My husband and I were ready for a quick little breakfast and a spot of coffee, so we headed into…read morearoma. My husband ordered plain ol' coffee, so I caved and did the same. I can't tell you if it was good---I never can tell if regular coffee is good by coffee-lover standards. It was just OK to me. We shared an apple fritter and a cream-filled donut. The fritter was light and airy, which was a nice change from the dense, heavy fritters I've grown accustomed to. The filled donut was adequate. White fluff-filled donuts are my go-to, but the cream didn't quite strike the right chord with me. Whatever it was I didn't like about it, that's what my husband raved about! This review suddenly doesn't feel very helpful. If you want a hometown coffee shop with cute decor, decent coffee, and assorted baked goods, this fits the bill! The staff was friendly and helpful, as well. That means a lot! Seating is limited---maybe 20-25 seats in all---so just be prepared.

I had stayed away for quite awhile after a few incidents where I was served regular instead of…read moredecaf. It still feels like playing roulette everywhere I go, so I prefer to make my own at home. I just cannot do caffeine. I mostly go to shops like this to feel like a human out doing something. The coffee tastes good, but 'm docking a star because even as I type this after leaving, I can feel the not fun effects of caffeine. It can be hit or miss with consistency of what constitutes a large and how milky your drink is, the prices seem to vary from visit to visit, and I often don't recognize the employees. High turnover? There is no public restroom which can be an issue whilst consuming beverages. Aroma also charges a fee if you pay with plastic, so I try to carry cash. I recall being charged for a cup of ice for my herbal tea in the past. Sometimes the tables aren't so clean and the baked goods case can have flies in it. It's looked better this summer. The wooden chairs can be wobbly. Overall it has decent atmosphere. It smells good like caramel when you walk in. There are two metal tables with cafe chairs as well as a bench outside, weather permitting. Rat Pack & classical outside. When music is on inside it's a different genre. The hours can be funky especially in winter or even be unexpectedly closed, but they are never open past 5 PM. Peru rolls the sidewalks up pretty early. I do like that they offer plant milk and have decaf without a weird lecture like the place around the corner... They usually have soy and almond. No coconut, but I usually go with soy lately anyway. Raw sugar, stevia for Lydia, and at least one decaffeinated tea. The baristas I've had recently were pretty pleasant. They have an array of baked goods including bagels and some other food and drink things in a refrigerated case. I've not ever tried the food myself though it looks good. I'm assuming it's local artwork which I've seen for sale on the walls along with handmade jewelry, mugs. They have a sandwich board for a donation program where you can buy a coffee for someone in need. Aroma has loyalty punch cards as well. You can enter the bakery next door through an adjoining door. Walking past I saw the case next door had cupcakes and heard a cake order being taken. So, while Aroma has flaws and I've been to better in other towns, the prices are pretty reasonable for this century and the atmosphere is alright. Cozy and on the Bohemian side. I don't go running there with excitement, but it's alright to sit and chat, especially when it's not crowded, which it often isn't. I like the downtown location.

My last review stands but with updates. While I'd still say this has to be the best place available…read morein Peru, there are some inconsistencies. The ordering process is quirky. During the day, you order at the counter. Menus on a barrel to peruse. Nothing on the wall. You normally receive a number (not today) & your beverages & food are brought to your table. Today, I was given my coffee & water at the counter to carry, but my food was brought out. So, it's counter prepay, & you tip at that time, but it's also self serve at the condiment station while you're also being waited on table side somewhat, some of the time. Confused yet? I did dine here once during dinner hours. Since I was used to the other process, I didn't know you are seated in the evening & fully waited on. I like dinner time best though it's busier. You can get takeout anytime & sweets to go from the case or table. I believe they cater & might possibly deliver, at least for groups. There is also a section which can be reserved. I hadn't been in for a couple months, & hadn't seen my favorite lady for even longer. From chatting today, I don't think she remembered me. The man working the floor is especially great. He's a food runner & busser, etc. I was confused today, as was he, as he'd set something on my table while I was prepping my coffee at the sugar station. He asked if I'd had a bread stick or a pretzel, so I responded it was a pretzel because I had indeed ordered a pretzel stick from the menu. He ended up bringing out a full size pretzel after I sat down, & I felt badly because he thought I'd ordered that. I discovered the pretzel STICK is the same as a bread stick. He was friendly & told us to enjoy the mistake. The person with me was happy to find a device charging station. I'm not sure those are available at every table nor if WiFi is offered. The first timer liked her peach tea. You can get sweetened, unsweetened, or half n half. Cheese sauce is nacho with a lil kick. I fully appreciate that the staff will make me a fresh pot of decaf when I come in. Apparently, decaf isn't too popular around here, I'm finding. I rolled with it, but Garden Gate had Folgers in the past. The Kroger brand they used today definitely didn't taste as good. When I walked up to get a refill, I noticed it was really weak & watered down. I could see through it more than tea. Sometimes you get refills at your table. Not consistently anymore. None today. No non-dairy creamer or milk options nor raw sugar. Again, I roll with it. It's not really a coffee shop per-se. However, with "cafe" in the name... Garden Gate has surprisingly good spaghetti. Not like what I can make at home, but far better than what I expected during visits before today. I would like to see more plant based options, but I remember what town I'm in. You get used to making due with what you can get around here. No fish on the menu either nor any fried foods. Sandwiches come with chips or slaw. They do have a fired pizza oven. If you like meatloaf and mashed potatoes with green beans, this would be the perfect place for you. They have daily specials on a board. Their veggie wrap is okay. The bread/pretzel sticks are buttered & also okay. Mashed potatoes, great. Never had the green beans since may contain bacon. Garden Gate good with accommodating substitution requests. I do like the long bench in back so you can sit as you wait for carryout or to be seated in the evening. Quality furnishings & ambience although the barrels from the brewery this once housed don't exactly jive. It's nice there is a private parking lot with a side door since street parking downtown can be hairy, especially this close to the courthouse. Some outdoor seating. A lot more seating inside & much better air conditioning than the old location. Better tables and chairs which are actually comfortable unlike the old place. I don't like that they pool tips. I tip extremely well, & I would like it to go to the person I tipped. I'm also not a fan of tipping at the beginning of the visit. I'll over tip & not get stellar service afterward. Did they even see it? Now I feel like George Costanza. I have been given rather large to go cups of decaf in the past. I didn't even want to ask for one today. It's usually clean though sometimes the tables & ladies' room could use extra care. Dirty tables can pile up at times. Confusing system. Good food but not much that I want. I really just go to have somewhere in this town to sit & to KNOW it's actually decaf in my cup. Sometimes it's loud, sometimes not. Service isn't quite what it was when this location first opened. It can be hit or miss where I can feel #1 or forgotten. Service usually good but not above and beyond like 6 months ago. I'm sure I'll return because, honestly, where else am I going to go? Possibly the best in Peru, yes, but I'm adjusting stars for everything stated above. It could easily be a five with some tweaks, but I won't hold my breath.

