FOOD

Looking for a Thanksgiving meal? These Peoria-area restaurants will be open

Cassidy Waigand
Peoria Journal Star

Thanksgiving is often associated with turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, pie and a variety of other filling foods − gathering with family and friends is also a common part of the holiday.

This year, Thanksgiving Day falls on Nov. 23. Maybe you are looking for breakfast before you hit the road. Maybe you don't want to worry about the cleanup of a large dinner. Or maybe, you are just looking to enjoy food from local restaurants.

Whatever the case may be, here is a list of Peoria-area restaurants that will be open for business Thanksgiving Day.

Bollywood Bites Bistro & Events Center 

Owners Irfan Mohammed, right, and Shagufta "Muskan" Shaikh stand in the mezzanine overlooking the dining room of their new Indian restaurant Bollywood Bites Bistro & Events Center in the former Broadway Lounge space at 316 SW Washington Street in downtown Peoria. Bollywood Bites will hold its grand opening Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.

Thanksgiving hours: The restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Customers can make reservations at OpenTable.

Menu: The business serves a variety of Indian dishes and cuisine.

Address: 316 SW Washington St., Peoria

Website:https://bollywoodbitesbistro.com/

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Castle’s Patio Inn

A photo depicts Castle's Patio Inn, located at 802 W. Loucks Ave., in 2018. The business will be open for Thanksgiving Day.

Thanksgiving hours: The business will be open regular hours from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m.

Menu: Customers will find a limited menu with coney dogs, pizza, Phillys, burgers, Italian beef, Castle's famous cheese with crackers and soups. The bar will also serve bloody Mary drinks, mulled wine and a variety of drink specials.

Address: 802 W. Loucks Ave., Peoria

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CastlesPatioInn/

Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel, 150 E. Ashland St. in Morton

Thanksgiving hours: The business will operate during regular hours from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thanksgiving meals will start at 11 a.m.

Menu: The restaurant will feature a limited Thanksgiving menu with specials including "homestyle turkey n' dressing" and "chicken n' dumplins." Find more information at https://www.crackerbarrel.com/menu/thanksgiving-day.

Address: 150 E. Ashland St., Morton

Holy Crab

The Holy Crab seafood restaurant, 205 River Road in East Peoria, opened in September of 2021.

Thanksgiving hours: Holy Crab will be open regular hours from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

Menu: The restaurant offers a variety of seafood, including shrimp, crab, lobster, tilapia, catfish and more.

Address: 205 River Road, East Peoria

Website:https://www.holycrabeastpeoria.com/

Homestyle Grille and Buffet

Thanksgiving hours: The restaurant will offer a Thanksgiving buffet from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Menu: The buffet costs $21.99 but is listed as $20.99 for seniors.

Entrees include: glazed ham, whole turkey, smoked turkey, smoked brisket, fried chicken and catfish filets. The restaurant will feature sides including mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce and more. Customers will be able to choose between pecan or pumpkin pie for dessert.

Address: 613 W. Garfield Ave., Bartonville

Jack's Cafe

Thanksgiving hours: The business will be open from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Menu: The cafe's regular menu will be offered in the morning. Jack's Cafe will begin serving a turkey dinner at 11 a.m.

Address: 130 Lake St., Tremont

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JacksCafeTremont

Jim’s Steak House

Jim's Steak House at 110 SW Jefferson Avenue in downtown Peoria.

Thanksgiving hours: Jim's will be open from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving day. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling (309) 673-5300 or by emailing jimssteakhouse@gmail.com.

Menu: The restaurant will offer a limited menu with steaks and seafood. Thanksgiving specials will also be available to order.

Address: 110 SW Jefferson Ave., Peoria

Website: https://jimssteakhouse.net/

Louie Legends 

Louie Legends opened in 2017 as a dine-in restaurant at 2121 N. Knoxville Avenue, but closed down for a year to move to a new, smaller pick-up only location that recently opened at 3311 N. Sterling Avenue in the Sterling Bazaar.

Thanksgiving hours: The restaurant will be open for to-go orders from 10:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving. Customers are encouraged to call (309) 966-3461 or order online for easier pickup.

Menu: The restaurant’s menu features chicken, fish, sandwiches and more.

