From Mexican to soul food, here are 16 women-owned restaurants to try in the Peoria area

Cassidy Waigand, Peoria Journal Star
·6 min read

Though the end of March is fast approaching, there is still plenty of time to commemorate Women’s History Month and reflect on the impact women have made on the Peoria area.

One way women support the community is through business ownership – which can bring goods, services and jobs to the area. Some have found ways to connect with and uplift local businesses, while others aim to create other positive impacts.

Here is a noncomprehensive list of Peoria restaurants owned or co-owned by women. This list is limited to dine-in establishments in Peoria County and does not include coffee shops, treat shops, mobile establishments or bars with limited food options.

For those interested in discovering more women-owned businesses in the area, Discover Peoria’s website features two recently published lists.

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The 50's Diner

The 50's Diner is located at 4700 N. University St. in Peoria.
The 50's Diner is located at 4700 N. University St. in Peoria.

Situated at the Metro Centre in Peoria, The 50's Diner features breakfast, lunch and dinner options on its menu. Customers can order biscuits and sausage gravy, loosey sandwiches, whole catfish dinners and more. The space also includes a gift shop area for visitors to browse.

Address: 4700 N. University St., Peoria

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/the50sdiner/

Also at the Metro Centre: How one Illinois woman came to own this Peoria chocolate shop

The BillBoard Bistro

The Bassette family, from left, Randy, Debbie, their son Gabriel and his daughter Sara, 2, have run The BillBoard Bistro in Bartonville since 2019 and recently reopened after a short hiatus to completely revamp their menu.
The Bassette family, from left, Randy, Debbie, their son Gabriel and his daughter Sara, 2, have run The BillBoard Bistro in Bartonville since 2019 and recently reopened after a short hiatus to completely revamp their menu.

Debbie Bassette co-owns The BillBoard Bistro with her husband and son.

The Bartonville restaurant ? established in 2019 ? offers various tenderloin dishes, a candied bacon bourbon burger, a horseshoe and a ponyshoe meal, a fried strawberry dessert and more.

Address: 801 McKinley Ave., Bartonville

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billboardbistro/

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Casa de Arte

Carla Zamora-Vargas, left, and her husband Arturo Vargas are the co-owners of Casa De Arte, or "House of Art," a Mexican restaurant and bar that also serves as a gallery space for local artists. The couple opened the business in November of 2018 after purchasing the old building at 1227 SW Adams Street in Peoria's Warehouse District.
Carla Zamora-Vargas, left, and her husband Arturo Vargas are the co-owners of Casa De Arte, or "House of Art," a Mexican restaurant and bar that also serves as a gallery space for local artists. The couple opened the business in November of 2018 after purchasing the old building at 1227 SW Adams Street in Peoria's Warehouse District.

Husband and wife team Arturo Vargas and Carla Zamora-Vargas opened Casa de Arte in November 2018. The restaurant is known for its art, tacos and tequila.

Address: 1227 SW Adams St., Peoria

Website: https://casadearte1227.com/

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Cyd’s in the Park

Cyd Henrikson opened Cyd’s Sendsationals, Ltd. in 1988. Over the years, the business concept has grown and expanded. Now, Cyd’s in the Park includes a restaurant space and take away market.

Henrikson’s daughter, Emily Cotton, is vice president of Cyd’s.

Address: 5805 Knoxville Ave., Peoria

Website: https://www.cyds.biz/

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Fusion 45

The dining room of the former EDGE American Fusion restaurant, now Fusion 45, at 4500 N. Prospect Road in Peoria Heights sports a new aesthetic under its new ownership.
The dining room of the former EDGE American Fusion restaurant, now Fusion 45, at 4500 N. Prospect Road in Peoria Heights sports a new aesthetic under its new ownership.

On Jan. 30, owner Michelle Hubble opened Fusion 45 in the space which once housed Edge by Chef Dustin Allen. Hubble also owns the restaurant’s sister business – 12 Bar Lounge – located on the building’s rooftop level.

Address: 4500 N. Prospect Road, Peoria Heights

Website: https://fusion12bar.com/fusion45

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Hacienda El Mirador

Julia Salvatierra cofounded Hacienda El Mirador. The restaurant – situated in Junction City – features enchiladas, chimichangas, Arroz con Pollo, Huachinango, and more.

Address: 5805 N. Humboldt Ave. Suite 1, Peoria

Website: https://www.haciendaelmiradorpeoria.com/

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Honey Sugar’s Café

Willette Marie is owner and head chef of Honey Sugar Cafe in the Twin Towers Mall.
Willette Marie is owner and head chef of Honey Sugar Cafe in the Twin Towers Mall.

Willette Marie opened Honey Sugar’s Café in 2021. The restaurant is located inside of the Twin Towers Mall in Downtown Peoria.

Address: 456 Fulton St., Peoria

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Honey-Sugars-Cafe/100076266312403/

More: Growing this soul food restaurant in downtown Peoria has been a blessing and a challenge

Los Cabos Cantina & Grill

Situated in Parkway Plaza, customers can find lunch and dinner options at Los Cabos Cantina & Grill. The menu features burritos, a chicken bacon avocado sandwich, Mojarras, the Los Cabos pineapple platter and more.

