The Courier Cafe can go vegan, too : Food : Smile Politely

The Courier Cafe can go vegan, too

Posted in FOOD & DRINK to Eat it Vegan C-U by Kimberly Leifker on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at 11:00 am

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

Beth Dillman

04/27/10 at 04:14

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.)

Jason Z.

04/27/10 at 04:00

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

04/27/10 at 04:29

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.

Joel Gillespie

04/27/10 at 04:56

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.

Seth Fein

04/27/10 at 04:10

This one is my fault… I was distracted by all the men playing sports in my office currently.

Kelly Innes

04/27/10 at 04:16

Well… how do we know the pita bread doesn’t have white sugar in it!

Tom A

04/27/10 at 04:23

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.

Jason Z.

04/27/10 at 04:02

@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

04/28/10 at 04:10

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

04/28/10 at 04:55

#10

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.

Brian

05/06/10 at 05:07

#11

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

06/04/10 at 06:45

#12

@10 In nice weather it’s pleasant to eat outside, which is accessible since it’s on the sidewalk.

Add A Comment

A note about our commenting policy.

Commenting has been disabled on this post. We only allow comments for 30 days.

Most Recent Food Comments

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

Posted by Brian to the entry 'Columbia Street Roastery blends with the best on 02/06/12.

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.

Posted by Mike Ingram to the entry 'Columbia Street Roastery blends with the best on 02/04/12.

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. :-)

Posted by Mertz to the entry 'Columbia Street Roastery blends with the best on 02/03/12.

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…

Posted by Kirstin to the entry 'Columbia Street Roastery blends with the best on 02/03/12.

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…

Posted by LH to the entry 'Tiesta Tea: A local success story on 02/02/12.

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.…

Posted by C-U Later to the entry 'Meatheads Burgers and Fries: A carnivorous delight on 02/02/12.

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

Posted by Q-Tips to the entry 'Meatheads Burgers and Fries: A carnivorous delight on 02/01/12.

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…

Posted by Mike Ingram to the entry 'Meatheads Burgers and Fries: A carnivorous delight on 01/31/12.

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…

Posted by C-U Later to the entry 'Meatheads Burgers and Fries: A carnivorous delight on 01/31/12.

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…

Posted by Susanna Kline to the entry 'Wine Bar Wars: part trois on 01/30/12.

Food Archives

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

Most Recent Comments

best for you <a >chanel bags 2011</a> for promotion code

By Kattshen to the entry 'Two Beers with Dylan Heath, round two on 02/07/12.

Nope. It’s the back (east) side of Urbana Tire Company at 202 S. Vine. How much is a hug and kiss worth? Do I have to take them all at once or can I break it up?

By Dave to the entry 'Boing Boing props up Urbana graffiti "artist" on 02/07/12.

FACT: Silverfish feed only on carbohydrates, such as starches and sugars. They will not consume proteins or fats (the main materials from which human beings are constructed). THUS: That was not actually a human waiter we were conversing with, but rather a lifelike simulacrum created from semi-digested Fruit Loops.

By fruit_loops to the entry 'The Fifty Flip Experiment on 02/07/12.

nice fishnets you’ve got there, dan!

By secret_admirer to the entry 'The Fifty Flip Experiment on 02/07/12.

is that illini auto on main?

By isaac arms to the entry 'Boing Boing props up Urbana graffiti "artist" on 02/07/12.

The geniuses at the News-Gazette site have it all figured out. This happened because we don’t have the Chief!

By Q-Tips to the entry 'Politics play in Illini loss to Northwestern on 02/06/12.

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

By Brian to the entry 'Columbia Street Roastery blends with the best on 02/06/12.

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

By JPSherrill to the entry 'More C-U restaurants come and go on 02/06/12.

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…

By Q-Tips to the entry 'Illinois bad, MSU worse, Izzo terrible on 02/06/12.

That’s what she said.

By kiel to the entry 'Illini pull out an ugly one on 02/04/12.

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

By Ryan to the entry 'More C-U restaurants come and go on 02/04/12.

By Mike Ingram to the entry 'Columbia Street Roastery blends with the best on 02/04/12.

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

By Rob McColley to the entry 'More C-U restaurants come and go on 02/03/12.

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. :-)

By Mertz to the entry 'Columbia Street Roastery blends with the best on 02/03/12.

By Kirstin to the entry 'Columbia Street Roastery blends with the best on 02/03/12.

Confidential? In this state? Hahahahahahahhahahaha

By Not_again. to the entry 'LGBTQ participants needed for research study on community involvement on 02/03/12.

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

By isaac arms to the entry 'Weekender: February 3–5 on 02/03/12.

big lebowski at the art. mark it, dude.

By isaac arms to the entry 'Weekender: February 3–5 on 02/03/12.

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

By Lindsey to the entry 'Weekender: February 3–5 on 02/03/12.

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…

By Local Yocal to the entry 'An open letter to University of Illinois President Michael Hogan on 02/03/12.