The latest addition to the Champaign-Urbana restaurant scene opens at 4 p.m. on Dec. 1, and what customers will see is a mixture of other C-U options.
The ambience at Scotty’s Brewhouse is like an upscale Buffalo Wild Wings, with dozens of TVs mounted around the seating areas that allow an excellent view of the ballgame, if that’s one of your dining goals. It is located in Champaign’s new Carriage Center development on South Neil Street, not far from Harvest Market.
The menu is extensive, not unlike Red Robin, with options including pizza, burgers, sandwiches, soups, salads, wraps and tacos, chicken, gourmet hot dogs, gluten-free choices, low-calorie entrees, appetizers and desserts. An example: There are three different types of fries, with five different options for seasoning. Plus there’s a weekend brunch and a kids’ menu featuring the usual standards ($4.99-$6.99). Most important: Kids eat free on Sunday and Tuesday (for kids 12 and under if they order from the kids menu). Tip: you must download their mobile app to get the Kids Eat Free deal.
As for the concept of being family friendly: Scotty’s certainly makes the effort. The kids’ menu has 11 entrees and numerous side that include veggies (steamed broccoli and brussels sprouts). In addition, one very unique feature is Scotty’s “young adult” menu: larger portions than the kids’ menu, but not an adult meal, either (and a better price). Young adult menu items are not included in the kids eat free program, however.
One highlight for parents of young kids: there is a play area for youngsters featuring a chalkboard and a TV just for them.
When we visited during the soft opening this week, the service was excellence despite a crowded restaurant. We received a tasty appetizer (pretzels sticks) and two entrees, each which left us with plenty of food (enough to take home) and a satisfied palate.
The risk in having such a large menu, of course, is that it’s difficult to make everything taste good. It’s the “jack of all trades, master of none” notion. Time will tell whether Scotty’s can do all things well, but this was a good start. My turkey ruben was super yummy.
Champaign is the first Illinois location for Scotty’s, which has 13 of its 16 locations in Indiana. It opens daily at 11 a.m.
