If readers didn't catch two lines in a Bill Flick column they'd have no idea that Biaggi's, a favorite of the Twin Cities college crowd, was rated the No. 1 Italian "chain" restaurant in the nation by Consumer Reports in its July edition.

Technically, it might be a chain, but Biaggi's began right here in Bloomington-Normal, and we think of it as "ours."

Notice like this deserves better coverage, since Biaggi's beat out some pretty well-known eateries such as Bravo Cucina Italiana, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Maggiano's Little Italy and Buca di Beppo.

Biaggi's got the highest marks possible in four of five categories: taste, service, mood and choice. And they received the second highest marks for value.

When families of Illinois Wesleyan University and Illinois State University students visit Bloomington-Normal, Biaggi's is one of their top choices. Maybe that's because Biaggi's also was ranked third by Consumer Reports as a "special occasion" restaurant. Certainly, when search committees want to impress visiting candidates for teaching positions, Biaggi's is usually high on their list.

It's more than a chain. It's a part of Bloomington-Normal, a local treasure with great food and atmosphere where you feel as comfortable in jeans as dress clothes. If State Farm had earned a national honor, it would be front page news. So why wasn't this worthy of coverage?

James Plath

Bloomington