Market Watch: October 2023
October is the final month of Champaign-Urbana’s outdoor market season, but it’s not over yet! We have four more Saturdays and five more Tuesdays (if we count today, and I definitely am) left to shop …
Food & Drink
Fall intents and purposes: Autumn eats and drinks
Tomorrow is the first day of fall. I seriously love the fall season, and I know I’m not alone on this because just yesterday, I overheard two people yacking about how they love fall, too. …
Eat food by Chicago’s Bacci Pizzeria and meet Made in Chicago authors this PYGMALION
It’s not everyday that a food truck from Chicago rolls into town or renown Chicago food writers visit Urbana, but this PYGMALION, it’ll happen. Bacci Pizzeria at PYGMALION For more than 25 years, Chicago’s Bacci …
Where to eat and drink this PYGMALION weekend
This weekend is PYGMALION weekend, and I could not be more excited. There’s incredible music, there’s The Made Fest (awesome art market), and there’s all the non-music fun, too. Whether you are going to one …
Five riffs on pepperoni pizza pie
There is a holiday for pretty much any type of food: National Glazed Ham Day (April 14th), National Vichyssoise Day (that’s November 18th), and even National Frog Legs Day (appropriately reserved for February 29th). So …
Five Chicago dogs in Champaign-Urbana
We all know of the famous Chicago dog. Chicago is loaded with hot dog carts, stands, trucks, and restaurants ready to serve an all-beef frank with yellow mustard, diced onion, neon green sweet pickle relish, …
Plan to attend the DREAAM Soul Food Family Festival
“When people leave the festival, we want them to have experienced culture, history, and joyful hope,” says DREAAM founder and CEO Tracy Dace. If anyone is looking for more culture, history, and joyful hope, check …
A review of drinks at The Silver Bullet Bar
Of course, The Silver Bullet Bar is something of a legend in town. Tucked away in Urbana and open just four days a week, the 21+ bar offers alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages plus entertainment options …
Try Sushi Man for all-you-can-eat sushi and appetizers
Last time I looked, there were at least twenty sushi restaurants in the Champaign-Urbana area, so we definitely have a lot of options when we want a sushi fix. Recently, I checked out the second …
Five things to eat or drink in C-U this month: September 2023
September always leaves me spinning. Fall school routines take over, and events fill the calendar. When everything feels chaotic, picking what to eat and drink is sometimes the only thing I can control. And so …
Market Watch: September 2023
September marks month five of Champaign-Urbana’s outdoor farmers’ market season, which runs through October. Have you made it out to the markets this year? Get your basket and canvas bag to the Tuesday and Saturday …
Five restaurants worth the drive from Champaign-Urbana
Champaign-Urbana is a great town for food. We can eat Zambian hand-pies, burgers on doughnuts, bánh mì, Italian beef sandwiches, deep-dish pizza, Algerian lamb couscous, hot pot, sushi, tacos, pad Thai, Southern-fried chicken, and more. …
A casual date night at Guido’s Bar & Grill
If you’ve stepped foot in Downtown Champaign — or even just driven through, you’ve probably seen Guido’s Bar and Grill. You kind of can’t miss it. It’s the entire southwest corner, taking up space on …
Stop by Guerrero Azteca truck for tacos and mangonada
We have a great selection of taco trucks in the Champaign-Urbana area, and Guerrero Azteca truck might possibly be my new favorite. Now I’m a person that really enjoys Mexican food; it is always one …
A decade-long love of Bread Company’s goat cheese
I first came to Champaign-Urbana a decade ago for a campus visit after I had been accepted to graduate school here. As is customary, my future department hosted me throughout the day, and the visit …
Quality quesadillas and more at Los Paisas, a mobile extension of the red-roofed Mexican grocery in Champaign
There is a lot of Mexican cuisine in Champaign-Urbana. Look, I’m not mad about it. I love Mexican food especially tacos. I pray that I will never tire of eating tacos, amen. The newest taco …
