Champaign-Urbana Restaurants & Bars

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#1      

Fighter of the Nightman

Fighter of the Nightman
Chicago, IL
Fighter of the Nightman
I know we have had a topic on this in the past, but I could not find it. I convinced my wife and parents (who are meeting us from Iowa City) to head down for the MSU game on February 15th, and I am SUPER pumped! We will have our one-year old (who will be staying at the Airbnb with grandma while the other three of us go enjoy the game!), so I just wanted to get some suggestions on restaurants/bars. C-U's restaurant/bar scene seems to be constantly developing (which is good!), so I would love to hear from some locals.

Hopefully this topic can also be helpful for other Illini fans who do not live in the C-U Area and head into town for games. In the past (i.e., pre-child!), we had a pretty fixed routine. Friday night dinner Downtown at Nando Milano and some bar hopping (mostly Downtown but occasionally Campustown) on Saturday before/after whatever game we are attending. However, this year with a baby, we were going to use it as an excuse to try new things. To sum, these are the three "outings" I would love recommendations for:

1. Friday Night Dinner: Right now, we have reservations at Silvercreek in Urbana, but I am open to other options. I've never spent any time in Urbana, so we figured it would be a nice new experience, plus this restaurant looks really good.

2. Saturday "Brunch" Somewhere: No plans for this yet. If we go to a true breakfast, it will definitely be the Pancake House, but I would be open to somewhere we could enjoy a nice Mimosa, too. :ROFLMAO:

3. Saturday Pregame Beers: This would just be my dad, wife and I enjoying the beers ... so baby-free! In the past, we ALWAYS just went to Blind Pig on Neil, but it looks like they are like transitioning locations or something? Anyway, we would just want a spot with a good atmosphere and solid draft beer options!

Thanks in advance for any suggestions. As a non-alum fan who lives in Chicago, I usually get to Champaign about once per year (twice if I am lucky), and it's fun to see how the community has changed in the last several years. While there have been some very unfortunate changes (we used to always frequent DESTIHL Downtown, and we were super sad to see it move), there seem to have been infinitely more good ones!
 
#2      
hooraybeer
Fighter of the Nightman said:
I know we have had a topic on this in the past, but I could not find it. I convinced my wife and parents (who are meeting us from Iowa City) to head down for the MSU game on February 15th, and I am SUPER pumped! We will have our one-year old (who will be staying at the Airbnb with grandma while the other three of us go enjoy the game!), so I just wanted to get some suggestions on restaurants/bars. C-U's restaurant/bar scene seems to be constantly developing (which is good!), so I would love to hear from some locals.

Hopefully this topic can also be helpful for other Illini fans who do not live in the C-U Area and head into town for games. In the past (i.e., pre-child!), we had a pretty fixed routine. Friday night dinner Downtown at Nando Milano and some bar hopping (mostly Downtown but occasionally Campustown) on Saturday before/after whatever game we are attending. However, this year with a baby, we were going to use it as an excuse to try new things. To sum, these are the three "outings" I would love recommendations for:

1. Friday Night Dinner: Right now, we have reservations at Silvercreek in Urbana, but I am open to other options. I've never spent any time in Urbana, so we figured it would be a nice new experience, plus this restaurant looks really good.

2. Saturday "Brunch" Somewhere: No plans for this yet. If we go to a true breakfast, it will definitely be the Pancake House, but I would be open to somewhere we could enjoy a nice Mimosa, too. :ROFLMAO:

3. Saturday Pregame Beers: This would just be my dad, wife and I enjoying the beers ... so baby-free! In the past, we ALWAYS just went to Blind Pig on Neil, but it looks like they are like transitioning locations or something? Anyway, we would just want a spot with a good atmosphere and solid draft beer options!

