Street sign begins celebrations for a century of a Peoria restaurant

Members of the Agatucci family stand in front of honorary "Via Agatucci" at Gift and University after a street naming ceremony on October 15th, 2025. The ceremony starts a year of celebrations for Agatucci's 100 years in business. (T.J. Carson/1470 & 100.3 WMBD)

PEORIA, Ill. – An Italian dining institution in Peoria is being honored on the street corner it sits on.

City and community leaders came together Wednesday morning at Agatucci’s to celebrate the honorary naming of a portion of Gift Avenue at University as “Via Agatucci.”

Speakers at a ceremony to mark the renaming included Mayor Rita Ali, members of a “super fan” group of Agatucci’s, and co-owners Tony and Danny Agatucci.

Tony says there’s no secret to why the restaurant has lasted 100 years.

“Hard work will prevail and I really think that through the Depression and hard times, it might be hard times politically, but when you’re in here, it feels like home,” Tony Agatucci said.

Danny echoed those sentiments, and thanked the community for helping Agatucci’s survive and thrive through World Wars, layoffs in the late 70’s, and COVID.

The ceremony on Wednesday was the first of many celebrations planned for the restaurant’s 100th. A special logo was unveiled to mark the occasion, and will be placed on merchandise at Agatucci’s. The logo features a gold “100” with interlocking 0’s, and the word “Cent’anni” on the bottom.