I have drove by this place many times and always said I wanted to try it, I finally did. I got the ravioli and my wife got the tortellini. Both were very good, I particularly wasn't a fan of the sauce but the raviolis and tortellinis were so good. The meat in the ravioli was delicious and I loved the cheese filling in the tortellini. We got these dishes as meals so it came with a salad and garlic bread. The salad was okay but the garlic bread was very good! You order at the window when you first walk in so nobody waits on you but it was quick to get our food and the staff was very nice. One of the downsides is that it's not a very nice place, kind of run down, not the cleanest, and outdated. The other downside is that for the no wait staff and run down building the price is very high in my opinion. I will come here again because I enjoyed the food and like switching things up! read more

Been around for years. Food is good. Just seems like 20 or 25 years ago they had more meat on their sandwiches. Only problem I have is the prices ate getting to high. read more

My kids would rather have LaGondola than Mickey Ds. The spaghetti is addicting as is the cinnamon bread. Try it!

Went in and ordered pizza burgers and spaghetti and all of our food was cold. Then when an employee was being nice getting addressed of the situation the other employees were mocking us. Unprofessional, childish behavior, it's ridiculous of the condition this place is handled now I have a 45 min drive home just to warm up the food to try to enjoy the food. Not the one to complain but this experience for a first time is unbelievable. Do not recommend read more

LaGondola - Pizza Burger - Italian Near Me - Pekin, Illinois

Ordered takeout from here the best Spaghetti & sauce Drive through very quick. Good group of young people that are very friendly and courteous. I highly recommend the Spaghetti or Lasagne. They also have gondola Sandwichs read more

The food has been subpar in recent months, but tonight was the last straw. The employees were rude and looked dirty/unkempt. Then as we were in the dining room, we clearly heard them in the kitchen area mocking us. Unbelievable. read more

I purchased a spaghetti dinner to eat at my hotel. As I got toward the middle of the dish I noticed a piece of folded plastic. I took the plastic out to examine it, and to my horror it was an activation sticker from a credit card. In my food...Unacceptable! I do not recommend eating at this restaurant. read more

LaGondola - the label on the pan - Italian Near Me - Pekin, Illinois

The gondola's are great and love the bread. The service is always good and inside is clean.

Hands down, one of the best local restaurants that's been a part of my life for at least two decades now. Simple, fresh, consistent and delicious on a budget. The portions are ALWAYS adequate, and I often have some to take home for another meal. (Pekin Location) I'd say for around $10 you can get pretty stuffed here, with REAL food, not processed garbage. There are LOTS of locations these days, and all in ILLINOIS. Growing up I knew of 3: Bartonville, Creve Couer, and Pekin. I've discovered that there are actually stores in Bloomington (2 locations), Chillicothe, Galesburg, Kewanee, Morton, Peoria and Quincy. Maybe they've always been there, maybe not, but I'm going to have to go and check them out sometime. My normal order is as many Torpedo Deluxe Sub sandwiches I have the cash in my pocket for and can carry. They are $8.49 each but as you can tell they are better than 12 inches, and the bread is this sweet, semi dense french bread that honestly beats out the other local favorite, Avanit's. I get 2-3 meals per sandwich by myself depending on the hunger level of the day. Don't worry though, they have a lot more to offer than just sandwiches! They have hot subs, pizza bread, pastas, garlic bread and salads as well. They have family meal deals for buckets of pizza and garlic bread, and the works. Stop in and give these guys a bite, I'm sure you won't be disappointed! read more

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We were pleasantly surprised! The spaghetti with meat sauce was excellent! We'll definitely stop here again when we're traveling through!

