My husband and I were looking for a new place to eat. This was our first time at Avanti's and will be our last. The service was very slow, the food wasn't too bad but nothing special to make us want to return. Our drinks were watered down before we were offered a refill and then we had to ask the cashier for our check because our server disappeared. read more

Food is good but dont expect customer service. Used to frequent, but no longer. They are headed South

We decided to order pizza one evening and chose Avanti's (had not ordered from there before). Ordered online and received confirmation that it would be delivered in 45 min. We live 5 mins away, waited 5 min after expected delivery to find out how much longer. Apparently it would be awhile as our order was not printed (new person) so our order did not exist! They pulled it up and said they would rush the order if we still wanted it. Yes we wanted it, already charged for it and extremely hungry! Pizza was very good, took 40 min for the "rush" order. No coupon for money off with the pizza, only a sorry for the delay from the delivery person. Don't think we will order from there again, they did not make their mistake right. read more

This restaurant is always excellent! Their staff is friendly and the food always comes out fast. Every restaurant I have been in with this chain has been impeccably clean. They strive for excellence and exceed it each time! You can't beat their prices either. This restaurant is as affordable as Steak'n Shake but not as cheap as McDonald's. You get hot, well-prepared food here--always with a smile. And I really like they're a family owned business. Their menu hasn't changed since I was a kid and that's important. They know they have good food and they're not going to change it. read more

This place sucks. The bread and salad with creamy pesto dressing were the only redeeming qualities the place had. The Italian beef was too salty with unmelted mozzarella. What made it worse was the sandwich was ten times as salty when it was dipped in the au jus. It's just another Italian restaurant that has absolutely lost its way. No ambiance, no romance, no passion. I would recommend this place get new chefs. Absolutely horrible. The service we had was just ok. Probably being a bit unfair, but hey, I'm not the only one on here blasting this place. read more

Service and food here were amazing! I loved the Gondola and Salad!

When I came here with my friends we got horrible food and service. The bread was disgusting, and it took at least 30mins to get our drink order taken. By far, this is one of the worst restaurants I have ever been too. read more

Had an Italian beef sandwich with mozzarella and red sauce today and it was probably the most bland sandwich I've ever eaten in my life. I've eaten at this location twice and both times the food has been subpar in the taste category. Someone needs to learn how to use seasoning, herbs and spices. I can cook a hundred times better than this place. read more

I typically love Avanti's. I love the food and the prices. There is a so much to like. I like the people too. I like the location on the west side of Bloomington too. Very convenient for our family. However, when calling in orders for pick up the order takers don't seem to have politeness skills and can be quite rude. Not a friendly interaction for the customer by a long shot. I left a huge tip anyway but am hoping they can find some friendly employees who want to be nice to their customers who love the food and prices. read more

One of my favorite places to eat in Bloomington. The food is great and the service is always friendly and quick.

We have been eating at this local chain for 30 years. While visiting family yesterday we met at Avanti's on Rt 9. The meat sause was so bland that something out of a jar would have been 100 times better. The lasagna tasted like about half the ingredients were missing and it was just a piece of rubbery pasta. Two of us could only eat less than half our dinner. The fresh bread was delicious as normal though. We may try one of the Avanti's restaurants in Peoria while we are here, but if this is what they are serving it will be our last visit. read more

I've been eating at Avant's since '98. Since then...I've got to say, the quality has gone downhill. My family and I used to go to the Empire location 2 to 3 times a month. Not anymore. They upcharge for EVERYTHING. Extra tomato, extra sauce, extra anything=extra money. Are you kidding me? We are charged A La Carte now? Sheesh. It's only a step up from hospital food...a step up from cafeteria food. The quality has gone down in the 13 years I've been a patron and not worth the added dollars and cents for the extra sauces to make the food edible. read more

Disgusting. I don't know how this could be considered "italian" The pizza looked like it was bought from the grocery store and my veggie gondola was not edible. You could tell they were pre made, the cheese was slimy and the veggies were brown. Pretty much anything is better than this. read more

