Dubuque, IA & Peoria, IL

My friend and I will be in Dubuque and Peoria this coming weekend (musicians on tour), and are looking for a few good "joints" to visit. We're reasonably omniverous, so suggestions of all types are eminently welcome. (Though a *really* good milkshake/malted will always earn a place extra points with us) Anyplace with local flavor &/or specialties also a plus.

Thanks for any help you can provide!

Paul.

Probably the best milkshake around Peoria is at one of the Steak 'n Shakes (4 in Peoria, 1 in East Peoria)...they are open 24/7 and are noted for their steakburgers, tiny fries, chili many ways, and shakes. Their latest shake types are 2 flavors side by side in one glass and their sippable sundaes, which are a shake with a sundae topping. Also good is the Maid-Rite 50's Diner in the Metro Center on University St.(open at 6 am) serving breakfast, lunch and dinner and specializing in their Maid-Rite loose-meat sandwich as well as many other items. Avanti's Ristorantes (2 in Peoria, 1 in East Peoria) are very popular for Italian food and are known for their Gondola (sub sandwich). Crusen's Bar has big tenderloins. Haddad's Restaurant has good Lebanese food. The best Chinese buffet in the area is the China Village Buffet on Camp Street in East Peoria. Near Bradley University, the Campustown shopping center area has a number of restaurants (see my posting in: http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3429 ) If you e-mail me as to where you will be staying, I will give you exact directions to the closest one of any of these that have multiple locations. Even now, whenever the weather doesn't make it impossible, they are still working on I 74 through Peoria and East Peoria, so some of the exits are closed. I can try to give you some help around that also.

I would recommend an excursion to Breitbach Country Dining in Balltown, Iowa. It's about 10 miles north of Dubuque on Balltown road. It's Iowa's oldest restuarant, opened as a stagecoach stop in 1852 and has been run by the same family since 1863. Everything is home made and the price was very reasonable. Excellent pies. This isn't a fancy place, it's a bar and family restuarant that serves great food. It has buckets of character. This is the only restuarant in the world that has served both Jesse James and Brooke Shields.

http://www.guttenbergiowa.org/breitbachs/breitbachs.html

No, it isn't a restaurant, but in Dubuque you might want to check out the funicular. It's the best way up the steep riverside bluff, and I think it costs a quarter to ride it. Worth your time!