It’s the news Champaign Krekel’s Custard fans have been waiting for since April: the new restaurant on Kirby Avenue will be open on Saturday, June 2.
“We look forward to being part of the community,” said Krekel’s Stephanie Stinson, acting manager.
The location is at 401 W. Kirby Ave., right next to another Central Illinois tradition: Jarling’s Custard Cup.
This is the seventh Krekel’s Custard in Central Illinois, with most of them centered around Decatur, although there is also one in Springfield.
The Champaign Krekel’s will be open 10:30 a.m. until 10 p.m., seven days per week (note: this is an update from a previous version of this story). from Tuesday through Sunday, and closed on Mondays. (They announced after they opened they would be closed on Mondays, so this is the second update we received on the hours. Check the store Facebook page for any future hours updates.)
Although Custard is in the name, Krekel’s has a full menu, and that’s what most Champaign-Urbana fans are most looking forward to, including its famous burgers.
From the website: “Fresh never frozen, ground beef smashed onto a sizzling hot griddle; hand made shakes in 16 flavors, chili made daily with our own special meat and piping hot fries are the staples that have made Krekel’s a Central Illinois tradition.”
The store is located in the former Vinny’s Pizza location (Vinny’s has since moved to Campustown). Many other food vendors have been in that location, perhaps most notably Bagelmen’s.