25+ Things You Need to Eat in Champaign-Urbana

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.

Neil St. Blues shrimp n grits — Neil St. Blues Shrimp and Grits. Photo credit: Michael Ujcich

Did we miss someone? Email us and let us know about your must-eat dish found around Champaign-Urbana and what makes it the best.