If you’re looking to enjoy the great weather, the cuteness of the baby goats, and a serving of grits this spring, load four of your friends into your car and head north on Lincoln until you hit Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery.
Prairie Fruits Farm is serving breakfast on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon through April 27. Arrive early and definitely carpool, as menu items do run out and parking is tight for late arrivals.
Our motley crew managed to arrive around 10:30 a.m. last Saturday, April 6. We were directed to a parking spot near the edge of the property and told there would be a 45 minute wait. The time passed quickly with free gelato samples, plenty of friendly faces stopping by to chat, and a visit to the baby goat area while our manly companions held our place in line.
By the time we ordered, the tamales were sold out (so we’ll have to trust that they were, indeed, “the Kim Jung Illest”). Pam’s grandpa said not to chug the goat’s milk, but Pam happily ignored this advice. I had the grit cakes with a poached egg and smoked tomato pesto, which was marvelous. My side order of coffee cake was delicious — not too sweet, which was a good pairing for the delicious goat’s milk hot chocolate.
My companions thoroughly enjoyed the biscuits and gravy, the parfait led to smiley faces all around, and the short stack was great even for a non-kid. Each order is served on a small paper plate (the better to compost, my dear), except the parfait, which turned up in a ceramic bowl.
Portions are a bit smaller than your average brunch fare, but they are just perfect with a side of coffee, cake, or the rich goat’s milk hot chocolate.
Our crowd got the last of the goat’s milk hot chocolate, so be sure to get there early if you have your heart set on trying it (and, let’s be honest, it was amazing and you are curious).
There are a few long indoor tables for dining, so get ready to socialize with your tamale-hogging neighbor (or send an ambassador to snag seating for a larger group).
Everything on the menu cost $6.50 or less, and a very filling meal was under $10. Prairie Fruits Farm accepts cash and credit cards. The menu is different every week — check their Facebook page or Twitter feed for updates.
You can sample and buy cheese, gelato, t-shirts, and breads while waiting in line or as you pass the three little pigs (not kidding) and return to your car. We went home with goat’s milk honey chevre gelato ($10 for 14 oz.) and angel food goat cheese ($10).
Perhaps the Prairie Fruits Farm menu says it best: They put the “champ in Champaign. Boom.” Be a champ, get out there and enjoy a great local breakfast at an awesome farm with a friendly staff, free gelato while you wait, and fantastic (no goats were harmed in the making of) goat’s milk hot chocolate.
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Menu photo courtesy of the Prairie Fruits Farms Facebook page.
Photos of two meals by John Clevenger and his phone.
Photo of the three little pigs by Susanna Kline.