Address: 7800 N. Sommer St., Suite 106, Peoria

Website: https://www.loscabospeoria.com/

More: 3 of the best Mexican restaurants around the Peoria area as voted on by readers

MD’s Sports Bar & Grill

RON JOHNSON/JOURNAL STAR MaryBeth Milburn and son Dan Gilfillan of MD's Sports Bar and Grill at 7719 N. University St.
RON JOHNSON/JOURNAL STAR MaryBeth Milburn and son Dan Gilfillan of MD's Sports Bar and Grill at 7719 N. University St.

MaryBeth Milburn opened MD’s Sports Bar & Grill with family on May 5, 2017. The menu includes pizza, salads, wraps, burgers, Philly cheesesteak, pork tenderloin and more.

Address: 7719 N. University St., Peoria

Website: https://mdsportsbar.com/

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One World Café

One World Café at 1245 W. Main Street in Peoria.
One World Café at 1245 W. Main Street in Peoria.

Co-owned by Amy Eid, One World offers a variety of breakfast options – such as baked chorizo scramble and French toast casserole. The menu also includes salads, sandwiches, burgers, pizza and more.

Address: 1245 W. Main St., Peoria

Website: https://www.oneworld-cafe.com/

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The Owl’s Nest

Kirstie Doerr, owner of the Owl's Nest, serves up a drink to one of her regular customers at the popular West Peoria bar and grill.
Kirstie Doerr, owner of the Owl's Nest, serves up a drink to one of her regular customers at the popular West Peoria bar and grill.

The Owl’s Nest – situated in West Peoria – is owned by Kirstie Doerr. The restaurant serves pizza, walleye, catfish, chili dogs and more.

Address: 2128 W. Callender Ave., West Peoria

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matwil17/

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The Queen of Squash

Heather Wolbeck stands in her new restaurant The Queen of Squash, the former site of Cracked Pepper and Stan's Liquors, at 1108 W. Glen Avenue in the Metro Centre. The Queen of Squash will focus on healthy meals with locally-sourced ingredients.
Heather Wolbeck stands in her new restaurant The Queen of Squash, the former site of Cracked Pepper and Stan's Liquors, at 1108 W. Glen Avenue in the Metro Centre. The Queen of Squash will focus on healthy meals with locally-sourced ingredients.

In 2023, owner Heather Wolbeck opened The Queen of Squash. Customers will find dishes including a chicken bacon ranch flatbread, a pesto bowl, a veggie smash burger, a berry lentil salad and more.

Address: 1108 W. Glen Ave., Peoria

Website: https://thequeenofsquash.com/

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Rhythm Kitchen Music Cafe

The Lofts at Waterfront Place, located at 311 SW Water Street, are downtown living apartments in Peoria connected to Rhythm Kitchen Restaurant and Ardor Bakery and Cafe.
The Lofts at Waterfront Place, located at 311 SW Water Street, are downtown living apartments in Peoria connected to Rhythm Kitchen Restaurant and Ardor Bakery and Cafe.

Located in downtown Peoria, Rhythm Kitchen features dishes such as gumbo ya-ya, Jamaican Jerk chicken, homemade meatloaf, Tandoori chicken salad, California Dreamin’ pizza and more.

Address: 305 SW Water St., Peoria

Website: https://rhythmkitchenmusiccafe.com/

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Sweetwater Kitchen & Cocktails

At Sweetwater Kitchen & Cocktails, guests can find menu items such as sweet potato waffles, a surf and turf burger, a Caribbean chicken sandwich, honey salmon and more. The restaurant features riverfront views.

Address: 13637 N. River Beach Drive, Chillicothe

Website: https://sweetwaterpeoria.com/

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Thanh Linh Vietnamese Restaurant

Thanh Linh Vietnamese Restaurant was voted the best restaurant for Asian cuisine during the 2023 Official Community's Choice Awards. The menu includes stir fried noodle dishes, wonton soup, spring roll appetizers and more.

Address: 1209 W. Main St., Peoria

Website: https://www.thanhlinhvietnameserestaurant.com/

More: The best Asian restaurants in Peoria as voted on by readers

Untamed Chef

Rebecca Hearn, owner and head chef of Untamed Chef, 7338 N. University Street, bastes a ribeye in the kitchen at the Peoria restaurant.
Rebecca Hearn, owner and head chef of Untamed Chef, 7338 N. University Street, bastes a ribeye in the kitchen at the Peoria restaurant.

Untamed Chef – co-owned by Rebecca Hearn – celebrated its five-year anniversary in 2023. The restaurant offers catering services, interactive cooking classes, take n’ bake dishes and dine-in service for lunch and dinner.

Address: 7338 N. University St., Peoria

Website: https://untamedchefcooking.com/

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This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Here are 16 women-owned restaurants in the Peoria area

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