Review Visit: November 11th, 2014 Room and Board in this castle is forever "No Vacancy". Nestled on the corner of a random street in Peoria, you would almost never know this place was here unless you were told about it or randomly drove down the right street. The only way I learned about this place is when I went to pick up my friend Tim one day and accidentally drove a block too far past his house. Tim told me he had been there before and it was pretty good. He said he walked there a few times to get food. I felt betrayed. I felt left out in the cold. As the feeling of betrayal faded, we made plans to go one night. It also happened to be the night Tim was moving. Sometimes we aren't great at planning stuff. We strolled in once we got most of the stuff packed up and loaded in our vehicles. We were greeted by a small yet cozy bar with seating that was just enough for the area. It held maybe 15 comfortably before it would start to feel packed. The bartender told us to take a seat anywhere and she would bring us a menu. In talking with people about Castle's and reading up on it from local online articles, this place is known for it's cheese. We knew that going in, so we ordered some crackers and cheese. This may be the first and only place that serves Ritz-style crackers to go along with their legendary cheese. There is always some hesitation when you are about to try something a place is well-known for. That happened here. Tim and his brother wasted no time digging in to the cheese and crackers. I grabbed my cracker and contemplated on how I was going to dip it, how much I was going to scoop and how big of a bite I was going to take. Okay, maybe that didn't happen but I did take that first bite rather slowly as I wanted to fully dedicate my taste buds to what I was about to experience. The cheese was good. I can see why people raved about it. It had a bit of that "made with love" added to it that your grandma's cookies also have. And before I knew it, the cheese and crackers were gone and the food we ordered was in front of us. I don't remember exactly what I ordered (looks like a pulled pork?) but I remember thinking it was pretty standard bar food, which is a compliment in my book. Bar food is cheap, usually 150% unhealthy for you, and full of flavor and deliciousness. Castle's Patio Inn was that. The fries were fries. Nothing fancy but something that I bet would be good dipped in the cheese. We didn't really get to experience the bar part of Castle's but that is totally fine. You can come here and sit at the bar and converse with the bartender about life's many issues or you can snag a table with your family for some cheap bar food and some exquisite cheese. Americans. We sure do love our cheese. read more

See all

This is a great local hang out. The bartenders are typically fun. And they got touched tunes, which is always a plus, I don't know about the food. I can't eat it. But I've heard that they're cheese is amazing. They have done a couple of pop-ups, that were pretty amazing. The one chef that did a hotdog pop up was able to make me a vegan salad which tasted divine and I wish I could have it again great neighborhood atmosphere read more

Castle's Patio Inn - Fun times - American Near Me - Peoria, Illinois

Historic building with a dive bar vibe. Great bartender. We will definitely be going back. While you are there, try their homemade pub cheese! read more

We used to go here every Wednesday night and play cards. We'd get delicious food off the menu and we'd bring a dessert and date it with the owners and staff. read more

Came here for lunch on a Wednesday. Great pizza special. Our party also had a cheeseburger and chicken sandwiches. Everybody left happy. This is a cozy, comfortable bar & grill that is somewhat of an iconic spot in Peoria. Enjoy! read more

Quaint small local bar. Hamburger and sweet potato fries are really good! Server is a lot of fun, spunky lil gal!

Castle's is a neighborhood bar that faithfully remains on my rotation when visiting Peoria. The fun thing here is Castle's serves a house specialty "Complimentary Cheese Spread" to all paying customers enjoying a cocktail or two. Just ask and you shall receive! The point is..."It's complimentary...It's not free". This is what classic neighborhood bars do! Once again, this is not a "Hidden Gem", "Throw Back" or a "Dive"...just the "Cheesiest Place in Town". read more

See all

Just had our first sampling of the Soulfood Plate. Soooo delicious! Don't let the look of the building fool you, there is a master in that kitchen!!! We will be back many more times to samp LMK e ogher menu items! I say sample because there iz SOOOO much food we could not finish. Thanks, Shaun, you are the best! read more

This place is an old neighborhood bar with food service. They are famous in Peoria for their cheese dip and their prime rib sandwiches. Fish is great too. read more

See all

Castle's has a great divey atmosphere. The owner is super friendly and the prices are budget conscious. The main attraction is the free cheese spread they serve with crackers as an appetizer. I had a BBQ sandwich, and it was okay. I was expecting the meat have BBQ sauce mixed in, but it was not. As a result the juices from the meet made the bread soggy and the meat tasted a little more salty than I like. Not a deal breaker, just wasn't what I was expecting. The mini-tacos and jalapeno poppers are good from the app menu. Cash only. read more

