Guidebook for Champaign
Food Scene
For breakfast I’d suggest The Courier Cafe in Urbana. In an old newspaper building. Pretty cool.
20 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
The Courier Cafe
111 N Race StFor breakfast I’d suggest The Courier Cafe in Urbana. In an old newspaper building. Pretty cool.
For something a bit more greasy-spoonish hit Sam's Cafe, in downtown Champaign. The French Toast is locally famous.
11 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Sam's Cafe
115 N Walnut StFor something a bit more greasy-spoonish hit Sam's Cafe, in downtown Champaign. The French Toast is locally famous.
Iraqi family runs this middle eastern lowbrow eatery with great food but no booze. We like it a lot.
Jerusalem Middle Eastern Cuisine
601 S Wright StIraqi family runs this middle eastern lowbrow eatery with great food but no booze. We like it a lot.
Best cue in the area, in fact the only local BBQ that’s really fit to eat. Great bourbon selection. Downside: Long line all the time and no reservations. Locations in Urbana and Champaign.
67 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Black Dog Smoke & Ale House
320 N Chestnut StBest cue in the area, in fact the only local BBQ that’s really fit to eat. Great bourbon selection. Downside: Long line all the time and no reservations. Locations in Urbana and Champaign.
Americana at its finest. Steaks, fish, etc., etc. Full bar. Pretty classy place, relatively speaking.
9 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Silvercreek
402 N Race StAmericana at its finest. Steaks, fish, etc., etc. Full bar. Pretty classy place, relatively speaking.
Two locations. This one is on Green Street near campus: Hole in the wall eat-in or take-out Mexican. Barstool seating only. Fish tacos are amazing. To me, this place is the real McCoy. Unfortunately no alcohol so hit the DT Champaign location if, like me, your Mexican food demands margaritas.
22 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Maize Mexican Grill
60 East Green StreetTwo locations. This one is on Green Street near campus: Hole in the wall eat-in or take-out Mexican. Barstool seating only. Fish tacos are amazing. To me, this place is the real McCoy. Unfortunately no alcohol so hit the DT Champaign location if, like me, your Mexican food demands margaritas.
My wife is ethnically Chinese, as is our daughter, and it’s their favorite. Order at the counter, waitstaff brings it to your table. No booze.
17 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Golden Harbor Authentic Chinese Cuisine
505 S Neil StMy wife is ethnically Chinese, as is our daughter, and it’s their favorite. Order at the counter, waitstaff brings it to your table. No booze.
“Continental cuisine” downtown. Pricey. One of those places that gives you big plates and a tiny little bit of food thereon. Great wine selection.
12 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Bacaro
113 N Walnut St“Continental cuisine” downtown. Pricey. One of those places that gives you big plates and a tiny little bit of food thereon. Great wine selection.
Mexican/Latin American. Full bar. Outdoor seating. Pretty good. Better than Maize if you’re looking to just stretch your legs out & relax a bit.
Escobar's Restaurant
6 E Columbia AveMexican/Latin American. Full bar. Outdoor seating. Pretty good. Better than Maize if you’re looking to just stretch your legs out & relax a bit.
A bit chain-like, but pretty damned good Italian for central Illinois.
8 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano
2235 South Neil StreetA bit chain-like, but pretty damned good Italian for central Illinois.
North I-74 but well worth the drive. You tastebuds will thank you. Your coronary arteries will not.
Five Guys
901 B W Anthony DrNorth I-74 but well worth the drive. You tastebuds will thank you. Your coronary arteries will not.
We hit the Sunday Brunch as often as possible. Very good menu, great service, kid friendly, spacious seating on the patio, at the bar or at booths/tables.
24 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
DESTIHL Restaurant & Brew Works
301 N Neil StWe hit the Sunday Brunch as often as possible. Very good menu, great service, kid friendly, spacious seating on the patio, at the bar or at booths/tables.
Best cue in the area, in fact the only local BBQ that’s really fit to eat. Great bourbon selection. Downside: Long line all the time and no reservations. Locations in Champaign (bigger) and Urbana (original.)
67 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Black Dog Smoke & Ale House
320 N Chestnut StBest cue in the area, in fact the only local BBQ that’s really fit to eat. Great bourbon selection. Downside: Long line all the time and no reservations. Locations in Champaign (bigger) and Urbana (original.)
The food is very good, but it's the service that keeps me going here rather than Himalayan Chimney, where the service downright sucks. I walked out of HC when I ordered a Gin & Tonic and the waitress asked me what it was.
8 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Kohinoor Indian Restaurant and Lounge
6 E Columbia AveThe food is very good, but it's the service that keeps me going here rather than Himalayan Chimney, where the service downright sucks. I walked out of HC when I ordered a Gin & Tonic and the waitress asked me what it was.
Two locations. This one is in DT Champaign near the train station. Great tequila selection. Fish tacos are amazing. To me, this place is the real McCoy. Bonus point because they're next door to a great used record store.
16 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
Maize at the Station
100 N Chestnut StTwo locations. This one is in DT Champaign near the train station. Great tequila selection. Fish tacos are amazing. To me, this place is the real McCoy. Bonus point because they're next door to a great used record store.
Hole in the wall. No alcohol. Limited seating. GREAT FOOD! Catering and take-out, too.
Caribbean Grill
2135 S Neil StHole in the wall. No alcohol. Limited seating. GREAT FOOD! Catering and take-out, too.
Classy bar in DT Champaign that's not too loud with plenty of seating and elbow room. I go there just for their country fried chicken salad. They also have the longest list of bourbons in town.
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Seven Saints
32 E Chester StClassy bar in DT Champaign that's not too loud with plenty of seating and elbow room. I go there just for their country fried chicken salad. They also have the longest list of bourbons in town.
Best little brewpub in Champaign, IMHO. No pretenses here, just good beer, chill atmosphere and indoor and outdoor seating. Also a second location on N. Neil Street about two blocks NE. I've found that one to be a little on the rowdier side, but whatever floats your boat. Oh. The U of IPA is awesome.
22 il-persuni tal-post jissuġġerixxu
The Blind Pig Co.
120 N Walnut StBest little brewpub in Champaign, IMHO. No pretenses here, just good beer, chill atmosphere and indoor and outdoor seating. Also a second location on N. Neil Street about two blocks NE. I've found that one to be a little on the rowdier side, but whatever floats your boat. Oh. The U of IPA is awesome.