Address: 3311 N. Sterling Ave. Unit 22, Peoria

Website:https://louielegends.net/

Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino restaurants

Tables and booths sit inside William B's Steakhouse. The restaurant is located at Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino.

Nelson's Deli: The deli will be open from 2 p.m. until 2:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving.

William B's Steakhouse: The restaurant is open from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. Thanksgiving Day.

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Peacocks Pub Sports Bar & Grill 

Thanksgiving hours: The business’s kitchen will operate from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

Menu: The bar and grill will offer its regular menu.

Address: 5603 S. Adams St., Bartonville

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/people/Peacocks-Pub-Sports-Bar-Grill/61552544698490/?mibextid=9R9pXO

Perkins Restaurant & Bakery

Thanksgiving hours: The restaurant will be open from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

Menu: The business will offer a holiday menu, as well as a turkey dinner.

Address: 1810 W. War Memorial Drive, Peoria

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PerkinsRestaurantAndBakeryPeoriaIL/

Richard's Under Main

A new sign advertising "steaks until 4 a.m." stands on the sidewalk at the entrance to the underground bar now known as Richard's Under Main in downtown Peoria.

Thanksgiving hours: The business will be open from 8 p.m. until 4 a.m. Thanksgiving Day.

Menu: Customers will be able to order drinks and pizzas.

Address: 311 Main St., Peoria

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Richards-under-Main-100092224171549/

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Skwurt Inn

Thanksgiving hours: The business will be open from 2 p.m. until 1 a.m.

Menu: Thanksgiving dinners will be served while supplies last. Dinners include turkey, dressing, corn, mashed potatoes and gravy, a dinner roll and dessert.

Address: 3201 NE Adams St., Peoria

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SkwurtInn/

Seasoned Little Eatery

The back room of Seasoned Little Eatery is home to the popular Sunday brunch buffet.

Thanksgiving hours: The business will offer a Thanksgiving buffet from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Customers can call (309) 839-2992 to make a reservation − which is recommended for parties of four or more.

Menu: For children 12 or younger, the buffet will be $12.99. Adults will be charged $24.99 and seniors will be charged $22.50. The menu lists items such as:

  • Turkey
  • Ham
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Green bean casserole
  • Candied yams
  • Cranberry sauce
  • Stuffing

Customers will also be able to select one dessert from a variety of pies. Beer, bloody Marys and mimosas will be offered for an additional charge.

Address: 1112 W. Pioneer Parkway, Peoria

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seasonedlittleeatery

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Washington Family Restaurant

Thanksgiving hours: Washington Family Restaurant will be open from 6 a.m. until 3 p.m. Reservations are recommended for parties of six or more and can be made by calling (309) 444-1690.

Menu: Customers will be able to find Thanksgiving specials such as turkey, ham, dressings, traditional sides and pies. The restaurant plans to begin serving Thanksgiving dinners around 11 a.m.

Address: 1269 Peoria St. #2352, Washington

The 520 Cafe

Thanksgiving hours: The business will be open from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Menu: The 520 Cafe will serve breakfast until 11 a.m. The restaurant will then serve dishes including:

  • Turkey or roasted pork with green beans, mashed potatoes and dressing
  • Ham steak served with sweet potatoes and a fruit cocktail sauce
  • Cream of chicken and rice soup or salad with dinner rolls

Address: 520 Bloomington Road, East Peoria

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Other fast food and chain restaurants

A Starbucks store is seen in a file photo.

Bob Evans: Thanksgiving hours are listed as 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. for all area-locations. Go to https://www.bobevans.com/locations to find a storefront near you.

IHOP: The location at 5012 N. Big Hollow Road, Peoria, will be open from 7 a.m. until midnight.

Red Lobster: The location at 4625 N. Sterling Ave. in Peoria will be open from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Dunkin’: There are multiple Dunkin’ locations in the area. To find hours for specific locations, go to https://www.dunkindonuts.com/en/locations

Starbucks: There are multiple Starbucks locations in the area. To find hours for specific locations, go to https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator

McDonald's: There are multiple McDonald's locations in the area. To find hours for specific locations, go to https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/restaurant-locator.html