00:02.33 – First Draft

Goodness Cafe is located at the intersection of Monroe and Laveille Streets, very near downtown and next to the (former?) Peoria Bread Company. It appears that the PBC operates out of Goodness Cafe now, and is owned/operated by the same, including Senator David Koehler. Don’t mess with Sen. Koehler, by the way. Goodness Cafe just opened for business a week or two ago.

The place is amazing. “Franchise-fodder,” if you ask me. Many may describe the atmosphere as “eclectic.” I think it’s just a nice, clean, warm place with really good food. I did not have the soup, but it looked absolutely fantastic.

I really hope this place makes it. This is just a good place with good people, in the heart of a neighborhood. This is exactly the type of establishment needed in the area. Goodness Cafe is the “full package:” good food, good people, good reach across an immense array of foodies. As a result, I feel this is a gem. Time (and your business) will help Goodness Cafe become a new member in Peoria history.

(Ratings explanation.)

• Menu

A dozen or so offerings, scrawled on a blackboard behind the counter. Sandwiches of all types. Many veggie offerings.

• Food

Really good, very carefully prepared, fresh and quality food. I chose the avocado turkey on sour dough. Awesome. Large portion, too. More than enough for lunch. I was also given a side of hummus and (vegen) coleslaw as a “grand opening” special.

• Ambience

Just amazing. Local artwork is prevalent, and most for sale.

• Staff

Incredibly nice. All seemed honored to have me as a customer.

• Price

Right around the $5. Perfect for a good lunch from a local restaurant.

• Return?

Without a doubt. Go as soon (and as often) as you can.

Support your local businesses!

El Mexicano is located at the intersection of Jefferson and Mary Streets, very near downtown. I had heard of it for some time, but never made the time to go there. I am so glad that I did.

First of all, I love “dives.” When I describe somewhere as a “dive,” most often it is in an endearing fashion. This place is that. Secondly, I am fairly certain that, food-wise anyway, I should have been born in Mexico or Central America. I can, and sometimes do, eat it everyday. Needless to say, I was excited.

The kitchen is about 2.5 times the size of the dining area, which has around eight tables; roughly four too many for the size. That said, the dining area is perfect as is.

I was there on a work day, right around lunch time. The dining area was full with all types. Some appeared as though they had just walked off the assembly line, others as though they had just stepped away from the judge’s bench from defending a client. It was not overly busy, but this is the type of place I can envision a line out the door, wrapping around the building.

Several local reviews are displayed throughout.

(Ratings explanation.)

• Menu

Fairly extensive, though not as much as many Mexican joints. It is prominently displayed (with photos) on the front counter. All the favorites; all the necessities.

• Food

Thoroughly enjoyable. Not the best Mexican food in town, but pretty close. Quite a bit of beef is used, which is not my favorite. I might give it a higher rating if i were to order with chicken. Almost too much food for lunch. Great.

• Ambience

Dive: perfect for where I would expect to find good Mexican food.

• Staff

Very nice and helpful, even at a busy period. Glad to serve.

• Price

Right around the $5. Perfect for a good lunch from a local restaurant.

• Return?

Without a doubt. Visit El Mexicano right away. I certainly will again.

Support your local businesses!

“The utensil (usually metal) is used to lift food to the mouth or to hold food in place while cooking or cutting it.”

More on Wikipedia.com: Click here.

One everyday object, that I at least, have failed to recognize that it too, was one day invented. One incredible fact about the fork to me is that much of the world, even those with the wherewithal and means, do not use them. There is something to be said for eating with one’s hands and being closer to your food, but the fork is just so convenient and useful. Just the opinion from a guy that can’t imagine a world without dishwashers – and nothing to do with the convenience factor there… I am just convinced that dishes are not clean without being submersed in water far too hot to be handled with unprotected human hands.

(Dinner fork shown.)