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Champaign-Urbana
has a wide array of restaurants, with many varieties of foods (sometimes
in the same restaurant), at many different price ranges.
For whatever reason, many restaurants are lucky to last a
year or two in town, and there are always new ones opening up to
take their places.
Because
I have a tiny kitchen, and am not the greatest cook, I eat out most
nights and on weekends (now you know where the rest of my money
goes!). I admit I used to
only go to the most inexpensive places, like Taco Bell, but in the
past several years have branched out to more moderately priced fare.
I've listed several of my favorites, by ethnicity or type
of food served, on the following pages.
As may be expected, some of the restaurants fall into several
categories. I have tried to pick one key category to list
them in, with notes about the other menu items offered. Most places have some sort of vegetarian fare
available, though I do offer a category for Vegetarians. Bon Appetit!
(NOTE: I've put asterisks (**) next to the places
located on or very near campus.)
Coffee seems
to be a popular beverage any time of year. There are several coffee shops in Champaign-Urbana,
with several different venues on campus. You can also find coffee at shops in the malls
and "grind your own" at the local grocery stores. I personally don't drink coffee, but here are
a few of the more popular places in town I've been told about.
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Caffe
Paradiso
**801 S Lincoln Ave, Urbana 384-6066
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International
Café
**605
S Wright St, Champaign 351-1149
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Green
Street Coffeehouse
**608
E Green, Champaign 344-5374
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Cafe
Kopi (www.cafekopi.com)
109
N Walnut, downtown Champaign 359-4266
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The
Daily Grind
**502
E John, Champaign 337-5511
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Walnut
Street Tea Company
115
S Walnut, downtown Champaign 351-6975
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Espresso Royale
(www.espressoroyale.com)
**4 locations on campus
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Bagelmen's
(www.bagelmens.com)
(serve bagels and sandwiches, too)
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1117
W Oregon, Urbana
337-6160
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602
E Daniel, Champaign
328-1112
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**401
W Kirby, Champaign
351-8156
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504
W University, Urbana
239-0562
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1401
W Green, Illini Union
328-1335
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500
E Peabody,
Champaign
344-2791
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Frozen
Custard – A Midwest favorite (and Cindy's favorite,
too!)
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Cozy’s
Custard
1511
W Springfield, Champaign 355-9020
Homemade
frozen custard, several flavors available daily.
Drive-thru window. Excellent
sundaes, shakes, specialty desserts.
Open March to December.
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Jarling's
Custard Cup
**309
W Kirby, Champaign 352-2273
Homemade
frozen custard, with a couple flavors daily. Excellent
sundaes, shakes, specialty desserts.
Open from March to November.
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Culver’s
(www.culvers.com)
903
W Marketview Dr, Champaign
356-8132
Great specialty sundaes, shakes. Vanilla & chocolate only. Also serves good burgers, sandwiches, soups,
fries, etc. Drive-thru
window. Open year
round.
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Ice Creams
and Frozen Yogurt
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Dairy
Queen
(www.dairyqueen.com)
**703
S Neil, C 355-8237 and
911
W University Ave, Urbana 373-2411
Soft
serve ice cream (milk actually), ice cream cakes, sundaes,
freezes, shakes. The
one on University Ave also serves burgers, etc.
Open year round.
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Baskin
Robbins
(www.baskinrobbins.com)
**515
S Neil, Champaign 359-7005
404
W University, Urbana 328-3513
1813
S Philo Rd, Urbana 344-3457
1826
Glen Park, Champaign 352-0312
31
different flavors of ice cream and frozen yogurt. Also ice cream cakes and confections. Year
round.
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Delights
**508
E Green, Campus 352-2697
Also
in the Illini Union and on Oregon, next to Espresso.
Other tasty treats, too!
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Chocolates
and candies
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Fannie
May Candies
(www.fanniemay.com)
**402
S Neil 351-7056
Large
variety of chocolates and confections.
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Moonstruck
Chocolate Bar
(www.moonstruckchocolate.com)
**709
S Wright, Champaign 367-7402
Coffee
shop, too.
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Rubens
Chocolatier Inc
(www.rubens-chocolatier.com)
121
W Church St, downtown C 355-3064
Handmade
Belgian chocolate treats in white, milk, or dark chocolate.