Thanks in advance for any suggestions. As a non-alum fan who lives in Chicago, I usually get to Champaign about once per year (twice if I am lucky), and it's fun to see how the community has changed in the last several years. While there have been some very unfortunate changes (we used to always frequent DESTIHL Downtown, and we were super sad to see it move), there seem to have been infinitely more good ones!
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black dog could be a good friday night dinner option if looking for bbq and something a little less formal.

blind pig is called hound’s rest now, went to the main location recently and had a beer.

always prefer murphy’s/legends for pregame beers but that’s just me
 
#3      
saleen970
Doubt you want to do same place twice but Silver Creek has a great brunch as well as dinner. Esquire is probably my favorite downtown bar. if you havent been to the new Kams it is pretty cool, normally do the side bar "Stans". For dinner like someone else mentioned Black Dog is good upper scale BBQ, Hamilton walkers, Nando and Baxters are all good.
 
#4      
bleedsorangenblue
Seven Saints for good food, service, and bar selection. Casual but more upscale than Esquire. The latter is always a great drinking choice (Good food too) and both are in the same block. Can hit both, along with other downtown bars if hopping.
 
#8      
21ChampaignSt
Only place I haven't seen mentioned that may be up your alley is Aspen Tap. Close to SFC. Tons of TVs. Great beer selection.
 
#9      
pweo
Baxter's has lots of options for dinner and you can get some Custard Cup afterwards if the temps ever improve.

Sunsinger for brunch

Collective Pour has a bunch of taps and Smith Burger serving out of the kitchen area. No guarantees on the atmosphere though. Pour Brother's will have lots of taps as well. Triptych is another great option with a rotation of food trucks - looks like Patty Daddy's (burgers) that day.
 
#10      
RollChief
I would suggest the following:

1. Friday Dinner: I haven't been to Silver Creek and have heard the food is good, but I've also heard the restaurant is a bit dated, and it's definitely an older (60+) crowd, although you're going to get an older crowd at any upscale place in Champaign. If I'm going upscale, I prefer Sun Singer. Nando's is good but not really sure if the juice is worth the squeeze, especially when their patio is closed for the winter. I've heard Tenkyu is good and upscale, which is right downtown and a new Asian fusion restaurant. The old consistent reliables (in order in my opinion) are Black Dog BBQ, Seven Saints, and Big Grove. If you're looking for something unique but not upscale, Watson's Shack and Rail is phenomenal, but wouldn't make plans after eating there haha it's pretty heavy.

2. Saturday Brunch: You may as well go Pancake House, Champaign is a desert for boozy brunch. Cowboy Monkey used to have great brunch but they took out food when they sold I believe.

3. Saturday Pregame Beers: you have to go Legends for the Illini atmosphere, and to admire the full Chief replica, and then watch the last dance on your phone and get emotional. I think they'll be serving Yuengling by that time as well, I think they're going to be one of the first bars bringing it online in Champaign. It's a pain to park but not impossible. This will probably be a wild take but I would say the secondary option would be Pia's, again for the Illini atmosphere and I think they have a gameday shuttle. Also really close to the Pancake house. I like Aspen Tap House and Billy Barooz but neither are much more "Illini" then bdubs, and if you're coming from out of town you've gotta do something for the atmosphere.
 
#12      
DICKnaggie
If say Big Grove for brunch unless Watsons is doing brunch on Saturday now. Esquire for pregame beers. Enjoy!
 
#14      
Heisenbobble
Big Jack said:
I am gonna throw this out there since it hasn't been mentioned but my favorite place to have dinner in CU is and always will be The Ribeye... Sorry but I love the food and atmosphere.
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The Office Boomer GIF by MOODMAN
 
#15      
Mr. Tibbs
Big Jack said:
I am gonna throw this out there since it hasn't been mentioned but my favorite place to have dinner in CU is and always will be The Ribeye... Sorry but I love the food and atmosphere.
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Im so old, Cliff Hagan had his name on that joint when I was in school
 
#16      
Fighter of the Nightman
Thank you all very much for the responses; it is truly appreciated! Here is some of my feedback, mostly just so I can keep track of our options all in one place. :ROFLMAO:

