Hey y’all! Jada Fulcher here, Editor-in-Chief of The Lavender Newsletter.
When I’m not writing and editing all Chambana’s queer news that's fit to print, I'm daydreaming about eating out so I don’t have to cook.
Despite living so close to downtown Champaign, I am a homebody to my core. So for this edition of Chambana Eats, here's a mix of what a perfect food weekend looks like for me as someone who gets takeout wayyyyy too much...
(Photo by Jake Williams)
I am not someone who works a traditional 9-5, and so the concept of time or "the weekend" is kind of meaningless to me. Because of this, I am very much a believer in having a little alcoholic bevvy whenever the mood strikes me!
The cocktails at The Literary are always heavenly and they always have something with a little elderflower liquor in it, which I love. I often opt for the Over the Garden Wall for that alone.
You just get a little buzzy after drinking it, nothing too heavy. If I'm not in an alcoholic mood, then I go for some variant of a sparkling Americano (aka an Americano with sparkling water). My favorite variant of this recently is an espresso tonic. It's a simple drink, espresso, tonic, some orange bitters and a little vanilla, but God is it good!
And it's just as scandalous as alcohol because I definitely should not be drinking caffeine after 2pm.
(Photo by Brandon Snyder)
One of my favorite things about Chambana is the wealth of good Indian food here.
My current spot is Kohinoor Indian Restaurant and Lounge. It's close enough that I can do pickup and get the food back home before it all gets cold!
I make sure to load up on their chili garlic naan and some samosa chaat, and then some paneer korma makes for great food on the night as well as leftovers (if they last that long!)
Put this together with an edible and some 90s anime and you got a perfect Friday night.
I am nothing if not an early bird, so I love getting up early and heading over to Hopscotch Bakery + Market for a sweet breakfast treat.
Hopscotch is easily my favorite bakery in town, and they always have something new and exciting to try. Anyone who frequents the spot knows you have to get in before 10 if you really want the full selection of goods from that morning's bake.
Even if I go in only intending for one treat, I always end up getting a box of stuff. No matter what though, I'm always picking up a ham & havarti croissant, a cinnamon roll, and whatever scone they have for the day.
All that plus the Garden Party, their current seasonal drink (a lavender honey matcha with lemon cold foam), and I will be happy as a clam for as long as those treats last!
So at least a few hours....
(Photo by Jake Williams)
This is one of my regular Saturday adventures and it is worth it every time. I am a lover of cheese, it is actually one of my few vices.
To sate this need for cheese, I subscribe to Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery's CSA!
I've been trying to get more food from local farms to support local agriculture, and so as a cheeselover this was a no-brainer. I pay $20 a week and in exchange I get an amazing cheese from Prairie Fruits, a break or grain of some sort, and other odds and ends that pair with the cheese and are often sourced from other local businesses.
Prairie Fruits has literally award-winning goat cheese and it's worth the price. Plus the little surprises each week add great variety to my home cooking. I've gotten eggs from Joyful Wren farm, bagels from Good Judy's and so many other amazing combos.
Whatever I get from my subscription each Saturday makes for a perfect lunch or late breakfast, and has me feeling even more connected to my community.
(Photo by Jake Williams)
The Space is one of those few spots that will get me out of my house to visit any day of the week. I love a good burger and fry, and The Space's duck fat fries are always perfectly crispy. Take some duck fat fries with their Oklahoma McSmashFace burger, plus whatever live music or entertainment they have going, and you have a nice evening out.
If I'm feeling a little spicy, I'll get a can of Triptych's Dank Meme or whatever drink special they have going on while I'm there.
On a perfect Sunday we are sleeping in! And then for a little lunch/brunch we are stopping by Mo's Burrito’s.
Since the appetizers are amazing, I load up on their steak fries (which is actually steak, fries, and cheese) and a pupusa or two. Then I get a torta milanesa that mostly becomes leftovers, along with a big glass of Jamaica (a hibiscus tea) and some refried beans for meals later in the week. This will leave you stuffed for a few hours, but Sundays are for laying around anyway so you’re good!
(Photo by Jake Williams)
I love a little comfort food and Neil St. Blues is just that for me. Partially because I just love being around so many other Black folks in town, but also because the food is exactly what you want on a chill evening with good friends.
I have never been much of a soup girlie but their corn & crab bisque is so good and creamy in all the right ways. I switch up my order every time, but I can never go wrong with some candied yams, some wings, and a piece of cornbread.
The perfect end-of-weekend meal for someone who wants to feel right at home.
Jada Fulcher is Editor-in-Chief of The Lavender Newsletter, a Chambana-based queer publication for queer news and writing. You can follow their work at thelavendernewsletter.com and on instagram @thelavendernewsletter.