Meet Journal Star food and dining reporter Cas Waigand
Journal Star reporter Cas Waigand covers food and restaurant news throughout the Peoria area.
Christmas Day is quickly approaching − falling on Wednesday, Dec. 25.
Perhaps you plan to celebrate the holiday with family and friends but don’t want the cooking and cleanup that comes with a Christmas feast. Or maybe, dining out is a long-time tradition. Perhaps you are simply searching for a meal for yourself.
Whatever the case, these Peoria-area restaurants will be open on Christmas Day. If you have a restaurant to add to the list, email CWaigand@gannett.com.
Castle’s Patio Inn
Castle’s Patio Inn will be open from 11 a.m. until 1 a.m. on Christmas Day. The establishment’s staple cheese spread, pizza, snacks and drinks will be available.
Address: 802 W. Loucks Ave., PeoriaPhoto: (309) 685-9570Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CastlesPatioInn
Country Saloon
Country Saloon will offer turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, rolls and other holiday fare for free beginning at around 1 p.m. on Christmas Day. The establishment will be open from 10 a.m. until 1 a.m.
Address: 3415 Meadow Ave., East PeoriaPhone: (309) 694-9142Website: http://www.thecountrysaloon.com/
Hokkaido Restaurant
Hokkaido will operate from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling the establishment.
The restaurant’s regular menu − which includes endless sushi, hotpot and Korean BBQ − will be available.
Address: 3311 N. University St., Peoria Phone: (309) 966-0931 Website: http://www.hokkaidores.com/
Holy Crab
Holy Crab will be open from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Christmas Day. Customer’s will find the restaurant’s regular menu, which includes fried catfish, crab legs, crawfish, lobster, shrimp, mussels, raw oysters and more.
Address: 205 River Road, East Peoria Phone: (309) 966-1145 Website: https://www.holycrabeastpeoria.com/
Hong Kong Buffet
Hong Kong Buffet will be open from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m., and groups of six or more people should make reservations.
Address: 7708 N. University St., Peoria Phone: (309) 839-2417 Website: https://www.hongkongbuffetil.com/
IHOP
Customers can visit IHOP from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Christmas Day. The restaurant will offer a Christmas meal with turkey, pot roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, green beans, a chocolate mint cheesecake crepe and fountain drink.
Address: 5012 N. Big Hollow Road, Peoria Phone: (309) 689-8890 Website: https://restaurants.ihop.com/en-us/il/peoria/breakfast-5012-n-big-hollow-rd-5412
Lin Buffet
Lin Buffet will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Christmas Day. The restaurant’s online ordering features dishes such as chicken fried rice, vegetable fried rice, beef Lo Mein, Kung Po chicken, sweet and sour chicken, roast pork egg foo young, General Tso’s chicken and more.
Address: 756 W. Jackson St., MortonPhone: (309) 263-4747Website: https://linbuffet.com/
Ming Shee
The restaurant will operate from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Christmas. It’s online menu lists chop suey, Chow Mein, egg foo young, fried rice, sweet and sour dishes and more.
Address: 3510 N. University St., Suite A, PeoriaPhone: (309) 688-0418Website: https://www.mingshee.com/
Nelson’s Deli
Nelson’s Deli − which operates at the Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino − will be open from 11 a.m. until 2:30 a.m.
Address: 21 Blackjack Blvd., East Peoria Phone: (309) 699-7711 Website: https://paradice.boydgaming.com/dine/nelsons-deli
The Neon Bison
The Neon Bison will be open from 5 p.m. until 4 a.m. on Christmas Day.
Address: 514 Main St., PeoriaPhone: (309) 674-5005Website: https://www.theneonbison.com/
Osaka Hibachi & Sushi Bar
The restaurant, which is located in The Shoppes at Grand Prairie, will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The restaurant’s online menu includes sushi, sashimi, rolls, teriyaki dishes, tempura dishes, hibachi dinners and more.
Address: 5201 W. War Memorial Drive, Suite 502, Peoria Phone: (309) 691-9888 Website: https://www.peoria-osaka.com/
Peacock’s Pub
Peacock’s Pub will open at 6 p.m. The establishment’s kitchen will not be operating.
Address: 5603 S. Adams St., Bartonville Phone: (309) 697-2240 Website: http://www.peacockspub.com/
Peoria Pizza Works
In Peoria Heights, Peoria Pizza Works will open at 3 p.m. on Christmas Day. The restaurant’s regular menu will be available, and reservations are recommended for large groups.
Address: 3921 N. Prospect Road, Peoria Heights Phone: (309) 682-5446 Website: https://pizzaworkspeoria.com/
Perkins American Food Co.
Perkins will be open from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Christmas Day.
Address: 1810 W. War Memorial Drive, Peoria Phone: (309) 306-2257 Website: https://www.perkinsrestaurants.com/locations/us/il/peoria/1810-w–war-memorial-drive/
Shogun Japanese Restaurant
The restaurant will operate from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Customers will be able to order from Shogun’s regular menu.
Address: 1000 Riverside Drive, East Peoria Phone: (309) 981-5841 Website: http://www.shogunpeoria.com/
Skwurt Inn
The establishment will be open from 2 p.m. until 1 a.m. on Christmas Day, and the kitchen will operate from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Address: 3201 NE Adams St., PeoriaPhone: (309) 839-2720Website: https://www.facebook.com/SkwurtInn/
Suite Fire Bar and Grille
On Christmas, Suite Fire Bar and Grille will only be open for breakfast. The restaurant will operate from 6 a.m. until 10 a.m.
Address: 7601 N. Orange Prairie Road, Peoria Phone: (309) 683-3399 Website: https://suitefire.com/
Tartan Inn
Tartan Inn will be open from 5 p.m. until 2 a.m.
Address: 428 N. Waverly Ave., West PeoriaPhone: (309) 966-2444Website: https://www.facebook.com/tartaninn
Tin Lizard Bar & Grill
Tin Lizard − located at Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino − will operate from 2 p.m. until 1 a.m.
Address: 21 Blackjack Blvd., East PeoriaPhone: (309) 694-5823Website: https://paradice.boydgaming.com/dine/tin-lizard-bar-and-grill
Washington Family Restaurant
The restaurant will be open from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Christmas Day. Along with breakfast, customers will find a roast turkey special with stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, a vegetable, soup or salad, a dinner roll and a slice of pumpkin pie. A baked ham dinner will also be available.
Address: 1269 Peoria St. #2352, Washington Phone: (309) 444-1690 Website: https://www.facebook.com/p/Washington-Family-Restaurant-100047774870904/
Yen Ching
Yen Ching will be open from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Christmas Day.
Address: 6936 N. University St., PeoriaPhone: (309) 692-9227Website: https://yenchingiltogo.com/