Fort Jesse Cafe

I came from texas for the special Olympics for my niece. We chose your restaurant for the final…read moreday. She had shrimp tacos I had beef strognof my brother had a gyro and my sister in law had chicken flat bread. The beef strognof was something I will dream of here in texas forever It was the very best that I had EVER HAD IN MY LIFE NEXT TO MY SISTERS GREAT JON

Don't judge by the outside. They have some really great food. Lots of gluten free & vegetarian…read moreoptions. Delicious & reasonably priced. Definitely not a chain, but worth a stop.

Restaurant interior

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Jason's Deli

4.0(132 reviews)

1.0 mi

Review Visit: October 22nd, 2014…read more Free ice cream! Jason's Deli is one of those rare cases where I don't remember much about it. It does happen once in a blue moon but Jason's Deli does have an interesting point to talk about. What I do remember about Jason's Deli is the free ice cream machine. Once you have paid for your food and are seated, you have unlimited access to the ice cream machine. From what I do remember, there is the two basic flavors: chocolate and vanilla. There is, of course, the mixed option in the middle. That's my go-to option whenever I encounter these machines. It's nice to have something so awesome be free for once at a restaurant. Check out their menu to see if Jason's Deli is something you would be interested in. If so, go there and have yourself some new memories and free ice cream.

I love the food. Ranchero Wrap has been a go to for me for over a year. The reason I'm leaving the…read more3 star is because the fountain drinks here are disgusting. I got a sprite today that tasted like cherry cough medicine and the drinks have been bad here for as long as I can remember. I don't know what is done differently here for drinks but it's not it. Genuinely everything else besides the beverages is delicious.

Bought my beautiful pregnant daughter here for lunch. She was very happy!

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Potbelly

3.6(46 reviews)

2.2 mi

For my first time being here I would say it was good. I…read moreliked the atmosphere of the restaurant. The service was good. I didnt know where to order my sandwich and felt like I got yelled at that im supposed to order at the other line. I had to repeat what I ordered 4 times because the workers didnt communicate with each other. The food was very good. I would come again to try a different sandwich.

Staff is friendly! Everything we ordered tasted fresh. My 7year old loves the kids sandwiches.read more

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Jersey Mike's Subs

4.2(5 reviews)

2.2 mi

Visited this location with my daughter. She and her boyfriend both eat at this location often and…read morelove it. I was not really impressed. My fiancé got the steak sub - it was cold and bland I had the Italian. It was okay, but very filling. Restaurant was clean but staff lacked enthusiasm, kindness and they all really did not want to be there and it showed.

GREAT SEVICE VERY GOOD EMPLOYEES!!! and the food is amaazing! and i really enjoyed the care the…read moreemloyees had!!

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Avanti's Italian Restaurant

3.2(182 reviews)

2.1 mi

I only had the Gondola so I may change my review but this is a great local place for comfort food…read more Try the Gondola

My lasagna was smothered by WAY TOO MUCH marinara sauce. In addition to the marinara on the inside…read more- all I could taste was the sauce. Some cheese - after I dug around for it. Some pasta that looked dark and gray. The marinara was not very good tasting. My wife did not like the spaghetti for the same reasons. Bread was cold. No wait staff. So no tip given. Just like a fast food place. Ambiance: What ambiance? No music. Boring interior. Floors sticky - made a squelching noise when we walked out. We'll be going to any other restaurant for Italian. Avanti's - you lost our business forever.

Dining area

Avanti's Italian Restaurant - Large cheese and sausage pizza, minus the 2 small corner pieces I ate. Sausage was not abundant Sausage was a mild Italian sausage.

Large cheese and sausage pizza, minus the 2 small corner pieces I ate. Sausage was not abundant Sausage was a mild Italian sausage.

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Turkey Chef Salad. My husband enjoyed this. The ingredients were fresh.

Firehouse Subs

3.6(34 reviews)

1.4 mi

These are excellent sandwiches. The bread is very fresh. There's an unbelievable amount of meat on…read morethem and they are delicious! I especially like the Club on a Sub. We always do carry out. Have never eaten on site but service is great.

I'm stuck away from home with a loved one in the hospital and had never been to firehouse, and not…read moreonly is the food good the folks at the Veterans Pky store were so sweet and made me really feel care for even if it was just for a second! Amazing service, sub was top shelf and the chili is like REAL chili! Tasted homemade! cool environment, but the staff was the best!

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Bloomin' Cafe

4.3(55 reviews)

2.1 mi

Stopped for a quick brunch on our drive from Chicago to St Louis and what a special surprise!…read moreWonderful, warm service and delicious food. Eggs Benedict, French Toast, Avocado Toast! And tasty coffee. You can tell the staff really care about each other. Thanks for a great Mother's Day treat!

