Smile Politely introduces a new column dedicated to discovering the best Bloody Marys, biscuits and gravy, and flapjacks in town.
Posts by Liz Jackson:
Another Look at Sam’s Café‘s Lebanese Menu: Take-Out Popular Downtown
Trust me: you can’t generally get authentic Lebanese food in any American city, let alone any Midwestern college town. So it warrants a visit or two to downtown Champaign, where on Thursday and Friday evenings …
A Look at the New Bombay Indian Grill
A regular carry-out customer at Bombay Grill on campus, I was curious to check out Bombay’s second location, the much larger space on First St. that formerly housed Basmati Indian restaurant. While the food was …
Dollar Sushi and More at Sushi Kame
During the spring and summer of this last year, I made a habit out of enjoying the dollar sushi at Ko-Fusion, inviting friends along with me, and even defending the slow service and roll variety …
Why I Heart the Esquire Lounge
My love for Esquire took about three years to develop, but it is a strong and enduring love. Looking back, it seems incredible that I didn’t give Esquire a chance sooner. Centrally located in downtown …
Burgers-Only at Farren’s
Sometimes my friends and I try to expand our horizons beyond the usual haunts, downtown bars and fine dining options. Sometimes we’re delighted by our experimenting, and other times, regretful. Twice in the last few …
Diners Can Find Authentic Mexican Food at Fiesta Cafe
Growing up in Oregon, my first grown-up food was a bean burrito. My peers and I studied Spanish in elementary school and, as teenagers, enjoyed fine tequilas with mariachi musicians as often as we chugged …
Cafe Luna Moves Fine Dining Restaurant Across the Tracks
If you aren’t here for college, then there are few reasons to roam among the suburban youth who tan, binge drink and mate along East Green Street for eight months each year. There are a …
Crane Alley Offers “Just Right” Dining Experience
While it isn’t difficult to find a bar in downtown Champaign that suits your mood or credit card balance available (or a club, if that’s your bag), finding a decent place to eat can be …