As the semester end approaches, I’m already thinking ahead about what I’ll be treating myself to this weekend.
With finals week just one week away, project deadlines are rapidly approaching, so unwinding with some great eats is a must. Come with me as I guide you through my ideal (free from the constraints of time & money) weekend eating and drinking through Champaign-Urbana for our second Weekend Eats!
(Photo by Sam Ehlinger)
One of my favorite ways to unwind after a long week is to go out to a sit-down restaurant alone and eat. Sticky Rice in downtown Champaign is the perfect spot for this.
The quiet and cozy atmosphere of the restaurant is perfect to sit and do some quiet reflecting or window-watching while enjoying a meal. Any of their curries make for a great meal to reflect and relax over, though I am inclined towards the pumpkin curry. The spice levels here range from mild to ‘Lao Hot’, which is what I usually get. A fair word of warning for anyone wanting to try their spiciest options here — they do not play around with spice.
I usually am leaving with tears in my eyes and my mouth on fire. This particular curry is vibrantly colored and a luxurious feast. The pumpkin makes for a tender, melt-in-your-mouth richness that I sometimes feel can be hard to get when eating out as a vegetarian. Unlike other curries on the menu, this one comes with vermicelli rice noodles.
Cooling off at Jarling’s Custard Cup
After indulging in some spicy curry, a cold dessert is exactly what I need.
When the weather is nice, sitting outside of Jarling’s and talking to friends while the sun sets is one of my all time favorite Champaign-Urbana activities. I like to keep it simple here and stick to some all time classic flavors — a strawberry shake from the drive through, or a tortoise with almonds if dining in.
Jarling’s has been a staple of the desert scene here since it opened in the 80s, and it’s not hard to see why it remains such to this day. Their custard is sweet, unbelievably creamy, and a great way to end the night.
(Photo by Sam Ehlinger)
My favorite time of year in town is that first weekend when the outdoor Urbana Market at the Square opens for business.
From May to October, every Saturday morning becomes prime time to sample the best of what Central Illinois has to offer. Throughout the many booths and food trucks at the market, there is no shortage of good eating and drinking to be had.
I usually start off with a coffee from NitroCup’s iconic cold brew coffee cart. If you’ve not had their nitro cold brew before, I would highly recommend it. If I’m not feeling caffeine, my next option is always horchata from Burrito King’s food truck. Of all the horchatas I’ve had, theirs is my absolute favorite. It’s sweet, creamy, and infused with cinnamon, and pairs excellently with a stroll through the market.
The market is also a nice opportunity for me to stock up on fresh produce for the week from local farmers. One of my must-have items here is goat cheese from Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery.
One log of this is more than enough to give me some mid week charcuterie board inspiration when things get busy.
(Photo by Brandon Snyder)
After a morning of strolling through the market and grazing my way around it, I’ve worked up an appetite for a bigger meal.
Dubai Grill is another haven for vegetarians and vegans alike, with an array of options catering to those who do not eat meat. Their vegan plate is a collection of some of the best vegan food you will find in the area. It comes stacked high with falafel, hummus, baba ganoush, tabooleh, dolma, lettuce, tahini sauce and pita bread.
Though there is not a single item on this platter that is not utterly delicious, the standout of the platter is undeniably the falafel.
Always made fresh to order, Dubai Grill’s falafel is light and crispy, and brimming with herbs and spices. If I’m being honest, Dubai Grill’s falafel stands up to several different falafel dishes I tried on a trip to New York City. In fact, it not only stands up, they all paled in comparison to the Champaign-Urbana stop.
(Photo by Sam Ehlinger)
After a busy Saturday, a nice and easy start to Sunday morning is the best approach. Suzu’s in downtown Champaign provides that nice sweet treat type of boost needed to get the rest of the day rolling.
Suzu’s signature miso brownies are a meal on their own — moist, chocolate-filled, and wonderfully dense. Pairing those brownies with a matcha latte not only gives your breakfast a fun color palette of brown & green, but the matcha’s herbal taste goes well with the richness and density of the brownie.
If you’re lucky, you may even be able to grab a day-old loaf of milk bread for a deep discount to go with whatever you purchased at the farmer’s market the day before!
What better way to end the weekend than having a few drinks at a pub and playing trivia?
Trivia on Sunday night at Murphy’s Pub in Campustown helps set a good tone for the rest of the week ahead. Their nightly special for Sunday includes $4 pints of Sam Adams (if you really want to lean into the pub vibe), but they also have other special offers for Budweiser, Bud Light, and others as well.
Of course, no trivia game is complete without a snack for the table to share, and Murphy’s pickle fries with dill aioli are a frequent craving of mine. The thin cut dill pickle strips look almost like regular french fries, but their distinctive sour flavor is what makes them a memorable menu item.
Rounding out the weekend here is a great way to avoid whatever tasks I may have waiting for me back at my apartment and save them for the rest of week instead.
Brandon Snyder is an undergraduate student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.