If you think steakhouse menus stop at ribeyes and filets, Gaetano’s Vault will happily prove you wrong.
Tucked inside a restored downtown bank at 200 E Main St, this Streator favorite quietly serves a brunch buffet locals rave about.
Expect prime rib carving, a salad bar that feels like a produce market, and desserts that make you plan your next visit before you leave.
Come hungry, and bring someone who appreciates a good story with their Sunday plate.
The Legendary Sunday Brunch Buffet
Brunch at Gaetano’s Vault feels like a best kept secret you were meant to find. Walk past the gleaming vault doors and you will see a buffet that blends steakhouse comfort with Sunday ease.
The prime rib carving station anchors the room, while breakfast classics and pasta favorites fill in every delicious gap.
You will notice the quality right away. Items are replenished promptly, pans stay hot, and flavors hit that sweet spot between homestyle and polished.
Build a plate with eggs, roasted potatoes, and something saucy, then circle back for tender prime rib with au jus.
If you like balance, pair the savory with a bright salad or a cup of soup. Reviews shout out the creamy mushroom, Italian wedding, and sweet potato soups for good reason.
Save room for desserts that look as good as they taste, then linger with coffee because you can.
Inside a Restored Bank Vault
The setting makes brunch here more than a meal. You step into history, with towering ceilings, stained glass, and the star of the show: the original bank vault.
Sit nearby or score the vault room itself for a playful, slightly secret vibe that turns pancakes into an occasion.
The staff loves telling the story, and you will feel that pride in the details. Polished metal, carefully restored trim, rustic wood, and a subtle glow from the bar set a relaxed tone.
Whether you are celebrating or just refueling after a small town road trip, the room adds sparkle without trying.
Photos hardly capture the charm. It is immersive, a little cinematic, and very Streator.
Bring someone who appreciates character, order something you can share, and let the conversation wander because the space invites it.
Prime Rib That Anchors The Spread
When people whisper about this buffet, they usually start with the prime rib. It is juicy, rosy, and carved to your liking, with au jus that tastes like someone actually watched the pot.
Add a dab of horseradish for the friendly kick that makes each bite sing.
Texture matters here. The crust carries a satisfying salt and herb crunch, then gives way to tender slices that hold moisture.
Pair it with roasted potatoes or a fresh roll and you have the kind of plate that slows conversation in the best way.
If you plan ahead, hit prime rib first and let everything else orbit around it. The carving station is fast, but you will want a second pass.
It is the steakhouse soul of brunch, and the reason regulars insist you come hungry.
Soup Trio Locals Love
You will hear the soup bar mentioned again and again for a reason. The creamy mushroom is silky and deeply savory without feeling heavy.
Italian wedding brings tender meatballs, greens, and a gentle broth that comforts without blandness.
Sweet potato soup might surprise you most. It is velvety, slightly sweet, and balanced with spices that taste autumn cozy any month.
Grab a cup as a warm up before you make serious buffet decisions, or treat it like a palate cleanser between the breakfast and lunch sides.
The rotation keeps things interesting, but these three have a loyal fan base. Soup here is not filler, it is a feature that shows care.
If you love soup flights, this is your moment to build one.
Service With Heart, Even When Busy
Yes, it can get busy. This place draws a crowd, and sometimes the team is small, but the hospitality is genuine.
Servers are quick with refills, patient with big groups, and honest if something needs a minute.
Reviews often call out names, which tells you connections happen here. You feel remembered, walked through specials, and never rushed off your table.
Even if a dish takes longer, you are kept in the loop and treated like a neighbor, not a ticket number.
Come early if you like a quieter room, or lean into the buzz and enjoy the flow. Either way, kindness anchors the experience.
It pairs beautifully with a Bloody Mary you built yourself and a dessert you promised to split but probably will not.
Ambiance: Roaring 20s Meets Small Town Charm
Atmosphere matters, and Gaetano’s Vault nails it. The building’s history shows up in stained glass, the rustic bar, and those dramatic vault doors.
It is elegant without feeling fussy, a little Gatsby, a lot Midwestern welcome.
Settle into a booth and you will notice small touches that make a long meal easy. Lighting is warm, noise is lively but comfortable, and the flow around the buffet stays organized.
It feels like the kind of place where birthdays turn into traditions.
If you love a setting with a story, you will talk about this one on the ride home. Snap a photo by the vault, then toast to the town that kept this gem glowing.
Brunch tastes better when the room feels special.
What To Know Before You Go
Plan your visit like a local. The restaurant sits at 200 E Main St, with hours that tilt toward lunch and dinner and a Sunday window perfect for brunch.
Reservations help on weekends, especially if your group wants the vault room or a cozy corner booth.
Pricing is fair for the quality, with a $$ sweet spot and portions that feel generous. Arrive hungry and pace yourself, because the buffet rewards strategy.
Start with salad, try a soup, then commit to a prime rib plate you will remember.
Parking is easy around Main Street, and the vibe leans relaxed upscale. Bring friends who love history, and save space for dessert.
When the door swings closed behind you, you will already be plotting the next Sunday.
Beyond Brunch: Steaks, Pasta, and Events
Brunch may be the quiet legend, but the broader menu keeps folks coming back. Filets land cooked to temp and pair well with sweet potato sides that regulars love.
Pasta favorites like fettuccine alfredo and vodka penne hold their own next to serious steaks.
There is room here for celebrations. Rehearsal dinners, birthdays, and private brunches have a way of feeling personal, not packaged.
The team helps tailor menus, and the upstairs space or vault seating turns gatherings into memories.
If you want a night vibe, check the calendar for music or themed events. Sip a martini or a strawberry mojito while the room glows.
Whether it is Sunday buffet or date night, Gaetano’s Vault knows how to host.