The gondolas are amazing! While I can't say much about the rest of the restaurant, the gondola sandwiches are always made fresh and fast and are easy to take to go. We always pick up a dozen or so when we're in the area. read more

Just had surgery few hours ago Ireland Grove printed some eating places because we were staying overnight Avantis Meat Ravoli with fantastic meatball were super tasty The Delivery service was VERY FAST !!! It was piping hot food, very caring, courteous Delivery Man , of course we tipped him. Highly recommend them, better than Peoria ! Dale P. Baker read more

Just a few things: -INCREDIBLE bread. Warm, fresh, and delicious. -Cheap food. -Large portions. -Friendly staff. I ate here one night after work and came to the conclusion that it was pretty good "standard Italian". I wouldn't rave about it being infused with flavors or unique dishes, but it was a good bang for your buck. Large portions and well-cooked, small town Italian food was the theme here. Most servers look like younger students, but are very polite and friendly. I also joined the birthday club online and they gave me a free cake, so that's always nice when you're traveling for work :) Overall, not a bad experience. read more

Their bread is fantastic. Prices are very reasonable. We love their pizza. It's not dripping in grease like so many other places these days. Oh, they have awesome French salad dressing too. read more

Let me say the entire staff are superb! 5 stars here. Now on to the food. Sauce is very bland much like bottled Ragu. The lettuce salad is not very good either. The French Onion soup lacked that rich flavor ans was watery. All in all not a great meal last evening. read more

Had wrote them through FB a week ago, but they never responded or allowed my post to be visible on their page. We had stopped in and ordered 2 gondolas for carryout. A guy ordered after us and asked if he could get the buy 2 gondolas and get 1 free promo, which he was granted. I asked (I think he was the manager who handed out the orders) if I heard it correctly as we had ordered 2. He said yes. But we couldn't get the same promo because we didn't ask for it when we ordered. I think it was pretty crappy that they treat customers that differently. Very disappointed in the lack of customer service. read more

I love the food here! I miss the old location but still the same great food and friendly service. Whenver I make it out to Bloomington/Normal I definitley go here :) read more

Not the best Italian food I have had but certainly not the worst. The onion soup however tasted like it was made from lipton just add water soup mix. The Italian beef sandwich was decent and the Alfredo sauce was just ok as well. Great for groups and reasonably priced. I hear the pizza is pretty good. read more

Good food and ok service I went here with my fiancée and brother in law (both are black ) and our waitress treated them both as if they were stupid. Watch out for this. read more

We love Avanti's food and service we receive from Avanti's in Normal IL. We enter hungry, but never leave hungry. The bottomless basket of bread is a big hit with our children. It tastes wonderful! We can get a balanced meal for a reasonable price. I highly recommend this Avanti's. I personally have been going there for over 40 years...starting when I attended IL State Univ. back in the 70's. read more

I have lived in Bloominton for a very long time and have gone to Avanti's to eat many of times. This last time we went there for my sons birthday who just turned 12. There were 8 of us total. Our server was the worst server I have ever had at any restaurant. First of all the Birthday boy ordered 2 things for dinner and only one thing came out. We waited and waited it never came. So by the time we were able to tell the waiter about not receiving one of our meals . As he was over there talking to the rest of the staff which they looked like they were all high school students. He replied " Oh that's right I forgot " He didn't apologize at all. We were all done eating by that time and said forget it. My suggestion is to not eat here as the service is horrible as it can be. I will never eat here again.. read more

Best meatball sandwich I ever had. Love Avanti's fresh baked bread. Wish I lived closer. Dan A. Stickney Il.