I have been going to LA Gondola since I can remember. Born and raised in Pekin. Used to be one of my favorite places. They have definitely changed ingredients involving the torpedo. The last 3 times I've had it, it just isn't that good. Flavor, texture, everything. I'm done going there. Their spaghetti lacks sauce and size has decreased also. I used to rave about it and the torpedo was my favorite. It's just not good now. Jimmy John's is better or even Avantis. And I never thought I'd say that. read more

Seeking out some good spaghetti, or perhaps a gondola type sandwich or some awesome pizza or garlic bread make with sweet bread? This is your place! It's been in business and the same location for as long as I can remember (at least the 1970's), it's a classic Pekin establishment for reasonably priced food-- and good quality and tasting food at that. read more

Always a favorite stop when I visit Pekin! I always go for the Torpedo which is plainly a combination of Ham, Salami, Cheese and Lettuce on a loaf of fresh baked in the store, homemade Italian bread. Now why is this not like the other chain sub places that load you up with option for sauces, dressings, condiments, etc.? Because flavor is in the bread! Yep try this sub shop and you will taste a big difference in the bread from other sub places. Sometime I will only purchase a loaf of bread to compliment a meal I am making at home! While other sub and sandwich shops come and go! They have been making Torpedoes the same way for at least 30 years that I know of, and have 14 locations scattered across the state of Illinois so they must be doing something right to be in business that long. read more

LaGondola - the outside of the restaurant - Italian Near Me - Pekin, Illinois

Great for big group events to take home. easy ordering and good food. Happy with food and price.

We LOVE LaGondola in Pekin! We've been coming for the past 25+ years and it's still our number one go to for the only good Italian in the area. Yes, it's pretty basic, but always consistently good food, good service and always piping hot. Most take it to go because it's easier that way and while the dining room is dated and a little lack luster, it's so much better if you eat it there. We will continue to support their business as long as they remain open in Pekin. Oh and definitely try the homemade chocolate chip cookies! read more

I've enjoyed LaGondolas food for as long as I can remember and I can honestly say, nothing has changed. The food is prepared fresh with quality ingredients, service is typically spot on and the prices are reasonable. My only reason for giving 4 stars rather than 5 is the condition of the restaurants. It's by no means a complaint, however the 2 La Gondola that I often stop in, are worn and dated. Not dirty, not unappealing, just worn. Honestly, if this is the price to pay to keep enjoying the quality food and prices, it's well worth it! (Side note: La Gondola beats Avantis hands down!) read more

My girlfriend brought it home for me and the kids. Its take away spaghetti to yeah its not going to change your life. Noodles were soft and the sauce was bland/ tasteless. Garlic bread was the same. Some sort of sandwich on a roll that was under cooked and like dough that wasn't fully baked, IDK it had ham and cheese on it. I had about two bites of everything and that was enough for me. I guess if you salted the heck out of everything and were to lazy to cook noodles and heat up sauce from a jar, then yeah pay for this stuff. I've never been able to fully understand why anyone would order take away spaghetti....I can see pizza yeah but spaghetti ??? I didnt even bother asking what we payed because anything more than 10.00 would have been robbery. lesson today DON'T BE LAZY MAKE YOUR NOODLES AND SAUCE AT HOME ! read more

Great food! The garlic bread and cinnamon bread is the best hands down. Always hot and fresh.

I grew up in Illinois my whole life. Moved when I became an adult I live in Iowa now. but when ever my mom visits us up here I always ask her to bring me like 3 sandwiches & 1 Garlic Cheese Bread. The Bread is so sweet & amazing. if you want a very Special treat then you must go. read more

This is the best spaghetti and ravioli, even better than Avanti's. Also the best Torpedo (sub) sandwiches. The bread is soft and the spaghetti andravioli have a great seasoning to them. Their garlic bread is also the best I've ever had. Love LaGondola! read more

A must stop when I get back to Pekin. Love their Pizza Burger and Family Feast! The thought of their garlic bread makes my mouth water.

