I do recommend this restaurant if you're in the Peoria area and looking for a decent breakfast/brunch spot. There's good and there's some aspects that need some work on. My main complaint is the service. I don't know if our waiter was possibly new, but she didn't know that our sandwiches came with 2 sides, and when she brought out our food, we were also missing sides, that she didn't know about till we acknowledged it. Additionally, our server didn't know they were out of the meat my panini came with, and when I substituted the turkey for chicken, My sandwich came out with ham, so I asked for it to be remade. That being said, my panini was absolutely delicious. The soup though was very lackluster, not flavorful. Overall, although my sandwich was great, I think the service, soup, and price ($16) give this restaurant a solid 3 stars. read more

Sweet Basil Cafe - chicken noodle Bowl of Soup - American Near Me - Peoria, Illinois

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This place is "berry" much my "jam!" This berry - themed diner offers a lovely unparalleled aesthetic with breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert specials. The staff was great - our wonderful waitress Ally even made a joke when giving us our water, "They're paper straws so you don't have to feel bad." She was a hard worker and was even refilling our drinks when giving us the check. They also accommodate to allergens, having gluten free pancakes and waffles. My partner got the grilled chicken sandwich and got two sides, one being warm chicken noodle soup and the other a fresh cup of fruit. If I lived in this area, I would quickly become a regular! read more

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Hours posted says it should be open but closed (Sunday) and no sign it is going to be open any time soon.

I wanted to like this restaurant but sadly it fell short. The decor is nice, the server was attentive if inexperienced and discount coupons for the restaurant print on the back of the nearby grocery store receipts. The portions are large but the food flavors are the weak point. I am from Central Illinois and I am a big fan of pork tenderloins. In true Midwest fashion this was a monster sandwich and came on a tasty bun. However the breading was sweet. Another reviewer said it tasted like coconut but to me it tasted almost like sweet Hawaiian bread crumbs. Like they ran out of the normal coating and said this will do. Oh no it does not! We got soup, pasta salad and fries. These were all acceptably prepared and we enjoyed them. I got the bananas foster dessert. When it came I asked for ice cream. I love sweet stuff but this was over the top and needed dairy to cut all the sugar. Sweet banana bread with bananas, nuts and caramel sauce on top. This is going to sound weird but the banana bread tasted a little like the tenderloin coating. Same spice or something? No ice cream was available. Our server was attentive and she appeared to be new in her job and really trying. As for social distancing we were the only table the whole time we were there so yay for that. Honestly this is not on the top of my list when I make a return trip to Peoria, Illinois. read more

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We came here again for Mother's Day 2024. Unfortunately, things seem to be getting worse at this establishment. Our waitress did her best, but I could tell she was stressed out because not only was the kitchen extremely slow, but the quality of the food she was bringing out wasn't good either. I had the breakfast burrito, which was ok - but not better than something I could make at home. Our bill was $60.00 with tip. We ordered a breakfast burrito and a turkey club wrap. Sadly, neither dish was worth the money or worth returning for. The restaurant was not busy, either. Very telling considering it was Mother's Day. When this restaurant was Wildberries I remember thinking they should scale down their menu offerings significantly. They have TONS of options, but with so many dishes to choose from they don't specialize in anything, so whatever you order is always going to be mediocre at best. I think scaling back the menu would also help your kitchen staff's overall efficiency. read more

The food was just average. The menu offered a lot of different options for breakfast and lunch. I ordered a salad, which was sub-par and $16. There was one server, who was also host. I just feel like there are better places to eat breakfast in Peoria. read more

My family and I have visited a couple of times now and have enjoyed our meals! You receive a ton of delicious food for a decent price! My concern is the staff. The manager is very personable and checks on every table, but the wait staff is lack luster. Don't get me wrong, they are not mean or rude. But they don't seem very happy to be at work or to serve their customers. Yesterday, our waitress didn't even tell us her name or refill any drinks without us having to ask. She also didn't deliver our food, a couple of other workers did (who were much more sociable!) but she wasn't too busy to deliver it. We spotted her standing at the bar area on her cell phone while we were waiting for food, refills, and our check. When we would say 'thank you' we wouldn't receive a response, and some of my family members felt as though they were receiving dirty looks while ordering their food. I'll definitely continue to eat SB, but I might just have it delivered or pick it up from now on ‍ read more

Place is just as bad as the location they closed in Sprinfield. Just as dirty , overpriced and the same underwhelming food !! read more

We went here for mother's day lunch. It was understandably busy and the server did her best, but it still took over an hour to get food once we ordered. The chicken and rice soup was tasty, but our actual sandwiches were mediocre at best. My mother ordered the French dip and the meat was bad. The sandwich smelled and tasted sour. They were kind enough to take it off our bill since management was there, but said they typically only let you replace with another entree. Wouldn't recommend for lunch/dinner, but they have a good breakfast. read more

