We haven’t done a luncheon post here on the blog for a while, so I figured it was time to go to one of my favorite, classic Peoria places today for lunch.
And I have two very special guest stars that I’m thrilled are joining me and I’m going to introduce them right now…
My cousins Patty and Danny Seitz! Always wonderful to visit with these two! They come to Peoria every summer and I’m always thrilled that they make time for a visit and a lunch with me!
We started out with a visit and a nice chat at MBIP World Headquarters and then went to a place that has a special family meaning for us!
And of course that place is…
Mike’s Tavern!
Mike’s has been standing tall here in West Peoria for well over 80 years and our grandpa, Leo Seitz was a regular patron here back in the day.
New owners took the place over a few years ago and fixed it up while leaving the same Mike’s Tavern vibe in here. And they also have a nice menu, so we thought this would be the perfect place for our lunch. Let’s go in and take a look around in here!
We settled into a table in the back room and checked out the menu. All the food in here is cooked fresh on the premises and everything is a tasty homemade delight!
We decided on our orders and I went up to the bar and placed them with the ever-smiling man behind the bar, Mark Donahue, who owns the place with Bob Bullock. Always great to see Mark and catch up with him.
He went back to prepare our lunch and now let’s take a look around at a classic West Peoria tavern!
There’s a couple shots of the bar and they have a nice selection of draft beers in here.
The vintage school desks and cigarette machines are classic Mike’s Tavern touches and the state-of-the-art jukebox is a nice nod to modern times! Something for the youngsters to enjoy!
As you can see from the decorations, atmosphere and vintage signs in here, this is one of West Peoria’s classic dive bars and I love it in here!
The back room has a nice, electronic dartboard and a discreet gaming room with six machines to try your luck at!
There’s also an outside patio to enjoy in the warmer months out here.
And as I headed back to our table, Mark was delivering our tasty lunches, perfect timing!
Danny, Patty and I got the tenderloin sandwich and we had a mystery guest who was a little camera shy, but he got the double cheeseburger and we split an order of French fries and onion rings.
Everything looks absolutely fabulous! Time to dig in!
If you’ve followed this blog for the last twelve years, you know I’ve tried every tenderloin in and around Peoria and I have to say that the best tenderloin in the area is right here at Mike’s Tavern!
It’s just the right size, lightly breaded, crispy on the outside and juicy and flavor-packed on the inside. It’s made fresh here and served on a bakery fresh bun with chopped onions and pickles.
I highly recommend this tenderloin and the kitchen is open today, so run, don’t walk over to Mike’s Tavern and try one out today. Your tastebuds will thank you!
Danny and Patty gave the tenderloin a high rating!
Thanks to both of them (and the mystery guest) for taking the time to visit and have lunch with me! Always a treat to hang out with both of them and I look forward to our next visit already!
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626 N. Cedar Avenue
West Peoria
309-674-1860
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Related Posts: Lunch At First Bite @: Castle’s Patio Inn, Baker’s Market and The Fieldhouse Bar & Grill.