Peoria, Illinois, a large city located in central Illinois on Peoria Lake, is rich in cultural and sporting events. It is also home to thousands of restaurants, including many pizza parlors. In addition to national chains, many locally owned restaurants make pizza in the tradition of nearby Chicago, Illinois – with a rich, thick crust and a variety of toppings.
Garner's Pizza and Wings of North Peoria is a kid-friendly restaurant featuring an arcade and game room. The kids menu includes corn dogs, fries, mini one-topping pizzas and chicken nuggets. Bellacino's Pizza and Grinders kid's menu has many choices in addition to pizza, such as grilled cheese, grinders, pasta and even peanut butter and jelly. Desserts include cookies and brownies. This restaurant also offers healthy choices in addition to salad – a selection of low calorie grinders.
Rizzi's Italian Restaurant on Sheridan serves a full menu of Italian favorites, such as eggplant rollatini, gnocchi and pizza. All food is cooked to order, and a full wine menu is available. Low lighting, white tablecloths and intimate booths accent the restaurant's romantic setting. Two 25 Peoria offers cuisine that is a fusion of Italian, French and American. Pizzas are made to order, and toppings include garlic sauteed in white wine, pesto, artichoke hearts and barbecued chicken. In addition to a full wine list, this restaurant offers wine flights, a great date activity. Wine flights are wine tastings with selections grouped by common characteristics, such as region.
Old Chicago serves pizza in either Chicago style (thick crust) or New York style (thin crust), with 40 toppings to choose from. It also serves 110 beers, and a large selection of cocktails, margaritas, mojitos and wines. Non alcoholic specialty drinks are also available, such as gourmet root beers, shakes, and pomegranate lemonade. Hoops Pub and Pizza has a pub atmosphere and serves traditional pizza, including vegetarian pizza. Double A's Pizza also serves bar food and beers. Patrons can watch football on game days. TNT's Sports Bar also offers game day entertainment. Menu choices include not only pizza, but also fried chicken, salads and a full Mexican menu on Tuesday nights.
Chef Evo Brick Oven Pizza offers live music on select weekend nights. It also sponsors a car cruise-in to showcase classic, restored and vintage cars. The annual Halloween costume party is a family-friendly event. Chef Evo's also brews its own root beer. Every Thursday is open-mike night at Peoria Pizza Works. Other musical events, such as jazz concerts, are scheduled periodically. Food choices include pizza, pasta, calzones, chicken fingers and salads. In addition to beer, wine and cocktails, Peoria Pizza Works serves many hot alcoholic drinks, such as spiced wine and hot buttered rum.
