Champaign-Urbana restaurants & bars

#1      

Fighter of the Nightman

Fighter of the Nightman
Chicago, IL
Fighter of the Nightman
Only semi-on topic here, but we do not yet have a Penn State gameday thread ... any suggestions on where my wife and I should eat Saturday night?? We have Friday night reservations at Nando Milano (as good of Italian as I have had anywhere in Chicago, so we never miss it!), but we can't decide what we want to do for Saturday. I wanted to finally try that Crane Alley place in Urbana as we have really spent zero time in Urbana in general, but I was sad to see that it closed. :cry:

Our "fallback" is to just go put our name in at Papa Dels and have some more beers while we wait, but I am very open to trying something new. One note is that we are sort of suckers for a good atmosphere at least as much as great food (i.e., I'm sure Farren's is really good, but looking at pictures, the atmosphere doesn't look like it's anything special?), but not picky beyond that ... we can dress up for a nice Italian place, and we can dress down for a cool pub vibe like Blind Pig!
 
#2      

battle

battle
battle
Fighter of the Nightman said:
Only semi-on topic here, but we do not yet have a Penn State gameday thread ... any suggestions on where my wife and I should eat Saturday night?? We have Friday night reservations at Nando Milano (as good of Italian as I have had anywhere in Chicago, so we never miss it!), but we can't decide what we want to do for Saturday. I wanted to finally try that Crane Alley place in Urbana as we have really spent zero time in Urbana in general, but I was sad to see that it closed. :cry:

Our "fallback" is to just go put our name in at Papa Dels and have some more beers while we wait, but I am very open to trying something new. One note is that we are sort of suckers for a good atmosphere at least as much as great food (i.e., I'm sure Farren's is really good, but looking at pictures, the atmosphere doesn't look like it's anything special?), but not picky beyond that ... we can dress up for a nice Italian place, and we can dress down for a cool pub vibe like Blind Pig!
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Crane was good. For Mexican consider Maize At The Station 100 N Chestnut = good atmosphere at least as much as great food
 
#3      

blackdog

blackdog
Champaign
blackdog
Fighter of the Nightman said:
Only semi-on topic here, but we do not yet have a Penn State gameday thread ... any suggestions on where my wife and I should eat Saturday night?? We have Friday night reservations at Nando Milano (as good of Italian as I have had anywhere in Chicago, so we never miss it!), but we can't decide what we want to do for Saturday. I wanted to finally try that Crane Alley place in Urbana as we have really spent zero time in Urbana in general, but I was sad to see that it closed. :cry:

Our "fallback" is to just go put our name in at Papa Dels and have some more beers while we wait, but I am very open to trying something new. One note is that we are sort of suckers for a good atmosphere at least as much as great food (i.e., I'm sure Farren's is really good, but looking at pictures, the atmosphere doesn't look like it's anything special?), but not picky beyond that ... we can dress up for a nice Italian place, and we can dress down for a cool pub vibe like Blind Pig!
Click to expand...

Blackdog is probably the #1 recommendation for out of towners. (name unrelated). If you haven't been to Maize I highly recommend as well too. I don't know why it gets so overlooked (probably the location just outside the main downtown) but it's by far the best Mexican in town and the only really authentic place (try the birria tacos) . Golden Harbor is also great but no alcohol and the portion sizes are so huge there will be leftovers. If you want the atmosphere of downtown and more classic American food then Seven Saints or Big Grove are decent and Watsons is good for chicken.
 
#4      

illini0440

illini0440
illini0440
Fighter of the Nightman said:
Only semi-on topic here, but we do not yet have a Penn State gameday thread ... any suggestions on where my wife and I should eat Saturday night?? We have Friday night reservations at Nando Milano (as good of Italian as I have had anywhere in Chicago, so we never miss it!), but we can't decide what we want to do for Saturday. I wanted to finally try that Crane Alley place in Urbana as we have really spent zero time in Urbana in general, but I was sad to see that it closed. :cry:

Our "fallback" is to just go put our name in at Papa Dels and have some more beers while we wait, but I am very open to trying something new. One note is that we are sort of suckers for a good atmosphere at least as much as great food (i.e., I'm sure Farren's is really good, but looking at pictures, the atmosphere doesn't look like it's anything special?), but not picky beyond that ... we can dress up for a nice Italian place, and we can dress down for a cool pub vibe like Blind Pig!
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Watsons hot chicken sandwich w/ wedges and comeback sauce. W/ a flight of their bourbon slushes
 
#5      

pvaughn8

P
pvaughn8
blackdog said:
Blackdog is probably the #1 recommendation for out of towners. (name unrelated). If you haven't been to Maize I highly recommend as well too. I don't know why it gets so overlooked (probably the location just outside the main downtown) but it's by far the best Mexican in town and the only really authentic place (try the birria tacos) . Golden Harbor is also great but no alcohol and the portion sizes are so huge there will be leftovers. If you want the atmosphere of downtown and more classic American food then Seven Saints or Big Grove are decent and Watsons is good for chicken.
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I went to the blackdog Champaign location for the first time this year and was underwhelmed. I remember the Urbana spot being better
 
#12      

pvaughn8

P
pvaughn8
SkyysNotFalling said:
Ok 0440… using the term fire should rule out you being any older than mid-30’s at most…
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30 Rock Fellow Kids GIF by PeacockTV
 
#13      

blackdog

blackdog
Champaign
blackdog
I need to add to the list of places a newer restaurant called The Space. They were founded by the Weird Meat Boyz who make amazing sauces and rubs. Its mostly burgers but they have a really interesting menu and host live music on a lot of Saturdays.
 
