We have no shortage of remarkable food options in Champaign-Urbana, so choosing just 25 things you need to eat is a challenge
While this list could have 225 things on it, we’ve crafted a list of 25+ things you need to eat in Champaign-Urbana
If you follow chambanamoms.com (particularly on Instagram), you’ll see our love for local cuisine runs deep. Our team has put our minds together to narrow down the list of “must eat” dishes to just 25, and we are here to share it with you.
In no particular order and with a certain level of random-ness, here are the 25+ things you need to eat in Champaign-Urbana.
Oatmeal fudgie
Art Mart (Champaign) — Let it sit out to come to room temperature and it is a culinary delight.
Pineapple fried rice
Thara Thai (Champaign) — A Thara Thai specialty!
Chicken vindaloo
Kohinoor (Champaign) — Enjoy with rice or naan. If you like a bit of spice, you can ask them to increase the spice level.
Snowstorm
Jarling’s Custard Cup(Champaign) — Favorite varieties depending on the season include thin mint, cappuccino custard, or peppermint cold fudge.
Khao Poon
Sticky Rice (Champaign)
Apple pear chicken salad
Piato (Urbana and food truck)
Spinach tagliatelle
Timpone’s (Urbana)
Pumpkin cookie
Art Mart (Champaign) — Available during the fall only.
Truffle Fries
Sun Singer (Champaign) — these may just be the ultimate comfort food.
Vegetarian lasagna
Filippo’s (Mahomet) — best enjoyed piping hot, featuring Filippo’s sweet sauce.
Spaghetini
Manzella’s Italian Patio (Champaign) — It is even better as leftovers.
Chicken tenders
Watson’s (Champaign and food truck) — these are delicious no matter where you enjoy them, but getting them straight off the truck does have a certain appeal.
Bee Original
Just Bee Acai (Illini Union, Campus) — Just add peanut butter.
Rib tips
Lil Porgy’s (Champaign) — Enjoy with mixed sauce and soak the fries with the sauce.
Matcha cream puffs
Suzu’s Bakery (Champaign) — So light, so delicious and not too sweet, which makes them perfect.
Avocado toast
Pekara (Champaign) — Comes with a little bit of kick. Add the egg!
Green curry chicken with rice
Himalayan Chimney (Champaign)
Stir fry
Ko Fusion (Champaign) — amazing flavors, good with anything (but we enjoy it most with chicken)
Chicken ramrong
Siam Terrace (Urbana) — Simple steamed veggies and chicken. What makes this dish stand out is the amazing peanut sauce. Ask for extra.
Wiscanson Smasher
Smith Burger (Champaign, inside Collective Pour) — Beer cheese, grilled onions and spicy mustard on toasted brioche. Yes, we know we live in Illinois but this burger is fire. And yes, it is spelled funny.
Pepperoni margherita pizza
Pizzeria Antica (Champaign) — Pepperoni perfection. Follow it up with gelato afterwards.
Farmers scramble
Original House of Pancakes (Champaign) — Made even better with its cinnamon raisin oatmeal pancakes (for a slight up charge). Top that off with peanut butter.
Chicken quesadillas
Dos Reales (Champaign) — Best in town, kid-tested and verified. Great customer service too.
Birria-Ramen
La Mixteca (Urbana) — Noodle soup with famous birrikeka. So crispy and yummy, and SO different.
Camarones Cubanos
Punch (Champaign) — Broiled Shrimp, Mojo Verde, Pineapple-Coconut Rice, Serrano Pepper, Cilantro-Lime Sauce. This is absolutely amazing. Sometimes it is taken off the menu. Instead of water, Punch cooks the rice in Pineapple Juice and Cream of Coconut. With the Serrano Peppers folded in you get Cilantro-Marinated Shrimp over spicy Piña Colada Rice. Pair with a Paloma for perfection.
Shrimp po’boy
Po’Boys (Urbana) — The sauce is what makes the dish. There’s a reason it’s called po’boys!
Shrimp and grits
Neil Street Blues (Champaign) — Best in town, found at brunch.
