SC, I was in Champaign starting in fall of 1977 and I remember guys making a run up to Bloomington for Gondolas. I'm almost certain it was Bloomington (and not Peoria) because they were back in Champaign in about two hours. And I was under the impression that Avantis had been around for about ten years at the time I was a student, which would at least coincide with your recollections from the late-'60's.

Reading the second paragraph, it implies that the Peoria restaurant was the original and had been operating successfully for a few years when the brother opened the Bloomington location in 1971. That would be consistent with both of our stories, though I was mistaken about Bloomington being first.

Doesn't change that fact that it's still one of my favorite sub sandwiches. I definitely have to pencil a side trip to Bloomington next time I'm in Champaign for a ball game. Better yet, the riverboat and Big Al's in Peoria beckon!

tony b.