Nashville chicken, wings and burgers: Check out a sneak peek of new Peoria restaurant

Cassidy Waigand, Peoria Journal Star
·3 min read
A Not'cho Daddy appetizer fills a plate at the new Highly Flavored restaurant in the former Bullpen Sports Bar & Grill at Landmark Recreation Center in Peoria.
A Not'cho Daddy appetizer fills a plate at the new Highly Flavored restaurant in the former Bullpen Sports Bar & Grill at Landmark Recreation Center in Peoria.

On Oct. 7, Highly Flavored will hold its grand opening from 11 a.m. until 1 a.m.

Jeremy Sargent − who also co-owns The Fry Spot with Cierra Sargent − said they were not actively searching to open a second restaurant concept. After Landmark Recreation Center staff reached out to learn about the business, however, a new opportunity emerged.

"We knew it was from God,” Sargent said. “It was just something that he wanted us to do. It was another opportunity he placed before us. It was a blessing."

Previously: Nashville chicken, steaks and wings: New restaurant in works for Peoria recreation center

Connect with Highly Flavored

Highly Flavored, from the owners of The Fry Spot, opens Oct. 7 in the former Bullpen Sports Bar & Grill space at Landmark Recreation Center in Peoria.
Highly Flavored, from the owners of The Fry Spot, opens Oct. 7 in the former Bullpen Sports Bar & Grill space at Landmark Recreation Center in Peoria.

Location: The new Peoria restaurant fills the space previously occupied by Bullpen Sports Bar & Grill – which had operated for over a decade at Landmark. The building is located at 3225 N. Dries Lane.

Hours: The business will operate from 11 a.m. until midnight Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.

Catering and banquets: Cierra Sargent said customers will continue to be able to rent out the banquet halls and game room for events. The catering side of the business is booked until January.

What's on the menu at Highly Flavored?

An order of ribs, corn ribs and curly fries await hungry customers at the new Highly Flavored restaurant at Landmark Recreation Center in Peoria.
An order of ribs, corn ribs and curly fries await hungry customers at the new Highly Flavored restaurant at Landmark Recreation Center in Peoria.

Jeremy Sargent said he wanted to create a fast, casual restaurant similar to TGI Fridays or Applebee’s − both of which have closed locations in Peoria.

Customers will find a variety of appetizers, including items such as:

  • Soft pretzels for $9.50

  • Wings for $12

  • Sea wings, which Cierra Sargent said is pollock fish shaped like wings and served with a dill aioli, for $12

For entrees, Jeremy Sargent said Nashville hot chicken is what "we want to hopefully be known for." The restaurant will offer a two-piece or four-piece chicken meal with fries for $8 or $14, respectively. Customers can also order a "side chick" Nashville chicken sandwich for $15.

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The menu also includes items such as:

  • Gym Shoe burger – Served on Texas toast and topped with curly fries, the "Gym Shoe" is listed for $16.50.

  • Pastas, which range in price from $17 to $21

  • Pizza – Customers can order cheese, veggie, pepperoni, deluxe and other flavors, which are served as either a 9-inch or 14-inch pizza. Prices range from $8.75 to $13 for the 9-inch and from $15.50 to $22 for the 14-inch.

  • Po boys – The restaurant offers catfish and shrimp po boys – with both listed for $16.50.

  • Pot roast for $19

  • Rem's Chicken and Shrimp for $19

  • Salads, which range from $13 to $20

Servers sample a plate of ribs during a training session at the new Highly Flavored restaurant at the Landmark Recreation Center in Peoria.
Servers sample a plate of ribs during a training session at the new Highly Flavored restaurant at the Landmark Recreation Center in Peoria.

Cierra Sargent said the business will offer a prime rib special served with asparagus and mashed potatoes on Wednesdays. The meal is listed for $31.

Moving into the future, Cierra Sargent said there are also plans to introduce a "hidden menu item." She said customers should keep an eye out for more information on social media.

“I'm super excited about it. I think everyone will love it, but I can't say too much about it,” she said.

More: The best and worst Peoria food inspections for August

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Highly Flavored restaurant opening at Landmark in Peoria, IL