I visited Kouzen's in Peoria on Sunday around 4 p.m. We were the only customers in the restaurant at the time. The restaurant was clean, with fairly basic décor. I understand they have live entertainment and a DJ on Saturdays, so I imagine the atmosphere is much different then.
Our server was nice and friendly, although her demeanor made me question whether she may have been under the influence of something. Another server was also pleasant, but at one point she sat with a table about four tables away and carried on a very loud, extended conversation about life. With the restaurant being otherwise empty, we could hear the entire conversation. A little more awareness and professionalism would have made the dining experience more comfortable.
After finding out several items were not available, I ordered the Grit Flight because I was looking forward to trying several different flavors. Unfortunately, the grits themselves were disappointing. I couldn't taste the Gouda and they lacked seasoning. The gumbo, once warmed up, had a burnt roux taste. The salmon needed more sauce, and both the rice and broccoli were lacking flavor. After the meal, I decided to pass on dessert.
Since Kouzen's has been open less than a year, I recognize that they may still be working through some things. It was also a Sunday afternoon following what may have been a busy Saturday night, so perhaps they weren't fully prepared for Sunday service. Still, consistency is important. Customers coming in on Sunday should receive the same quality of food and service as customers coming in on Saturday night.
There is potential here, and hopefully management listens to customer feedback and makes the necessary improvements. I would be willing to give them another try down the road to see how things have progressed. read more