Sweet Basil Cafe - This was the "Chicken Philly" - American Near Me - Peoria, Illinois

10/10 I got the strawberry stuffed french toast and a side of turkey sausage since I don't eat pork. When I tell you this food was so good!! This was some of the best french toast I've had in a long time. And the turkey sausage was juicy and full of flavor. Stopped in for breakfast with my grandparents and I'm so glad we did. They give you a lot of food for your money so the prices are a little higher but justified in my opinion. Waitress was super friendly and attentive. Wonderful atmosphere and decor. If you haven't tried it yet you should!! read more

Sweet Basil Cafe - Strawberry Stuffed French Toast - American Near Me - Peoria, Illinois

We were greeted at the door and were instantly t at our table. I had the turkey dinner which was very good. But guest had the buffalo chicken horseshoe, the chicken was very tender but had too much buffalo sauce making it very spicy. We will be back again read more

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A big menu full of great choices! Server was nice and food was very good. Can eat outside or in. Inside was extremely clean and spaced accordingly with clear dividers between booths. No salt or pepper shakers or packets out and they will bring upon request. My sister loved the banana nut bread French toast combo and I devoured the tasty avocado toast. And another visit I had the Greek combination platter that was tasty and tons of food. All portions are quite large so splitting a plate is always an option. Worth visiting! read more

The worst experience I have ever had in a restaurant. One hour 10 minutes for a simple breakfast. Twenty minutes just waiting for service before asking waitress to be found. Was told burnt eggs cold served were because I asked eggs not be runny. Did not even bring check - had to beg for that too and even card pay machine took 2 attempts. Save yourself. read more

Sweet Basil Cafe - Until and soft boiled consistency of Sunny side up eggs and cold uncooked potatoes under after trying to find a few ediable bites. - American Near Me - Peoria, Illinois

OMG!!!!! Breakfast was totally AMAZING... we order chicken and waffles along with eggs Benedict. The portions was huge and could have been shared. The taste..... mmmm was delicious! I wish I would have taken a pic to share! Most definitely new breakfast spot. Service was great speedy and friendly. You must stop in, I can't wait to try lunch and dinner! read more

Sweet Basil Cafe - American Near Me - Peoria, Illinois

I visited 3 years ago and enjoyed the experience very much. Since then I have been ill and last year was fitted with a trach and a feeding tube. I am finally eating again and yesterday went on my first public outing since June of last year. We decided to eat at Sweet Basil Cafe since we'd enjoyed it so much before. We pulled up about 1:30, got the wheelchair out of the car and proceeded up the ramp to the locked door. The door on the other side was unlocked as a customer exited but the wheelchair could not be taken to that side as there was no ramp. We looked in the window hoping to gain someone's attention but couldn't see a soul. Needless to say we left since Sweet Basil Cafe doesn't give a thought to their disabled customers. We won't go back. read more

For my first time eating at Sweet Basil Cafe I have to give it a 5! We went on Mother's Day and it was full of customers but we were seated. It was very clean and the waitress was very nice. The food was very good and I enjoyed it ( it was enough for 2 meals ) The only complaints I had is that we weren't given our appetizer ( they had run out of it but forgot to inform us ) and the wait time was over an hour ( but like I said they were swamped ) and they forgot our salad. But none of that will keep us from going there again! I'd give it a 5 read more

Went the first time for my birthday. I had a google reservation but didn't need it as the place wasnt full at 7 pm on a a Saturday. The place was brightly lit or maybe the light was very white. No ambiance. A first date place. We were seated quickly and our drink orders made. The Greek menu is quite extensive. The prices are higher than I am used to for this sort of place. I got the Reuben sandwich with Chipotle soup and the most delicious french fries. The soup has hot, good and flavorful. The Reuben was good. I had food to take home. No room for their huge desserts. read more

Went about 4:00 on a weekday. Greeted and seated immediately. Decor is very nice. Lots of staff for four tables of patrons. One employee parked at the bar wearing inappropriate attire and using a computer and the phone. Very loud and lots of the "I seen that" and "We was gonna do that" making me cringe, They started Halloween decorating with more adult type decorations. Any small children will be scared to death at the animatronics. I ordered the tenderloin. Tasted sweet like coconut shrimp. Had I been blindfolded I couldn't have told one from the other. Fries are like DQ and not good. I wouldn't go back but others in the group want to go for breakfast. Hopefully it will impress me. Two sandwiches and drinks were $50. Three stars is pretty liberal for my rating. read more

