Where to eat American food in Urbana: The Best Restaurants and Bars

August 29, 2020 Jeremy Dunfee

Find out what American restaurants to try in Urbana. 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. Hickory River Smokehouse

1706 N Cunningham Ave, Urbana, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61802-1205 American, Barbecue Lunch, Dinner Takeout, Seating, Parking Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Highchairs Available, Drive Thru [email protected] +1 217-337-1656 http://www.hickoryriver.com
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 118 reviews

Hickory River Smokehouse

Hickory River Smokehouse originated in Urbana, Illinois. You might say, our Urbana folks, were our taste testers! This college town, welcomed, supported and patronized our restaurant since the first day we opened in January of 1995. We must be doing somet

Reviewed By DewChugr

One of the better BBQ places in Champaign Urbana. Prices are good, portions and service are also good. I've been there many times, but only at lunch. They have a different special every day for about 7.50 which includes a sandwich line pulled pork and two sides. A drink is a buck more. I like the brisket sandwich the best. Sauce is mild mix or hot. Not crazy about the slaw but the mac and cheese is good. I like the applesauce, tastes like homemade with chunks of apples in it. The fries are OK, but order them extra crispy, trust me. Oh, the deserts are good too. I've not had the ribs yet, but I love the wings. They do sell alcohol, but I believe it's just bottles. The service is cafeteria style where you go through a line and tell them what you want and they serve it up. Seating is a combination of tables booths. Parking cam be pretty full at peak lunch time. Overall a great place to grab a BBQ lunch.

9. 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.

8. 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.

7. 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!

6. Urbana Garden Family Restaurant

810 W Killarney St, Urbana, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61801 American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch Takeout, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Table Service, Reservations [email protected] +1 217-328-1514 http://www.urbanagardenrestaurant.com
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 155 reviews

Urbana Garden Family Restaurant

Urbana Garden Family Restaurant Provides Family Food for the Urbana, Illinois Area

Reviewed By Cello12345

This is the place to go if you're looking for what grandma used to make. Liver and onions? Yes. Hamburgers? Yes, you can get a good hamburger here. If you are going with a group with varied tastes, this is a pretty safe bet.

5. 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.

4. Black Dog Smoke & Ale House

320 N Chestnut St, Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61820-3600 Barbecue, American Lunch, Dinner Takeout, Seating, Parking Available, Television, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Wheelchair Accessible +1 217-344-9334 http://www.blackdogsmoke.com/
Food
Service
Value
Overall Ratings

4 based on 252 reviews

Black Dog Smoke & Ale House

Reviewed By MooseMeds

Sept 18 2019.Come to the C-U to visit a friend. She brought us here and said its the best BBQ shes had in the city. It was hot and i wanted dessert first, so i ordered a virgin strawberry daquiri. The waiter brought something that looked like he added strawberry mix to a lemonade. He could have just said they dont have those instead. So i got ice tea.food came to the table super quick.. but it was the wrong order. it was for another table. Our order came shortly after, but i ordered sweet potato fries, and got a sweet potato. THe BBQ was really good, but a smaller portion than i thought it would be.The (male) waiter got my (female) friend a refill, never offered (male) me one. When the bill came, it was on this tablet and i couldnt see the individual charges, but i knew that $58 for two people was wrong. it was once again something for a different table. When he came back with the correct table, as i was paying $38 still seemed high, so i asked for a printed receipt, to find extra charges. Space cadet waiter must have seen the zero tip, as the manager came over and apologized for everything and comp'd the entire ticket. ( charges actual were reversed on my bank statement, so they got THAT right at least.)It'll be a little while before i go back to Champaign, but i'm 100% sure i'll never set foot in here again.

3. Silvercreek

402 N Race St, Urbana, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61801-2632 American Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night, Drinks Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Free Off-Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover, Table Service [email protected] +1 217-328-3402 http://www.couriersilvercreek.com/
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 236 reviews

Silvercreek

Reviewed By Taylor B

Silvercreek has been a fine dining destination in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, for nearly 30 years. Located at 402 North Race Street, at University Avenue, north of the Courier Cafe, it is a multi-level restaurant with the glittering glass Greenhouse on the lower level and fascinating antique collections in the main dining room. Not to mention the fresh-baked bread, 85 different beers and 200 bottles of wine. For lunch or dinner, Silvercreek offers a host of delicious dishes on its menu to satisfy all palates. On our recent visit, my wife and I started with tomato basil soup, coconut shrimp, cheese curds and Caesar salad. I became addicted to cheese curds on a recent visit to Wisconsin and I can't shake it. For entrees, my wife chose grilled Chilean salmon with fingerling potatoes, sauteed spinach and caper lemon sauce while I couldn't resist sampling a Trainwreck sandwich, a house-made Zorba roll with smoked ham and turkey breast, applewood smoked bacon, cheddar and Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, avocado aioli and alfalfa sprouts. It was a two-fisted hunk of delicious. A trip to Silvercreek never disappoints.

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

2. The Courier Cafe

111 N Race St, Urbana, Champaign-Urbana, IL 61801-2625 American, Cafe Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night Takeout, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Table Service +1 217-328-1811 http://couriercafe.squarespace.com/
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 336 reviews

The Courier Cafe

Reviewed By Taylor B

After graduating from the University of Illinois in 1962, I began my professional journalism career at the Champaign-Urbana Courier. I worked for the late and great sports editor Bert Bertine for four years before moving on to St. Louis, then to Chicago. The Courier closed on March 31, 1979. But the building reopened on November 10, 1980, as the Courier Cafe. Located at 111 North Race Street in Urbana, it has become a community staple for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Whenever I return to Champaign-Urbana, I always make it a point to have breakfast at the Courier Cafe and relive old and pleasant memories of a bygone era. The staff is friendly and the food is hot, fresh, delicious and inexpensive. For me breakfast at the Courier Cafe is home-made oatmeal with toast and maple syrup and the Courier Breakfast, two scrambled eggs, sausage links and hash browns. Or corned beef hash sauteed with mushrooms, served with two scrambled eggs, hash browns and toast. My wife always orders traditional French Toast. For omelette lovers, I'm told the Spanish omelette with chorizo sausage, queso and chichuahua cheese, jalapeno peppers and onions is too good to pass up. Sounds too hot for my taste, but...there's something for everyone at the Courier Cafe.

Where to Eat in Urbana: The Best Restaurants and Bars

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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