Champaign-Urbana, Illinois Food Guide: 10 Bar food Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Urbana

October 21, 2019 Vivienne Hutton

Discover Restaurants offering the best Bar food in Urbana, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. Urbana /ɜːrˈbænə/ is a city in and the county seat of Champaign County, Illinois, United States. The population was 41,250 at the 2010 census. Urbana is the tenth-most populous city in Illinois outside of the Chicago metropolitan area. It is included in the Champaign–Urbana metropolitan area.
Things to do in Urbana

10. Watson's Shack & Rail

211 N Neil St, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61820-4056 American, Bar Lunch, Late Night, Drinks, Dinner Takeout, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Discover, Table Service, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Television [email protected] +1 217-607-0168 http://www.watsonschicken.com
Food
Service
Value
Overall Ratings

4 based on 71 reviews

Watson's Shack & Rail

Reviewed By megmhintz

Loved the music/vibe in this place. Young and fun. We had flights of Mezcals and hot chicken. The people next to us had chicken and waffles and I immediately regretted not getting it. Everything was delicious. Service was good too. Would go back!

9. Boomerang's Bar and Grill

1309 E Washington St, Urbana, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61802-4447 American, Bar, Grill, Pub Breakfast, Drinks, Lunch, Dinner Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Free Off-Street Parking, Television, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards [email protected] +1 217-239-7264 http://www.boomerangsbarandgrill.com
Boomerang's Bar and Grill

Reviewed By Illinifan1980

The biggest draw for me is the homestyle lunches. They change them up for the seasons, but in the winter, do yourself a favor and get the meatloaf. Nothing is frozen. You can see the kitchen. Very clean, which I appreciate. On Wednesdays they have wings for 33 cents. They are almost twice the size that you'd get at BW3 and SO much better. It DOES get really busy so be patient. It's worth it. Oh,and get the onion rings. I'm early to bed, so I don't make it to shows there very often, but they do have a lot of good, live music. Overall, it's a bar with homemade food. Service has been good. Just wish it wasn't on the other side of town for me or I'd be there a lot more!

8. Po Boys Restaurant

202 E University Ave, Urbana, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61801-1728 American, Bar, Barbecue, Pub Lunch, Dinner Takeout, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Reservations, Serves Alcohol, Table Service [email protected] +1 217-367-2255 http://www.poboysurbana.com/
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 36 reviews

Po Boys Restaurant

Reviewed By Luckyone2002

Though we've lived in this area for over 20 years, had never been here until recently, when an advertised musical performance brought us in. Their menu looks good. Went with a Reuben and husband went with some BBQ. Both meals were just "OK". Actually, mine was pretty odd - didn't seem like real corned beef or not like the normal reubens I've had and it's difficult to mess those up. Husband said part of his BBQ was "Ok" - the rest was just dry. Again, just not on par with other area restaurants. But the service was great for it being so busy and loud with the music (band was excellent!). Our server remained friendly and patient and did a nice job. Other possibly-regular customers were ordering different items and some of those meals/appetizers looked pretty darn good, so maybe it was just the selections we chose. It was still a pleasant evening. Not sure if we'd ever return for the food, but maybe a drink and an appetizer and some good music.

7. Bunny's Tavern

119 W Water St, Urbana, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61801-2719 American, Bar, Pub Lunch, Breakfast, Dinner Takeout, Seating, Serves Alcohol, Wheelchair Accessible, Table Service +1 217-367-8175 http://www.bunnystavern.com
Food
Service
Value
Overall Ratings

4 based on 28 reviews

Bunny's Tavern

Reviewed By RobbTob

I have been to Bunny's for drinks many times. On the most recent visit I had food. My friend and I each ordered a burger and shared half with eachother. I am blown away how good they were.The pattie melt with mushrooms...great.The BBQ pork belly burger ...... quite possibly the best burger I've ever eaten.We had a very friendly server.Can't wait to go back!

6. Big Grove Tavern

1 E Main St, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61820-3654 American, Bar, Contemporary, Healthy Lunch, Dinner, Brunch Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Street Parking, Validated Parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Digital Payments, Free Wifi, Accept [email protected] +1 217-239-3505 http://www.biggrovetavern.com/
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 321 reviews

Big Grove Tavern

At Big Grove Tavern, we celebrate the true sense of the word tavern. The heart and soul of a community, the tavern is a warm and welcoming place bringing together both visitors and locals. Our mission is to source local and farm fresh ingredients whenever

Reviewed By comfytravel

This choice location is unlucky - never had a decent eatery. We went to Big Grove for a lunch. They have decent choice of draft beer at half price during "happy hour" (3-5), but the food was really bad. Burger was small, way too salty, the bun - typical "wonderbread," fries stale and awfully salty. Do not come close to fast food fries from McDonalds or "Five guys." Risotto with mushrooms was also salty and just below average taste. The good things were service and sitting outside in perfect weather.

5. Crane Alley

115 W Main St Ste 1, Urbana, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61801-2737 American, Bar, Pub, Gastropub Lunch, Dinner, Late Night Outdoor Seating, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service, Reservations [email protected] +1 217-384-7526 http://crane-alley.com
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 101 reviews

Reviewed By ryanhJ6855JI

I've come here many times but this is my first review. The outdoor patio area strung with lights is very romantic and fun to sit under when the weather is nice. Pool is inexpensive and they offer a very unique Pop Rocks Martini that is a tasty conversation drink.

