Bernardi's North is the latest location for the family business, which has been synonymous with great Italian food for three generations in Central Illinois.

"The times have changed and Toulon has been an old time tradition of people driving to Toluca for great food and service. We just wanted to bring it more to the backyard here in Peoria," said Co-Owner Stephanie Bernardi-Brott.

They serve what would be the ultimate picnic food.
Their fried chicken batter is an old family secret.
It is first mixed in a bowl.
Then raw chicken is submerged in the magic brew.
Each piece is then lifted into the fryer for an undisclosed amount of time.
The sections of bird emerge golden brown.
They're cooled slightly before being presented on a plate to each eager customer.

"They offer something for everybody. And I like the variety that they have," said customer Kathi Curtis.

"When we come in we are greeted with warmth and kindness and it is sort of like the Cheers thing," said customer Jim Curtis.

"I'm an Italian aficionado. The baked manicotti is really good," said customer Ede Kidder.

"I drive right by here on my way home. So I step in a couple times a week for the hospitality and I eat lunch here sometimes twice a week," said customer Jim Kidder.

The Dunlap location has an outdoor patio for those who like fresh air with their manicotti.
Rural food critic Don Washburn and I started enjoying our evening by combining Parmesan cheese with the trademark Bernardi's olive oil.
We then commenced wiping slices of homemade bread across the plate.
Warning: consuming too much Bernardi's bread with a fine wine can completely truncate your appetite before the entree arrives.
Dubbs ordered the Tortellini with homemade Italian sausage.
The tortellini is nothing short of terrific.
His sausage was deep fried like my chicken.
My Monday Night Special was half a fried chicken, served with salad and a side order of spaghetti. It is a four–dollar savings on the first night of the workweek.
We ate like Mafioso's.
But you won't need to shake down your next door neighbor to pay up after dessert. We had Terra Maseru.
With drinks our bill 42–dollars plus tip.
The Bernardi Family has been in the restaurant business since 1933.
You can taste every year of experience in each bite.
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Bernardi's North Restaurant is on North Brentfield in Dunlap.
They are open for lunch and dinner weekdays.
And dinner only on Saturday and Sunday night.
They also have locations in Toluca, Washington, and Pontiac.