We waited 40 minutes for a table on a Sunday and it was totally worth the wait. Everybody in our…read moreparty had the Eggs Benedict - and all cooked to perfection. And, we got a pancake for the table and oh my my - pure heavenly delight!

Dining area

Two egg breakfast with bacon and hash browns and side of pancakes (real butter too!)

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Chicken and waffles

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

5.0(1 review)

2.2 mi

Today we ordered the Bahama Mama, Açaí, and Dragon Fruit bowls...I can honestly say these are some…read moreof the best bowls I've ever had - the texture, the flavor, ingredient freshness, presentation... all are spot on. The portions are just right. The bowls were made in just a few minutes. Sam the manager is a friendly guy, we had an enjoyable conversation.

From the owner: At Tropical Smoothie Cafe® in Normal, we make eating better easy with made-to-order smoothies,…read morebowls, wraps, flatbreads and 'dillas. Sip fan favorites like the Island Green® smoothie, dig into Acai Bowls or fuel up with protein-packed options like the Peanut Paradise™ smoothie and PB Protein Crunch Bowl. Craving something seasonal? Try limited-time offerings like the Salted Caramel Javablender with smooth, roasted cold brew energy. Order ahead in the app or online for delivery, curbside or pickup and enjoy bold flavors for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Eat Some Good™ *At participating locations.

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DESTIHL Restaurant & Brew Works

4.2(1k reviews)

0.9 mi

So in 2018 we took a short weekend trip to Champaign, went to Allerton, got lost in the woods while…read moretowing a child who didn't walk and felt we were doomed. After getting back to our car finally in air conditioning, I looked for a place for lunch and picked Destihl in Champaign. VERY MEMORABLE MEAL. My husband and kids were very happy. Fastforward 8 years. My kids are teens and we go down to ISU for the state Special Olympics championship. My child who barely walked last time is now particpating in a sporting event and I need a place for lunch. I literally started looking on Yelp hoping to find something like that meal we had back in 2018. What do you know but Destihl is in Normal and we can go there. Went for lunch with a reservation on a Friday. They were very busy so I was happy I reserved. The service was awesome (Emil was our server). We ordered two apps (Snack plate / Pretzel) and all got lunches (Pickled Mac n Cheese, Fish tacos, Club). We didn't want to eat too much since we had a lot of walking in the sun coming for us. Everything was great. Here's the deal with Destihl and what I like about it: Lots of components to dishes and it works. Each component is well-thought out, very fresh and seasoned perfectly. I wanted to order everything on the menu. The first time wasn't a fluke (I was afraid it might be). I'm glad they are still creating great food and service. The restaurant is very roomy and comfortable. While we don't live close, we will make it back whenever we're around ISU.

So, I know the new kids in the block like this kind of thing to order from table and pay and…read morewaitress just plops food on table with all canned drinks no fountain drinks but honestly I didn't like that. I prefer more interaction with the people who are trying to earn a tip. But food was good 4 for food 1 for business profile So 3

Seating by bar area. We arrived at an off time, so it wasn't crowded. People started filtering in around 4pm.

Guajillo Chicken Nachos & Sausage and pepperoni stone oven pizza

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Dining area

Pop Up Hot Chicken

4.4(279 reviews)

2.4 mi

Super fast. Got served food in 10 min. Helpful staff, great food! Whatever spice you normally…read morechoose: mild,medium, hot. Go one down here.

This spot came highly recommended and took a couple attempts to finally stop in because they were…read moreso busy. You order your food at the door then sit down and they bring it to you when ready. I ordered the og sando and truffle fries. The fries were ok and the sando was pretty solid. It's a massive sandwich and could easily feed 2-3 people. It was a couple meals for me. If i lived in the area, i would probably come back. Good food and good vibes. Service was nothing special.

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Inside

Illinois Hot Chicken Horseshoe

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Great new location

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Alex L.

251

2 years ago

Forte Jesse Café is a delightful spot that combines cozy ambiance with delicious food and excellent coffee. The moment you step in, you're greeted by a warm, inviting atmosphere that's perfect for a casual meal or catching up with friends. The menu features a fantastic selection of breakfast and lunch items, all made with fresh ingredients. I highly recommend trying their signature breakfast burrito or the seasonal pastries--both are exceptional! The coffee is top-notch, with a variety of options to satisfy any caffeine craving. The staff is friendly and attentive, ensuring you have a great experience from start to finish. Whether you're a local or just passing through, Forte Jesse Café is a must-visit for great food and a welcoming vibe! read more

Donnie C.