#15      

redwingillini11

redwingillini11
White and Sixth
North Aurora
redwingillini11
Oh man, I knew about Crane Alley, which was a tough one to say goodbye to. But now I see Destihl didn't survive either? I always meant to hit that up sometime. I'm sorry it didn't make it. Still, it's very clear there are some great options. This bourbon slushie sounds like an absolute must bucket list item.
 
#16      

Konnie

K
Western Suburbs
Konnie
I have been to Guido's Bar and & Grill a couple of times before basketball games. Nothing fancy but the food was very good.

Since we are talking about restaurants, does anyone have a comment on the

Homegrown Restaurant at Atkins Golf Club? I have always wanted to try that place.​

 
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#18      

Fighter of the Nightman

Fighter of the Nightman
Chicago, IL
Fighter of the Nightman
redwingillini11 said:
Oh man, I knew about Crane Alley, which was a tough one to say goodbye to. But now I see Destihl didn't survive either? I always meant to hit that up sometime. I'm sorry it didn't make it. Still, it's very clear there are some great options. This bourbon slushie sounds like an absolute must bucket list item.
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DESTIHL moved to a non-Downtown location, IIRC. And that is indeed unfortunate. A lot of times for basketball games we prefer to stay at the Hyatt (i.e., when prices are not outrageous...), and DESTIHL was a constant for our trips. Good atmosphere, great food and prime location. I was really bummed to see that one go. No matter where I go, that type of restaurant seems totally underrepresented ... not too fancy and not too casual, broad menu but not like a Cheesecake Factory, etc.
 
#19      

OrangeAndBlueBlooded

O
OrangeAndBlueBlooded
Fighter of the Nightman said:
DESTIHL moved to a non-Downtown location, IIRC. And that is indeed unfortunate. A lot of times for basketball games we prefer to stay at the Hyatt (i.e., when prices are not outrageous...), and DESTIHL was a constant for our trips. Good atmosphere, great food and prime location. I was really bummed to see that one go. No matter where I go, that type of restaurant seems totally underrepresented ... not too fancy and not too casual, broad menu but not like a Cheesecake Factory, etc.
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Destihl had announced plans to move out to Carle at the Fields but it never happened.
 
#20      

Fighter of the Nightman

Fighter of the Nightman
Chicago, IL
Fighter of the Nightman
OrangeAndBlueBlooded said:
Destihl had announced plans to move out to Carle at the Fields but it never happened.
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Shoot, what a bummer. :( It really helped to round out the Champaign-Urbana dining scene, IMO. I only get there a few times per year (if I am lucky) for Illini games, but it seems to me a nice "go out for dinner with your wife" of that type is seriously lacking with DESTIHL and Crane Alley both gone. You have tons of great bars Downtown, some great college bars in Campustown (although those seem to be dwindling in number), you have Nando Milano and Hamilton Walker's as very nice but somewhat niche restaurants and you have a ton of great casual places ... but lacking in that DESTIHL-type restaurant.

EDIT: FWIW, this might be a college town problem. I grew up in Iowa City, and there is all of this good Mexican, tons of fun college bars and a couple good Italian places ... but I can literally think of two restaurants that are quality "date night" spots with broad menus.
 
#22      

illinoistradition

I
illinoistradition
Fighter of the Nightman said:
DESTIHL moved to a non-Downtown location, IIRC. And that is indeed unfortunate. A lot of times for basketball games we prefer to stay at the Hyatt (i.e., when prices are not outrageous...), and DESTIHL was a constant for our trips. Good atmosphere, great food and prime location. I was really bummed to see that one go. No matter where I go, that type of restaurant seems totally underrepresented ... not too fancy and not too casual, broad menu but not like a Cheesecake Factory, etc.
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I've said it before regarding the Hyatt: if anyone is in the points game, that's the way to go. They still have availability for the Penn State game for 15k points. Those can be transferred from a lot of cards. Better than $350!
 
#23      

Fighter of the Nightman

Fighter of the Nightman
Chicago, IL
Fighter of the Nightman
illinoistradition said:
I've said it before regarding the Hyatt: if anyone is in the points game, that's the way to go. They still have availability for the Penn State game for 15k points. Those can be transferred from a lot of cards. Better than $350!
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Granted, this is the most expensive room available ... but right now, a King Suite at the Hyatt for the PSU weekend is literally $979 per night before tax. What the $@#$?! :ROFLMAO: I guess if money were literally no object I would just want to be Downtown, but over $2,200 after taxes and fees to go to a football game, not counting gas, tickets, concessions or dinner/drinks along the way?! Holy moly.
 
#24      

IlliniKat91

IlliniKat91
Chicago, IL
IlliniKat91
Guido's has great food for a sports bar, Maize is one of our favorite spots, and we try to stay at the Hyatt whenever we can because Punch! (their bar) has fantastic seasonal cocktails. Big Grove is a little fancier (more like what DESTIHL was) but also has solid food for a date night vibe.

To just hang out, I like Pour Brothers, too, but I also love a self-pour place where I can have as much or as little of a new beer as I want.