Castle's Patio Inn - Cheese and crackers - American Near Me - Peoria, Illinois

See times on Facebook. Open today. New ownership. Meatloaf Monday is definitely worth the trip. I had mashed potatoes and gravy and deviled eggs as my sides. Pease see their Facebook info for daily specials. Of course, ask for their cheese! Best you will taste. read more

Nope. They ruined it. Can't bring parents or kids cause of the music playing. The meatloaf was sub par. Way too much on the menu. No homemade pizza, prime rib sandwiches and the cheese even tastes different. Should have just gone half way but they got rid of everything. Too bad. Not even worth a second try. read more

This place is a great neighborhood bar. The place is small, but the service and food are great. They're known for their cheese, a secret recipe handed down through the years. Every table gets cheese and crackers for free. Its so popular that they sell it in large containers and ship it all over the country to fans. During the day and early evening (til 8) its a family place but later it takes on more of a pub feel. The menu includes everything from grilled cheese to prime rib. I'm especially fond of the fired chicken sandwich and the Friday night walleye special. My wife loves the green beans. read more

Famous for their cheese dip for quite a few decades now! Tucked away in a neighborhood, this is a nice little bar with a great kitchen. Reasonable prices. We like Friday's as they have a bunch of fish specials. Cold beer. Lots of locals. Friendly service. read more

Haven't been here in ages. Read in the local paper about the new chef. Went in to give it a try with the family. Absolutely on point. The collard greens are smoky delicious. Mac & Cheese was perfect. Chicken tang sandwich has a mustard based sauce that puts any chicken sandwich to shame. Pot roast is like grandma made. Everything is clearly made from scratch. The cheese spread is still the same and awesome as ever. Definitely on the repeat list. Congratulations to Chef Shaun & Castle's. Can't wait to go back!!!! read more

Castle's is a hidden gem. Thankfully, some people I worked with many years ago introduced me to this place. Another of my friends had a grandfather who lived near here, so she was familiar with the neighborhood and she would call it Ray's Patio Inn. I'm sure that was Castle's in a previous life. The current owners have probably been there for over 20 years now. It's a great place to throw back a beer or two at the bar, or sit at a table in the wood-paneled dining area and enjoy one of their dinners, which are quite reasonably priced. The cheese that everyone who's a fan of Castle's is most likely a fan of is a cheese spread with a great garlicky flavor. A ceramic crock of said cheese and some Ritz type crackers will be set on the table for your enjoyment, and you can also buy tubs of the cheese to take home with you or ship it to friends who are crying in their hometown because they can't go to Castle's and get cheese. They serve sandwiches and dinners, including their popular walleye dinner, which comes with potato salad and bread and butter on the side. Castle's is a throwback, and certainly worth checking out. read more

Four of us stopped in to get some cheese and decided to stay for a late lunch. We had burgers, French fries,cat fish, spaghetti, and chicken and waffles. Every one of our entrees was excellent. The decor was homey-we have been there many times before but this might have been our best meal. Three of us are from the Chicago area and said it rivaled places they eat in their area. I am going back today to buy more of the Jalapeño cheese ((first time we have tried it) to bring to my relatives in Chicago. Give it a try. Server was personable and helpful. read more

Castle's is a great neighborhood bar. Every time I've been in the service has been friendly and prompt, and they bring you the cheese and crackers until your meal comes. The cheese is extremely garlicky, but delicious, if you're into garlic a lot. Seriously, it's garlicky. The food has always been good; they know how to fry catfish top notch. Beer selection is lacking a bit for my personal taste, but sometimes it's good to change the routine, especially at a neighborhood bar. The owners are fantastic people, and will chat with you if they have time. Sometimes the cook comes out to make sure everything was ok. I highly recommend if you're looking for a small, no-frills, neighborhood hangout. read more

This is a throw back neighborhood bar with a friendly feel. The owner will serve you free cheese and crackers and the drink prices are very reasonable. Did not order food but many if the patrons were eating and all of the dishes looked good. I love this place because it still looks like a local tavern from the 1950's. This is a great place to sit at the bar and strike up conversations with the locals. Would not call it a dive bar but just a nice neighborhood tavern. read more

My wife and I have eaten here and the cheese spread is fantastic!!! Clean, fun, and out of the way....just like a neighborhood bar should be....Give it a try.... read more

This is an awesome local food option. The cheese and crackers are FANTASTIC and the wait staff is very nice. We always like to stop in for dinner after baseball. The food isn't necessarily anything that is going to blow your mind, but it is good food. I highly recommend checking Castle's Patio Inn out when you get the opportunity to! read more