Chef Mike Harden dishes what’s next after closing Caribbean Grill restaurant
Closed since last summer, Caribbean Grill restaurant sadly won’t be re-opening. Champaign-Urbana’s only Caribbean cuisine restaurant certainly made its mark on our food scene serving island favorites like jerk chicken, lunch specials, and soul food. …
For 35 years, Moore Family Farm anchors Urbana’s Market at the Square
It’s 1:30 a.m. on Saturday morning. Some patrons of the Urbana Market at the Square are just getting to bed. Diann Moore is just waking up. In those early hours of the morning, on a 100-acre …
Maize’s tequila tasting event had elegant al fresco eats
Tasting dinners are having a moment at restaurants in Champaign-Urbana right now, and I love to see it. Little tastes of special dishes are fun with little sips of special drinks. Food and drink were …
Five ice creams to eat this summer
If you’re anything like me, ice cream is the cornerstone of your summer. Thankfully, there are plenty of places to get ice cream in Champaign-Urbana. Since I expected most folks were already familiar with the …
Solid smashburgers and bar snacks by Smith Burger Co at Collective Pour
If you’ve been around Champaign for awhile, you might remember when Collective Pour served jumbo soft pretzels and appetizers or food by Weird Meat Boyz Kitchen, but now the bar is home to the dine-in …
Sola Gratia Farm is spreading out, and spreading the love
Last month, I spent a sunny late afternoon ambling through the land newly acquired by Sola Gratia Farm, as part of the Urbana Amble garden tour. The 29 acre expanse of new land is tucked …
An extensive Teamoji review for your boba needs
Last weekend, I had the pleasure of trying out Teamoji, a bubble tea store located on Green Street in Campustown. This casual dining spot has so much more than just bubble tea, and it is …
Market Watch: August 2023
August is the most wonderful time of the year to visit a farmers’ market. In previous months of this column, I’ve covered baked goods and food trucks — and without a doubt, you can find those …
Five things to eat or drink in C-U this month: August 2023
How can it possibly be August already? Impending fall schedules will come at some point in August, but to that I say, lalala-I-can’t-hear-you. I am hungry for summer eats and summer sips, and I want …
Three Ravens in Monticello has quality pub food
Eating at the Three Ravens in Monticello is a pleasant experience because the wait staff is helpful, there’s a nice patio, and they serve good takes on simple pub food. As a friend and I sat …
Generous savory and sweet breakfast at Sweet Basil Café
I love everything about breakfast: cooking it, eating it, going out for it, and having breakfast for dinner. My doctor says it is the most important meal of the day. Of course, I’m sure he …
The Yoon Sisters serve Korean homemade cooking at San Maru
“We serve you the same authentic cuisine that we would serve at home.” That’s what’s written on San Maru’s website. San Maru feels just like this: a warm, home-cooked meal full of flavor and heart. …
Get a taste of Mama Duke’s Food Truck
The slogan for Mama Duke’s Food Truck is: “Get you a taste!” and I got a taste. Opened in May of this year, the Black-owned business began as a catering company in 2018 and serves …
Eat satisfying Indian cuisine at NAYA
Opened in March this year, NAYA Indian Cuisine offers delicious Indian food in a modern artistic atmosphere on campus. I enjoyed the warm aroma and aesthetic colors that welcomed me once I entered. The restaurant has …
The C-U green bean scene
Do you like green beans? I, for one, am keen for the green bean, and though no one asked, I have taken it upon myself to write about the green bean cuisine scene of Champaign-Urbana. …
Tasty tortas and tacos at La Paloma food truck
If you live in Champaign-Urbana, you probably know about La Paloma food truck. If you’ve been to the farmers’ market this summer, you’ve definitely seen the truck. It’s been the only truck at the Champaign …
Casa del Mar, a seafood escape in Southeast Urbana
