Farm Bureau member David Sangalli was ready to retire, but not ready to quit working. A new undertaking would bring him back to his family’s roots.
In the 1980s, Sangalli’s parents ran a steakhouse for nine years until they retired and started traveling. A Mexican restaurant opened immediately after and rented the building for the next 20 years.
However, as Sangalli reached retirement age, the building became available – and Sangalli’s Italian Steakhouse opened in the same place his parents’ restaurant stood two decades before.
Today, patrons know the restaurant for its mellow yet dignified atmosphere, great food and outstanding service.
“The casual atmosphere welcomes diners for all occasions,” Sangalli says. “You can wear shorts or a suit and be comfortable.”
With a menu composed of mouthwatering steaks, pasta and house-made sauces, salads and delectable soups, the restaurant prepares the majority in-house using fresh, local ingredients.
“Just like at home, fresh food tastes better,” he says.
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Sangalli’s provides a unique prospect by pairing a creamy risotto side with all chicken dishes, including the fan-favorite chicken Parmesan. The steak tortellini, another top dish for diners, features cheese tortellini in the house-made Alfredo sauce topped with mushrooms and a cooked-to-order ribeye steak.
“We try and buy the best meat we can that is affordable to us and the customer. All our ribeye loins are cut in-house daily,” Sangalli says. “Our steaks are seasoned with house mix. Our prime rib is seasoned and prepared each week and marinated for four to 10 days.”
If you go…
Sangalli’s Italian Steakhouse
Location: 2217 Court St. in Pekin
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Closed Monday.
Phone: (309) 620-8413
Website: facebook.com/sangallisitaliansteakhouse
Be sure to save room for dessert. The restaurant makes its cheesecake from scratch, with toppings of homemade caramel, chocolate or strawberries. Their decadent bread pudding is topped with the homemade caramel sauce, too.
The staff ensures each customer has a wonderful experience with delicious food and a great atmosphere.
“We are very family-oriented and work hard to make everyone feel as important as they are,” Sangalli says. “We serve a variety of good food at reasonable prices. We have many made-from-scratch dishes that are prepared with great care.”
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