The 520 Cafe — Restaurant in East Peoria

Review Date: 07/30/2023

From the ashes of Mel’s Cafe rises The 520 Cafe.

While riding my bicycle on the EP-Morton bike trail, I noticed Mel’s Cafe was suddenly The 520 Cafe. It was only a matter of time before I popped in and tried it out. That’s just what my dad and I did on a day where we wanted to get breakfast.

We got there before the morning rush and had free choice of where to sit. But, we weren’t quite sure if we sat ourselves or had to be waited to be seated as there was no sign stating which. Our choice of seating was the empty side of the restaurant and were quickly attended to by our waitress. The menus given to us were large and had more options than Amazon to choose from. My dad looked at the menu ahead of time and knew what he wanted. I knew I wanted french toast. Our waitress was just as quick to take our orders and get our drinks.

While we sat there, talking and taking in the restaurant, the place slowly filled up. Because of that, I didn’t get any good photos of the interior due to not wanting to make people feel uncomfortable. The interior of the restaurant was pretty standard for a cafe/diner. It wasn’t anything memorable, imo.

Before too long, we had our meals in front of us. My dad had his chef’s choice omelette and I had some cinnamon french toast with eggs and bacon. I was expecting some normal bread with ground up cinnamon on it but nope… I got legit cinnamon bread for my french toast. While this was unexpected, once I dug in, it wasn’t unwelcomed. It wasn’t a homerun taste combination with the syrup and butter toppings, but it did scratch my desire for french toast a bit. The eggs were just eggs and the bacon was good, but nothing to write home about. My dad said his omelette was good but wished he got his sausage gravy with his hashbrowns instead of having to wait to flag down the waitress to get it. She was hustling with the tables filling up and simply forgot to bring it out with the meal (my dad ordered it on the side). With the place filling up and people standing around waiting for tables to open up, we made our exit after about 45 minutes.

After riding my bicycle past this place what feels like 100 times, I am glad I got to try it out. While it wasn’t a home run, it was a good time with my dad. But judging by the business it was getting, I am inclined to think people love this place...

We live within 2 miles of 520 Cafe and have for almost 40 years. Out of all the eateries that have been here, this one is the absolute best! Honestly, out of most places one can go to for good, honest food at a reasonable price, this is the place to go. We have eaten in the restaurant and have received really good service from real people. They are not fake people but real people who don't have to follow a script. They've helped me with my wheelchair, navigating it about the restaurant. They've brought me a spoon without me asking when they see I need it. That's called SERVICE. Mostly, we get takeout, and that is awesome! No soggy buns from juicy hamburgers. I HATE soggy food! Restaurants don't think about what happens to food when they pack it to go, but 520 does, and that's why we're going to spend our eating out money there. The people that take our order are used to me calling and familiar with my hubs picking up. I like that personal touch. The atmosphere is like being in your grandma's dining room, comfy and cozy. Don't go here if you expect servers walking around at a sedate pace with a wine bottle opener in their pocket and a white towel over their arm, all dressed in alike uniforms. Their importance is not on their outfits but on you and your service. Your comfort. Your food is up to the best standards and beyond. Let's face it, people, times are tough, and money is tight. If you're going to drop a bunch ( but here you won't need a bunch)of money on a meal, why not make it at a place that you will get food that will be good? As close to homemade as you're going to get other than going to your grandma's house. Don't even get me started on their decadent Desserts!!!

FYI- this review comes from a forced-to-retire ( due to medical)chef. I've worked in every type of restaurant there is from gourmet to butcher shop with a retail shop to a retirement place to my own place that was very much like 520 Cafe. Homemade food at a good price.

If you have questions, look me up on Facebook...

Lori Bartley

P. S. I recommend the country fried chicken dinner. It'll make you slap your momma! They definitely put their...

To my friends and anyone who has eaten at the 520 cafe East Peoria please beware! I met my friends this past Thursday for Breakfast! What I thought was going to be a great day turned into a mess! When we were getting ready to pay; I went to grab for my wallet and my phone, which was right by me, and they were gone! I asked my friends if they saw anything and they said that the Senior waitress had taken it and they thought she knew me! I went to the counter and told the guy there that my wallet and phone were taken! The Senior Waitress came over to the register and I asked her if she had my phone and wallet! She asked me if I had left them unattended? We were never away from it! The fact was she still took it! So I asked her to please give me my wallet and phone and she took it out of her pockets! She claimed it was just a joke! I didn't know her at all and she did not know my name! I left and called the Police department and filed a report! I spoke with the owner Oscar with the officer standing right next to us! The Officer said this was a complete theft and not a joke because of the fact that I did not know her at all! I asked Oscar what was going to be done about it! This was the outcome! I was told by the owner that she will work the next few days and then would be suspended for 3 weeks! His reasoning was that she brought a good amount of business in! Apparently the owner Oscar feels that she can steal from customers but continue to work as long as you bring...