Avanti's Italian Restaurant

I have always felt like eating at Avanti's was a treat. Mainly because Champaign Illinois doesn't have one for some reason. That all changed Saturday night. I was expecting a long wait and packed dining room. Nope... Having to order at the host stand was awkward and not what I expected. The dining room had some tables filled with people but nothing like before. Some of the other empty tables were dirty. Where is the wait staff? Having to get up and fill my paper cup in the back of the restaurant made me feel like I worked there. Having to ask for to go boxes at the host stand made me feel awkward also. I didn't come to work, I came to eat and enjoy. I brought a friend that had never eaten there, and I was kinda embarrassed. The only saving grace was that the food was hot and just as good as ever. As an avid fan of Avanti's and a customer, I was put off. I feel like I should say that whatever you are doing isn't working.
I probably won't dine in unless things go back normal. I will get my food for carryout as long as that stays good.

Afanti's has been a favorite restaurant for 30+ years. Always look forward to ordering the famous Gondola sandwich. Many other Italian options to choose. Pizza, mostaccioli, and spaghetti are all awesome. Be sure to take home a loaf of sourdough bread.

Used to be dining in and being waited on, but now you order at a counter and pay up front! Then you are seated! Meal came out 10-15 minutes later! Very fast and efficient for groups with kids!

Obviously, this place is a staple or something. My girlfriend's mom swears that every time she drives anywhere NEAR Bloomington, we have to get Avanti's. I'm a New England boy who for whatever reason ended up in the midwest; I know my way around a sandwich. I love deli's of all kinds, and sandwiches of all sorts- and I have to say: Avanti's is up there with the best. Wonderful experience at dining at this location during our trip back home to the great state of Missourah from Michigan. Would go back!

This is a local favorite. The house special is a sandwich called The Gondola, which is terrific. It's the bread. The Italian dishes have good sauce. If you dine in, enjoy any of them and you can walk to the takeout counter and order a Gondola sandwich to go. They'll leave it "deconstructed" for you to put together and enjoy the next day.

Always have the best food in the area. I will drive an hour a few times a year for Avantis!!! Their Gondolas are so good!

Gondola Deluxe gigantic sandwich 🥪. Next time, get half a sandwich. It's huge.

Met with big group. Food and service was good. If there were four smaller areas to get food for our size group it would have been a little quicker to eat.

My family loves to order take out from here! There is something for everyone on the menu. The Gondola’s of course are the highlight. Food is always warm, and on the rare occasion we opt for delivery, the food has always come earlier than anticipated. A family staple.

Really cheap but delicious food. Their bread is amazing and homemade with love.

Avantis has been my favorite since I was a child and now I have the privilege of taking my kids here!

As many times as I’ve been here I find myself getting the same things:
Gondola
Spaghetti with meat sauce or cheese raviolis
Cheese balls
Garlic bread mozzarella open face
Salad with bread chips
And most importantly the ranch!

It’s not super expensive and a great way to have many options while feeding the whole family!

Good size personal thin slice pizza. $9. Great flavor. Thin crust. Take out only lunch. 15 min wait @ 11am.

I am a wedding planner and coordinator, and my couple ended up hiring Avantis for their wedding catering. I was a little apprehensive at first because I wasn't sure how this would be for wedding food, but it was SUPBURB. Guests and I loved the food!! They were so awesome to work with. The owner and the planner herself ended up working the wedding because they wanted us to have such a good experience. They came the day before to set up, since the venue let them. They got there early on the day of. The food was awesome, and they worked really hard to make sure everything was perfect. We worked with Martha. She was straight forward and to the point, but she was dead on with the amount of food we would need, and she was very professional. I would definitely work with Avantis again!

Every time we are in Bloomington we eat at Avanti's and have every year 1976-2020! That says a lot. We also buy their Italian bread to take home for us and friends that love the bread.

Wish they would open up like before covid food was hotter

We ordered a pizza for dinner and it was fantastic. Just the right amount of sauce. Just the right amount of toppings. Cooked to perfection. One of the best pizzas I’ve had in quite awhile. They cut in squares which I’m not really a fan of but it worked. Would recommend for sure.

We went here to eat and the food is awesome! I had the fettuccine alfredo here and it was great. If you're looking for a fancy Italian restaurant, then here it is.

Amazing service and amazing food. The owner is a very nice person as well. 👍👍

I always try to stop by Avanti's when I pass through Bloomington, Illinois.

Great food, fast service!