YTB - Thank you SO MUCH for that link and a wonderful stroll down Memory Lane.

I looked at their "history" story and am somewhat confused. Its noted that they opened in 1971, but I know for a fact they were in Peoria (on W. Main St.) in 1969 when I went to Bradley.

Regardless, their homemade bread, much different from the NY style Italian breads, quickly became a dietary staple of mine. Every Wednesday they'd have an "all you can eat spaghetti night" for $1.00 which got me through many hungry periods. They had pizza which was just OK (the "best" thing about it was the cool way to take it out.... on a cardboard plate wrapped in a paper bag) BUT the best thing on their menu was a "gondola", their version of an Italian hero.

The gondola included ham, salami, cheese (which melted slightly from the heat of the bread) and lettuce. They were to die for!! I'd go back to Peoria just to get a few of them!!