UIUC: Must-Visits in Champaign-Urbana

 Author’s note: Normally I would consider myself above writing reviews about food and restaurants in my local area, so trust me when I tell you if you haven’t been to these places yet, go now.

Far above the others and number one on my list of places to eat is the hole-in-the-wall that is Lil’ Porgy’s. For the best fast food type barbecue you’ll ever have, go to one of two locations in Champaign-Urbana. Despite the exterior (and interior for the most part), Lil’ Porgy’s has grade A+ food with a slightly less than average atmosphere. But I promise this is the only place you can get this good of apple wood smoked BBQ and steak fries for under 5 bucks.

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If you’re a native of Urbana, the Courier Café (second on my list of favorites), is just a quick walk away from your organic vegetable garden and well worth it. Inexpensive as you could ask for, Courier is good for breakfast ’til dinner. My personal favorite are their burgers, or the banana nut pancakes in the morning. Everything is around the 5 dollar mark and their coffees, milkshakes and giant cookies make a great thing even better. When you go, be sure to read the front of the menu and learn about the interesting history behind the Courier and downtown Urbana.

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Across the universe in downtown Champaign you will come across the ever popular and delicious Radio Maria, but keep walking a little, not so far as 301 Mongolia, until you get to Dublin O’Neils’s Irish pub and step inside. First thing to do on the inside is order yourself some O’Hara’s Irish Red Ale and some spicy cheese curds. Enjoy those, then either keep drinking or order anything on the menu because it is all good.

Looking for desert? Look no further than Kirby and Florida Avenue where you will run into Jarling’s Custard Cup. Just watch for the giant cone sign on the side of the road. I myself have been going there for the past 21 years of my life (in other words, my entire life) and have never ordered anything other than a scoop of lemon custard in a waffle cone, but I have never felt the need to either. So go for the lemon custard, but stay for the pretty wall tiles and the other 500 things on the menu.

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Sure, Green Street is convenient, and live off of Papa Dell’s pizza, but your time here is short (nostalgia intended) and now is the time to try out the hidden treasures of Chambana before you’re too old to be hanging out here.

-Nicole Moore

April 13th, 2013