I never leave reviews but I couldn't help it with this "restaurant ". First when we got sat we waited 15 mins for anyone to acknowledge us. There were only a handful of tables seated so it's not like it was busy at all. The "manager " asked if we needed anything and we told her we were just waiting for a server. We ordered 2 wraps and waters. I ordered a salad instead of fries. My salad had a nasty hair in it. I had only taken a couple of bites and then saw it. They took off $2 for it. Server never came back to get us refills on our water or check on us at all. Needless to say we will never return. This place is terrible and that's putting it very nicely. Dirty tables everywhere and staff just standing around doing nothing but hanging out. read more

Sweet Basil Cafe - Hair in salad - American Near Me - Peoria, Illinois

I really wanna support small businesses, however this one I would not return. The food was fine not great the server was polite but not attentive. I had to ask for refills of my drinks. No, they weren't busy it was just me and one other table. read more

short staffed to the max. that I can forgive due to the world trend of labour. ordering the most simple yet most expensive 'fusion' bowl of oatmeal however that states granola, blueberries and raspberries yet gets 6 ounces of cold artificial grape like colored syrup poured on instead. Not a single piece of fruit. Wtf! Not impressed. fresh squeezed OJ thank fk! simply by acknowledging the issue, not blowing it off and this review could have stayed secret. Nice enough place, I understand it's challenging keeping talent, just recommend to stick with the menu integrity and give what you advertise. read more

Had lunch here today, service great, and huge menu. I use a walker and need room between tables to walk through, happily available here. Easy for our party of three to hear each other, which is not always the case in many restaurants. I ordered the steak quesadilla, huge portions, fresh toppings. I will return to try other items on the menu. read more

I was in Peoria for one night. I'd been craving a good tuna melt for a while, and when I saw Sweet Basil Cafe had one on their menu, I knew that's where I was going for dinner. I ordered to go. I got the tuna melt, as well as a Greek Salad. Both were very good, as was the homemade soup that came with the sandwich. It also came with a choice of side. I picked the orzo pasta salad, which proved to be a mistake. Not that it was bad, but the taste was similar to the Greek salad dressing, but stronger and more concentrated. It was fine, but it was just something my taste buds weren't really in the mood for that night. Really my bad more than theirs, I just wasn't thinking when I made that particular choice. Everything was good, but I think I enjoyed the soup the most. It's been a few weeks since my visit, but I think it was a tomato basil, and I do remember I loved it. Other than that, though, nothing blew me away, and it was fairly expensive, which is why I'm giving it 3 stars. read more

The service was fast and friendly. The food was good and the portions are huge. Great place for a big family dinner. The menu has a huge selection, I had the French dip! 10/10 would have again! read more

The service was atrocious and the food was mediocre at best. The menu is a like a 20 page print out, stapled. And it bears repeating- the service is PHENOMENALLY BAD! I'm warning away anyone who talks about it and would never send anyone there. read more

I cannot believe I haven't been here until recently! I'm so glad that we have such a wonderful diner with such a variety of options here in town. The service was friendly and prompt despite very busy times and limited staffing. All of the options were excellent--great taste, giant portions. We had the benedict, large fluffy omelets, and fluffy, fragrant pancakes. The coffee was really good, and there is freshly-squeezed orange juice and a good selection of teas available. I look forward to returning and trying many more items--including the teas, crepes, french toast, and waffles. This is a great place to go if you're craving breakfast foods, and the decor is cute. Don't miss the display of baked goods available for sale near the register. read more

Stopped by on our way through. The portions are ginormous (easily splittable between two people). The side of pancakes were some of the best pancakes I've ever had. Service was also great! read more

We came in to eat dinner at 7:30pm. The sign on the door said they were open until 8 so we figured we would grab something quick. When we were greeted the young man said the door should have been locked because they were closed. I commented that the sign said they were open until 8. A young lady came up and also stated they were closed. I suggested that they should change their sign since it stated they were open until 8. We ate here once before and it was so so but we thought we would try again. We will not be back. I would give zero stars if I could. read more

I will never ever come back..I looked on their menu to see what me and my family should get..so we decided to get the chicken and waffles,pancakes combo their was not a price for that but one for the chicken and waffles,which the menu says 12.95 I said ok cool..so I drive their go in and it's a lady with red curly hair VERY RUDE I ask how much was the pancake combo she reply 15.99and the chicken and waffles 16.99 but the menu say 12.95 first she tells me that's not their menu so I decided to pull it up then she reply oh our menu is old, so I said that's false advertising and so on..I get home and the food bigger then your head,pancakes bigger then a skillet the chicken was big ass hell looked like pig feet, VERY DISAPPOINTED.. read more