4. Farren's Pub & Eatery

117 North Walnut Street, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61820 American, Bar, Pub Lunch, Dinner, Late Night, Drinks Takeout, Seating, Television, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service [email protected] +1 217-359-6977 http://www.farrenspub.com
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 294 reviews

Farren's Pub & Eatery

Reviewed By Taylor B

While researching our trip to Champaign-Urbana, home of the University of Illinois, my alma mater, I happened across a survey that declared Farren's Pub & Eatery produced the best burgers in Illinois. So how could my wife and I pass up a chance to sample the merchandise? Once located at 308 North Randolph in Champaign, Farren's moved to a larger location at 117 North Walnut in July. The new site, near the intersection of Neil Street and University Avenue, also has room for a separate bar. Open at 11 am. daily, Farren's is a popular hangout for college students after classes and after late-night studying, the kind of place my fraternity brothers and I used to frequent while cramming for final exams. But what about the burgers? Are they as good as advertised. Farren's offers 10 varieties. I sampled two, the Russell with sauteed mushrooms, bacon, blue cheese sauce and pepperjack cheese and the Spicoli with bacon, sauteed mushrooms, sauteed onions and American cheese. I washed them down with a 32-ounce glass of lemonade. Burgers, like pizza and hot dogs, are a personal preference, what pleases you most. Farren's burgers may not be the best I've ever tasted but they are in the conversation. The survey wasn't lying.

10 Things to Do in Urbana That You Shouldn't Miss

3. Destihl Restaurant & Brew Works

301 N Neil St, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61820-3163 Brew Pub, Gastropub, American, Bar Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night, Drinks Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Parking Available, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Takeout, Private Dining, Seating, Accepts Discover, [email protected] +1 217-356-0301 http://www.DESTIHL.com
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 785 reviews

Destihl Restaurant & Brew Works

DESTIHL(R) Restaurant - Champaign is two amazing worlds merged into one: the fusion of craft beer and artisan foods. We are a growing gastrobrewpubTM concept which creatively combines and reinvents craft beer and full-flavored dishes from America's meltin

Reviewed By scottn639

We went to Destihi's for a late dinner for our daughters birthday. The service was great, even had two wait staff. The drinks before the meal were just what was needed along with the bacon wrapped dates and the Crap Rangoon dip. My daughter and I shared one of their special pizzas that included Brie and Blueberries. WOW was it good. Her "birthday cake" not really was their Carrot cake, with a big piece going home with her. Remember to get your parking ticket validated before leaving.Thank you for celebrating your daughter's birthday with us! We hope we'll see you again very soon.Cheers!

Where to Eat in Urbana: The Best Restaurants and Bars

2. Seven Saints

32 E Chester St, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61820-4019 American, Bar, Pub Lunch, Dinner, Late Night, Drinks Outdoor Seating, Seating, Television, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Takeout, Highchairs Available +1 217-351-7775 http://sevensaintsbar.com/index.html
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 376 reviews

Seven Saints

Reviewed By Gabriel B

First time here and I will preface this review with, I will be going back. With that said there is one item I won't be getting and not because it wasn't good but because it was removed from a package and deep fried, the onion rings. If you're looking for run of the mill onion rings that taste like onion rings you could buy from "INSERT STORE CHAIN NAME HERE" and make at home, then you're in luck. Otherwise, I would just pass on them and ask the waitress/waiter if any of their appetizers are house made. The southwestern ranch dip that came with them was good however and had a smokey flavor to it which I appreciated. The same can also be said about their waffle fries that came with my wife's slider which may as well of been purchased from a grocery store that day and fried that night. Onto the real reason I have found to return here, the sliders. Holy cow they were good as together we had the following - Bacon & Cheese Slider, Smokey BBQ Slider, Black Jack Slider and the Chicago Style Hot Dog Slider. All were very good and next time I plan on getting all new sliders except for the Smokey BBQ, that I will eat every time. As for drinks my wife ordered the unsweet tea (it tasted like Raspberry tea) so we sent that back and opted for a Diet Pepsi. I drank the Paulaner Octoberfest Marzen on tap which was phenomenal.We didn't wait to be seated but our waitress was very busy and because of that our stay in the establishment lasted for 75 minutes. For a Friday night in downtown Champaign this was to be expected but if you're looking for a quicker place to eat on a busy night, it may not be the best option.

Most Popular Mexican food in Urbana, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois

1. Black Dog Smoke & Ale House

201 N Broadway Ave, Urbana, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61801-2706 American, Bar, Barbecue Lunch, Dinner, Late Night Takeout, Seating, Parking Available, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service http://www.blackdogsmoke.com/
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 606 reviews

Black Dog Smoke & Ale House

Reviewed By Taylor B

My wife and I don't relish the thought of eating barbecue in a restaurant. It's messy enough at home, two or three napkins, sometimes more. But we have heard so many good things about Black Dog Smoke & Ale House that when we had an opportunity to see if it's as good as advertised, we couldn't pass it up. According to most restaurant critics, Black Dog produces the best tasting barbecue in Illinois, maybe the entire country. They opened their first location at 201 North Broadway Avenue in Urbana, Illinois, in 2009. It was so successful that they opened another location, installing a wood-fired smoker in an old train depot at the corner of Chestnut and Main Street in Champaign in 2015. We visited the Urbana location and agreed the barbecue was unlike anything we've ever tasted. We started with smoked chicken wings tossed with Carolina red BBQ sauce and served with celery and smoked bleu cheese dressing. Then we couldn't resist Blackdog cornbread, two cornbread muffins baked with green chiles, pit beans, cheddar cheese and pulled pork. Then we shared a full slab platter of St. Louis style pork spareribs smothered in BBQ sauce with French fries, potato salad and slaw. And we washed it all down with mugs of strawberry lemonade and Goose Island root beer. No wonder everyone in Champaign-Urbana is talking about Black Dog Smoke & Ale House.

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