The 520 Cafe

My wife and I enjoyed a top notch meal here on a Sunday afternoon! We came after church and had a short wait for a booth. The waitress was very professional and helpful. Overall a pleasant dining experience!

Ate today for the first time since the remodel and new owners. Wow, the place looks so much better inside, lots of room, and the layout was thought out well and very comfortable. Service was great, never ran out of coffee ever, and they girls checked on us constantly even though they were almost maxed out of seating. The food was wonderful for being a brand new place and working the bugs out. We plan on returning for sure! Only thing I can say negative is the parking lines, parking lot was not done by a professional and the spots are so close you cannot open your car doors, someone needs to get with Perdue and get the lot striped correctly as the spots are so small mirrors almost touch if your in trucks. Just another note, been here a few times more, I wish you could get Ale Cart or at least sub all the potatoes and bread for something else, I have asked for crispy hash browns multiple times and they keep coming out white, so I have to pay for a full meal just to get an omelet which is a waste of money.

Newly remodeled, clean, well organized. Easy handicapped parking and access. Wait staff was attentive, fast and thorough. Food was up quickly and in plentiful portions. Chicken soup was very tasty if only tepid in temperature.

Absolutely one of the best meals I’ve had in a long time. So many options it was hard to choose. Chicken fried steak so tender I could cut it with my fork. Salad was fresh and crisp. Coconut creamed pie… divine!! This will definitely be a regular spot for my family and I.

In town for a softball tournament and happened upon The 520.The food was great - we had a group of 5 and got a combination of breakfast and lunch foods. All was hot, fresh, and delicious. Our waitress was friendly, outgoing and did a great job.

New ownership seems to be creating a much better work culture than previous ownership (thank goodness). Extensive menu which offers plenty of options, even for the picky eaters. Food is great. I got the chicken nachos one day, gyro another, and breakfast another. All of my food came out delicious. Whitney and Cindy have both served me, and are great waitresses. The decor is the same down home feel as before but cleaner and upgraded from the old Mel’s cafe.

Absolutely wonderful. It was our first time for us but you felt like family. The food was great and the service was one of the best I have experienced. We will ask our relatives to visit again.

I love this place. They serve breakfast all day and the food is good! Relaxed atmosphere. Not fancy. Service is great, friendly staff. Coffee is so good and I am coffee snob. I went there with my vegetarian sister. She was able to find options which she really enjoyed. We've been back and we'll continue to go. My niece took a group of friends there and they all enjoyed it and thought the food was good too. A hidden gem!

I heard the old Mel’s aka The 520 Cafe was opening today so I went down to try it out! The inside looks amazing with more tables (no more bar) and my breakfast sandwich w/a side of American fries was so delicious. It’s their first day with a new system so be patient, but great service with some of the wait staff returning.

Their menu is HUGE! Not just breakfast… I even saw some steak and seafood options for dinner. They also had a signature hot sauce that had a really great smoky flavor.

#supportlocal #eastpeoriaillinois #The520cafe

A cafe with a hometown atmosphere. The staff was friendly and patient, as my friend and I kept talking without deciding what to eat. There were so many choices! The food was delicious and the portions good sized. They serve breakfast all day. They do have specials certain days of the week. I am definitely planning on going back!

Food was 10 out of 10 excellent service and very friendly loved it

Nice and clean restaurant that just opened.
My wife and I each had an omelet. Very good. Nice size, not so big that you would think you should be sharing it, with potatoes and toast.
My only negative would be they charge extra for any bread except white or wheat. Not a big deal that would keep us from going back.
Waitresses were very friendly.

The food was excellent, fresh as ordered personalty cleanliness all top notch. will recommend to anyone. good variety on menu can't wait to try more.

Our small group of 4 were pleasantly surprised to discover this nearby neighborhood restaurant. We have been traveling a week and saw all the "big name" venues and this was total comfort food for the soul. Clean, comfortable and inviting. Ordered 4 different meals all prepared perfectly. Wait help was very attentive. Spoke with Oscar, the owner and expressed our gratefulness. Next time we are near Peoria, IL this will be a stop!

Our first visit. We intended to eat lunch. It was the tail end of breakfast and was quite busy. We sat at a table recently vacated and someone promptly cleared and cleaned the table. Our meal was ordered and it was a short wait until we were served. Our meals were hot and tasteful. All in all it was a very good experience. Our next meal will be breakfast.

Awesome, friendly service!! The food was hot and fresh. We were waited on and didn’t have to ask for anything! They took very good care of us!!

Family dinning ,excellent food and service. I've recommend it to everyone I know.

Really great diner! Love that breakfast is served all day. Diner is clean and decorated nicely. Friendly staff. Will go back.

The place was recently renovated (new owners). It's lovely and the food was very good. I miss the old diner with more old fashioned food on the menu like stuffed peppers and goulash. The new menu has many choices that all look good.

I had to drag my Grandma in here because she was determined to not like the new restaurant in the old Mel's, but lol and behold we both really enjoyed it! This is our new Sunday brunch spot!