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The Best Cheese Curds in the Champaign-Urbana Area

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Whether during times of uncertainty or plenty, Champaign-Urbana embraces its cheese curds

Our Cheese Curd Trail originated in the spring of 2020, when many of us were suffering the effects of pandemic isolation and seeking comfort where we could.

Mike Slagor, a special education teacher at Champaign Central High School, turned to social media one auspicious day that May with a burning question: “Where can I get cheese curds? … Asking for a friend that happens to be myself.”

Let’s just say that there are times when a community’s priorities come sharply into focus. THE MAN NEEDED SOME CHEESE CURDS! And so, it seems, did the rest of us:

  • “Following. For reasons.”
  • “We must know alllll about the cheese.”
  • “Yes. Please tell us.”
  • “I will make the post link into an icon on my smartphone.”

The Best Cheese Curds in the Champaign-Urbana area

It turns out that even for non-Wisconsinites, a lot of Central Illinois residents feel very strongly about our cheese curds. What follows are updated recommendations that have been shared with us on Facebook.

Following the example of previous Food Trail posts, we avoid listing chains with 10+ locations — even though Culver’s, Freddy’s, and DQ all garnered mentions. Chambanamoms.com does not endorse the businesses listed here, although we have eaten most of their cheese curds. For reasons.

Bunny’s Tavern, Urbana: “Hands down.” “Wisconsin cheese curds in a spicy breading.” “I second Bunny’s they are super yummy.” “Bunny’s Tavern has spicy cheese curds. So addictive!” “Spicy but so dang good!”

Chophouse on Main, Mahomet: “Garlic cheese curds, mmmmmm.“

Farren’s Pub, Champaign: “OMG. Game changer.”

Guido’s, Champaign – “They give you a huge pile of garlic cheese curds!”

Ko Fusion, Champaign: I was today years old when I learned that “Tempura fried cheese curds” is an actual item on Ko Fusion’s menu.

Possum Trot Supper Club, Oakwood: “The best ones ever are from Possum Trot in Oakwood.”

Project 47 Smokehouse, Mahomet: “Yummy cheese curds!” (“And they have good tater tots!!”)

Seven Saints, Champaign: Apparently this is Cheese Curd Ground Zero for many local readers, so we put their photo in the title image. “They are HUGE and full of the awesome, gooey, cheesiness we all love in a cheese curd. Mmmm!” “Fantastic with their tomato basil soup!” “They are amazing and even better with the caramel sauce!!”

Smith Burger Co., Champaign (with Collective Pour) and food truck: “People NEED to know!”

The Wheelhouse, St. Joseph: “Some fabulous cheese curds.” “The best!” “These are the best… Hands down!” “Delicious curds with beer mustard.” “Great flavor on the breading and nice melted cheese. Not like others that are rubbery. They’re melt-in-your mouth amazing!!” (“And if you like the curds, get the poutine.”)

More cheese curd shout-outs from our readers: Aspen Tap House and Big Grove Tavern in Champaign, and Courier Cafe in Urbana.

Finally, there’s always that one commenter that has to get all Wisconsin-y about cheese curds, but we’ll pass along their recommendation anyway: Gibbsville Cheese in Sheboygan Falls, Wis., where they have fresh cheese curds available every Wednesday after 2 p.m.

 

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