So I ordered take out, chefs grilled chicken salad, bruschetta, side regular salad & pasta salad. Two stars because I found a black hair on the boiled egg in my chefs salad.. everything else seemed okay. Just, lost my appetite. read more

Avantis - Italian Near Me - Peoria, Illinois

Okay, we were in town for just a few nights and had to stop by. I used to work at Avantis at another location, well many years ago, I won't date myself, so going back is kind of nostalgic. We went on a Monday and had their all-you-can-eat pasta. I mean who offers pasta for $5.99 and all you can eat? The meat sauce was a bit spicy for my taste, I don't remember this being the case in the past. The alfredo sauce was amazing. Truly an unexpected delight. My favorite is always their warm bread served with butter. Our waitress was unbelievable attending to our needs before we asked. Great service and food. read more

Orded a chicken alfredo. They dont technically have it on the menu apparently and it was rang up as large linguini with chicken. It came with the smallest amount of chicken i could imagine being put on my meal. read more

Avantis - a plate of pasta with chicken on it - Italian Near Me - Peoria, Illinois

This place was horrible. I ordered chicken tenders and a mini salad. I paid $8.99 for 3 small chicken tenders!!!! Oh and the salad was an additional charge. When I asked my server about the gross amount for 3 strips, she gave me the option of fries or spaghetti as if she was making it a meal. None of this was advertised on the menu where I saw the strips in the appetizer section. read more

We we're craving some Italians and this was the first to pop up and we figured we would try new things. We(me and my husband) went two times. First time the food was absolutely amazing and filled us up pretty nice. Really nice people. Now second time we went we were sat pretty quick. Nice people and food came pretty quick. It was good till I saw a bug in my food. Now I would've just flicked it off but I just wanted to let them know I found a bug in my food. The waitress came and took it and i figured they would give me another plate but I kind of lost my appetite. We were done eating and asked for the check and the manager I presume came to our table and told us that it was SEASONING ON MY SPAGHETTI ‍‍ SEASONING??!! Bruv I know that was a bug I saw legs on it and even sent a video to my sister and she said ewww . My husband saw it too. I told her that it was not seasoning it was a bug and said okay and left ‍‍. Atleast they took it off our bill but we ain't going back if they gonna season our food with bugs. read more

The food is good, it's nothing to write home about. It's the BREAD!!!!! The bread is amazing!!!! Every time we go to Peoria I try to stop here & just buy several loaves of bread! I have a recipe to make the bread, but it's too much of a pain, it's just easier to buy it occasionally! read more

Excellent bread, fried ravioli, and supreme pizza bread. Nice sized portions, service and reasonable prices. Can't wait to try the bacon chicken ranch wrap tomorrow! read more

Excellent food & service. Their Gondola and their soups are outstanding. One of the best in the chain. read more

Avantis is my favorite restaurant in town. I currently live in AZ and crave their hot ham and cheeses. Their gondolas are perfect for parties and gatherings. The service is usually pretty quick! We've been ordering delivery and take-out from here for as long as I can remember. We love it! read more

Several friends and co-workers from Chicago and from Peoria recommended this. I also was told this location is better parking and seating than its other locales. I did order a gondola (half) to go for hotel room tonight. I figure I'll be hungry again in another day or two! I ordered the carbonara with chicken. Carbonara is one of my favorites and nit many places offer it and even fewer do it right. This was quite good. The bacon/pancetta was crispy and the mushroom and linguine just right. I've added grilled chicken before, not truly purest, but never breaded before. This too was crisp and very nice with the bacon. Quite a lot of meat. The salad was good and the bread and olive oil tasty. Service was very friendly and quick. My reports were accurate. This is a solid place. Now, off to nap! read more

I love Avantis overall but this one is by far the worst! The first time I went they lost my to go order forcing me to order again at the register and the second time the cashier was coughing over the good then her hands and I asked her to sanitize and she said no there was no need. I then explained that you have to touch the bag and if you're sick I could get sick by touching the bag then eating my food. She then started laughing and said she didn't care. I spoke with the manager in the kitchen and she said she didn't have to wash her hands because she didn't actually touch the food. I'm not sure what policy they follow but I've never experienced nothing like this read more

