Here's where you can dine out Christmas Eve, Christmas

Cassidy Waigand, Journal Star
·8 min read

Christmas Eve is right around the corner. For some, the holiday means gathering at home. Others, though, may prefer to not prepare a holiday meal.

For those looking to go out to eat on Christmas or Christmas Eve, here are some of the Peoria-area restaurants which will be open.

Christmas Eve

Alexander’s Steakhouse

Alexander's Steakhouse, 100 Alexander Avenue in Peoria.
Alexander's Steakhouse, 100 Alexander Avenue in Peoria.

Alexander’s Steakhouse will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Dec. 24. Customers can order steak, burgers, chicken and more. The restaurant will be closed Christmas Day.

More:Distillery with sketchy past among businesses preceding Alexander's Steakhouse in Peoria

Bernardi’s

Journal Star
Journal Star

Bernardi’s will be open from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day. The Italian restaurant offers pastas, sandwiches, seafood and other entrees.

Blue Margaritas

Blue Margaritas Mexican Bar & Grill is at 9010 North Allen Road in the Prairie Point Shopping Center in Peoria.
Blue Margaritas Mexican Bar & Grill is at 9010 North Allen Road in the Prairie Point Shopping Center in Peoria.

Blue Margaritas will be open from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve. At the restaurant, guests can find nachos, fajitas, burritos, tacos and more.

Carl's Bakery & Restaurant

Carl's Bakery
Carl's Bakery

Carl's Bakery and Restaurant will be open from 6 a.m. until noon on Dec. 24. The bakery offers a variety of pastries, as well as coffee. Customers are encouraged to pre-order by calling 309-699-7275.

Country Club BBQ

Kristen Delbo, a chef at Country Club BBQ on Farmington Road, scoops up a bowl of chicken wings at their WingFest 2019 booth on Sunday, May 19, 2019 on the Peoria riverfront. [MATT DAYHOFF/JOURNAL STAR]
Kristen Delbo, a chef at Country Club BBQ on Farmington Road, scoops up a bowl of chicken wings at their WingFest 2019 booth on Sunday, May 19, 2019 on the Peoria riverfront. [MATT DAYHOFF/JOURNAL STAR]

Country Club BBQ will open at 11 a.m. on Christmas Eve. The restaurant's kitchen will serve food until 4 p.m. and the bar will remain open until midnight.

Dac's Smokehouse BBQ

The prime brisket sandwich from Dac’s Smokehouse, 1200 W. Main St. in Campustown, is composed of the eatery’s prime barbecue brisket covered with white cheddar, caramelized onions, and smoked garlic aioli on a brioche bun with pickles on the side. A variety of side dishes, like Carolina coleslaw, are available.
The prime brisket sandwich from Dac’s Smokehouse, 1200 W. Main St. in Campustown, is composed of the eatery’s prime barbecue brisket covered with white cheddar, caramelized onions, and smoked garlic aioli on a brioche bun with pickles on the side. A variety of side dishes, like Carolina coleslaw, are available.

Customers can stop by Dac's Smokehouse from 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The restaurant will be closed on Christmas Day.

Hacienda El Mirador

A sauce, mole trina is on the menu at Hacienda el Mirador, 5805 N. Humboldt Ave, Peoria (Junction City).
A sauce, mole trina is on the menu at Hacienda el Mirador, 5805 N. Humboldt Ave, Peoria (Junction City).

Customers can stop by Hacienda El Mirador from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The Mexican restaurant serves burritos, chimichangas, ensaladas and more.

More:Here is the Best of the Best Mexican food in Peoria as voted on by readers in 2021

Holy Crab

Holy Crab is decorated with a sea-faring theme complete with ropes, life preservers, and plastic crabs and lobster caught in netting.
Holy Crab is decorated with a sea-faring theme complete with ropes, life preservers, and plastic crabs and lobster caught in netting.

Holy Crab will be open from 11:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. The restaurant, located in East Peoria, offers Cajun seafood.

