Changes in the Champaign-Urbana restaurant scene never seem to slow down. As always, we’re doing our best to keep track. Our look focuses most prominently on the C-U community outside of campus.
Local openings:
Who: Patricio’s Pizza & More
When: April
Where: Lincoln Square Mall, Urbana
Description: Patricio’s formerly had a location in Mahomet but moved its operation to the Urbana mall in the spring. It offers a long list of specialty pizzas featuring made-from-scratch crust. The menu includes other Italian staples such as calzones and spaghetti, all at affordable prices. Note: As of publication, it is closed on Tuesdays and Sundays.
Why we’re excited: There are many of us who believe that C-U can always use a good pizza place. We’ve heard that Patricio’s had a good reputation in Mahomet and we’re hopeful that it will work out well in Urbana, though that location has been a “tough go” for many previous restaurants.
Who: The Yard on Broadway
When: June
Where: 401 N. Broadway Ave., Urbana. At the site of the former Broadway Food Hall, across from H Mart.
Description: We wrote extensively about The Yard recently. Read that article here.
Why we’re excited: A couple reasons: First, we’re digging the food outlets that have chosen to make a home here. There’s a good variety. Second, it is family-friendly. There are games, activities and space that allows your younger children a place to roam — and all parents know how important it is for kids to have a place to burn energy once they’ve finished eating.
Who: Black Dog
When: March
Where: 201 N. Broadway Ave., Urbana (There’s been a LOT of action on the Broadway corridor lately.)
Description: This is the original Black Dog location, which closed during the pandemic and is just now reopening. (The Champaign location remains open.) What’s important to note is that the Urbana location has a different menu than the Champaign spot. Explore the Urbana menu here. Note: As of publication, it is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Why we’re excited: Again, two reasons: First, we’re all jazzed up about the new menu. You’ll find plenty of options you can’t get in Champaign. Second, we just happen to really like the ambience of the original Black Dog. Yes, it is smaller than the Champaign space. But it has so much character.
Who: Lazy Daisy Diner and Cafe
When: Mid-July (but maybe later)
Where: Lincoln Square Mall, south wing
Description: According to our friends at Smile Politely, Lazy Daisy will be a “modern American diner” with indoor and outdoor seating, serving breakfast and lunch. It will also offer cocktails, non-alcoholic drinks and cafe drinks. Note: It’s expected that the diner and the cafe will have slightly different operating hours. The success of Maple and Yolk, which opened in Urbana last year, shows that the breakfast-lunch concept is in high demand.
Why we’re excited: Again, it goes back to the location. We hope so much that Lazy Daisy and Patricio’s and other eateries can make it as a successful business in Lincoln Square. Piato and Baldoratta’s had a solid run in the mall. Let’s hope these new locally-owned places can do it as well.
Who: Ittonken
When: March
Where: 715 S. Neil St., Champaign
Description: Ittonken offers ramen, stir-fry and bi bim bob, along with a few noodle dishes and appetizers. It is in the space formerly occupied by Masala Indian House.
Why we’re excited: We know some fans of bi bim bob (aka bibimbap, aka bi bim bap), a traditional Korean dish featuring white rice, an egg and other mix-ins. While the Asian restaurant scene is C-U is crowded and highly competitive, there’s always room for good, authentic, locally owned establishments.
Who: Maple + Yolk
When: March
Where: 810 W. Killarney St., Urbana (site of former Urbana Garden Family Restaurant)
Description: The owners of Urbana Garden closed the longtime low frills standby last winter. They remodeled the restaurant and brought a new concept to life, opening anew as an upscale breakfast and lunch joint. Its new menu includes items such as chicken and waffles, eggs Benedict and mimosas. Open daily until 3 p.m.
Why we’re excited: Great service and a great menu with a good balance of healthy, fun, and solid brunch items. It didn’t take long for Maple and Yolk to become a new local favorite. But that can mean a solid wait on weekends. Our advice: Go during the week if you don’t like being hangry.
Who: Patty Daddy’s
When: May
Where: 703 Eastwood Dr. Suite E, Mahomet
Description: This is the brick-and-mortar edition of the popular food truck of the same name. It is known for smashburgers, plus plant-based burgers, grilled cheese, sliders, fries and other sides. Online ordering is available.
Why we’re excited: Patty Daddy’s is brought to you by the same folks who operate the Ice Daddy’s food truck, which is well-known around the Champaign-Urbana area.
Local closings:
Who: Pandemonium Doughnuts
When: June 28
What happened: According to their Facebook post, the owners are focusing on their expanding family. Owning a donut shop is a demanding profession — would you want to get up at 2 a.m. to go to work? — and we all certainly can understand the constraints it places on family life.
Who will miss it: Pretty much everyone who ever tried a Pandemonium donut, whether it was from its brick-and-mortar location in the Windsor Galleria or its food truck.
Any hope for the future: Doesn’t appear so. Which makes June 28 — its last day of operation — a big one. Better show up early and get your last bite of a Panda donut!
Who: La Bahia Grill
When: June 29
What happened: The Mexican restaurant lasted about four years in its downtown Champaign location.
Who will miss it: Fans of Mexican food with a seafood twist.
Any hope for the future: Yes. In a social media post announcement, La Bahia ownership wrote it was closing “at least for now” and “while this is not goodbye forever, it is the end of a beautiful chapter” while promising to keep us updated on future prospects in its social media channels.