Imperial Buffet
1950 E College Ave, Normal, IL 61761
Anonymous
I definitely recommend Imperial Buffet.
10/10 service and it’s literally a buffet of different types of Asian cuisine which is wonderful.
Imperial Buffet offers so many options to choose from.
No matter what kind of food you’re in the mood for, they will probably have something for you.
Make sure you go on an empty stomach because it’s all you can eat and there are too many good options.
JPs
409 N. Hershey Rd, Bloomington, IL 61704
By Katie Cavender
The chicken sandwich I ordered was actually really good, so that was a huge plus.
I also really enjoyed their fries, and I don’t usually love restaurant fries.
The service was generally pretty good.
I will say though that it wasn’t busy at all, but they still took a very long time to take our order.
Even after taking it, I think we waited almost 40-45 minutes for food, which was really unfortunate because I had to leave for pep band.
I only had about 10 minutes to scarf down food, but if we weren’t in a hurry, none of us would have really cared about the wait.
My aunt and uncle mentioned the building was an old Hooters that they just repainted, so that’s fun. 7/10, would recommend.
Epiphany Farms
220 E. Front St, Bloominton, IL 61701
By Tera Wilson
I loved knowing that the entirety of my meal was sustainably grown, since I value responsible food sourcing.
Unfortunately, there weren’t many vegetarian options for entrees, and the curry wasn’t as spicy.
Otherwise, I loved everything I got to try.
It wasn’t very busy when we went, and the lighting/decor of the entire restaurant was very on-brand for local sustainable farming, without being so “high-class” that I felt uncomfortable in jeans.
I was surprised at the prices.
I had always considered Epiphany Farms prohibitively expensive, so this is the first time I went.
I was pleasantly surprised at how cheap the appetizers/”small bites” were (but then I flipped the menu over and saw the $25-$30 plates, yikes).
Lucca’s
116 E. Market St, Bloomington, IL 61701
By Olivia Jacobs
I would highly recommend trying Lucca’s Grill.
The chicken parmesan is to die for and the A La Baldini specialty pizza is a must try (at least once).
I’m not usually the person who likes to put a bunch of toppings on their pizza, but the A La Baldini was delicious.
The atmosphere also feels like a little taste of home that you just can’t get enough of.
Although the space appears a little cramped at first, they have two floors and a bar.
It feels very cozy and I love looking at all of the memorabilia they have on the wall.
They even have a dumbwaiter to deliver food from the kitchen on the second floor which is just another unique feature.
If you’re looking to expand your horizons in terms of local restaurants, Lucca’s would definitely be the place to try.
A truly stellar experience.
I give it 10/10.
Coffeehouse and Deli
114 East Beaufort St, Normal, IL 6701
Anonymous
I would definitely recommend Coffeehouse and Deli.
The staff is very helpful in helping first-time customers navigate the menu.
The cozy, alternative and semi-worn atmosphere makes you want to take a food coma after you have had a slice of their delicious avocado toast.
Their vegan and dietary conscious menu welcomes everyone and warms you up with an amazing chai tea latte no matter how cold it is outside.
Make sure to pick up a glitter latte and a vegan chili burger while you’re there.
Ancho and Agave
3006 E. Empire St, Bloomington, IL 61704
Liv Causer
If you’re looking for handcrafted table-side guacamole, Instagram worthy margaritas, and a quirky but chic atmosphere that will impress even your most hipster friends, Ancho and Agave is the place for you.
Even though the restaurant itself is large, you are not overwhelmed by the sound of other customers or the kitchen.
The diverse array of dietary options on the menu caters to a wide audience, and even the pickiest of eaters will be satisfied with their cheese quesadilla.
Make sure to ask your server about the specials of the day and their street tacos, I would definitely recommend the prickly pear margarita.