Jim's Steakhouse

DAVID ZALAZNIK/JOURNAL STAR Siblings Kristin Comfort and Nick Comfort in Jim's Steakhouse in Peoria.
DAVID ZALAZNIK/JOURNAL STAR Siblings Kristin Comfort and Nick Comfort in Jim's Steakhouse in Peoria.

Customers can make a reservation for a Christmas Eve dinner at Jim's Steakhouse by calling (309) 673-5300 or by emailing jimssteakhouse@gmail.com. The steakhouse will be open from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Johnny's Italian Steakhouse

Johnny's Chanel No. 5 is on the menu at Johnny's Italian Steakhouse, 101 Holiday St., East Peoria.
Johnny's Chanel No. 5 is on the menu at Johnny's Italian Steakhouse, 101 Holiday St., East Peoria.

Johnny's Italian Steakhouse will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve and closed Christmas Day. At the restaurant, customers will find appetizers, pasta, steaks, salads and more.

Mike’s Cobbler Corner Family Restaurant

Customers can pick up a special Christmas meal from Mike’s Cobbler Corner until 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The meal will include slow roasted beef, a green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy and rolls. Dessert items such as cobblers or pies can be added to the meal for an additional charge.

Oyama Sushi

Oyama Sushi in the Morton Village Shopping Center is a full-service Japanese restaurants that serves traditional meals, like this habachi entree, as well as sushi and sashimi.
Oyama Sushi in the Morton Village Shopping Center is a full-service Japanese restaurants that serves traditional meals, like this habachi entree, as well as sushi and sashimi.

Oyama Sushi, which is located in Morton, will be open from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

More:Morton's new sushi restaurant fills an empty space in a busy shopping center

Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino

PHIL LUCIANO/JOURNAL STAR The salmon filet with bearnaise sauce is on the menu at Boyd's Steakhouse in East Peoria.
PHIL LUCIANO/JOURNAL STAR The salmon filet with bearnaise sauce is on the menu at Boyd's Steakhouse in East Peoria.

Boyd's Steakhouse will be open from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve and will be closed on Christmas Day. Those looking to make a reservation for the Steakhouse can do so by going to Par-A-Dice's dining page.

Peoria Pizza Works

Peoria Pizza Works at 3921 N. Prospect Road in Peoria Heights is marking its 50th anniversary.
Peoria Pizza Works at 3921 N. Prospect Road in Peoria Heights is marking its 50th anniversary.

According to Peoria Pizza Works’s Facebook Page, the restaurant will be “open late” Christmas Eve. The pizza place is typically open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturdays.

Passion, family and first dates: How this Peoria Heights pizza joint made it 50 years

Pizza 150

Pizza 150 in Kickapoo is expanding its outdoor, heated seating areas in advance of the coming fall and winter seasons to continue offering outdoor options for dining.
Pizza 150 in Kickapoo is expanding its outdoor, heated seating areas in advance of the coming fall and winter seasons to continue offering outdoor options for dining.

Customers can stop by Pizza 150 from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Dec. 24. At the restaurant, customers can order from a variety of specialty pizzas, build their own or opt for soups, burgers or sandwiches. The soup of the day for Christmas Eve will be minestrone.

Rizzi's Italian Restaurant

Rizzi's Italian Restaurant
Rizzi's Italian Restaurant

Customers can stop by Rizzi's Italian Restaurant from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The Italian restaurant offers a wide selection of pastas for guests to choose from, as well as other entrees and appetizers.

Suite Fire Bar and Grille

The Suite gourmet salad topped with grilled chicken from Suite Fire Bar & Grille, located at 7601 N Orange Prairie Road. JOURNAL STAR/THOMAS BRUCH
The Suite gourmet salad topped with grilled chicken from Suite Fire Bar & Grille, located at 7601 N Orange Prairie Road. JOURNAL STAR/THOMAS BRUCH

Suite Fire Bar and Grill will be open from 6 a.m. until 10 a.m. and from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Dec. 24. Customers can call to make a reservation at (309) 683-3399.

  • Address: 7601 N. Orange Prairie Road, Peoria

  • Phone: (309) 683-3399

  • Website: https://suitefire.com/

Thyme Kitchen & Craft Beer

Thyme Kitchen and Craft Beer at 736 SW Washington.
Thyme Kitchen and Craft Beer at 736 SW Washington.

