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 friendly I have ever had. She was quite knowledgeable and answered my questions about which items were vegan or could be made vegan.
The Cafe itself has an exceptionally long history in Urbana. The property itself was allegedly home to the first ever property built in this part of Illinois. The current building served as the site of the Courier Newspaper which became a weekly circulation leader in 1890s. After it suffered the wrath of a fire that almost destroyed it in the 1950s, the newspaper finally succumbed to the pressures of competing with the News-Gazette in 1979. Finally in 1980, the building became this timeless and whimsical little establishment, The Courier Cafe.
The menu allows you the ability to create your own concoction, which as I have articulated previously can be a challenge, but never a hardship. I ultimately decided upon a half sandwich/half soup combo. The soup of the day was veggie chili. It was everything I adore in chili-it was not too spicy, but did have a slight kick. It consisted of kidney beans, onion, tomato, and carrots.
While I was finishing the savory chili, my entree was delivered. I had settled on the Italian Grilled Artichoke Bagel. The minute she set the platter on the table, I could smell the basil permeating emanating from the artichokes. The combination of artichoke and basil was one I had never tried in combination prior to this, and it was unquestionably spectacular. The entree was larger than I had expected with olives, artichokes, tomato, a pickle, onions, and carrots tumbling off the half slice of bagel. It was a mountain of enticing and gratifying fare to say the least.
I whole-heartedly recommend the Courier Cafe, not only for its distinct and wistful dining environment, but also because of the exceptionally pleasant staff and the ridiculously fulfilling foodstuffs.
One of the ingredients of the bagel is honey, so I suggest that you order this item with a pita instead.
General Disclaimer: The foods featured in this article are vegan to the best of the author's knowledge. If you follow the vegan diet strictly, always ask before trying the recommended dishes.
The Courier Cafe is located at 111 N Race St. Urbana, Ill. 61801
www.couriersilvercreek.com
12 comments
Here is my complaint about the article…
Now I am at work and SO FRICKIN’ HUNGRY FROM THAT AMAZING LOOKING PICTURE.
Arghhhh. So tasty looking….
(and yay for friendly service. The service has been my issue with the place the few times I’ve been there, but I got so tired of it that I stopped going over a year ago. If it’s better, maybe I’ll check it out again.)
Great article, I’ll try some of these options the next time I find myself at The Courier for lunch.
While I enjoyed the article, the editing could use a little work…
“Illinous” (spelling)
“food stuffs” (should be foodstuffs)
“the basil permeating from the artichokes” (You might have been thinking of emanating, which is a related word but is used differently)
“The combination of artichoke and basil was one I had never tried in combination prior to this” (redundant and awkward)
I try not to be the spelling and grammar police, but this was below SP’s usual standards.
Caleb Curtiss
Look Jason, we give it all we can, but sometimes its not enough.
I guess this is what we get. This is what we get when we meeessssss withJasonZylkaaaa!
: )
Nice article, Kimberly.
Fixed those, Jason. We also accept corrections through the info@smilepolitely.com address.
Now, on to the matter at hand: who’s going to start the flame war regarding veganism, disclaimers, and food radicalism? There’s a certain expectation now, and I hope you don’t let us down.
This one is my fault… I was distracted by all the men playing sports in my office currently.
Well… how do we know the pita bread doesn’t have white sugar in it!
Tom A
The artichoke bagel’s my favorite lunch/dinner option there. Best fries in the area.
I recommend checking out the Cha-Cha Charritos for breakfast (subbing tofu for eggs, removing the cheese and sour cream). The black bean patties do have some egg whites (which they always remind you of) but you could probably boost up the tofu instead.
@Joel
Thanks for the tip, I’ll try to remember to use it in the future.
In a test of Poe’s Law I’d like to point out that this article about vegan dining is being delivered to my screen using electrons which were likely generated through the combustion of coal, which is an animal product. The hypocrisy of this arrangement is almost more than I can bear.
Tao of Moo
I’d start a flame war but all that looks pretty good to me. I’ll wait until someone tries to claim moral superiority over the exploitation of our insect brethren’s discharges before revisiting my rants against irrational beliefs and evolution denial.
Kelley Wegeng
I love the Courier Cafe. More than I can even explain. It’s the first sit-down restaurant I ever recall frequenting without a grownup along - my friends and I tended to land there about once a month in sixth grade.
That said, I feel it’s worth mentioning (as innocuously as possible) that the place isn’t wheelchair accessible. It’s a historic building, there isn’t space to add accessibility without seriously reducing the square footage, and I don’t hold it against them. I didn’t even realize it myself until I tried to bring my mom to this amazing place to which my friends had introduced me (again, in sixth grade) and being shocked I couldn’t. I mention it here just in case there are readers who might need to know - it’s probable that most frequenters of the establishment are, like I was, unaware.
I’m a fan of veganizing the Buenos Dias burrito. Like the Cha-Cha-Charritos, this involves subbing tofu for eggs, ditching cheese and sour cream, and getting un-sauteed mushrooms. It’s awesome.
bookworm
@10 In nice weather it’s pleasant to eat outside, which is accessible since it’s on the sidewalk.
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