Ernie's Family Restaurant — Restaurant in Pekin

My neighbor and I used to come here once a week for breakfast but the last couple of times the service has been pretty shoddy. I waitressed for years and understand when it's slammed but some of the waitresses act very dismissive and almost irritated when you ask for something. It just feels like if you're not one of their regulars they don't care. Today our waitress dropped off the ticket before my neighbor was even done with half his meal and didn't say one word. Never asked how everything was just disappeared into thin air. We never saw her again and even one of the waitresses sat down at a table with some assumed regulars talking to them to catch up. Meanwhile there's several tables that wanted coffee refills and needs. It just feels very lack luster and I find it difficult to continue coming here when Busy Corner is just right down the road and they actually are friendly towards you.

There's this one gal who has big blonde puffy hair who is very sweet but I have not seen her in a while. I would tip her $5 on a $12 bill because she would chat with us and actually check in. I love when servers actually talk to you like a person and I'm more than happy to tip handsomely for that. But when your waitresses act like they don't care and try to avoid your table as much as possible it's frustrating. I used to see the owner and his wife (so sweet) and they would be bussing tables and cleaning. I know that you guys are amazing but your servers are really off putting. We have tried a couple of times to eat because we wanted to try it out a few more times. Each time just feels disappointing I'm...

I'm from Bloomington and have been passing by this diner all my life. I started going to Pekin gun with my dad when I was a kid so I always have gone by there but never stopped. All these years later I finally decided to stop for dinner tonight after going to Pekin gun on the way back to Bloomington. I knew with the amount of cars there at dinner time there must be something good about Ernies diner and I was hungry so I stopped by. Just so happened that my favorite food fried chicken was the special tonight and that Ernies was famous for the fried chicken. Well I can see why everyone loves it and the strawberry cheesecake was some of the best I've ever had just like the fried chicken. Now I find myself wishing that I would have stopped by there to eat long ago. The waitresses were all nice and the owner or manager was very nice as well. As I left I really complimented the place and the food and it was such a nice small town family environment. Now when I go back to Pekin i will make sure i wait to eat till i get there or on the way back to Bloomington. I give the food ,restaurant and workers all five...

Food is excellent service was ok, a lil slow. lol jk 5 stars peeps! I really liked working at one of the best Restaurants n Pekin. I'm the first to say I messed up AGAIN. 😭 The staff is friendly & team oriented & as for the customers (many regulars ) well they were friendly as well & the ones I've talked to seemed genuinely forgiving, just happy I'm better! I regret alot & this is one but I'll remember & learn from this! It's true what they say, u don't realize what you have until it's gone. I was homeless when I came to you & happy which was weird then I l got too comfortable. I'm just thankful I'm breathing & get another chance at this thing called life! To EVERYONE at Ernie's employees staff customers ect...Keep up the great work & God Bless all of you! 🥰 I also want to say thanks for all the prayers, love, & support! Wouldn't b here if it wasn't for your help! Thank you again! I'll keep n touch Love & miss you guys ♥️💚💜 retired server...