Downtown Champaign
- We've definitely been to Big Grove before for lunch and dinner, and we were fans for sure. That was certainly considered as an option.
- I frickin' love Watson's. The only reasons I shied away initially were (A) I wasn't sure if my parents would be as obsessed with Chicken as I am :ROFLMAO: and (B) I wasn't sure how much space there was in there for four people and a high chair. We sat at the bar when we last went.
- I have always wanted to try Hamilton Walker's and I bet my dad would love it, but again ... we weren't sure if it was the vibe for a 1-year old, haha.
- RE: Hound's Rest, I now see that there is a "Hound's Court" in the old Blind Pig Neil Street location ... I assume the inside is still just as cool, so maybe we will hit that up for pregame beers!
- I have only ever stepped into Esquire one night when it was freezing cold for like one drink, but I think I need to give it another chance given how many people have good things to say.
- Been to Collective Pour once, and we liked it! If the burgers they serve up are good, we would definitely consider switching our Saturday brunch plans to Saturday lunch plans. For whatever reason, my entire family idolizes having lunch at breweries. :ROFLMAO:
- I still cannot believe after so many trips to Champaign that I have not been to Black Dog ... if the others in our crew are fine with BBQ, I might have to lobby for this. I was also nervous about super long waits there since I know it is really popular?
- Been to Seven Saints - definitely solid and even considered it for an early lunch on Saturday.

Campustown
- I absolutely love Legends, and if we go for drinks in Campustown before, that is where we will go for sure ... maybe a stop at Murphy's, too? Correct me if I am wrong, but those two seem like the only "cool" bars in Campustown that will not seem overwhelmingly college-y, haha.
- With that said, I have not been to the new Kams! It looks cool in photos, so maybe it's worth checking out. I'm sure there were reasons for making a new Kams, but as someone who was only on campus every once in a while ... RIP to the OG, smell/stickiness and all!

Other
- Never heard of Baxter's, Sun Singer, The Ribeye, Billy Barooz or Pia ... will have to look into all of them!
- Appreciate the feedback RE: Silvercreek. Sounds like it might even be a better brunch option for Saturday if we make that our big thing that day?
- Looking at photos of Aspen Tap, did this used to be a Scotty's?? I think we went there once back when it was, lol, looks so familiar! Definitely might be a good last stop before the game if it's not super busy and/or super cold out, as it looks very walkable to SFC.

Once again, thank you! I hope this can be a nice little collection for other fans traveling in for games in the future.
 
#17      
DICKnaggie
Big Jack said:
I am gonna throw this out there since it hasn't been mentioned but my favorite place to have dinner in CU is and always will be The Ribeye... Sorry but I love the food and atmosphere.
Click to expand...
Been going to the Ribeye since early 80's and still love it, but man did it get ridiculously expensive after it changed hands.
 
#18      
hoopsfan47
Mr. Tibbs said:
Im so old, Cliff Hagan had his name on that joint when I was in school
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Ahhhhhhhhh...let's hear it for the old guys that bring so much of Illini history back to life!!! Cliff would give Kareem a run for this money in a hook shot only H-0-R-S-E game. Cliff was a teammate of Bob Pettit on some great St. Louis Hawks teams. illini Skip Thoren, the center on the 1963 Illini B1G champions, also put in a few high benders over his shoulder, but was not as adept at it as Hagan and Jabbar.
 
#19      
saleen970
Fighter of the Nightman said:
Thank you all very much for the responses; it is truly appreciated! Here is some of my feedback, mostly just so I can keep track of our options all in one place. :ROFLMAO:

Downtown Champaign
- We've definitely been to Big Grove before for lunch and dinner, and we were fans for sure. That was certainly considered as an option.
- I frickin' love Watson's. The only reasons I shied away initially were (A) I wasn't sure if my parents would be as obsessed with Chicken as I am :ROFLMAO: and (B) I wasn't sure how much space there was in there for four people and a high chair. We sat at the bar when we last went.
- I have always wanted to try Hamilton Walker's and I bet my dad would love it, but again ... we weren't sure if it was the vibe for a 1-year old, haha.
- RE: Hound's Rest, I now see that there is a "Hound's Court" in the old Blind Pig Neil Street location ... I assume the inside is still just as cool, so maybe we will hit that up for pregame beers!
- I have only ever stepped into Esquire one night when it was freezing cold for like one drink, but I think I need to give it another chance given how many people have good things to say.
- Been to Collective Pour once, and we liked it! If the burgers they serve up are good, we would definitely consider switching our Saturday brunch plans to Saturday lunch plans. For whatever reason, my entire family idolizes having lunch at breweries. :ROFLMAO:
- I still cannot believe after so many trips to Champaign that I have not been to Black Dog ... if the others in our crew are fine with BBQ, I might have to lobby for this. I was also nervous about super long waits there since I know it is really popular?
- Been to Seven Saints - definitely solid and even considered it for an early lunch on Saturday.

