This weekend, the dynamic duo of Roger Ebert’s Film Festival and the Illinois Marathon converge on downtown Champaign.
While there’s plenty of things to do on a normal weekend in Champaign, crowds and lines will almost certainly be a thing this weekend. So this week, instead of our new series “Weekend Eats,” we’re providing you a guide for where to find what.
(Photo by Jake Williams)
Grab a bite from a food truck
Like most years of Ebertfest, a number of food trucks will be parked in front of the Virginia Theatre during meal breaks between different films.
Starting on Wednesday, April 23, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., The Main Scoop (ice cream), The German Food Truck (German) and Mo’s Burritos (burritos, tacos, quesadillas, tortas) will all be outside the theatre serving dinner.
On Thursday, those three trucks return for the lunch break, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. For dinner on Thursday, Patty Daddy’s (burgers) joins The Main Scoop and The German Food Truck from 7 to 10 p.m.
For Friday’s Ebertfest lunch break, between 12 and 3 p.m., Levi’s Chuck Wagon (burgers, sandwiches, etc.), The Main Scoop and The German Food Truck will be parked outside of the theatre. For dinner, The German Food Truck returns alongside Patty Daddy’s and Haute Boxx (burgers, wings).
Saturday April 26 is the final day of the film festival (and the day of the Illinois Marathon). Food trucks Primo Gelati (gelato) and Levi’s Chuck Wagon wrap up the festival with dinner in the evening from 6 - 9:30 p.m.
A quick snack or drink
Just a few minutes walk away from the Virginia Theatre, straight down Park Avenue, is The Literary. With an extensive coffee and beverage menu, The Lit is a great place to stop in in between movies for a pick-me-up, or during meal times for an item from their carefully-crafted menu. The Literary is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day of the festival.
Two stellar bars are right next to The Lit on Neil Street. Hound’s Court (formerly The Blind Pig) is a great, cozy spot for a beer. Hound’s Court is open 3 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, as well as from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Weather-permitting, Hound’s Court’s outdoor seating is fantastic.
Just down the street from Hound’s Court is Quality. Quality also boasts outdoor seating, as well as a tap list of great draft beers, as well as a cocktail menu. Quality is open from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. every day.
A short walk further down Taylor St. or Chester St. brings you toward Esquire Lounge. Esquire occupies the corner of E. Chester Street and N. Walnut St., and is a Champaign classic. The vibe at Esquire is casual, and accessible, and there’s ample space for a busy crowd. Check out their pizzas, surprisingly-great dumplings, and signature Pineapple Margarita. Esquire has perhaps the most expansive hours in downtown Champaign and is open from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. each day.
Upscale experiences
Just down Park St. from the Virginia Theatre is Hamilton Walker’s. Hamilton Walker’s is Champaign’s go-to steakhouse. With an authentic, classy steakhouse vibe, Hamilton Walker’s is a fantastic choice for steaks (obviously), generously portioned sides and appetizers, and classic cocktails. Hamilton Walker’s is open from 4 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, and from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday.
Across N. Neil Street from Hamilton Walker’s is Nando Milano. Nando Milano is classy all the way around. From great pasta dishes to Italian classics, as well as a beautiful cocktail menu, Nando Milano is your spot for a great meal and nice libation. The restaurant is open from 5 to 10 p.m. each day of the festival.
For a nightcap, or after dinner drink, check out Punch! Bar & Lounge. Located in the lobby of the Hyatt Place hotel, Punch! has some of the best cocktails in town, along with skilled bartenders who can make (or come up with) pretty much anything. Punch! is open from 4 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, and 4 to 11 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Great, casual eats
Just one building separates Hamilton Walker’s from Watson’s Shack & Rail, but the feeling of these two restaurants could not be more different. At Watson’s, you exchange steaks for fried chicken and classic cocktails for creative innovations. You’d be hard-pressed at Watson’s to find a meal you don’t love. The sandwiches are excellent, and don’t sleep on the pimento cheese appetizer. Watson’s is open from 4 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. The restaurant opens earlier for lunch on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Down car-free Taylor Street from the intersection of Park Avenue and Neil Street is Cowboy Monkey. Cowboy Monkey brings you great tex-mex and occasional live music, as well as solid cocktails. Cowboy Monkey is open from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. throughout the festival.
Unforgettable honorable mentions
There’s no shortage of incredible food and drink in downtown Champaign. If the above are too crowded, or not your feeling, you can check out any of the following spots that are less than a 10-minute walk from the Virginia Theatre: Pizzeria Antica (wood-fired pizza), Sam’s Cafe (diner classics), Farren’s Pub & Eatery (burgers, drinks and American food), Guido’s Bar & Grill (American), Neil St. Blues (southern soul food), Big Grove Tavern (little bit of everything, big family-friendly restaurant), The Space (burgers and other elevated diner experiences), Collective Pour (cocktails and beer), Smith Burger Co. (burgers), Sticky Rice (Thai), Bentley’s (cocktails), Seven Saints (great sliders, little bit of everything) and Pour Bros. Craft Taproom (beer).
Find these places and more on the above embedded map. While Roger Ebert said “Every great film should seem new every time you see it,” we feel the same way about restaurants.
You can’t go wrong with any of the above. I'll see you at the movies (and these restaurants).
Jake Williams is a journalist, editor and publisher, as well as the CEO of the Illini Media Company.