Well, standard breakfast spot nothing special. I was hoping (with their name) that they might be a more healthy place to eat. Lots of food, but I was hoping for some vegan options. The staff is new and still working out the kinks. We have been two times. Ordered avocado toast without eggs. First time was really good. Artisan toast and nicely dressed. Second time they came with eggs even though we ordered without. Plain wheat toast and no dressing at all. Coffee on second time was different too. Too strong. Back to One World, the only restaurant in Peoria that has a clue about vegan or healthy food. I was hoping for more the another country cooking diner. We have enough of those. Some of us in Peoria really want to heathy, is there any restaurant owners listening? Only options are One World, Core, Panera. read more

Meh. Got food to go. Greek Salad with chicken didn't have any dressing on it. Also ordered Country fried steak and eggs for my sweetie and she said it had a weird taste. And they didn't give her the toast. The whole shebang was $31.00. Thought that was pretty pricey for what we got. Might try them for breakfast in the restaurant and see if it's any cheaper and/or better. read more

I went here for lunch on a Sunday with my family. I do not recommend. It was not even that busy but our service was terrible. My sister ordered an omelet that was supposed to come with a side of bacon and they never brought her side of bacon. My husband ordered a horseshoe sandwich that was supposed to come with a side of soup and they never brought that either. Our server was the most unfriendly person I have ever seen working in the industry. We could barely hear her and everything was one or two word answers. She did not come back to bring refills, and after 45 minutes we finally got our food. Our server never came back to check on how our food was. Our server definitely should pick a new job if she expects to do well. I don't think it's too much to ask for to get the food that you paid for, or have a server who knows what the items on the menu are supposed to come with. At the end of our meal the server shoved the receipt in our face. I would not come back here. read more

I had not been here before but decided to order a tenderloin and fries for dinner. The sandwich came with a cup of soup. I ordered the cream of spinach. My order was ready right on time and still warm when I got home. The tenderloin and fries were very good and lots of food. I got 3 meals out of it! But the cream of spinach soup was WONDERFUL! I saved it for the next day and was so disappointed when it was gone. I could have made a whole meal out of this soup! Can't wait to go back. read more

Bright open atmosphere- awesome stuff. Our waiter, Luis, was excellent- great attention to our orders, drinks, and follow through. Fair prices, gigantic portions, and everything was fresh and hot read more

My first visit today to Sweet Basil Cafe. Great service, great food. Huge portions. Nice light clean decor. Quiet so our table could hear each other talk. I will go back. read more

Sweet Basil Cafe - Pork tenderloin with no bun. The size of the plate! - American Near Me - Peoria, Illinois

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A nice sized restaurant. Service is good. Only complaint is food tastes bland. They have generous portions and the quality of the food is very good. On this visit had Club Sandwich. read more

We went on a Saturday around 10:30. Busy but we got a table for two in less than 10 minutes. Seems like there was a lot of confusion. We waited a long time for a server to come to our table. We overheard her say to another server that her section was changed and no one told her. Our table also didn't have any silverware. Our server had to get us some but apparently that was someone else's job to do. When we went up front to pay, the person there was also confused and had to leave to ask someone else a question. We could also tell a lot of the employees there didn't like each other. Food was okay. I liked that they had a lot of gluten free pancake and waffles options. I had the gluten free Nutella waffle which was great. My partner got biscuits and gravy with two eggs, hash browns and bacon. He said it wasn't anything too special and his eggs were room temperature. The table next to us also complained about their eggs not being warm. The tables are spaced WAY too close together. It's hard to walk between them-and I'm petite person at 5'2". Employees kept bumping into my chair. It was busy but not busy enough that they need that many tables..they could get rid of some to create more space. If we come back, it'll just be for the gluten free waffles since there aren't many places in Peoria with gluten free waffles. Otherwise this place isn't worth coming to. read more

If you're looking for a diner this might be the right place for you. OK atmosphere, but could be much better with their remodeling. Service was good. Food not so good. Got ribs that were dry and overloaded with BBQ sauce. Came with soup/salad and two other sides. Soup was fair, salad ok, but the sides that I ordered were mashed potatoes and broccoli. Potatoes were instant or some sort of instant potatoes, and the broccoli was way over cooked almost mush. Only positive thing I can say about this place is they do give large sized portions. Oh and good service. But I won't be going back there. read more

Surprisingly good. The service is really good and our waitress was really sweet. The food has huge portions and everything was really good. I got the turkey club which I really liked. We will be returning!! read more

Wow...breakfast was spectacular. The omelettes were filled with veggies and meat and large enough for two. The portions are super-size and everything is fresh and prepared in house. Pancakes are larger than the plate and topped with MANY, MANY blueberries if this is your selection. The stuffed French toast was the best, ever, and filled with sweet goodness. Bacon was crisp and even the toast is of highest quality bread. This is a must visit...coupled with great food, service was top notch, too. read more