A steady roar of conversation filled Rizzi’s Italian Restaurant on June 24 as longtime customers and staff gathered to celebrate the restaurant’s 30-year anniversary.

The Rizvani family greeted guests as they walked in – offering warm smiles, handshakes and the occasional hug. The cozy Italian eatery bustled with activity as crowds squeezed into every available spot. Above the bar, a banner thanked the community for its continued support.

“I just want to thank everybody for coming out and supporting us,” Lauren Rizvani said ahead of a ribbon cutting ceremony.

While she and husband Daut “Dave” Rizvani stepped back from the restaurant over the years, she said son and daughter-in-law Bekim and Sindis Rizvani were set to truly become “the face of Rizzi’s.” A round of applause erupted as Bekim and Sindis cut the ribbon, and the party returned inside to enjoy refreshments and reminisce about the longtime Peoria establishment.

‘One big family’

“Family,” was a word used by multiple people while discussing Rizzi’s.

Monica Ray, who worked at the restaurant in high school and college, remembers the regular Friday night crew crowding together around the bar.

“No one's really sitting down in booths,” she said. “Everyone's just standing at the bar, vying for a spot, and it's just kind of one big family up there.”

Ray followed in her family’s footsteps when it came to working for the Rizvanis. She said her mother was employed at Rizzi’s “for a very long time” after working at another one of Dave Rizvani’s restaurants.

“The Rizvani family has just always felt like family to me,” Ray said.

Jill Beachler also recalled a family-like environment amongst staff when she worked at Rizzi’s storefront on State Street. She said one longtime employee in particular, Jan, took care of co-workers and kept customers coming back.

“When I think back, I feel like those were such good times…” Beachler said. “There was almost a family of servers, and she was like the mama type thing.”

She looked forward to welcoming regulars, formed friendships and watched the Rizvani family grow when Sindis moved to the area to marry Bekim.

What was meant to be a short-term gig lasted roughly nine years. Beachler said the job “saw me through a lot of ups and downs” and provided “a very positive experience.”

Love at booth B3

Patrons gather inside Rizzi’s Restaurant during a 30th anniversary celebration Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at the popular Italian eatery at 4613 N. Sheridan Road in Peoria.

Families have also formed thanks to Rizzi’s.

Rob Walker was working at the restaurant when he waited on Angie while she sat in booth B3 with a friend.

"She happened to know the bartender that we had at the time,” Walker said. “And when she left, I said, ‘Listen man, you need to introduce me to that girl cuz I'm going to marry her.’”

Angie worked at another one of Dave’s restaurants, Pepperoni’s, but would eventually come to work at Rizzi’s. After a series of on-again, off-again relationships, Rob and Angie got engaged.

Rob said Dave offered to cater the wedding once he learned of the engagement – despite having “always told us he would never cater anymore.” The couple married in May 2000 and recently celebrated their own 25-year anniversary.

‘They do things the right way’

Diners enjoy some food , drinks and conversation in a cozy spot at Rizzi's Restaurant during a 30th anniversary celebration Tuesday, June 24, 2025 for the popular Peoria Italian eatery

For many, the food and service keeps them coming back.

Husband and wife Jim and Randi King have dined at Dave Rizvani’s restaurants since he operated Rizvani’s on Galena Road. They later followed Dave to Jim’s Steak House and eventually Rizzi’s Italian Restaurant.

“His food was just wonderful,” Jim said. “And, you know, we didn't want to stop eating the great food, and that's why we kept following him.”

Randi said she regularly orders the chicken piccata and added the crème brûlée is “always a winner” when it comes to dessert. Jim enjoys the chicken piccata, as well, with a side of fettuccini alfredo.

Whether visiting just because or for a special occasion, Randi said “you just know you’re going to have a great meal.”

Others shared a similar sentiment.

Longtime patron Dan Reeser said while new dishes have been introduced, the menu has remained relatively consistent over the years. The quality of the meals has stayed consistent, as well, according to Reeser. He said Rizzi’s doesn’t use “any shortcuts.”

“They do things the right way,” he said.

Don Filkins, another longtime patron, said Rizzi’s boasts both outstanding food and service.

As Dave stepped back and his son, Bekim, took on more responsibilities at the restaurant, Filkins said he worried whether the restaurant would change. Since then, however, he said the quality has remained top notch.

Filkins said servers recognize regulars and remember their go-to food and drink orders. While he said many restaurants struggle with staffing, employees stay at Rizzi’s Italian Restaurant.

“They stay 10, 12, 15 years, right, because of the way they treat them,” Filkins said. “And I've heard that from just about everybody that works here.”

Rizzi’s server Marilyn Thomas is one of the establishment’s longtime employees. She has spent two decades at the Italian eatery and described it as a cozy, consistent and family-oriented space with great customers.

“It’s a really, really good place to work,” Thomas said.

Some of her go-to dishes include piccata and francaise. Her daughter lives in New York, and Thomas said she often tries Italian eateries on the East Coast while visiting.

“And this place is always better,” she said. “Always.”