
- Hours: Closed Tuesday. Open Monday, Friday, Saturday 11 a.m.-9p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday 12-7 p.m.
Double A’s Pizza Sports Bar and Grill
Come for the pizza — Mega Meat — stay for the countless apps including a personal favorite, the homemade chips with their signature buffalo ranch dipping sauce. When not in the mood for pizza (which is very, very rare) the go-to order for my wife is mushroom and Swiss; get the chicken and substitute the Swiss for pepper jack. Doubly delectable. Otherwise, the Double A’s Wings are unreal, especially the garlic parmesan boneless.
- Address: 7716 IL-91, Peoria
- Phone: (309) 692-0800
- Website: doubleapizza.com
- Hours: Closed Tuesday. Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
More: 3 of the best pizza places to eat around the Peoria area as voted on by readers
Childers Eatery
The Childers in Junction City is pretty standard for breakfast with my family. This may be more of brunch food, but it’s safe to say the chicken kale pesto quinoa bowl is my most ordered item. Be sure to add the caramel apple churro waffle with a side of crisp bacon for the table to share.
- Address: 5805 N Humboldt Ave. #5, Peoria
- Phone: (309) 966-4035
- Website: childerseatery.com
- Hours: Open Monday-Sunday 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
The Blue Duck Barbecue Tavern
What’s there to say about Blue Duck? All their food is unbelievable. Be sure to start with the smoked then fried wings in a great soy ginger sauce. Then either grab some fried dill pickle chips or barbecue nachos — but get it how my wife likes it with the pico de gallo on the side and extra cheese. If you aren’t already stuffed from the appetizers, grab a banh mi sandwich with a side of warm bacon potato salad.
- Address: 212 Southwest Water St., Suite B, Peoria
- Phone: (309) 981-5801
- Website: blueduckbarbecue.com
- Hours: Closed Sunday, Monday. Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-9 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-9 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Lariat Steakhouse
If you’re going to Lariat, start with some fried mushrooms, potato skins or bacon-wrapped shrimp. Need something on the lighter side? The salmon salad comes with a good-sized piece of fish and great citrus vinaigrette dressing. But steakhouses aren’t for salads. The sizzling plate with a ribeye, baked potato on the side and fried mushrooms on top. Plus, there’s perfectly crusty bread.
- Address: 2232 Glen Av, Peoria
- Phone: (309) 691-4731
- Website: peoriasteakhouse.com
- Hours: Closed Sunday. Open Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.; Saturday 5-11 p.m.
More: 3 of the best steakhouse restaurants in the Peoria area as voted on by readers
Connected
Chef Troy Ummel's spot is the ideal date place for a very nice night out. The appetizers offer some traditional Italian fare including a mozzarella caprese. There are a pair of pasta entrees that are out of this world: rigatoni alla zozzona and the vitello ai quattro formaggi. The rigatoni features succulent sweet Italian sausage and a light cream sauce. With the vitello, you get pan-fried veal with melted cheese and a very subtly sweet tomato sauce.
- Address: 3218 N. Dries Lane, Peoria
- Phone: (309) 686-5925
- Website: connectedpeoria.com
- Hours: Closed Sunday, Monday. Open Tuesday-Saturday 5 p.m.
Pizza, pizza, pizza
Chicago Grill of Peoria (located at 814 W Pioneer Pkwy, Peoria) has, hands down, the best deep-dish pizza around. Give yourself an extra hour or so when ordering. Hoops Pub and Pizza (situated downtown at 516 Main St. #1029, Peoria) provides the ideal late-night pie. Try The Works. Making a trip out to western Peoria County? Make two stops. Grab the fried and slathered barbecue wings and a traditional crust pizza at Corner Inn in Elmwood (118 S. Magnolia St.). Head next to Farmington Pizza Co. (1200 E Fort St., Farmington) for a Tom’s Favorite pizza and fried onions. Both spots will not disappoint.
A different viewpoint: These Peoria-area restaurants are my favorites for outdoor dining. Here's why
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