Campustown
- I absolutely love Legends, and if we go for drinks in Campustown before, that is where we will go for sure ... maybe a stop at Murphy's, too? Correct me if I am wrong, but those two seem like the only "cool" bars in Campustown that will not seem overwhelmingly college-y, haha.
- With that said, I have not been to the new Kams! It looks cool in photos, so maybe it's worth checking out. I'm sure there were reasons for making a new Kams, but as someone who was only on campus every once in a while ... RIP to the OG, smell/stickiness and all!

Other
- Never heard of Baxter's, Sun Singer, The Ribeye, Billy Barooz or Pia ... will have to look into all of them!
- Appreciate the feedback RE: Silvercreek. Sounds like it might even be a better brunch option for Saturday if we make that our big thing that day?
- Looking at photos of Aspen Tap, did this used to be a Scotty's?? I think we went there once back when it was, lol, looks so familiar! Definitely might be a good last stop before the game if it's not super busy and/or super cold out, as it looks very walkable to SFC.

Once again, thank you! I hope this can be a nice little collection for other fans traveling in for games in the future.
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Taphouse was a Scotties, still about the same menu/vibe. Kams moved because the building was in bad shape and UofI wanted to buy it for new building.
 
#20      
IlliniFan42
Fighter of the Nightman said:
Thank you all very much for the responses; it is truly appreciated! Here is some of my feedback, mostly just so I can keep track of our options all in one place. :ROFLMAO:

Downtown Champaign
- We've definitely been to Big Grove before for lunch and dinner, and we were fans for sure. That was certainly considered as an option.
- I frickin' love Watson's. The only reasons I shied away initially were (A) I wasn't sure if my parents would be as obsessed with Chicken as I am :ROFLMAO: and (B) I wasn't sure how much space there was in there for four people and a high chair. We sat at the bar when we last went.
- I have always wanted to try Hamilton Walker's and I bet my dad would love it, but again ... we weren't sure if it was the vibe for a 1-year old, haha.
- RE: Hound's Rest, I now see that there is a "Hound's Court" in the old Blind Pig Neil Street location ... I assume the inside is still just as cool, so maybe we will hit that up for pregame beers!
- I have only ever stepped into Esquire one night when it was freezing cold for like one drink, but I think I need to give it another chance given how many people have good things to say.
- Been to Collective Pour once, and we liked it! If the burgers they serve up are good, we would definitely consider switching our Saturday brunch plans to Saturday lunch plans. For whatever reason, my entire family idolizes having lunch at breweries. :ROFLMAO:
- I still cannot believe after so many trips to Champaign that I have not been to Black Dog ... if the others in our crew are fine with BBQ, I might have to lobby for this. I was also nervous about super long waits there since I know it is really popular?
- Been to Seven Saints - definitely solid and even considered it for an early lunch on Saturday.

Campustown
- I absolutely love Legends, and if we go for drinks in Campustown before, that is where we will go for sure ... maybe a stop at Murphy's, too? Correct me if I am wrong, but those two seem like the only "cool" bars in Campustown that will not seem overwhelmingly college-y, haha.
- With that said, I have not been to the new Kams! It looks cool in photos, so maybe it's worth checking out. I'm sure there were reasons for making a new Kams, but as someone who was only on campus every once in a while ... RIP to the OG, smell/stickiness and all!

Other
- Never heard of Baxter's, Sun Singer, The Ribeye, Billy Barooz or Pia ... will have to look into all of them!
- Appreciate the feedback RE: Silvercreek. Sounds like it might even be a better brunch option for Saturday if we make that our big thing that day?
- Looking at photos of Aspen Tap, did this used to be a Scotty's?? I think we went there once back when it was, lol, looks so familiar! Definitely might be a good last stop before the game if it's not super busy and/or super cold out, as it looks very walkable to SFC.

