The award-winning cheese by Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery is a staple for cheeselovers in Champaign-Urbana and nationwide. Owned by married couple Wes Jarrell and Leslie Cooperband, Prairie Fruits Farm is more than very cute …
I love hot pot so much, whether it’s organizing a hot pot with friends at home or enjoying a well-prepared one in a restaurant. There are only two hot pot places in Champaign right now. …
The diner on Main Street in Downtown Champaign is open once again, now as The Space restaurant owned by Ian Nutting and Doug Hodge, the pair behind Weird Meat Boyz craft hot sauce. Inside the …
The popular phrase “sharing is caring” is something that fits very well into the food traditions of many cultures, especially those of collectivistic societies. When shared plates are served on the table, it brings people …
Someone told me that Y Thai had really good pho. I love pho, so I was down to check out the little restaurant inside the University YMCA building on the University of Illinois campus. Y …
El Rancho Grande II is one of a handful of non-national-chain dinner spots in Savoy along with iWok, Old Orchard, Smoky’s House BBQ, Star BBQ, and Star Karaoke. Located beside Industrial Donut in a little …
How do you do this April, fellow eaters? I’m quite happy to see days of warmer weather, and I hope you are hungry for this month’s five things to eat in Champaign-Urbana. This April, I’m …
Inside a well-decorated conference room-esque space in Bevier Hall, Spice Box, the student-run restaurant on the University of Illinois campus, is open for the Spring 2023 semester. It’s probably not the place you’d expect to …
Nestled between La Mixteca and El Oasis, San Miguel Panaderia is a great addition to the collection of Mexican food businesses on the corner of University and Cunningham Avenues. They sell more than two dozen …
I love spicy food. Some may say variety is the spice of life, but for me, spice is the spice of life. I do, however, like to think that I have some discerning tastes when …
My friend Libby and I met for lunch at Harvest Market’s Farmhouse Restaurant during our lunch break a few weeks ago. It was my first time dining there, despite visiting Harvest Market at least once …
Champaign-Urbana has such good barbecue (Black Dog, Lil Porgy’s, Po’ Boys, Wood N’ Hog) that it’s easy to forgot that Savoy has a barbecue restaurant, too. Located on Dunlap Avenue in the same plaza as …
Maize has a long-storied history in the C-U area. When they first opened their modest location on Green Street, the buzz was palpable. I remember hearing so many great things about their food, yet it …
It’s 1995 in a dimly lit pub on a formerly dank Green Street (if you know you know), and the character? An 18-year-old girl eating delicious bar food and drinking lite beer on someone else’s …
One of the first restaurant recommendations I received when I moved to Champaign was Farren’s. “You have to try their black bean burger, even I like it!” extolled my vehemently non-vegetarian mother-in-law. That was all …
Dank Meme, A Wizard is Never Late, and Backpack Full of Bees are some eccentric names of beers made by Triptych Brewing. Started by passionate home brewers in 2013, the microbrewery has produced over 470 …
There’s no shortage of places to eat on the U of I campus with restaurants all along Green Street, inside Illini Union, and near the Krannert Center for Performing Arts. On one small block of Gregory …
Collective Pour is the place to go with that friend group where everyone has different tastes. You and your friends have finally nailed down a date and time where you’re all free. No one has …
Sushi Siam is a small Thai restaurant and sushi bar in the same plaza as Cheese & Crackers and Grovestone at the corner of Kirby and Mattis in Champaign. Opened in early 2020, Sushi Siam …
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 …
Happy first day of March! This week has everything: two tornadoes, nice weather today, and possibly snow on Friday. This week also marks my third year as Smile Politely’s Food + Drink Editor. Three years …
Champaign-Urbana, it’s time to sign up for a CSA. What’s a CSA? CSA is community-supported agriculture in which individuals buy a whole season’s worth of goods from a local farm or business up front and …
Fiesta Cafe is a favorite restaurant of one of my best friends, so I’ve eaten at the pink Mexican restaurant on First Street many times — and drank many a margarita. Open for 35 years, …
When you first walk into Seven Saints, you know it is going to be a unique experience apart from any other restaurant. The stylish tapestries, the gorgeous dark wood bar and booths, the impressive ceiling …
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.
