The Best Local Restaurants for Friends and Family

The Best Local Restaurants for Friends and Family At this point, Ive just about eaten my way through the Champaign-Urbana community. And let me tell youâ€"Ive had some great food. Ive also had some not great food. This will be my second, or better yet, my revised version of Where to Eat when Visiting Campus. Because, lets be real, most of those restaurants arent open anymore anyway. Jupiters Pizza and Billiards There are very few things that get me as excited as pizza. And better yet, the best barbecue chicken pizza Ive ever had. But surprisingly enough, it wasnt the pizza that got me hooked on Jupiters; it was the arcade. Photo from Rachel Hernandez Everyday Kitchen I am a foodie, and nothing makes a foodie happier than aesthetically pleasing appetizers. At this point, Ive tried near everything on the appetizer side of Everyday Kitchens menu. My personal recommendation is the kale, mushroom, and sausage flatbread, sweet potato rounds, and corn ribs. Photo from Rachel Hernandez Watsons Shack and Rail The thought of elevated fried chicken made me laugh. That was, until I tasted Watsons. This gem is located in downtown Champaign and is always packed with patrons. From chicken and tacos to mouth-watering slushies, Watsons knows how to feed a crowd. My personal recommendation is fried chicken and fried fish tacos with an appetizer of roasted brussels sprouts. View this post on Instagram It might be cold outside, but it’s still Nashville Hot in here. . . . #WatsonsShack #Watsons #WatsonsRail #UIUC #Foodies #EatingIllini #Yum #Delicious #Mmm #FriedChicken #Illini #DowntownChampaign #Illinois #Restaurants #Eeeats #SpoonUIUC #Foodie #Chicken #Shack #ShackSnack #ShackSpecial #EatCU #NomNom #CUFoodie #instaillinois #slush #slushie #slushshack A post shared by Watsons Shack Rail (@watsonschicken) on Nov 12, 2019 at 2:19pm PST Smallcakes You may recognize Smallcakes by the name since they are a cupcake chain. But new to the Champaign area, my roommate and I had to give them a try. To put our obsession lightly, we are both rewards member and have received 2 free cupcakes each from points alone. You can choose from ice cream, cupcakes, or a smashcake (ice cream and cupcake combo). My recommendation is a smashcake with cookies and cream ice cream and a hostess cupcake! Photo from Rachel Hernandez Courier Cafe Courier Cafe has been a favorite of mine since long before I was a student at the U of I. With a delicious salad bar, burgers, chicken, steak, and more milkshake flavors than you can imagine, Courier Cafe is sure to please everyone in your group. My personal recommendation is the pesto pitas with chicken and a chocolate shake! Photo from Rachel Hernandez Rachel Class of 2020 I am studying Middle Grades Education with concentrations in Social Sciences and Literacy in the College of Education. Although I now reside in Champaign, I am originally from Vernon Hills, a Northwest suburb of Chicago.