Peoria Biaggi’s closes permanently

Toldyouso · Mon Dec 11, 2023 5:30 pm

More lost sales tax revenue for Peoria:
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Biaggi’s in Peoria has announced it will not be reopening its doors.
Staff posted to the restaurant’s Facebook page Wednesday, Feb. 10, that it would not be re-opening after temporarily closing the doors due to COVID-19.
“Thank you to all who have dined with us over the past 9 years, we’ve enjoyed serving you! We apologize for any inconvenience and hope to serve you again in one of our other locations,” the post reads.

Mon Dec 11, 2023 5:30 pm

One of the places the wife and I used to enjoy dining out. Thanks CHY-NA virus.

Mon Dec 11, 2023 5:30 pm

While my wife and I never had the opportunity to dine there, it's still sad to see any restaurant having to close permanently.

On the upside, a family diner I used to frequent in Creve Coeur, that's been closed since months before the Pandemic, had its For Sale sign removed. And I've seen trucks there on and off with building supplies. So someone is taking chance on reopening that building as a business period, if not a restaurant.

Mon Dec 11, 2023 5:30 pm

While I don't shed tears over a chain closing, I do shed tears for my food service sisters and brethren who are out of a job. Fortunately, I've seen many places looking to hire restaurant workers.

Mon Dec 11, 2023 5:30 pm

Sorry but the place was in steady decline over the last few years even before the pandemic, similar to Johnny's when they were still out at Grand Prairie. We gave them a little more of a pass on the "chain restaurant scene" since they originally started in Champaign and we frequented their 2nd location in Bloomington from their opening. First time I had osco bocco with polenta and was informed that the marrow was part of the delicacy of the dish. You won't get that at the Olive Garden,

Unfortunately the Peoria location never felt the same as Bloomington, If I ask for a glass with my overpriced bottle of Peroni at lunch, I expect a glass with my overpriced bottle of Peroni. Multiple times I had to get up and walk over to the bar to get a glass. I'm not waiting another 10 minutes while the bottle warms up to room temperature. The last time we went, the bar tender was stuffing her face with apps from under the bar.

We were done two years ago. In fact we still have a comp'd meal from the manager we never cashed out on. Didn't ask for it and only mentioned it since we got an email survey after the fact. Look I don't need a comp'd meal, I just need for your wait staff to get their act together.

Mon Dec 11, 2023 5:30 pm

RPlant wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 5:34 am Unfortunately the Peoria location never felt the same as Bloomington, If I ask for a glass with my overpriced bottle of Peroni at lunch, I expect a glass with my overpriced bottle of Peroni. Multiple times I had to get up and walk over to the bar to get a glass. I'm not waiting another 10 minutes while the bottle warms up to room temperature. The last time we went, the bar tender was stuffing her face with apps from under the bar.

We were done two years ago. In fact we still have a comp'd meal from the manager we never cashed out on. Didn't ask for it and only mentioned it since we got an email survey after the fact. Look I don't need a comp'd meal, I just need for your wait staff to get their act together.

CCubs · Mon Dec 11, 2023 5:30 pm

The hate train just keeps on rolling.

Mon Dec 11, 2023 5:30 pm

@Tazewell EXACTLY what I was thinking!! I wonder how many loogies were a part of his meals. With that attitude, I'm guessing they will be again once dining becomes acceptable. Regardless of where he eats.

Mon Dec 11, 2023 5:30 pm

CCubs wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 9:29 am The hate train just keeps on rolling.

So what's funny is that we had dinner at the Bloomington Biaggi's location a few weeks before the lockdown last Spring. Good meal, good service and our waitress was an ISU student getting her teaching degree. Another person in our group of five had graduated from ISU in the early 60s with her teaching degree, so an extra degree of conversation. I picked up the bill and didn't mind tipping 20% at all. Sorry folks, but the Peoria location always lagged in comparison.

We typically would go to a nicer spot for a lunch while out running errands on Saturdays before Covid. Probably been to most all of the nicer restaurants in the area. Tried Bar Louie once (when it was open) and walked out after 15 minutes of watching waitstaff mill around the bar area ignoring customers. I turned to my wife and said I don't think giving it another 15 minutes is going to make it any better. Went over to Johnny's instead. Steadily watched Johnny's decline and haven't been since they moved to East Peoria.

I don't need someone to wait on me hand and foot, but if I'm throwing down $50+ for lunch for two at a decent sit down restaurant I expect you to bring me a glass if I specifically ask for a glass with my order. It is not that freakin' hard, heck you're already writing it down - a personal-pan margherita pizza and a blue cheese wedge salad. Straight off the menu, no special requests beyond a glass with my Peroni.

CCubs · Mon Dec 11, 2023 5:30 pm

AV8R wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 9:52 am @Tazewell EXACTLY what I was thinking!! I wonder how many loogies were a part of his meals. With that attitude, I'm guessing they will be again once dining becomes acceptable. Regardless of where he eats.

Did Kev tell you about the (loogie) thing? You must have had 100's.

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