Alexander’s Steakhouse Peoria

Alexander’s Steakhouse Peoria is an interactive Midwestern chophouse located at 100 Alexander Ave along the Illinois River waterfront in Peoria’s Averyville and North Valley area. Owned and operated by Mercedes Restaurants for more than four decades, this Central Illinois dining landmark is famous for bringing the backyard cookout indoors: guests can select raw, in-house butchered steaks from a refrigerated display locker and sear them over massive communal live-charcoal grills, or have the restaurant’s professional grill masters cook their meal to order. Paired with an expansive all-you-can-eat salad bar and thick-sliced Texas toast grilled right beside the steaks, it draws families, convention visitors, and celebratory groups from across the Tri-County region.

What to Expect at Alexander’s Steakhouse Peoria

The centerpiece of the dining room at Alexander’s Steakhouse Peoria is the open charcoal pit and adjacent butcher’s meat locker. All beef is aged USDA Choice Midwestern corn-fed cattle, hand-cut daily by on-site butchers into twelve signature cuts. Diners who choose the “Grill-Your-Own” option receive a discounted price on their entree, pick out their exact cut from the glass case, and gather around the glowing hardwood charcoal pit with long-handled tongs, seasoning shakers, and basting brushes. Alongside the meat grill sits a dedicated bread station with vats of whipped garlic butter where guests toast thick slabs of Texas toast to a golden crunch. Those who prefer to stay at their table can simply order off the full-service menu and let the kitchen staff handle the grilling.

Beyond beef, the menu spans seafood, poultry, and pork options suited to mixed groups. Every dinner entree includes unlimited trips to the signature salad bar, unlimited Texas toast, and a choice of baked potato, french fries, or rice pilaf. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons, the restaurant opens at 11:00 AM with a dedicated lunch menu featuring lighter cuts, burgers, sandwiches, and standalone salad bar access. A full bar program supports the dining room with classic steakhouse cocktails, domestic and craft beers on tap, and a curated red-wine list geared toward Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Zinfandel pairings.

• Twelve Hand-Cut Midwestern Steaks: Choose from heavily marbled Ribeye, Filet Mignon, T-Bone, Porterhouse, New York Strip, Kansas City Strip, and the house specialty “Santa Maria” seasoned Top Sirloin.
• Interactive Live-Charcoal Grilling: Guests who grill their own steaks save money per entree while enjoying the camaraderie of cooking over open charcoal next to the self-serve garlic-butter Texas toast station.
• The “Best Salad Bar in Town”: Included with all dinner entrees, the cold bar stocks crisp greens, garden vegetables, fresh-cut seasonal fruits, shredded cheeses, bacon bits, cottage cheese, and house-made dressings.
• Seafood, Pork & Poultry Alternatives: Non-beef diners can order marinated Teriyaki Chicken Breasts, thick-cut Pork Chops, Atlantic Salmon fillets, Swordfish steaks, or cold-water Lobster Tails.
• Banquet & Group Dining Spaces: Private and semi-private banquet areas accommodate rehearsal dinners, corporate outings, and family reunions with customized group menus.

Alexander’s Steakhouse Peoria at a Glance

Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings

Alexander’s Steakhouse sits just off Illinois Route 29 (North Galena Road / Adams Street) near the McClugage Bridge and the western bank of the Illinois River, roughly five minutes north of downtown Peoria. A large, free surface parking lot wraps around the building, easily accommodating SUVs, trucks, and motorcoaches. Because Friday and Saturday evenings between 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM draw heavy crowds—especially during Bradley University family weekends and civic events—calling ahead at +1 309-688-0404 to reserve a table is strongly advised. The entire restaurant is laid out on a single ground level with step-free entry from the parking lot, wide aisles around the salad bar and charcoal pit, and ADA-accessible restrooms.

The steakhouse pairs naturally with an afternoon exploring Peoria’s riverfront and historic bluffs. Springdale Cemetery and Mausoleum, one of the oldest chartered rural cemeteries in Illinois with scenic walking roads and Civil War monuments, lies less than a mile west up the bluff. Five minutes south along the riverfront, visitors can tour the Peoria Riverfront Museum and the Caterpillar Visitors Center, or take a sunset drive along Grandview Drive Park in Peoria Heights, located just ten minutes north via Route 29 and Prospect Road.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the hours of operation at Alexander’s Steakhouse Peoria?

Alexander’s Steakhouse Peoria is open for dinner Monday through Thursday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. On weekends, the restaurant serves both lunch and dinner, operating Friday and Saturday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Arriving before 5:00 PM on weeknights or for weekend lunch offers the shortest wait times at the charcoal grill.

Do you have to grill your own steak at Alexander’s Steakhouse?

No, grilling your own steak is completely optional. While many guests enjoy picking their cut from the butcher case and cooking it over the live charcoal pit alongside the Texas toast station for a slight discount, you can also order any steak, seafood, or chicken dish to be prepared by the kitchen’s professional grill cooks.

How much does dinner cost and are reservations accepted?

Alexander’s Steakhouse falls into the $$$ price tier, with most dinner entrees ranging from $22 to $48 depending on the cut of USDA Choice beef or seafood selected, inclusive of the unlimited salad bar, potato choice, and Texas toast. Reservations and group banquet inquiries can be made by calling the Peoria location directly at +1 309-688-0404.

Is Alexander’s Steakhouse Peoria family-friendly and wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the casual cookout atmosphere makes it very welcoming for families with children, and a dedicated Kid’s Menu is available for both lunch and dinner. The single-story building features flat, step-free access from the adjacent parking lot, spacious dining room tables, and accessible pathways around the salad bar and grill stations.

When planning your Peoria travel guide or browsing verified restaurants in Peoria, pair this stop with standout local spots including One World, Forest Park Nature Center, Detweiller Park, and The Peoria PlayHouse (1.2 km away).