We asked our readers for their favorite family-friendly restaurants in the Champaign-Urbana area, and boy, did they deliver (pardon the pun). In no particular order, we’ve provided their answers, with a commentary or two as available.
This article is an update to an earlier version of this question in 2013. We have kept some of those responses, below. Please note that we do not always know when prices or features change on menus.
Editor’s Note: Chambanamoms.com does not endorse the businesses listed. We have taken these recommendations from local readers via our Facebook Page.
El Toro (multiple Champaign-Urbana area locations): “Fast Service, basic and good food, and you can get loud and nobody cares.” “Our favorite go to for family meals.”
Texas Roadhouse, west Champaign: “Music, rolls, peanuts. Even if the kids are loud, the restaurant is louder!” ” Start eating yummy rolls and peanuts right away.. kids like watching the staff dance .. lots of tvs and great steak.”
Moe’s, Carriage Center (South Champaign): “On Sunday because kids eat free.”
El Patio, Windsor at the Crossing, Southwest Champaign: “El Patio, fast, friendly service and delicious food” “Great food and fast!”
Original House of Pancakes, Champaign: “No wait during the week. Fast service.”
The Wheelhouse, St. Joseph: “The WheelHouse in St. Joe. Great kids prices. Excellent food.”
Courier Cafe (downtown Urbana):
“Kid-friendly menu, books and crayons, comfortable ambience, easy to work in around a trip to The Urbana Free Library.” “Courier is great, because they have a pretty extensive menu (more than the usual Mac n cheese, chicken tenders, and grilled cheese).”
Other mentions:
– Pizzeria Antica, downtown Champaign
– Scotty’s Brewhouse, Carriage Center, Champaign
– Meatheads, Champaign
– Los Zarapes, Mahomet
– Bangkok Thai, Urbana
– Harvest Market, Champaign
– Apple Dumpling, Urbana
– Longhorn Steakhouse, Champaign
Older responses:
Monical’s (several area locations):
“Great food and relaxed atmosphere and always high chairs and they don’t mind sweeping up after baby leaves.”
O’Charley’s (North Prospect area, Champaign)
“They bring out rolls right after you order and that occupies the kids until the food comes.”
Ko Fusion (downtown Champaign)
“Popular place for families with kids of all ages.”
Jupiter’s at the Crossing (Southwest Champaign)
“We go to Jupiter’s for pizza a lot. Fun games for the kids to play and bowling too!”
Billy Barooz (Southwest Champaign)
“Have short and tall high chairs so you’re covered no matter what kind of table you get sat at. Have crayons/coloring books for kids during breakfast and a good kids menu also.”
Fiesta Cafe, Champaign
“Such a friendly, easy-going place and when my kiddo would make a mess, rice all over the place, they were totally cheerful about it, wouldn’t accept an apology. They always seem sincerely at ease with kids, not making a big deal out of them all the time, but also seeing it as normal for kids to act like kids in their place and by happy to oblige.”
Your favorite family-friendly restaurant not on our list? Add your favorites in the comments below!