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Bakeries and Dessert Shops
Almost
all of the grocery stores have a bakery section and most are very
good, not to mention much less expensive, than the specialty bakeries.
Though, sometimes you just want to splurge and go to a specialty
bakery.
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County Market Bakeries
(www.countymarket.com)
1914
Glenn Park 356-8242
2901
W Kirby Ave (at Duncan Road) 351-8600
1819
Philo Road 337-0210
Great
custom special occasion cakes. Good pies, cookies, etc. Reasonable prices.
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Wal-Mart
Super Center Bakery
(www.walmart.com)
505
S Dunlap Ave (off S Neil), Savoy 355-5845
(Sam's Club also carries baked goods.)
Also will do custom cakes. Other
good baked items. At
Super Center locations only. Reasonable.
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Sweet Indulgence
1121
W Windsor, Champaign 352-2433
They
supply many of the local restaurants with their awesome
desserts! Shhh,
it's a secret. =
] Very pricey.
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The
Cake Artist’s Studio
(www.cakeartistsstudio.com)
1100 W Bloomington Rd, Champaign 403-0900
Custom desserts baked on site. Very pricey.
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Mirabelle Fine Pastry Inc.
(www.mirabelle-finepasteries.com)
124 W Main, Urbana 384-6460
Pastries, etc., baked fresh on site. Pricey.
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Cookies
by Design
(www.cookiebouquet.com)
**1405 S Neil, Champaign 355-3911
Cookie
bouquets and baskets. Somewhat
pricey.
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Baker's Square Restaurant
(www.bakerssquarerestaurants.com)
1902 Center Dr, Champaign 373-8123
Pies are their specialty, though they serve
meals as well. Fairly
reasonable.
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Perkins
Family Restaurant
(www.perkinsrestaurants.com)
1214 W University, Champaign 328-3000
Great pies, cookies, and muffins. Good food, too. Full menu available at all
times. Fairly reasonable.
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Intermezzo--Krannert
Foyer
(www.kcpa.uiuc.edu/center/intermezzo)
**500
S Goodwin, Urbana 333-8412
Great
cakes, pies, and cheesecakes! Pricey.
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Breads and rolls
| Panera
(www.panera.com)
atKirby
& Mattis, Champaign 355-9885
Fresh
breads, bagels, & sweet treats. I love their Asiago cheese bread. Also serve excellent sandwiches, soups and salads.
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The Bread Company on Goodwin
**706
S. Goodwin, Urbana 383-1007
Great breads. Also have gourmet pizzas, sandwiches and fondue. We hold our Biophysics happy hours there.
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Great
Harvest Bread Company
(www.greatharvest.com)
2149
S Neil Street, Champaign
398-5623
Great
variety of breads, baked fresh daily.
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Donuts and Bagels
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Dunkin
Donuts (/Baskin Robbins)
(dunkindonuts.com)
**515
S Neil, Champaign 359-7005
and
404
W University, Urbana 328-3513
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Bagelmen's
(www.bagelmens.com)
401
W Kirby, Champaign 351-8156 (have a drive-thru window)
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Carmella’s
Crème Donuts
1611
W Springfield, Champaign 531-0024
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Ye Old Donut Shop
**At
corner of Green and First 359-3311
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Wholesale Bakeries--name brand baked goods for less, sometimes
1/2 price!
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Dolly
Madison Store
(dollymadison.com)
1301
E Main, Urbana 367-2215
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Butternut
Bread Company Thrift Store
301
W Bloomington Rd (corner of Bradley and Bloomington) Champaign
351-2023
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Most
family-style restaurants offer breakfast items on their menus. Here are a few of my favorite places that specialize
in breakfast foods – waffles, pancakes, omelets, etc.
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The
Original Pancake House (my favorite!)
(www.originalpancakehouse.com)
1909
W Springfield, Champaign 352-8866
Incredible
pancakes, waffles and home fries.
My favorites are the pecan waffles and the apple Dutch
baby w/hot cinnamon glaze!
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Perkins
Family Restaurant
(www.perkinsrestaurants.com)
**1214
W University, Urbana 328-3000
Huge
variety of menu choices, and they serve breakfast all day.