Customers can visit Thyme Kitchen from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The restaurant is closed on Christmas Day. Those looking to make a reservation can do so by calling 309-713-2619 or by going to OpenTable.

More:Check out these Peoria restaurants with gluten-free menu items

Washington Family Restaurant

Roast beef, gravy and mashed potatoes on bread and a spinach and feta cheese omelet at the Washington Family Restaurant.
Roast beef, gravy and mashed potatoes on bread and a spinach and feta cheese omelet at the Washington Family Restaurant.

On Christmas Eve, Washington Family Restaurant will be open from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Weaver's Fresh Food and Drink

Weaver's Fresh Food and Drink will be open from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Dec. 24. Customers at the restaurant can order chicken, pizza, burgers and more.

Christmas Day

Country Saloon

Country Saloon, located in Morton, offers free meals for those who come by on Christmas Day. The business opens at 11 a.m. and food will be served starting at 1 p.m.

East Bluff Community Center

RON JOHNSON/JOURNAL STAR Volunteers serve up a free Christmas dinner at East Bluff Community Center at 512 E. Kansas Street in Peoria on Tuesday.
RON JOHNSON/JOURNAL STAR Volunteers serve up a free Christmas dinner at East Bluff Community Center at 512 E. Kansas Street in Peoria on Tuesday.

The East Bluff Community Center is hosting its 7th annual Christmas Dinner this year. The dinner − which is open to the public − will take place from 2 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. While the meal is free of charge, donations to the food pantry are encouraged.

Holy Crab

A sampler of Holy Crab's seafood boil includes snow crab, mussels, shrimp, lobster tail and sausage in a variety of sauces like garlic butter and Cajun sauce.
A sampler of Holy Crab's seafood boil includes snow crab, mussels, shrimp, lobster tail and sausage in a variety of sauces like garlic butter and Cajun sauce.

Customers will be able to visit Holy Crab − a Cajun seafood restaurant in East Peoria − from 11:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. on Christmas Day.

Homestyle Grille

Customers can visit Homestyle Grille in Bartonville from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Christmas Day.

Johnny Vig's Bar

Scott and Jenny Sheets celebrate their team's first touchdown on Sunday while watching the game at the bar Johnny Vig's in Peoria.
Scott and Jenny Sheets celebrate their team's first touchdown on Sunday while watching the game at the bar Johnny Vig's in Peoria.

Johnny Vig's will be open from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Dec. 25.

Ming Shee

Exterior view of Ming Shee restaurant.
Exterior view of Ming Shee restaurant.

Ming Shee will be open from 10:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Christmas Day.

More:Here are the voted best Chinese restaurants in the Peoria area for 2021 by readers

Osaka Hibachi & Sushi Bar

Exterior view of Osaka Hibachi & Sushi Bar.
Exterior view of Osaka Hibachi & Sushi Bar.

Customers can stop by Osaka Hibachi from 11:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. on Christmas.

Oyama Sushi

A Dynamite Roll at Oyama Sushi is a lightly fried roll with cream cheese, crab meat, mixed fish and avocado topped with masago, scallion, wasabi mayo and spicy mayo.
A Dynamite Roll at Oyama Sushi is a lightly fried roll with cream cheese, crab meat, mixed fish and avocado topped with masago, scallion, wasabi mayo and spicy mayo.

Customers can visit Oyama Sushi from noon until 8:30 p.m. on Christmas Day.

Peoria Pizza Works

Stained glass windows hang in Peoria Pizza Works at 3921 N. Prospect Road in Peoria Heights.
Stained glass windows hang in Peoria Pizza Works at 3921 N. Prospect Road in Peoria Heights.

Peoria Pizza Works will open at 4 p.m. on Christmas Day. At Pizza Works, customers can find appetizers, Chicago style pizza, burgers and more.

Washington Family Restaurant

Customers can stop by Washington Family Restaurant from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Christmas Day. While reservations are not required, they are encouraged for large groups.

More:Looking for the scoop on Peoria restaurants? Sign up for PJStar Dining

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria restaurants open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day