I can only come here once a year when I visit my grandparents in Peoria, and I gotta say... i absolutely love this place! Their gondola sandwiches are amazing and has been keeping my family happy for years. The employees are friendly and work very hard. The prices are also unbeatable, 24 dollars for 3 huge sandwiches is waaaaayyy better than a foot long at subway! Tastes much better too. Can't wait to eat here again next year! read more

Sorry folks, I just don't get the place?!? Numerous recommendations so we have given it three trys and each time we wonder what people see in the place? Italian food is actually pretty nasty, I've eaten Italian on both coasts and even the worst places are superior to Avanti's. Best thing I can say is it's edible, and don't even get me started on their "famous" Gondola sandwich!!! Only award it could win is if it was for best gas station sandwich... AND that is highly debatable!!! read more

I have been eating in this restaurant since before I was born. That's right, my momma was putting Avanti's hot ham and cheese into me before I had any say-so! And thank goodness she did! This restaurant is full of memories for me (obviously). Having moved away nearly 20 years ago I was afraid it would change. It hasn't! Every time I return I get the same hot ham and cheese, the same "can't find it anywhere else on earth" bread with their secret recipe... And, although there have been some changes, the "heart" of the building is still there. Avanti's is by no stretch of the imagination fine dining or a place for a food snob to get a snob-fix, but it IS a great way to feed an entire family for a reasonable price and enjoy an evening together. Avanti's thank you for being in my family for many, many years! read more

Happened to be working in Peoria and yelp came through again. I read through some of the reviews and I just have to laugh. If you walk into McDonalds, you cant expect to get a filet or escargo. I mean seriously folks! We were floored (i mean FLOORED) with the prices. We absolutely had a feast for 2 and our bill was 19.27. Our meal was: Small supreme pizza (avanti's special), the famous Gondola sandwich (italian meats and american cheese), side of bread, side salad and an order of tortellini w/tomato sauce. Pizza was perfectly cooked with the right amount of veggies and meat...with a crispy crust. Gondola was a simple sandwich of with fresh ingredients (and yes the bread is amazing.) Side salad was bagged lettuce with homemade ranch; tortellini wasnt amazing, but it was good. Sauce was nice. I 100% recommend this place to anyone. You really cannot go wrong. The prices alone are a reason to visit and try the WHOLE menu!!!:) read more

My family and I just experienced the worst service at an Avanti's in the 56 years I have been eating at their restaurants. Waitress was indifferent and lacked any concern about our experience. 1. Lost our order so it wasn't turned in. 2. Had to ask for more bread, refills on drinks, napkins and condiments multiple times and still didn't get some things. Waitress apologized but it didn't seem sincere. Her statement was "Well, I'm busy." The lady at the cash register did give us a discount because she recognized we were not treated well. That was much appreciated but the waitress left a lot to be desired. The original owner wouldn't have tolerated what we experienced. read more

I grew up eating the gondolas here. Every time I make it back to Peoria, this is a definite stop - at least once, sometimes twice, sometimes even more. I've even requested a friend to bring back one for me when he visited. When will you come to Chicago, Avanti's? read more

I went there because I had heard some of my friends in Peoria talk about it but this ones the worst italian food I have ever had. Please avoid the place. read more

I've been coming here since the 1980s, and little has changed here. If you are expecting a fine dining experience, don't come here. But if you enjoy decent food, generous servings, and great prices, and some of the most unique and tasty breads around, come here. It was dirt cheap 20 years ago, and even as a high school student, I could easily afford a gondola or pizza bread or lasagna. OK, so the gondola is so so, especially the meats and cheese, but it's all about the bread. I would love to combine the Italian Nightclub from Jimmy John's with the bread from Avanti's - the results would be magical. Anyway, it is what it is - nothing more and nothing less, and it'sa Peoria institution that has survived for decades and has expanded. read more