Also has an on-site bakery where you can buy whole
pies or slices.
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International
House of Pancakes
(www.ihop.com)
**308
E Green, Champaign 351-6972
Serve
breakfast all day. Tons
of different types of pancakes.
Also have regular meals on the menu.
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Home
Town Buffet
(www.buffet.com)
2306
N Prospect, Champaign 355-9429
Incredible
all-you-can-eat weekend breakfast buffet. Different lunch and dinner menus daily, but
I prefer their breakfast fare.
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Le
Peep
(www.lepeep.com)
2209 S. Neil, Champaign 352-7599
In
the Shoppes of Knollwood shopping mall. Only serve le breakfast, le lunch and le
brunch!
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Sammy’s
Pancake House
2821 Kirby, Champaign 355-3403
Only
open for breakfast and lunch.
Great omelets and pancakes.
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Merry
Ann’s and Merry Ann’s II
**1510 S. Neil St., Champaign 352-5399
One Main, downtown Champaign
Open 24/7.
Traditional diner, with good food.
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The
Apple Dumpling
2014
High Cross Rd, Urbana 344-0076
An
Urbana tradition. Excellent
home cooking! Homemade
noodles and rolls, fried chicken, apple butter and their famous
apple dumplings. Tiny place with maybe 15 tables – and only
3 menu specials each night. They do sell out if you don’t get there early!
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Ryan’s
Family Steakhouse
(www.ryanssteakscom
or www.megabar.com)
1004
W Anthony Dr, Champaign 352-7403
Cindy’s
favorite buffet! Excellent
grilled items like steaks, pork chops, and salmon. Lots of choices on their buffet tables, too.
Seafood items twice a week. And a very large dessert selection.
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Bob
Evans
(www.bobevans.com)
1813
N Prospect, Champaign 356-1006
Famous
for their sausage. Great
breakfast selections. “Home-style”
cooking.
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Urbana
Gardens Family Restaurant
810
Killarney St, Urbana 328-1514
Oakley’s
Neil
Street and I-74 366-3210
Nightly
specials. Good prices.
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Pickles
Food & Fun
**505
S Neil, Champaign 356-1930
Typical
run-of-the-mill fare: burgers, meals, appetizers, etc.
I like their chicken nachos - so huge I can only eat
1/2 order.
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Cracker
Barrel Old Country Store
(www.crackerbarrel.com)
2101
N Kenyon Road, Urbana 344-9087
Good
“home-style” food. Country
store attached to restaurant so you can browse after dinner
or while waiting to be seated.
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Good Food Fast
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Taco
Bell
(www.tacobell.com)
Champaign:
at Country Fair Shopping Center on W Springfield, near
Market Place at 10 E Anthony Dr. ** 1707 S Neil Street;
Urbana: 1003
W University
Americanized
Mexican fast food cheap! You can eat a whole
meal under $2!! Out
of all of my favorites, this is where I eat at the most.
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Kentucky
Fried Chicken (KFC)
(www.kfc.com)
with
buffets: W Springfield, Champaign
1308
N Prospect, Champaign 356-2525
no
buffet: 410 W University,
Urbana; 1321 Dunlap, Savoy
Just
great chicken: fried,
extra crispy, BBQ, Tender Roast. Also serve side dishes. My
favorite coleslaw. Good
buffet for about $7.
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Arby's
(www.arbys.com)
Champaign:
**711 S 6th St, 1913 W Springfield Ave, 1506 N Prospect, 2310
S Neil; Urbana: 509 N Cunningham
Good
roast beef and chicken sandwiches. I like their curly fries and potato cakes.
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Grandy’s
(www.grandys.com)
1905
N Neil, Champaign 356-7660
Chicken
dinners, catfish, country fried steaks, with lots of home
style sides. They
also cater large events.
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Meat Lover’s
Americans
– or at least many living in the Midwest – enjoy their meat.
Can’t get enough of it.
With the Atkins diet craze, it seems more and more people
are jumping on the meat bandwagon. I don’t eat mammal, but do eat poultry and
fish. Most of these places
offer at least some non-mammal options.
Big Chain Burger
Joints
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McDonald's
(Mc-e D's)
(www.mcdonalds.com)
They
are everywhere! ...in the Illini Union
Food Court...
