Summertime on campus can feel like a ghost town, with only a handful of students occupying an area which normally has tens-of-thousands more. This is the perfect opportunity for those of us who call Champaign-Urbana our permanent home to venture into campustown when traffic is light and the weather is ideal for walking around. Here’s my list of the top places to eat while students are away from campus.
Sakanaya
“Sakanaya” is Japanese for “fish market” and that’s just what they do at this restaurant. The menu includes a number of traditional Japanese dishes, but is definitely known for their large variety of delicious sushi.
Sakanaya
403 E Green St
Champaign
M-Th 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
F + Sa 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; 5 p.m. to midnight
Murphy’s Pub
This classic mainstay on campus is crowded almost any time, any day during the school year. Take advantage of the short line at bar to grab a cold beer/cocktail and fill up with the variety of typical bar food including, but not limited to, burger, salads, and chicken wings. I must recommend the Irish nachos, to share or (preferably) keep for yourself.
Murphy’s Pub
604 E Green St
Champaign
11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily (may close earlier during summertime, dependent on business)
Jipbap Taste of Korea
Jipbap is a great Korean restaurant that can fill your stomach without empyting your wallet. The majority of the dishes are based around a noodle or rice bowl, with a variety of different meats and veggies you can choose from. The restaurant also offers soup and traditional Asian sides such as dumplings and kimchi.
Jipbap Taste of Korea
601 S Sixth St
10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Red Herring
The Red Herring is a vegan/vegetarian which has buying ingredients locally and operating sustainably at the core of their mission. The non-profit restaurant uses all proceeds to re-invest in the business and keep prices low for those seeking a healthy-eating lifestyle. The food is just as wonderful as the mission- salads, sandwhiches, and appetizers, fresh as homemade & home grown. Eating here shows just how easy it can be to be vegan/vegetarian without sacrificing taste or sustinence.
Red Herring
1209 W Oregon St
Urbana
M-F 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
W 5 to 8 p.m.
Photos by Steven Pratten