@PeoriaIllinoisan : Was this not a Bradley student staple?

@PeoriaIllinoisan : Thank you. Last time I ate there was with a gift card I got at my job. Not a fan.

Didn't ChefKev post about this being for sale a while back, or was that the other site?

I always said, if McDonald's served Italian, it would probably taste like Avantis.

@mypeez : I would think the Bradley student body alone would keep that restaurant flourishing.

"Due to the traffic congestion at the intersection of Main and University, and other demographic and population shifts in the West Bluff area, our location on Main Street is no longer a viable alternative to service our guests."Blaming the intersection is an easy cop-out, but like @CCubs implies, they aren't attracting students anymore because that intersection is 1000 times easier for the student population to traverse. I sure don't hear One World complaining!The demographics of the west bluff, if they have changed, has been a shift to both higher income families and a more diverse, progressive population. (merely speculative on my part) - but that means what? Their tastes have improved as a whole and formed sausage patties, cheap cold cuts and crappy canned sauces don't cut it.

While it's been before the pandemic since dining at the Main Street location, wife and I still patronize the Pekin and the Rockwood ones. Never a bad meal. Sunday nights as far as service sometimes is an issue. Biggest issue for pickup or some in at Main Street was probably getting in and out of their parking lot onto University. There was on street parking in front of it, but spaces always taken. I'm betting an issue was adequate staffing.

@mypeez : Apparently not 'staple' enough.

@mypeez : Zellar was trying to lease/sell the dining room part of the building. It was grossly overpriced and there were no takers.

Sales tax revenues went up with the changes to the intersection. Lots of businesses benefited. Avanti's and the Field House have been vocal about their unhappiness with the intersection. They blame their lagging sales on it. As far as the Field House goes... if you can't make a sports bar work, next to a college campus, the problem is most definitely not the intersection.

@DennisinPeoria : This.About three weeks ago I placed a carryout order on a Thursday night. They told me 45 minutes before it was ready. Normally it would be 10 or so. Once there, it took another 30 minutes just to get to the cashier. There was a line out the door. Parking lot was not full.They have not had stable management there since Albert retired. They have been perennially short staffed even before covid. I think the reduced wages too. They are advertising less than the full minimum wage for drivers... which used to be the norm.

If I'm not mistaken, it was closed for a short time during the high COVID infection period. There were pictures online of it being for sale. I was confused when I noticed it was open again. Maybe they were trying to gauge if anyone had an interest in the property.
Avanti's may have attracted Bradley students until this millennium. Now they want more ethnic cuisine, food that is creative, vegetarian/vegan cuisine, and more variety than just Gondolas and pasta.
As for the Fieldhouse. I don't go there often, but I've never found their food consistent. And just because they are a sports bar next to a University, doesn't mean they'll succeed. Bars make $$ off of alcohol...how many Bradley students are old enough to drink? Seniors and grad students?
The new intersection doesn't make a difference....pedestrians still jaywalk like crazy....just now it is between parked cars along the side of the road so you can see them even less.

@AntiRanchDrssng : the dining room and upstairs has been for lease for a while. They were planning on take-out and delivery only....until today

My wife just brought home Thanh Linh takeout. They messed up one of our sides - I suggested she go back ... "Oh HELL no! That place is SOOO busy right now, every booth and table is taken AND there's a line at the counter!"

@PeoriaIllinoisan : Business is BACK !!And... they don't have any parking of their own... how do they do it? Avanti's can't but Thanh Linh can.... amazing.