Food Scene
For breakfast I’d suggest The Courier Cafe in Urbana. In an old newspaper building. Pretty cool.
20 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
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 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
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 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
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 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
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 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
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 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
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 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
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 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
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 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
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 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
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 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
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 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
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.
32 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
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 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
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.