Grew up in Peoria. Can't stand the "city." This place... is amazing. Every time I have the misfortune of coming back to Peoria, I eat here within 12 hours of arriving. Half gondola and either a salad or a cup of cheese soup? I really do think so. If it were 24 hours, it'd be the best place on earth. This place should expand into Chicago, as the cheap(ish) Italian places like Ricobene's can't even compare. Of course, that'd mean Peoria would permanently lose its raison d'etre.... read more

It boils my blood when I order one sandwich that takes only minutes to make but takes 1.5 hours to get to me. I understand trying to capitalize on deliveries but when someone orders a sandwich and I live .5 miles away I shouldn't have to wait that long for my food. Pizza burgers take 30 seconds to make. 30 freakin seconds to make. 1.5 hours 90 full minutes. Then they have the nerve to tell me I was the last delivery. I ordered at 7pm not even high traffic or dinner time... This only happens at the Rockwood location and the worst part is that they didn't even apologize. I didn't even have an attitude on the phone until I was told I was the last delivery. A PIZZA BURGER!!!! TRASH MANAGEMENT!!!! read more

When I order I always phone in, Always! The staff have been very friendly and helpful with any questions I might have about any of the menu items. I Love the Pizza Burger with Mozzarella, best sandwich you can order. Pizza is fine, the small pizza is the size to order (it's cooked longer). The real issue I have with Avanti's is the sauce is the same on everything. Pizza, Spaghetti, Ravioli, Tortellini, Baked spaghetti, and yes the Pizza Burger. But all in all, most items are good to very good and priced very reasonable. Delivery service is excellent!! And as always anyone that has lived in Peoria can tell you they grew up on Avanti's bread, and it is great. I have had it for over 37 years now and it's still the best. read more

What a great place! We walked in 20 mins before close -there were mops around ! But they were so nice and encouraged us to come in and eat! Service was fast -food was great and the wine was even good ! The bread is awesome ! The customer service was great and we didn't feel rushed at all!! Next time we're in Peoria we will surely stop by ! Thanks again ladies! read more

To go order was completely messed up for the second time in a month. I live 35 miles away and was offered a credit for more food as if I want to eat here or drive 70 miles again after repeated messed up orders. read more

Back in the area for Christmas and wanted to have Avantis. Placed an order for delivery. Wife ordered tortellini but received a kids order of fettuccine. I had the fettuccine. Fettuccini was tasteless. No flavor at all. We also had a half a gondola. I didn't think it was possible to put even less toppings on a gondola but they've done it. Bread still tastes good though. read more

If you are from the Central Illinois area you have had an Avanti's Gondola at least once. Avanti's Italian Restaurant is nothing really special but the bread that is used to make those Gondolas and other sandwiches really make the place. The bread has a sweet taste that is addicting and you put anything to make a sandwich and it will be great. Other then that its more of that Americanized and commercial Italian food that Peoria people like I guess. read more

Delivery. If you're in the mood for mediocre, Avanti's has got you covered. From the canned chicken noodle soup, to the half @$$ed Toasted Cheese "Deluxe" your desire for disappointment will definitely be met. You can expect your delivery order to be relatively fast, but definitely cold. Avanti's "Italian" food, a perfect match for a cold, gloomy winter day, they're practically twins. read more

If you live/grew up in Peoria or even the surrounding areas, you can't help but not know what a gondola is. Seeing as I no longer live in Peoria, I always ask my friends who go on a regular basis to bring me back a gondola or just even a loaf of bread. I completely agree with Travis - they do put crack in the bread. read more

Been working in Peoria for the past five months, so I thought I'd try Avanti's because I've heard mixed reviews from co workers . The pizza was pretty bad, taste was very very bland, and I think I could drive nails in the ground with the crust it was so hard! I'm not sure how the other Italian dishes on the menu are but Not impressed at all with the pizza! read more

