JW
- Vancouver
That's a good idea. But we've managed to have a whole thread without any fights or name-calling, so let's just be satisfied with that.
Best Chambana restaurants and bars
- Status
That's a good idea. But we've managed to have a whole thread without any fights or name-calling, so let's just be satisfied with that.
BananaShampoo
Captain 'Paign
- Phoenix, AZ
jwalker said:
I think we're alone now. The beating of our hearts is the only sound.
BananaShampoo
Captain 'Paign
- Phoenix, AZ
Yes. After that it became the Brew n' View for a while before becoming Canopy Club in about 1997.
JW
- Vancouver
Banana you should perform that in a mall. Perhaps the Lincoln Square Mall and revive their business.
ilphotog
The camera never lies
- Champaign
:clappy::clappy::clappy::rock::rock:
BananaShampoo
Captain 'Paign
- Phoenix, AZ
Or not....
KBLEE
- Montgomery, IL
Thanks, guys...I can't get this crappy song out of my head. :doh:
JW
- Vancouver
ilphotog
The camera never lies
- Champaign
Back in 1986 or 87 I was walking through the Paradise Valley Mall in Pheonix Az, saw a large group of kids yelling and screaming, as I approached I saw this kid with big red hair on a stage, and then "I think we're alone now". Thanks for pulling this memory out of my head!
JW
- Vancouver
Grandy's was scary.
illini4everjp
I
Guest
I've never even heard of it.
JW
- Vancouver
It was this dumpy place across from the big mall, right by Famous Barr/Macy's. You probably saw it and ran away.
How is it that we've had a whole thread dedicated to Champaign bars and nobody has mentioned the Silver Bullet?!?
Dan
Admin
Someone on this forum was at one time engaged to a stripper... who was it again...?
illynifan34
That's a winner!!
- OH
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Haha, I figured Drew's wouldn't last long. One World has amazing prices, I think it's like 1.99 for a dozen breadsticks? Their food is horrible though.
Campusfood.com is awesome, I abused it all the time. I just checked the website and they added so many more restaurants! My senior year they had like 4 or 5 choices... now its up to like close to 20.
Which reminds me.. D.P. Dough = AWESOME!!!! Some of you older folks might have never been there, I think it opened my senior year. Great calzones, huge variety on the menu.
Recently saw "The Wrestler". Good movie.
uigrad
U
Guest
Best Mexican and best Thai places are next to each other:
Mexican: Real Hacienda - get the fried chimichangas!
Thai: Thara Thai - get the green curry!
Best pizza: stuffed pizza from Rosati's (but it is very overpriced!)
Best cheap stuffed pizza: Prime Time (has good cheese and toppings but lacks spices. Add your own oregano, because it needs it badly!)
Best unique pizza: Papa Dels deep dish
Best thin crust: Jupiter's
Best pizza-like substance: Karadeniz Pidesi from Pasha. It's not cheap, but it is good!
Best man-size prime rib: The Oasis at Penfield. If you have not been there, you absolutely need to go. Prime rib is only served Fridays and Saturdays, and if you show up too late, they'll run out. There's no need to dress up. In fact, if your shirt has a few holes from being worn too much, you'll fit in better with the farmers that are there.
Seriously, I can't stress Oasis enough. Sure, it is 30 minutes away from town, but this is the type of place that I would drive a couple of hours to visit! It's not for everybody, but everyone who enjoys food must try it at least once.
Best value in town for a big appetite: Geovanti's (4th and green). Calzones are $7, and will feed 2 normal sized people. Chicken strips are $6 and will feed 2 normal sized people. Godfather sandwich ($6) feeds 1.5. Say hello to Ian when you are there.
Best gyros: Niro's
Best authentic chinese: The Wok in Mahomet
Best truck stop: Urbana Gardens, get the creamy chicken & rice soup on Sundays.
Best local fast food: Za's - owned by the man that used to run Grandy's, this is proof that sometimes you need to drop everything and start over again. The menu is perfect. He should eventually franchise, and cover the nation with Za's. They would do well in every U.S. city.
Best brisket: Hickory River. Their barbecue is the best I've ever had in a restaurant.
Best asian soups: The pho from Saigon in Savoy is incredible. Get P12 or P13.
Runner up: FlatTop Grill - use the pink stick for an excellent hot&sour soup.
Best burritos: Qdoba on campus. Yes, it is a chain, but the quality of the ingredients makes their food legendary anyway.
