Grovestone has dessert, too
What kind of place is Grovestone? For the short answer, it’s a great place to go when you want some high-quality olive oil with knowledgeable staff to help you decide. To go more in-depth, Grovestone …
What kind of place is Grovestone? For the short answer, it’s a great place to go when you want some high-quality olive oil with knowledgeable staff to help you decide. To go more in-depth, Grovestone …
I’ve always loved Himalayan Chimney, and it is my go-to spot for Indian food in Champaign. The modern interiors, fun drink options, and a menu covering pan-Indian and more Americanized-Indian food make it an easy …
Matt Riggs says “no” a lot. At Riggs Beer Company, being discerning and intentional is part of what makes it stand out in a crowded American craft beer industry. Matt, his wife Caroline, his brother …
In three years as Food + Drink Editor, I have written exactly one article about salads, and I’ve put a salad in a list only twice: Baldarotta’s broccoli salad covered in Caesar dressing and Cactus …
I had the pleasure of attending the Pond Street pop-up event over this past weekend hosted at Po’ Boys Restaurant. It was great to see an established restaurant help an aspiring restauranteur and chef. The …
El Paraiso is a restaurant nestled in the heart of Downtown Urbana that specializes in Latin American cuisine. Dining at their establishment feels just like you’re sitting down with family: you’ll be welcomed with a smile …
Les Gourmets Cuisine is an African restaurant that opened last summer inside Broadway Food Hall. Six days a week, the restaurant serves a variety of Congolese and African dishes. The menu at Les Gourmets Cuisine …
We all know the restaurant and small business scene has had its ups and downs since the pandemic. I mean, let’s be honest. Who hasn’t? Damn, I’ve fully given up on losing my COVID-25 which …
If you’ve ever wanted ice cream to kickstart your day, Heavy Spoon has you covered and then some. Located in Downtown Champaign and founded by Sherard D. Brown, this new breakfast (or evening) snack location …
Happy Black History Month! February is a great time to reflect and honor the contributions Black individuals have made to our country. This month, my food recommendations celebrate Black excellence in the Champaign-Urbana food scene. …
For a fancy night out in Champaign-Urbana, Hamilton Walker’s is where I want to be. It’s the sort of restaurant where it’s appropriate to dress up a little. It’s elegant inside, and the service is …
It has been awhile since I was at Silvercreek. The last time was pre-pandemic, at one of the restaurant’s epic Sunday brunches (which, sadly, have not returned). Silvercreek is a Downtown Urbana legend with magnificent …
When I’m making a decision about where I’d like to dine out during Champaign County Restaurant Week, I’m looking for one of two things: a menu that features something unique, something that they don’t typically …
When I saw seared scallops on the Restaurant Week menu for Neil St. Blues, I was so pumped. Neil St. Blues is known for their big portions of soul food like the Yardbird fried chicken sandwich, shrimp …
Restaurant Week 2023 begins this weekend on Friday, January 27th and runs through Saturday, February 4th. This delicious nine day celebration of local restaurants is hosted by Visit Champaign County, and there are more than …
Little else is more important (to me) than finding — and devouring — all the delicious chicken wings in Champaign-Urbana. Ever since the pandemic took Sakanaya’s and Crane Alley’s wings away, I have been continually …
Our family has been I-Wok fans since their opening. When I-Wok opened many years ago, we received a direct mail ad with some very generous coupons. Being a charter member of Central Illinois Cheapskates, I’m …
Chinese New Year (CNY) is approaching on January 22nd , and it’s a tradition for people start thecelebration as early as on CNY’s eve. Even though most people who enjoy celebrating the festival often prefer …
Just steps from the U of I campus on Wright Street, Kimchi Factory serves Korean food beside Ambar India Restaurant. Kimchi Factory opened last summer when the owners of A-Ri-Rang retired after 23 years. On …
Being so close to Chicago, usually all the rage is about thick crust Chicago-style pizza, but let’s not sleep on the cracker-thin crust loaded with toppings that Old Orchard provides. Positioned off Neil Street in …
Happy New Year! Lots of people make new year’s resolutions around this time, but I’m not making any resolutions: new year, same me. Very hungry and quite thirsty, I am still on the ever-felicitous quest …
Michael tried a few of the many different beers at Pour Bros. Taproom in Champaign.
Going to a holiday party? Alyssa has some delicious gift ideas to bring a party host.
Best cocktail, best buffet, best new food truck, and more: Cheers to Champaign-Urbana's BEST Food + Drink of 2022.
Stephanie visits Filippo's of Mahomet for a great dine-in experience
'Tis the season to deck the balls. From arancini to hushpuppies, here are six spherical foods to eat in Champaign-Urbana.
Shrivatsa found a new favorite at Fernando's food truck.
This December, Alyssa wants you to warm up with La Mixteca's birrikeka, pho from Xinh Xinh Cafe, and more.
Alyssa reviews Midwest gyro fries, chicken wings, and more from Garro's Taste of the City, a food truck that opened in Urbana this summer.
Chef Ken Ishibashi offers an intimate alternative for sushi lovers at ISHI in Champaign.
Take the high road this holiday season.
Alyssa reviews tea from Walnut Street Tea Company's Village Green location.
Carl enjoyed great food at one of the best kept secrets in Urbana.
Alyssa tried vegetable pakora, lamb curry, and more at Ambar India Restaurant in Campustown.
Xiaohui reviews dinner at Chophouse on Main in Mahomet.
Alyssa reviews the 88-ounce margarita tower, tacos, and more at Las Palmas Mexican Grill in North Champaign.
The International Cooking Show is hosted on Zoom by the U of I's International and Area Studies Library.
Meaning ‘wine shop thief’ in Italian, Ladro Enoteca is the perfect place to steal away to this fall. Get cozy with incredible wines, drinks, and seasonal snacks from local farms at this Downtown Champaign wine bar and bottle shop.
A rom-com-foodie genre mashup sends Paul to Masijta Grill for an all-you-can-eat feast.
This November, Alyssa shares a harvest cocktail and four foods that taste like Thanksgiving.
“I find a lot of joy in connecting with customers at the market. Just…seeing families connect to where their food comes from. Having a relationship with someone that feeds you, it’s a really cool thing. I love that,” says Molly Oberg, farmer and co-owner of Meyer Produce.
Melkior reviews the spicy rice bowl with falafel, steak pita, lentil soup, and stuffed grape leaves from Shawarma Joint's new location in Urbana.
Hand-crafted cocktails are deliciously strong at Bentley's Pub in Downtown Champaign.
Urbana is the perfect host for a chill weekend hangout with friends. Rashmi and her friends enjoyed music, fun food options, and a chill wine bar.
Alyssa reviews dinner and drinks from the new fall menu at Lodgic's Everyday Kitchen in Champaign.
Jess has tried a bunch of items at the new Thai-Lao restaurant in Champaign, and is very happy with the results.
Matt goes through and tries all sorts of food from Art Mart from banana cream tart to a magic bar to sweet potato lentil salad.
This October, Alyssa recommends pumpkin kombucha, rainbow sushi, and more.
Alyssa shares where to find pumpkins, apples, and more in the last month of C-U's outdoor farmers' markets.