Their name lives up to their name. I came in and welcomed immediately. This is a tavern that you…read morecan call a cheers of Peoria.

Hey, so we were in this bar tonight and we have been here a handful of times. We love going here!!…read moreSo, tonight I am there with a group of four and the bartender could not be friendly to us at all. Absolutely no personality. Could barely communicate. Kinda disappointed with the "Friendly Valley Tavern"

We saw this place on a Peoria Restaurant small biz Facebook. We discovered a quaint little dive…read morebar. When we went in there was a typical local bar complete with several regulars seated chatting with the bartender. There was separated dining room next to the bar area. The bartender brought over menus and left us to examine them. They have your typical bar fare as far as apps go with house made onion rings and mushrooms. They have salads, wraps, burgers, sandwiches, and meals. I got the $10 fried chicken special (available on Thursdays) and my husband got the philly owls nest (Philly horseshoe) Because I got chicken it took about 20 minutes to get our food. It was fresh hot and delicious. My plate was covered with a half chicken, cheesy potatoes and baked beans. The chicken was fried to perfection, crispy and well seasoned. The cheesy potatoes were shredded potatoes au gratin style. The baked beans were a bit sweet, but super smokey. The Philly owls nest was a mound of crispy hand cut fries, gratuitous amounts of Philly beef, bell peppers, grilled onions, and covered in a tasty cheddar cheese sauce. It was àmazing! The portions are huge and the food is fantastic. A great little dive bar tucked into the heart of west Peoria. Like them on Facebook to check out all their daily special!

Was just told by an employee that they no longer accept pickup orders and you have to be at the bar…read moreto place an order. This is an absolutely pathetic business model and I will not be returning.

Review Visit: November 11th, 2014…read more 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.

This is a great local hang out. The bartenders are typically fun. And they got touched tunes, which…read moreis 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

Hole in the wall is an understatement. You could probably…read morehide out here and not see one other person the whole night, besides the solo bartender. Girlfriend was visiting from Seattle and we decided to go dive-bar-hopping in this city. It's a thang ya know?!? I always wanted to stop in here cuz of the cute outside decor. So... We played the jukebox and danced the night away one snowy, winter evening. You could probably get away with acting like you were raised in a barn here and it would be A-ok. *see vid & it shall all make sense

Horrible service. Asked what's your best cocktail you personally make lady responded with "good…read morelord are you serious" walked out never coming back. Just horrible

I had never been to this Crusens location and was pretty excited because there was a band we wanted…read moreto see and all of the websites and promotional materials said that the band started at 8:00 we got here early to find out that they really came on at 9:00 so right there I was a little irked. I ordered a pound of traditional barbecue wings they were okay could have used a little bit more spice but they didn't even have any celery to go with it kind of a must-have when you have wings I think. It was also a bloody mess when I asked for a moist towelette, the guy looked at me like I was from a different planet. Oh yeah the glass that he served in my beer in was so sticky I felt like I walking across the floor of an old porn movie theater. Overall a little disappointed the other location on War Memorial was a much better experience.

They menu say one thing but you get overcharged. My waitress is Ryleigh or Violet whichever is…read morecorrect. She gave me 2 names. Nice atmosphere but the overcharged items not cool. Would have returned but no thanks. Food okay

This is one of the last great dive bars in the area. Starting with a history that begins in the…read moreearly 1920s, carrying through the prohibition, thriving with the workers of Caterpillar, and today representing the final classic holdout in a gentrified area, the Center Tap is the same place it was when our grandparents went to a bar. If you are looking for a place like Cheers on TV this is the place for you. Cheap beer and daily drink specials pair well with local made pizzas while watching cable broadcasting one of the HD flat-screen TVs behind the bar. The staff are friendly and down to earth and will remember you and your drink of choice. To pay, they accept cash, a plethora of card options, as well as tap pay. There are dozens of regulars who are all good hearted characters themselves. Whether you need a quick stop at the watering hole or a night out with the crew, the Center Tap is the best place in the area to experience a simpler fun.

This place tops the list for Vintage Dive Bars that absolutely refuse to give in…read more Marty's Center tap is a time capsule operation when Blue Collar Workers ordered a drink or two or three after working a shift at the Caterpillar Plant just down the road. It's a simple pleasure venue...Basically a vintage Dive Bar "landlocked" in the midst of a concrete jungle that we call "Progress". Center Tap is being swallowed up by Strip Malls, Corporate Hotels, Banks and every damn Chain Restaurant imaginable You wont find this place on the East Peoria Tourism or Travel Guide...Only Here!

The wood and brick building dates back to when Abraham Lincoln roamed Central Illinois…read more This is not dive bar, its a bad basement bar. Why, because that's what it is. This is a classic "locals joint" because every regular in the place knows that "you're not". However, hospitality abounds here because the friendly natives know the routine.

Food was good! The beer cheese is the best beer cheese I've had. Service was a bit slow.read more

Stopped in for lunch and it was amazing. I had heard the Corned Beef Quesadilla were good, but…read morethat's selling them short. What a unique flavor. The place was packed at 12:15, some ended up at the bar. The bartenders waited on us and did a great job. And what a cool place. I really want to return when they have a live band!

Add this place to my collection of 1 star reviews…read more Rude service No cleanliness, hygiene issues Drunk customers in their patrons faces Electrical violations So so pizza

Second time here since I stay across the street at a hotel…read more Accurate order. The food is decent. I like the pizza and salads. I've had a calzone in the past. It is a small place but there are always customers at tables. Cooks working hard. It is a consistent solid pizza place

Always have a great time. Every weekend I don't go I am wishing I did. Great drinks, prices,…read morebartenders and patrons.

I have never ate at The Tarten before just stopped for beers. Inside is clean, friendly staff,…read more reasonable prices and Tuesdays is where it is at in Peoria for tacos and chips...for real. Ordered 3 tacos to go (a chicken, beef and pork) done street style. Explosive flavor for each and each distinctly different tastes. This was 6$. Also ordered the homemade chips and queso for 5$. Seriously best chips and dip Ive ever had. Chips were cooker and salted perfectly. All food packaged fantastic to go. Extremely impressed. Tuesdays 2 and after food is served...I shared the menu. I would have NEVER expected it but this is hands down the best place to get mexican on a Taco Tuesday. Ill be back and will be preaching the place to others! Cheers!