I was visiting Peru with a friend and we had some time to kill and wanted a place to get some…read morecoffee. This was the closest open cafe. It's really a full service restaurant with salads, sandwiches and brick oven pizza. The ambience is industrial chic with some bare brick walls. Our coffee was served in clear toddy glass. We also ordered the blueberry scone served with Devonshire cream on the side. Wow! The scone was so moist and stuffed with blueberries. The cream was, well, creamy delicious. This was my first ever visit to Peru and if I ever return I'm heading right here! I might drive to Peru just for the scones!

Who knew pizza from a gas station would be so good?! I was genuinely skeptical after hearing my…read moreparents rave about Casey's, and I'm always a little sad when I'm home and our seasonal pizza spot is closed. But now we've officially found our new year-round favorite. Plenty of sauce, great pepperoni and sausage (bigger dime-nickel sized pieces instead of the crumbled kind I usually prefer). It is a bit on the greasy side, so I'm landing at 4 stars, but honestly it's delicious and totally worth a pick up. We called headed and it was ready in 15 mins!

The usual Casey's in a smart location offering good prices, great rewards program, useful variety…read moreof fresh foods, and iconic for a gas station pizza. The breakfast pizza always slaps hard when it's done up right. I bounced quickly in and out to fill up but as always cannot recommend this low grade ethanol heavy blend for European vehicles. Inside is well lit, sorted, and giving friendly service.

What a fun food truck! The proprietor picked a great place to park - right next to the Pipe Creek…read moreMerchandise antique shop, itself a real treat - and to produce a fun menu highlighting Philly cheese steak (he's from Philly), cheesy tenderloin, and my favorite combo, Jamaican beef patties with fried plantains. Although it wasn't available when we ate there, they also make their own donuts (in a food truck!). Peru seems to attract "labor of love" little establishments like this, and this is a gem. He's even arranged with the antique shop to let his customers eat inside at a table, so don't let the cold weather scare you away from a real treat.

Ur missing out on this Gem baby your getting a chef basically giving u the most cheapest largest…read moreproportioned food GtfaHereee this guy is so polite and your food is fresh made to order u ain't had nothing tell u have tried this delicious tasting food go big or go home.

Their food is really good but I notice that the menu that is on Yelp is not up to date and was…read moreposted years ago so here is the newest menu.

Good, Local, Chinese food. Served quickly! We order take-out. The orange and general tso chicken…read moreare my families go-tos.

Ok, I know Peru is a small town. It rolls up the streets by…read more9 pm. But if your hours indicate you are still open, lights on, workers inside, drive through lit up , then be on it! Pulled in at 10:06 pm to drive up - sat at order screen over 5 minutes - no person came on. Talked to screen hoping someone would hear: no response. Disgusted, I pulled away. As I went by, there was an employee at the window, and two employees inside at front counter. 10:17 pm I left the lot. Not. Doing. That. Again.

Good job taco John! Never been there before. Jason did a great job. Facility was clean! It's like a…read moreTaco Bell but better.

I came to Taco Bell and they got my order wrong first of all they missed two items and then my…read moreChalupa had no meat on it at all. My chipotle stacker was missing rice. They came up to the window to ask me what was wrong and they slammed the door in my face multiple times.

They always get mine and my fiancés order right. We've also have never had to wait, they are super…read morequick! So if you're wanting a quick bite to eat and Taco Bell sounds good. Stop at the one here in Peru IN