Avanti's is definitely a "treat" for people who moved away but come back for a occasional visit. The memories of the sweet, fresh bread....the tasty pizza....the rich lasagna....and of course the famous Gondola. This is a Peoria landmark, for sure. BUT, for those of us who have stuck around this 'ol town, we know how different Avanti's is compared to the how it was 10-15 years ago. The prices are still decent, a bit higher, but defiantly affordable. BUT gone is the delicious lasagna sauce, now covered with the same old bland meat sauce that covers every other dish. Gone are the cubes of ham in the fettuccini, now replaced by what look like scraps of lunch meat. The pizza? I'll pass....the crust is far too hard and doesn't seem "fresh". It seems as though the quality of everything has gone down and the prices go up every couple years. Avanti's is definitely not what it used to be by any stretch of the imagination. Owned by a sweet old man who worked his way up to build such a great family restaurant, it's sad to see how things are not top notch like he used to have them. Nonetheless, I will always be a fan. Maybe because of the sub par pizza bread that's quick to run and get, or maybe because I have a lot of respect for all the hard work Albert has done in his life. read more

Home of the gondola! If you want great Italian food for a great price this is a great place to come. Our server was nice and they always give you fresh bread and butter. I also recommend the pizza burger! read more

Avantis - Italian Near Me - Peoria, Illinois

I want to say thank you to Avantis for their professionalism and service. The food is outstanding and everyone knows it, but the secret is in the service. We had a large event for over 500 People and they arranged for all the delivery in containers that would have made the event easy for us to serve the meal...if the event would have gone well. Unfortunately for us, the rain came and heavy thunderstorms canceled our event...Avantis management and workers helped us salvage our day and they worked with us on a plan to help us recoup some of our expenditure that we had to pay upfront. Avantis could have easily let our event be the total disaster that the weather was that evening, but instead they came to our rescue in a calm and professional way helped navigate us to a amiable solution! Avantis Great Food, better customer Service! read more

Don't know if the food is good or not as no one would wait on us. We asked to be moved to a different section and we were told no by the hostess. As we waited for a server to come we watched another couple get seated in a different section and waited on immediately. The manager needs to evaluate the hostess and wait staff if they want to continue to have sales. Definitely not impressed. read more

This is my "go to" restaurant every time I visit. The Gondola's are amazing. (It's the bread). I eat one there and get one for the road. Inside is clean and staff are great. Prices are reasonable. read more

Cheap good, decent food. Their bread and gondola is my favorite.

Grew up in Peoria and have always loved Avanti's! If you get a loaf of bread right after they make it, it's even better than usual! Personally, Avanti's is a carry out thing to me so I don't have many comments on the service. Love the spaghetti, gondolas, pizza bread. Just something about the way they do their sauce I think... Always go here when I'm in town! read more

This place is an important part of my Peoria heritage-- and I was absolutely devastated when I discovered they had changed the bread!! Bring it back!! Sometimes change is bad. The pizza and salads and other items are still great, but Avantis just isn't Avantis without the great bread. read more

Avanti's is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy! Have to come here for a gondola everytime I visit home in the last 30 years!!!! read more

Avantis - Avanti's -- proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy! !! - Italian Near Me - Peoria, Illinois

One worker is just plain rude and honestly dumb, she gets in arguments and yells at other workers, service wasn't very good, if you don't like drama, this isn't a place for you. read more

This is as good as it gets. The bread is not matched after much travel. they do put crack and craik in their bread. If you don't like the gondola, you are tired of life, as Johnson said. Now, for the criticism of the pasta and pizza, what are you thinking? do you order burgers at McDs or pizza at Pizza hut? no. you should not order these things. the bread and things based on the bread are the things. I know this place, I know their bread since we were pups. The range of responses indicates how well and how poorly a 1-star [Michelin] restaurant can be reviewed. not that they are one starred, but as a type or a kind, this place is a standard, and the reviews mean that even the best can have mistakes -- or -- be mistaken. As you can judge a book, a book can also judge you. (Same here for the metephor impaired.) read more