Basic Italian food, not very expensive, excellent service. The pizza is what I like best. Also meatball sandwiches. And pretty much everything else on the menu. read more

This is not the same as the one in Peoria. $7.00 for 4 ravioli, pizza was ok. 41 minutes from the time we walked in till they took are drink order. This place years ago was the best. So good we drove 45 minutes just for it, after tonight I can't see me coming back. I'm writing this sitting here had to edit it because I still haven't gotten are to go order it's a Sunday night been in the restaurant for a hour and 45 minutes and are to go order of bread isn't ready. I Proceeded to ask him to give us the ticket for what we did it and that would be good enough. Go around back to the pick up order and asked the lady for an order bread and two gondolas. And our redheaded waiter is in the bag telling the guys to cancel the order and that I was a rude customer and I had told them that they suck. I didn't tell my waiter that The restaurant sucked, I said he sucked (our waiter) I will never step foot in that restaurant again as long as I draw breath. read more

I was treated rather rudely when I ordered a carry out dinner for my family. I ordered a bottle of Pepsi and the cashier was fine with it, but when he confirmed the order with me another employee ran over and said no we don't sell bottles for carry out they're only for delivery, you have to use the fountain. I said it was for my sick father and he won't drink it right away so I want a bottle, is it really a big deal? She said- no can do - only for delivery. I've never seen anyone make such a big deal over something so silly, and with no sympathy. Talk about some sort of power trip. Won't be returning. read more

YUCK!!! This restaurant had the worst service. The bread was so stale I believe it had been sitting out for at least three days. And i have never been here so i ordered the chicken tenders with salad. The dressing was almost sour and it was ranch. The chicken tenders were rock solid and i didn't even bother taking a second bite. This restaurant is AWFUL!! read more

Ordered delivery. They forgot an item. Instead of coming back out to deliver the missing item they offer a credit. So paid for delivery , tipped the driver and what? I'm supposed to go out and pick it up myself ? What a joke read more

Not a fan of the meat sauce and my pasta was over cooked. Surprising for an Italian restaurant. Service was good and quick but that alone couldn't improve my meal. read more

I've been eating at this restaurant all my life. Getting pizza bread or a gondola is my best comfort foot. But If you ever been to a real Italian restaurant this place would be disappoint. read more

I love the bread, spaghetti, gondolas, and salads here and have for over over 35 years as I'm from the area and went to ISU it's a staple food for students and easily affordable, and the other reviewers are right - it's not Olive Garden or Biagi's, but as previously mentioned it's good food for the money. The bread is the best if you want to just pick that up and make your own sandwiches it's well worth it! read more

Avanti's just can't go wrong. Pasta, pizza, salads, gondolas... yummers.

I ordered food before they open due to a change idol answers company over. Lucas did not hesitate in taking my order early and getting it to me before opening! That's service and an example of why my family has gone to Avantis for years. Thank you for helping me out. read more

I have lived in this area my entire life and always enjoy going to this restaurant. THE best bread and THE best ravioli! Excellent service, as well. read more

Food is simple Italian and is okay. What I loved is the bread! You can get a loaf (or two) to go with ranch dipping sauce and it is amazing. Simple but amazing! read more

This place is very popular with most people in Bloomington. Mainly, I would say its all about Avanti's bread which is good. I thought the pizza was just ok but a member of my family thinks it great. Also its knows for the Gondola, salami ham and cheese with lettuce. I did like the Onion soup. read more

Just don't order the French Onion Soup . . . it's awful. Tastes like plain beef bullion broth - blah! I was telling a friend how yucky it was and said they had ordered it once and agreed 100%. read more

Ok I love the Avantis in Normal Il, but EVER time I come to the Bloomington Avantis I am treated like an inconvenience and my order is always missing something or just wrong. I will drive all the way across town just to go to the Normal location before ever going back to the Bloomington location. In fact the last time my family ate in house at this Avantis the server told us that they didn't have any more tea and that they were making more. 10 minutes later she told us this again. She also told us that they didn't have bowls of soup just cups, the menu clearly has cup or bowl listed. After the continued lies from the server we talked to manager they ended up have the manager, the original server and a not her server handle our table because the original server was so incapable of, well, of anything. We were her only table. (We were a party of 8) oh and they did have tea the server just didn't want to do her job cause the manager did bring it out quickly. This kind of thing happens every time I eat at this location. They either don't have something (that is on the menu) or they make it very badly and it's not good. It might not help that I have been going to the Normal Avantis for my whole life and I know what it is supposed to be. Maybe the people at this Avantis need to go to the Normal location to see how it's done. read more