Best road trip for food: Fogo de Chao in Chicago. Go for weekday lunch so that you don't have to spend $50/plate.
I love food, and have strong opinions about restaurants. I doubt there are many other small towns in the US that have restaurants as great as we do here.
Mexican: Real Hacienda - get the fried chimichangas!
Thai: Thara Thai - get the green curry!
Best pizza: stuffed pizza from Rosati's (but it is very overpriced!)
Best cheap stuffed pizza: Prime Time (has good cheese and toppings but lacks spices. Add your own oregano, because it needs it badly!)
Best unique pizza: Papa Dels deep dish
Best thin crust: Jupiter's
Best pizza-like substance: Karadeniz Pidesi from Pasha. It's not cheap, but it is good!
Best man-size prime rib: The Oasis at Penfield. If you have not been there, you absolutely need to go. Prime rib is only served Fridays and Saturdays, and if you show up too late, they'll run out. There's no need to dress up. In fact, if your shirt has a few holes from being worn too much, you'll fit in better with the farmers that are there.
Seriously, I can't stress Oasis enough. Sure, it is 30 minutes away from town, but this is the type of place that I would drive a couple of hours to visit! It's not for everybody, but everyone who enjoys food must try it at least once.
Best value in town for a big appetite: Geovanti's (4th and green). Calzones are $7, and will feed 2 normal sized people. Chicken strips are $6 and will feed 2 normal sized people. Godfather sandwich ($6) feeds 1.5. Say hello to Ian when you are there.
Best gyros: Niro's
Best authentic chinese: The Wok in Mahomet
Best truck stop: Urbana Gardens, get the creamy chicken & rice soup on Sundays.
Best local fast food: Za's - owned by the man that used to run Grandy's, this is proof that sometimes you need to drop everything and start over again. The menu is perfect. He should eventually franchise, and cover the nation with Za's. They would do well in every U.S. city.
Best brisket: Hickory River. Their barbecue is the best I've ever had in a restaurant.
Best asian soups: The pho from Saigon in Savoy is incredible. Get P12 or P13.
Runner up: FlatTop Grill - use the pink stick for an excellent hot&sour soup.
Best burritos: Qdoba on campus. Yes, it is a chain, but the quality of the ingredients makes their food legendary anyway.
Best road trip for food: Fogo de Chao in Chicago. Go for weekday lunch so that you don't have to spend $50/plate.
I love food, and have strong opinions about restaurants. I doubt there are many other small towns in the US that have restaurants as great as we do here.
Last edited by a moderator:
BananaShampoo
Captain 'Paign
- Phoenix, AZ
Another great new place for pizza is Amano's in SE Urbana. They have an excellent Chicago Deep Dish pizza that is 98% as good as Papa Del's. Cheaper and quicker, too.
BTW, I had Hickory River BBQ last night. Mmmmmmm.
BTW, I had Hickory River BBQ last night. Mmmmmmm.
haha WOW uigrad that was an awesome post.
I've tried every pho in the C-U area, and they are mediocre at best. Some better than others, but in the end just an average bowl of soup. I am a huge pho fan and one thing I've learned to appreciate in NY is the good pho.
I've tried every pho in the C-U area, and they are mediocre at best. Some better than others, but in the end just an average bowl of soup. I am a huge pho fan and one thing I've learned to appreciate in NY is the good pho.
BananaShampoo
Captain 'Paign
- Phoenix, AZ
If you want vietnamese food a new place just opened up next to Schnucks in Urbana called Xinh Xinh Cafe. Also, has anybody tried that new place next to Friar Tucks in Savoy?
uigrad
U
Guest
I have a pretty broad knowledge of food, but pho is something that I am honestly ignorant about. The only other pho I've had was from "Pho Tran" in Urbana (now closed). In comparison, Saigon is definitely better, but I really need to try pho from other cities to make an educated review.
Many of my friends say that the best place to experience pho is California. It's available everywhere, it's good, cheap, and fast. Maybe Saigon is the type of restaurant worth recommending to townies, but not worth recommending to visitors.
I have a pretty broad knowledge of food, but pho is something that I am honestly ignorant about. The only other pho I've had was from "Pho Tran" in Urbana (now closed). In comparison, Saigon is definitely better, but I really need to try pho from other cities to make an educated review.
Many of my friends say that the best place to experience pho is California. It's available everywhere, it's good, cheap, and fast. Maybe Saigon is the type of restaurant worth recommending to townies, but not worth recommending to visitors.