11 years ago

My three boys wanted pizza and I convinced them to have some brunch instead. They thanked me for it after their meal. Wife and I had a skillet brunch, I never thought of adding cherry tomatoes but the flavor combination was perfect. Sweet and spicy. The kids had pancakes and waffles, they ate every bite and were fighting over our toast and blackberry jelly. Can't wait to try other items on the menu as all of the food coming out of the kitchen looked fantastic. For the quality and amount of food, it was very reasonable. read more

Genny N.

2 years ago

My husband and I love this restaurant! It has friendly staff, amazing food and a great vibe. I've been in love with this place since college and I am so happy to see it grow. Between the two of us, we have probably eaten over half of the menu and we haven't ever disliked anything we ordered or walked away hungry! Whenever we have people visit the Bloomington-Normal area, we take them here. It can be a little hard to get in because of their location, but it is WELL worth the wait! read more

Seth D.

9 years ago

You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. If checking it out for the first time, I'd recommend the chicken and waffle. Great balance of flavors. I'm also very thankful for a breakfast place with really good coffee. Most "diner" coffee is gross. And, you can have a cup while you wait. Genius. Service is really great too. Friendly and helpful. For a place as busy as this one is, that's a real accomplishment. Waiting tables is not easy work. read more

Ann B.

3 years ago

The best breakfast place in town. Every dish is top-notch and innovative. I always have to try the specials because they are so unique. The chicken and waffles are fantastic, as is the Benedict! The service was top-notch from the moment I walked in the door. The hostess was sweet and friendly. The waitress was super friendly and we even struck up nice conversation. Can't ask for much more than that when you're on the road. read more

Amy S.

2 years ago

Jordan, our server, was excellent. He was attentive to our specific requests and checked on us frequently to see if we needed anything. I was impressed that he told us his name a second time after taking our drink order. This helped me remember his name in case we needed something. I have always coming to this restaurant for their excellent and unique food and their quality service. read more

Lane M.

7 years ago

I LOVE Ft. Jesse Cafe - despite any wait time! The food is fresh and delicious! My favorite on a Sunday morning would have to be eggs benedict, but I am always torn by their wonderful specials! Coffee is very good, and if you are old enough to remember Green Rivers, they have this as well!! ALL is yummy! read more

Jessica P.

5 years ago

Me and my husband came here on Sun morning. We heard so many good things about this restaurant and haven't had time to come. Finally, we got here and love the food. It's a true American breakfast type, very good traditional menu and great taste. We love it here! read more

Evan G.

7 years ago

Amazing! I have been going to Fort Jesse since it first opened back in 2015, and the experience just gets better and better. They have specials on the menu for certain times of the year, and the atmosphere is so homey! I highly recommend FJC! read more

Carolyn C.

10 years ago

The Fort Jesse Café's Bruschetta Skillet is delicious! The coffee is so good I bought a bag to make at home! We need more restaurants like this in Bloomington-Normal. I wish they were open on MONDAY!! I think they need a larger location soon. read more

Tiffany S.

10 years ago

Best breakfast in BloomingtonNormal! Possibly best in the state. Great service! There is usually a line out the door. They get you in fast and get your food to you quick! The food is also elevated above and beyond your expectations! read more

Cristina R.

10 years ago

Your review helps others learn about great local businesses. Please don't review this business if you received a freebie for writing this review, or if you're connected in any way to the owner or employees. read more

Bob S.

8 years ago

I am a regular for to-go orders. The wait isn't bad if you order to-go. The food is always great, and I love the variety they offer with their specials. The price is very reasonable. read more

Sarah D.

8 years ago

Worth the wait! Such flavor and portions are too big, bring your appetite. The specials are always delicious but the standbys are fabulous go-tos. The staff, impeccable! read more

Tim P.

6 years ago

You can't beat FJC for breakfast in town and their lunch options are darn good too. There is a reason FJC is where we take our kids for a special birthday breakfast! read more

Heather P.

9 years ago

I have breakfast here every so often with a friend. They are always polite and take good care of you. The coffee is good and so is everything I've had off the menu. read more

Elizabeth G.

7 years ago

These place has great chicken and waffle Benedict. You should come early though or on a weekday or the wait will be at least 40 minutes long. Great local place. read more

Brittany B.

160

7 years ago

Awesome unique restaurant. Friendly waitstaff. The food is phenomenal. The chicken and waffles can't be beat but make sure to try the specials too. read more

Nic R.

11 years ago

Great food Great Service Great prices. I tried 3 different things on the menu and they were all great. I will be going back time and time again. read more

Jennifer L.

7 years ago

Wonderful breakfast and great service. Food is beautiful and delicious. Enjoyed a great meal with the family. A definite visit again.

Fort Jesse Cafe - breakfast_brunch - Updated October 2026

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