I grew up in the area and visit a few times a year. This trip will be longer as I’m sorry to say, one of my relatives is passing.
On the off chance there’s any of the new-to-Peoria folks lurking here, I thought to start a new thread.
It’s been almost 30 years since I’ve been to Peoria and can’t say I ever found anything special there culinarily. Bait not TOO far a drive from there is the college town of Bloomington/Normal (Illinois State U).
There is/was a nice little Italian restaurant named Avanti’s. Decent pasta, great marinara, and home baked bread.
A bit further out you’ll run into Illinois Amish country just south of Urbana you’ll run imtonYoder’s Kitchen, a great family style comfort food place. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes pies etc.