100% agreed on this post, co-sign. While I haven't had it in Cali, I've also heard that it had by far the best pho. And yes, C-U area pho stinks. Even Saigon stinks. I've eaten there. Stinks. I think my sophomore year my friend brought me there telling me it was the best pho and I was thoroughly unimpressed.
uigrad
U
Guest
"Secret" food deals
"Secret" food deals
1) If you ask for 10% off at Rosati's, they'll give it to you no questions asked. It used to be a publicized deal, now it is only for those who know. Only good for dine-in and carry-out.
2) If you go to Alexander's Steakhouse M-Th, and are seated before 6pm, then you qualify for the "early-bird" special, which is not on their menu. It's a 7oz sirloin +salad bar +potato and texas toast for $11.99. If you have an i-card, then it's a "student special", and you can get an additional $1 off.
3) The "Fat Magnum" ($7.75) at Fat Sandwich Company would cost $12.00 if you made it with BYO. "Fat Frat' ($7.50) would cost $11.25 as BYO. Other sandwiches ("Fat Chief", "Fat Illini") are cheaper to BYO than to buy for the list price. Chances are, they are losing money on the Magnum and Frat.
4) Subway in Savoy-Walmart has pizza, which is very good, and is cheaper than it should be. Also, they still have foot-long chicken pizziola sandwiches for $5 (not advertised anymore).
5) If you get a calzone at Geovanti's, you can ask for pizza sauce instead of marinara, and this greatly improves the calzone. Also, if you ask for a calzone with chicken, they cut up their chicken strips, and use them. Large pizzas are $4.95 + toppings if you ask for it. This makes them cheaper than the small pizzas.
6) You can call in and order pizza from Sam's Club, and it's actually pretty decent for the price. They don't deliver, but you can pick up, or eat in, and drinks are only $0.69.
7) Garcia's pizza slices are 1/3 larger after 11pm.
And one secret "deal" that isn't such a deal:
8) White Horse has all you can eat tacos on Wednesday evenings for $3.95. They are so terrible that you are not usually limited by your appetite, but instead limited by how many you can eat before they make you sick.
I'm dying to hear a few more "secret" deals.
"Secret" food deals
1) If you ask for 10% off at Rosati's, they'll give it to you no questions asked. It used to be a publicized deal, now it is only for those who know. Only good for dine-in and carry-out.
2) If you go to Alexander's Steakhouse M-Th, and are seated before 6pm, then you qualify for the "early-bird" special, which is not on their menu. It's a 7oz sirloin +salad bar +potato and texas toast for $11.99. If you have an i-card, then it's a "student special", and you can get an additional $1 off.
3) The "Fat Magnum" ($7.75) at Fat Sandwich Company would cost $12.00 if you made it with BYO. "Fat Frat' ($7.50) would cost $11.25 as BYO. Other sandwiches ("Fat Chief", "Fat Illini") are cheaper to BYO than to buy for the list price. Chances are, they are losing money on the Magnum and Frat.
4) Subway in Savoy-Walmart has pizza, which is very good, and is cheaper than it should be. Also, they still have foot-long chicken pizziola sandwiches for $5 (not advertised anymore).
5) If you get a calzone at Geovanti's, you can ask for pizza sauce instead of marinara, and this greatly improves the calzone. Also, if you ask for a calzone with chicken, they cut up their chicken strips, and use them. Large pizzas are $4.95 + toppings if you ask for it. This makes them cheaper than the small pizzas.
6) You can call in and order pizza from Sam's Club, and it's actually pretty decent for the price. They don't deliver, but you can pick up, or eat in, and drinks are only $0.69.
7) Garcia's pizza slices are 1/3 larger after 11pm.
And one secret "deal" that isn't such a deal:
8) White Horse has all you can eat tacos on Wednesday evenings for $3.95. They are so terrible that you are not usually limited by your appetite, but instead limited by how many you can eat before they make you sick.
I'm dying to hear a few more "secret" deals.
Shark Bowls were at R&R's.
Good times at Wednesday night Mug Nights at R&R's. I still have a couple mugs from there. Use them all the time still today.
Horror story from Bamba's.......I once puked on the table in the middle of the restaurant when it was further west on Green St. in the Shopping/Apartment complex. There was a line out the door all the way to the street that night. I was a dumb freshman at the time.
Does Murphy's still do their Sunday lunch special with free fries when you buy a burger? Damn, I miss that.
- Status