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FOOD

Welcome Veggie Trails to the vegan party

My time in Champaign-Urbana is dwindling and so the thought of choosing one more place to review for this column has been a bit daunting. Then, I got a little update from a Twitter account I follow called Vegan Mainstream (@Veganmainstream). According to the short snippet, this new traveling vegetarian/vegan trailer was going to make an appearance in Chicago. However, upon clicking the link, I discovered it was going to be located at our very own Farmer's Market in …

FOOD

The Courier Cafe can go vegan, too

The charming Courier Cafe would be a main staple of my diet should I have chosen to live within the beautiful and quiet streets of Urbana. The website claims, "it's amicable staff will continue to please its loyal clientele for years to come" and it would be absolutely absurd of me to disagree. My visit took place just as the afternoon lunch rush was coming to a close. I was seated quickly and my waitress was probably the most …

FOOD

Chain burrito joint a surprising option for vegans

This week involved a trip home to northern Illinois for spring break. Sadly, I did not have the opportunity to travel to warmer weather. However, due to my absence from campus, I decided to write about a mainstream, chain fast food restaurant — Chipotle. The fact that the chain offered a decent vegan option and was also translatable to the Champaign-Urbana community was appealing to me. Chipotle has been a glorified place among the vegan blogging community because without …

FOOD

Bombay offers up an array of nice vegan options

First and foremost, vegan cuisine requires flavor. Bland food is never satisfying, but it's even more essential when eating vegan. Indian food is able to captivate the senses precisely because it provides both a variety of flavor, as well as an abundance of alluring smells. I don't know that it is possible to pack more character into a meal. Whether ginger, garlic, or its decoration of coriander, there is certain to be a taste to appease your senses in …

FOOD

The Bread Company delivers on its hummus

Windows lined with assorted wine bottles and a variety of pleasant earth tones greet you upon entering this incredibly quaint space named The Bread Company. It is a unique spot for a light, yet filling lunch on a still slightly chilly Saturday afternoon. The smell of freshly baked breads and the delightful chatter provide a sense of welcome immediately upon arrival. The Bread Company is located on Goodwin in a spot that always seems to be bustling with activity; …

FOOD

Fiesta Cafe a real treat for vegans

For years, I have celebrated many birthdays by going out to dinner at one Mexican restaurant or another. Oftentimes, I have equated my love for Mexican cuisine to the mere fact that I was born on Mexico's Independence day (September 16). But, one of my favorite things about Mexican food is that it happens to be incredibly simple in terms of accommodating a vegan. My latest birthday was spent at Fiesta Cafe. This little delight is located on First …

FOOD

Confounding name, delicious food

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Most days, being vegan means being creative with food items gathered, prepared and consumed. And even more, one must be creative when dining out at restaurant — especially in a barely urban context like central Illinois. To me, this poses a challenge, but never a hardship. Most people question what a vegan is supposed to eat; many cannot possibly figure out how to eat a deliciously satisfying meal beyond the realm of meat, cheese, eggs or other animal products. …

Most Recent Food Comments

{username}

Pamela - Are the roasteries in Seattle as clean as CSR?  It always disturbs me a little that it is so clean in there.

Mike Ingram avatar

Love CSR.  Apart from making my way through the regular roasts in 1/2 pound increments, I also like to pick up some of the little sample packets of the flavored stuff for when the lady and I feel like getting crazy.  Sticky Bun is pretty nice.

{username}

HUUUUUUGE fan of their Black Velvet roast…It makes up about 75% of my coffee intake. LOL CSR is definitely one of those Champaign institutions that I brag about to people not from here. :-)

{username}

We like CSR too! We french press at home and I leave the lid off while it steeps—letting the ground beans bloom. Then, like in your tasting, I scoop off the top layer before pressing. We really need to invest in a burr grinder though, as I…

{username}

I had their tea at the Urbana Farmer’s Market when they first started out and it was great! Their tins recently caught my eye at Walnut Street Tea Company and my guests used it all up before I could even try it! Way to go Tiesta, stay…

{username}

Im fine with missing ingredients and of course they fixed things what restaurant fights with the customer over things like that anymore. ( the way social media could affect them) My problem is that I am visiting you place of business within the first week of opening.…

{username}

The second visit to Meatheads included what tasted like a stale bun. That’s the end of going to Meatheads for a while.