Good food! I enjoy picking up the smoky feast for an easy meal when I don't feel like cooking. The food is delicious and the pick up window is convenient. Thank you! read more

I'm not from the area and this place wasn't for me. The locals seem to love it because business was steady (Friday night). I ordered a sub, they call it a torpedo and it wasn't very good. It was plain. There wasn't any dressing like mayo or oil on it. Perhaps you have to ask for that kind of stuff but I don't have to ask for it at Jimmy Johns, Jersey Mikes, or most reputable sub places. Anyway, this is my first Yelp review. This place was so bad that I was inspired to create an account right after my meal and write this review. I do not recommend this place. I'm a business traveler and I've been eating on the road for 15 years. Find some other place for a sub. read more

I've only ever had the family meal deal with spaghetti, garlic bread, fresh bread, gondola, and cinnamon bread. Delicious! Family loves it. More than enough to feed a family of six. Always fresh. Always good. Nice employees. I've been told that every Lagondola is different but I've only ever eaten at this one in Pekin. read more

This has been a hometown favorite of mine for thirty years. The Torpedo sub is so good. It's a very basic sub, but what makes this one so special is their unique sweet bread. Every time I am in the area, I always pick up three or four torpedoes. But be warned. They are closed on Sunday. read more

Every time we come out to Pekin, we have to stop by La Gondola! This place has been a favorite of our family for years! Everything is good here, and the bread is OUTSTANDING! Even if you're not in the mood for a sandwich or ravioli, get some of the garlic or cinnamon bread. read more

Always good food and my kids love it. People who work there are nice, it is quick and easy.

Best sub sandwiches in Pekin! Bread is softer and a little sweeter than than Avanti's making it better.

You can't go wrong here - Torpedos, cinnamon bread, pizza bread, family feasts - it's all delicious! And it's run and staffed by some wonderful people. read more

They have reasonable meals for families spaghetti really good garlic bread gondola sandwiches all come in meals

Waited out side the drive thru for 5 minutes and the employees ignored me. Not happy.

Best spaghetti,best garlic bread and best gondolas in town!! Highly recommend it to everyone! The price is just right

I found myself visiting this establishment after hearing praise from friends and coworkers. Imagine my surprise to find myself at the first Italian restaurant with a drive thru! Truly a sign of the time and effort put into each dish. I ordered the torpedo and the ravioli (which came with garlic bread and a 'salad'). The torpedo was truly a unique experience, blending cheap ham, dry turkey, shredded lettuce, and American cheese. Possibly the worst combination of meat and cheese in a sandwich since bologna and Velveeta. The ravioli was several greasy meat-filled noodles drowned in a watery meat sauce. The presentation of said dish was that of a poorly maintained sauce vat. The garlic bread was cooked unevenly, with each bite alternating between a slimy mash of garlic and a burnt disaster. But now, for my favorite part of the meal, the 'salad'. Never have I seen such a poor excuse for salad. Upon opening the 1/2 pint container of lettuce, I found myself hoping to discover rat droppings, just so there could be 1 topping. Truly a unique culinary experience. read more

Forgot a coupon at home across town when ordering two family feast dinners, one for us and the other for neighbors. The neighbor was hit by a pick up truck when he was riding his motorcycle, bad shape with brain damage amongst other problems. We were trying to help the family out by donating dinners to the family with two small children. I had been mowing all day and wife was working which is only a few blocks from the restaurant. She told them she couldn't find the coupon not knowing I had it but left it in the house when going to pick her up. I explained the situation to the employee's, no manager of course was there and informed them I would bring it back in the morning as I did not want to drive all the way across town again. Simply said, not caring a bit, no coupon, no discount, not a care in the world except for the young lady waiting on me to which I explained was not upset with her. She gave me a sad look and said she understood. I will now forever be giving Avanti's our business which is just down the road from them, we spend a lot of money when we go Italian and is their lost. Also, Avanti's does donate a lot to the community which seems to be lacking from La Gondola. It might not seem like a big deal, but when I witnessed how much the employees didn't care about what I said, I'll take my 50 dollars and spend it else where. read more