From their fresh cut fries, to their delicious burgers, Meatheads in Champaign is a kid favorite!
My kids LOVE Meatheads. They love the burgers. The fries. The milkshakes.
But they REALLY Love the Coke Freestyle soda machine.
And in their own words: “Meatheads is good because it’s fast slow food.”
The staff at Meatheads is friendly. Actually, they are pretty great. One employee not only remarked on my boy’s Pokemon shirt, he had a conversation with my boy about Pokemon. It made my kid’s night.
The restaurant is always very clean and inviting when we are there, and we love the giant booths that fit our large family. My kids like to look at the scores of local high school sports teams posted on the wall, and we also like the soundtrack they play.
There are four different “Kid’s Meals” offered at Meatheads. Each meal costs $5.50, and includes a small soft drink. You can choose organic white or chocolate milk for a $1 more. They also serve bottle water, and bottled apple juice. Kids meals come with your choice of a container of apple sauce, veggies, or a child size (ample) serving of fries.
-The Lil’ Meathead is their baby version of their regular burger. My 10-year-old orders his plain with American cheese. He sometimes eats two burgers with his fries.
-The New-England Style Dog is a long hotdog split down the middle on a bun. It’s filling enough for my 8-year-old. He loves this hot dog, and has declared it the “best ever.”
-The Chicken Tenders are two good sized pieces of breaded chicken, and are not your regular tenders. You will want to eat them once you see them (or will kick yourself that you didn’t get them on your salad.)
-The Grilled Cheese features your choice of melted cheese on thick grilled bread. My 5-year-old does not like Meathead’s grilled cheese because it looks like “grown-up food” which to me is code for extra yummy.
My 13-year-old? He gets the 1/3 Meathead with American cheese and “The Works.” He tops that off with cajun seasoned fries and a shake.
With a name like Meatheads, their burgers do not disappoint. You can get an endless array of topping on your burger. Pickles? Cucumber Wasabi Sauce? Pineapple? Fried Egg? You can get them all. You can also substitute grilled or crispy chicken in any sandwich combination. Feeling overwhelmed by choices? They also have topping recommendations for you. They have other menu items like the “grown up” grilled cheese if neither chicken nor beef float your culinary boat.
Meatheads also has a Voracious Readers program: For every five books your kids read, they can get free Lil’ Meathead. You will need to print off and sign a certificate stating your child read five books. This program is for kids ages 13 and under. They also offer a sports reward program, as well as a fundraising program.
What I love about Meatheads? Other than their chopped salad and Fish on Fridays during Lent? They hand out Twisty Ties for the kids to play with during dinner, which means there are no devices at the table to entertain our kids. Just conversation, good food, and a fun atmosphere.
My only advice- don’t go on the night of a home Illini basketball game, because the lines are crazy long!
Meatheads: 1305 S. Neil St., Champaign
Open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday – Sunday
Drive-Thru available
Call Ahead Curb-Side pick up offered: (217) 352.5555
Kimberly writes for Chambanamoms and also does not recommend putting the very delicious but very pungent malt vinegar on your fries unless you want to 5-year-old to flip out. Or, you can just move your 5-year-old to the other side of the giant booth and season away. Your choice.