Mike Ingram avatar

That seems like an odd experience to me.  Basically everything you mentioned, apart from price, is contrary to what I’ve witnessed or heard about.  You ate at the restaurant and the burger was cold?  Seems more like the complaint of someone who took something home.  And if…

{username}

Unfortunately i did not have the same experiences that some of you may have had. I went to meatheads the 2nd or 3rd night it was open and I was very disappointed. My burger was cold and soggy. I ordered one of their specialty burgers. A spicy…

Susanna Kline avatar

Ah, I finished it weeks ago—it was figuratively on ice over the holidays… I think each has its own appeal to various consumers, but I hit Buvons/Corkscrew most frequently. The current staff is extremely friendly and has never steered me wrong for a wine pairing, even when…

Most Recent Comments

{username}

Pamela - Are the roasteries in Seattle as clean as CSR?  It always disturbs me a little that it is so clean in there.

JPSherrill avatar

Now you will be able to munch on pizza and shrimp cocktails in downtown Urbana (whilst a DJ spins?) after your dissolution of marriage http://www.news-gazette.com/news/business/features/its-your-business/2012-02-05/its-your-business-new-pizza-place-downtown-urban     Is this a franchise of a Reno pizza joint, or just a coincidence of name? http://www.blackrockpizza.com

{username}

Signs someone is “fishing” for a factual anchor: 1. Starts call to radio with: “I’ve been an Illini fan for (XX) years” or “I’m a diehard fan,” as if somehow that unverifiable claim will justify the 5 minutes of B.S. that follows. 2. Makes reference to KenPom…

{username}

That’s what she said.

{username}

Black dog and Siam terrace is where I always go after my divorces.

Mike Ingram avatar

Love CSR.  Apart from making my way through the regular roasts in 1/2 pound increments, I also like to pick up some of the little sample packets of the flavored stuff for when the lady and I feel like getting crazy.  Sticky Bun is pretty nice.

Rob McColley avatar

If you happen to be getting a divorce, or fighting a DUI prosecution, downtown Urbana is a great place to eat.

{username}

HUUUUUUGE fan of their Black Velvet roast…It makes up about 75% of my coffee intake. LOL CSR is definitely one of those Champaign institutions that I brag about to people not from here. :-)

{username}

We like CSR too! We french press at home and I leave the lid off while it steeps—letting the ground beans bloom. Then, like in your tasting, I scoop off the top layer before pressing. We really need to invest in a burr grinder though, as I…

{username}

Confidential? In this state? Hahahahahahahhahahaha

isaac arms avatar

just confirmed:  there will be white russians served. the art abides.

isaac arms avatar

big lebowski at the art. mark it, dude.

{username}

There’s a great video promo out for “Company” too: http://vimeo.com/36077847

{username}

Wow, His Majesty took the time to answer your polite plea. It’s been a while since I spoke fluent arrogance, but allow this attempt at a translation: “I deeply regret the embarrassment…” = I wish we hadn’t got caught and it wasn’t a big deal really. “...and…

{username}

I love the Guitars

{username}

I had their tea at the Urbana Farmer’s Market when they first started out and it was great! Their tins recently caught my eye at Walnut Street Tea Company and my guests used it all up before I could even try it! Way to go Tiesta, stay…

{username}

Im fine with missing ingredients and of course they fixed things what restaurant fights with the customer over things like that anymore. ( the way social media could affect them) My problem is that I am visiting you place of business within the first week of opening.…

isaac arms avatar

Thanks for that, Louis CK.

{username}

Your call to stay pissed is precisely why global warming fanatics will fail.  Emotion has no place in hard science.  The problem with the issue of global warming is that is has been pumped full of emotion and politics, and the science is becoming a by-product. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204301404577171531838421366.html?KEYWORDS=global+warming

{username}

Clearly the Postal Officials in favor of this cannot make an economic argument, as this saves the post office $0.  What is their rationale?

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