They
do have good fries.
They aren't as cheap as they used to be. Mainly geared
towards children's tastes - lots of fats and sugars.
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Burger
King (BK)
(www.burgerking.com)
Champaign:
**309 E Green; 2110 N Prospect; 2105 W Springfield
A
more adult burger place. Flame-broiled burgers made to order - not pre-prepared. They also have fish & chicken sandwiches
and onion rings, too.
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Wendy's
Old-Fashioned Hamburgers
(www.wendys.com)
Champaign:
1905 S Neil; 1301 N Prospect, Urbana:
410 N Race
Wendy's
has great variety, including a salad bar! Now offer pita sandwiches. Good food.
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Hardee's
(www.hardees.com)
**1703
S Neil, Champaign
Great
sourdough bread sandwiches. Huge burgers. Have great cinnamon-raisin biscuits on their breakfast menu, and
biscuits and gravy, too.
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Barbeque Joints
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Lil
Porgy's Bar-B-Q
1917
W Springfield, Champaign 398-6811 &
101
W University, Urbana 367-1018
Excellent
hickory-smoked barbecue chicken, ribs, pork, and beef.
They cook over wood. Different daily specials. Good prices.
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Famous
Dave’s Barbeque
(www.famousdaves.com)
1900
Round Barn Rd, Champaign 403-1166
Located
in an old round barn. Excellent food -- I love their corn muffins! One combo meal comes on a garbage can lid
– more food than even 2 can eat!!
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Hickory
River Smokehouse
(www.hickoryriver.com)
1104
N Cunningham, Urbana 337-1656
Formerly
Longhorn Smokehouse. “Real” Texas barbeque. Same great food. A bit pricey.
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Hooter’s
(www.hooters.com)
**1706
S State, Champaign 355-7682
Known
for their…hot wings. Pricey.
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Alexander's
Steakhouse
(www.mercedesrestaurants.com/alex.htm)
202
W Anthony, Champaign 359-1789
Good
steaks that you pick out and cook yourself. Interesting concept – but I like my meals
served to me when I'm eating out! = ]
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The
Rib Eye
**1701
S Neil, Champaign 351-9115
Known
for their impressive salad bar, great steak, and twice baked
potatoes.
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Ned
Kelly's Steakhouse (Australian decor)
(www.nedkellyssteakhouse.com)
1601
N Cunningham, Urbana 344-8201
Good
chook (chicken), too, mate. Good fried onions and “kanga spears” (fries).
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Outback
Steakhouse (yup...Aussie decor!)
(www.outbacksteakhouse.com)
2402
N Prospect, Champaign 398-3322
They
serve beef, and lots of it. Only a couple of fish/chicken selections.
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Lone
Star Steakhouse and Saloon
(www.lonestarsteakhouse.com)
901
W Anthony, Champaign 356-3700
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Texas
Roadhouse
(www.texasroadhouse.com)
204
N Country Fair Dr, Champaign 355-9901
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Sandwich Shops
Most
of these places serve more than just sandwiches…but are best known
for them
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Subway
Sandwiches & Salads
(www.subway.com)
**313
E Green and numerous locations throughout C-U. On Campus: next to Kam's.
Good
submarine sandwiches = fresh baked (daily) French bread rolls.
Lots of sandwich varieties.
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Steak
'n Shake
(www.steakandshake.com)
Champaign:
** 1709 S Neil St., 2010 N Prospect
Urbana:
2009 N Kenyon.
Open
24 hours. Steakburgers,
fries, chili, hand-dipped shakes & freezes are their specialties.
They also have chicken. My
old high-school hangout.
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Jimmy
John’s Sandwich Delivery
(www.jimmyjohns.com)
Champaign:
**43 E Green 344-6200**601 E Green 344-4443, 1511 N Prospect,
1811 W Kirby
Urbana:
**807 S Lincoln 328-6200
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Silver
Mine Subs
(www.silverminesubs.com)
**612
E Daniel, Champaign 328-5000
**905 S Neil, Champaign 398-9700
They deliver, too!
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Derald's
Catering Trucks two
on Mathews: one near Noyes & the other near Loomis | |