I’ve been to Casa del Mar just once before to meet a friend for lunch. This time my partner and I went for an early dinner during the week. Located at the Pines in Southeast …
Market Watch: July 2023
First off, today is a market day in Downtown Champaign — in case you want to see some of these goods in real life. Also I want to point out the perseverance of our C-U …
Five things to eat or drink in C-U this month: July 2023
Lately, it’s been so dang hot outside, and it’s got me craving all the things that taste good on a sticky July day in Champaign-Urbana. Bet that this month’s list includes delicious midsummer musts like …
Sooie Bros Bar-B-Que Joint has great barbecue and amazing bourbon pecan cheesecake
It’s not bragging if you can back it up. –Muhammad Ali Sooie Bros. calls their BBQ the “Best Damn BBQ Ever!!” Barbecue is like chili, gumbo, or your mom’s potato salad: everyone thinks they make …
Katie Carrillo is passionate about bespoke beverages
To say I’m impressed by Katie Carrillo is an understatement. Born and raised in Champaign-Urbana, she’s worked at more than 20 different Champaign-Urbana restaurants, bars, and a brewery — and she’s not done yet. Carrillo knows …
Eating foraged goods from Berries & Flour
Started in 2017 by Heidi Leuszler, Berries & Flour specializes in products with locally foraged ingredients. Though they started with just the Champaign farmers’ market, they now make trips to the Urbana and Mahomet farmers’ …
Fish sandwiches aren’t just for Fridays
I love fish, and I love pretty much any seafood. I myself am not a pescatarian, but I totally get why someone would be. If you don’t, this article probably won’t strike your fancy (and …
Omnivore-approved vegan food to eat this June
I might be the worst person to write an article about vegan food. Not that I don’t see the appeal of veganism. I want to eat more vegetables and less meat. I get it, but …
Elevate your summer with popcorn from Cool Bliss Popped Bliss
A couple months ago, I made a bet with my daughter around finishing homework and going to a waterpark. My husband called it incentivizing, but given my dislike for waterparks, the situation was absolutely a …
Eight takes on the old-fashioned cocktail in Champaign-Urbana
Today is National Old-Fashioned Day. In my drinky opinion, there’s no better whiskey cocktail than the old-fashioned. It’s simple: whiskey, sugar, bitters, and orange — and a cherry, pretty please. Since the cocktail is a …
Martinelli’s Market, the downtown deli Champaign deserves
After attempting to visit on a Monday (is it my first day in Champaign?) with a group of friends, my partner and I finally visited Martinelli’s Market on a Tuesday evening. Located at the north …
Relax with satisfying brunch food at Just Yolkin’
Brunch is definitely my favorite meal of the day. It brings together breakfast food, the choice to eat sweet and savory foods at the same time, and mimosas. Need I say more? But, my biggest …
Five things to eat or drink in C-U this month: June 2023
From a whole freaking cake to sweet-and-spicy coffee, this month’s picks are all delicious, treat-yourself food and drinks of Champaign-Urbana. There are a lot of holidays in June, but it’s also my birthday this month. …
Market Watch: June 2023
The Champaign-Urbana farmers markets are fun outdoor shopping spots for fresh produce, delicious baked goods, and all kinds of drinks from kombucha to cold brew to fresh-pressed juices. The Saturday market is a busy, bustling …
An evening of tango and tapas
Dancing the night away fueled by appetizing small bites, two Smile Politely writers — one dance writer and one food writer — attended the inaugural event of Monarch Event Center’s Musical Food Tour. This past …
Visiting Cocomero, a frozen yogurt café with Korean flair
Located right across the street from Alma Mater on the University of Illinois Quad, Cocomero has been a steady presence of Campustown for a long time. Initially offering mostly self-serve frozen yogurt, they now serve …
Try tarts à la carte at Tasty Tart
If we have a craving for tarts in Champaign-Urbana, we’ll be able to find a bakery or two with tarts on the menu, but Tasty Tart bakery’s whole thing is tarts. It’s the only place …