Bloomington - Normal IL/ Peoria

Looking for some tips. Struck out last time with everything but Maid-Rite and Steak and Shake.

If you are coming soon (before they close for the winter), Lou's Drive-In on Knoxville (IL 40) at Lake St. in Peoria.  They have been around for over 50 years!
http://peoriarestaurants.com/restaurants/?restaurant=lous
http://www.yelp.com/biz/lous-drive-in-peoria
http://local.yahoo.com/info-17522942-lou-s-drivein-peoria
 
For Italian, favorite local chain Avanti's Ristorantes, "Home of the Gondola" (3 locations in Peoria, 1 in East Peoria & 1 in Pekin).
http://avantispeoria.com/
They also have 1 location in Bloomington & 1 in Normal.
http://www.avantisnormal.com/
(Warning: Stay far away from La Gondola Spaghetti Houses!)
 
Another Italian place, Tyroni's Italian Cafe, a few blocks off US 24 in Bartonville.
http://www.tyronis.com/
 
For family style meals, Fairview Farms, near IL 116 west of Peoria, I 474 (Exit 5), & the Peoria airport.
http://www.fairview-farm.com/index.html
 
For giant tenderloins, Bemer's Village Inn in Spring Bay, (IL 116, then IL 26, about 11 miles north of East Peoria at I 74, Exit 95.
http://bemersvillageinn.com/

Tried Times Past Inn in Normal and the food was nearly inedible. CJ's at the old airport was pretty good. I had a great big pork chop and got to watch the planes take off.
 
I was happy to be within walking distance of Steak N'Shake. It was a treat considering we don't have them here in the Old Dominion.
 
The best I had was Black Dog BBQ in Urbana. Wow! The burnt ends were fantastic. Worth a Roadfood write-up! Didn't have my camera or my brain with me, apparently.
 
The regional chain Brown's Chicken and Pasta up in Chicago-land is great too.