Once again, thank you! I hope this can be a nice little collection for other fans traveling in for games in the future.
Click to expand...
I don't know about anybody else but I far prefer the atmosphere of Legends to Murphy's, which always felt a little gross entering. The decor was better maintained at Legends while at Murphy's I guess they just don't care if someone takes a knife to their furniture.
 
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#22      
WWWWRocU
DICKnaggie said:
Been going to the Ribeye since early 80's and still love it, but man did it get ridiculously expensive after it changed hands.
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The website says established in 1979, the year after I left town. Looks like my kind of place. Prices are what they are.
 
#24      
Big Jack
DICKnaggie said:
Been going to the Ribeye since early 80's and still love it, but man did it get ridiculously expensive after it changed hands.
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Yes but I eat enough off of the salad bar to make up for it.. Bill after USC game for 3 people and one only did salad bar was almost $130
 
#25      
Illinigirl
Fighter of the Nightman said:
Thank you all very much for the responses; it is truly appreciated! Here is some of my feedback, mostly just so I can keep track of our options all in one place. :ROFLMAO:

Downtown Champaign
- We've definitely been to Big Grove before for lunch and dinner, and we were fans for sure. That was certainly considered as an option.
- I frickin' love Watson's. The only reasons I shied away initially were (A) I wasn't sure if my parents would be as obsessed with Chicken as I am :ROFLMAO: and (B) I wasn't sure how much space there was in there for four people and a high chair. We sat at the bar when we last went.
- I have always wanted to try Hamilton Walker's and I bet my dad would love it, but again ... we weren't sure if it was the vibe for a 1-year old, haha.
- RE: Hound's Rest, I now see that there is a "Hound's Court" in the old Blind Pig Neil Street location ... I assume the inside is still just as cool, so maybe we will hit that up for pregame beers!
- I have only ever stepped into Esquire one night when it was freezing cold for like one drink, but I think I need to give it another chance given how many people have good things to say.
- Been to Collective Pour once, and we liked it! If the burgers they serve up are good, we would definitely consider switching our Saturday brunch plans to Saturday lunch plans. For whatever reason, my entire family idolizes having lunch at breweries. :ROFLMAO:
- I still cannot believe after so many trips to Champaign that I have not been to Black Dog ... if the others in our crew are fine with BBQ, I might have to lobby for this. I was also nervous about super long waits there since I know it is really popular?
- Been to Seven Saints - definitely solid and even considered it for an early lunch on Saturday.

Campustown
- I absolutely love Legends, and if we go for drinks in Campustown before, that is where we will go for sure ... maybe a stop at Murphy's, too? Correct me if I am wrong, but those two seem like the only "cool" bars in Campustown that will not seem overwhelmingly college-y, haha.
- With that said, I have not been to the new Kams! It looks cool in photos, so maybe it's worth checking out. I'm sure there were reasons for making a new Kams, but as someone who was only on campus every once in a while ... RIP to the OG, smell/stickiness and all!

Other
- Never heard of Baxter's, Sun Singer, The Ribeye, Billy Barooz or Pia ... will have to look into all of them!
- Appreciate the feedback RE: Silvercreek. Sounds like it might even be a better brunch option for Saturday if we make that our big thing that day?
- Looking at photos of Aspen Tap, did this used to be a Scotty's?? I think we went there once back when it was, lol, looks so familiar! Definitely might be a good last stop before the game if it's not super busy and/or super cold out, as it looks very walkable to SFC.

Once again, thank you! I hope this can be a nice little collection for other fans traveling in for games in the future.
Click to expand...
We tried Black Dog for the 1st time before the Penn State game. Figured I'd share some feedback... We got there around 1 hr 45 min before game time - it was packed and there was a wait, but it went quickly, probably about 15-20 minutes. There was a sign showing they were out of burnt ends, but by the time we sat down, they were also out of pulled pork, brisket, and green beans. Not sure if that is typical, but we all found other things to order and all thought the food was great, even though it wasn't what we intended to order. Also, the food comes out really quickly, so that helps if you're short on time.
 
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