Firehouse Pizza & Pub is such a hot destination for great food and friendly service, it has adopted a familiar tagline that harkens back to childhood fire safety demonstrations: “Stop, Drop, and Roll Into Firehouse Pizza!”

Tracing its roots back to a pizza place by the same name in Peoria, Firehouse Pizza & Pub, 240 S. Main St. in East Peoria, was started in 2009 by Andy Tillema and Stan Cohen, and has been in the hands of Andy’s family since 2018. He describes himself as the “utility man” for the organization, doing everything from maintenance to making pizza dough. The business is currently owned by Tillema’s sister, Julie Hernandez, who lives in Rockford. Day-to-day management is by Chelsey Carter and a staff of about 25 employees.

Tillema said that after 15 years in business, Firehouse is becoming a destination restaurant, drawing regular customers from Bartonville, Pekin, Chillicothe, Germantown, and other nearby towns. He said East Peoria is the restaurant’s “bread and butter,” with strong support from residents and businesses like hotels that recommend Firehouse when guests ask where they should go for pizza.

“I just can’t say enough about the local hotels,” Tillema said. 

Tillema cites three things that make Firehouse stand out from other restaurants: consistent quality food, consistently excellent service, and a clean, welcoming environment.

“People ask us, ‘Why does your pizza taste so good?’ I tell them, well, we chopped the green peppers and onions this morning, we make the dough fresh every day, we use the best meats, and we don’t skimp on toppings,” he said. “People can taste the difference.”

In addition to the signature Firehouse Delight pizza (pepperoni, sausage, onions, green peppers, and mushrooms), Downdraft pizza (zesty ranch and buffalo sauce, chicken, bacon, jalapenos, and four cheeses) and other classic and custom combinations of sauces and toppings, the restaurant has an extensive menu featuring appetizers, sandwiches, salads, calzones, wings, and pasta. Vegetarian, chicken, and gourmet pizzas can be found along with a kid’s menu, gluten-free items, and desserts. A more limited but still robust menu caters to carry-out and delivery customers.

“There are a quadrillion ways to order our pizza,” said Tillema. “But I like to say that our most popular pizza is whatever the customer wants.”

Domestic and imported beer, wine, and specialty cocktails like Firehouse Punch are served at the bar. They have even identified gluten-free liquors for those with that particular dietary restriction. In addition to the unique wrap-around bar, the area features six slot machines and is known for its quiet, easy-going atmosphere.

Carter said customers keep coming back to Firehouse for the service, whether it is in the dining room, at the bar, or with a delivery or carry-out order. She said they appreciate the friendly staff and welcoming attitude. 

“We treat our customers the way we would expect to be treated if we went out somewhere,” said Carter. “I think that’s one of the big things that keeps bringing people back.”

“When a customer comes in, they should be the only person in your world,” said Tillema. “People are always telling us how nice they (the staff) are on the phone. They don’t expect that from a pizza place.”

Customers aren’t the only source of praise for what Firehouse has been doing for 15 years. The restaurant was named the East Peoria Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year for 2025.

As for the environment, there is plenty of room for families and groups of all sizes, with ample lighting and firehouse memorabilia on every wall. A small television at every table keeps kids and adults entertained while they wait for their order.

Every business that survived the COVID-19 pandemic has stories about the challenges that threatened to put them out of business. Firehouse was fortunate to already have carry-out and delivery services in place before the dining room was shut down. They were able to quickly adapt and make the most of the situation.

Carter said, “We did the best we could to get through that time, and since then, business has really taken off.” 

“We are so proud to be a part of the East Peoria business community,” said Tillema. That pride shows in the ways the business gives back to the community. Its efforts include recently donating pizzas to a high school blood drive, discount cards for the library’s summer reading program, an annual fundraiser for the local Knights of Columbus, and pizza donated and cheerfully served at the annual Chamber of Commerce golf outing. Proceeds from in-store sales of a plush dalmatian puppy are donated to the TAPS (Tazewell Animal Protective Society) no-kill animal shelter in Pekin.

What does the future hold for a business that is already on fire? Carter said some remodeling is planned for the dining room and bathrooms, and new pizza ovens were installed a few weeks ago. But could there be expansion in the future?

“You don’t want to rule anything out,” Tillema laughed, but said there are no immediate plans for a larger space or second location. “I think we’ve settled into a good niche with high quality at the right price point, where we’re giving customers a good value.”

The folks at Firehouse want customers to know that the Firehouse Pizza restaurants in Bloomington and Normal are not associated with the store in East Peoria.

Firehouse Pizza & Pub in East Peoria is open Sunday through Wednesday 11am to 8:30pm, Thursday 11am to 9pm, and Friday 11am to 10pm. Saturday hours are 11am to 9pm. The bar and gaming open at 11am daily. Check out the dine-in and delivery/carry-out menus at www.firehousepizzail.com.