Avanti's is a local tradition with a reputation that reaches around the globe.
Beth Miles and her family now live in Japan. When they return for a Peoria visit, they make a catalogue of "things to do."

"We come here every summer and stay. And we make a list of all our favorite places. And Avanti's is at he top of our list," said Miles.

"I like the bread and butter because it is really good," said customer Melanie Katelsen.

"I like the bread," said customer Livy Sutton.

The sweet bread is also well known to Transportation Security Administration workers.

"I actually got a call from the head of security at the Peoria airport. And he said the number one thing that they find in suitcases when they open them up is our bread that is produced in Peoria and taken out of town," said owner Stephan Zeller.

The Peoria Avanti's dough is make at the Avanti's commissary and then delivered to the different store locations and then baked fresh. Same goes for the sweet sauce used for the pizza bread and spaghetti.
At the North Knoxville location, rural food critic Don Washburn and I started with a nice salad and then ordered some of the new items on the menu.
I had the Sausage Peppers Ala Marinara.
It comes with sliced Italian sausage, sauted in red peppers and garlic infused olive oil and then tossed with red and green bell peppers, red onion, and penne pasta.
This is an outstanding new entrée' for anyone who likes a little more kick in the dish.
Dubbs had the blackened Tilapia. Its' spicy. The fish fillet is specially seasoned and oven baked, served with roasted red potatoes, peppers and onions. Dubbs joked that he could go through an entire second helping of Talapia, of course then I would have to listen to him belly ache about eating too much. Instead, we caved to the visual appeal of chocolate pie and cheese cake.
The chocolate creations are made in Peoria. My chocolate chip cheesecake is an import, and a good one at that.
While we finished, the compliments kept rolling in.

":I like the service. They're quick. It gets here real fast. And the food is real good. And their bread is the best," said customer David Cox.

"Great food. Great bread. Great atmosphere. And we always have to take the bread home," said customer Shellie Sharp.

"You can bring a family here of six and eat for 25–dollars. There is not a lot of places you can do that. So value for the dollar is what really Avanti's has been all about for many–many years," said Zeller.

That value deal means sticking with spaghetti, bread and no dessert.
Not this case for this dynamic eating duo. Our bill 30–dollars plus tip.
Avanti's is one of those Central Illinois traditions that seems to be as reliable as a fine wine, improving with age.
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Avanti's has four locations in Peoria and two in the twin cities.
They offer carry–out, delivery and dinning rooms for you to eat in.