Overview:

Located in the heart of Peoria’s Warehouse District, Sugar Wood-Fired Bistro is one of seven restaurants that are a part of the “Spice Hospitality” Group started by founder Travis Mohlenbrink. Sugar’s menu is inspired by traditional wood fired ovens, with a menu featuring gourmet pizzas, sandwiches, and other dishes while also featuring plenty of desserts and a vast array of beverages, from soft drinks to hand-crafted Artisan beer.

Upon arrival, you are greeted at the checkout counter where you are able to view a physical menu and order at the register where there are many dessert options on display. After ordering, you can fill up your drink and then sit at any table of your choosing, which ranges from table seating to booth seating with options to sit outdoors when the weather is nice. The servers will then bring you your food at whichever table you sit at. They are open 7 days a week from 11am-9pm, and if you want to a good bite to eat, this is a great choice of place.

My Experience:

Before coming here, I had heard great things about this place, so I had fairly high expectations going into this. As I walked in, I was greeted very nicely by the staff and immediately was tempted to order a slice of peanut butter pie before eating my dinner. When looking through the menu, it was so hard to figure what I wanted because there were so many good options on the menu. Of course though, with it being advertised as a wood-fired bistro, I had to order a wood-fired pizza. With many different kinds available, I ordered myself a Smokey Pork Chipotle pizza, which featured braised pork, smoked gouda, peach, bacon, chipotle BBQ, and pineapple. I also got a side of wood-fired potatoes. My girlfriend ordered a Wood-Fired Meatloaf, which featured a beef and sausage blend, bacon, gouda, peppers, smokey tomato sauce, spicy ketchup, wood fired vegetables, and a side of mac and cheese.

From the first bite I took of the pizza, I knew I was going to fly by eating this. One thing to know about me is that when I enjoy something, I eat it QUICK, and that is exactly what I did with this. I was shocked at how well all of the flavors worked with each other, and each bite had its own mix of sweet yet savory combinations. The potatoes on the side were pretty good, although I personally do not know if I would order them again as my side. The mac and cheese was amazing though, and if I could go back and change my side I would change it to that.

Overall, I would very much recommend this place, and I would recommend going back multiple times and trying a different pizza each time. I still have so many more to try, but I will try my best to get something new each time.

Overall Rating: 8.25/10