Although I try to eat healthy most times, a real weakness of mine is a classic cheeseburger and fries. The fries have to be crispy, and the burger can’t have any pink. If those things are included, chances are, I’ll be a happy eater. I follow Broadway Food Hall on Instagram, so I’ve seen some crazy combinations that La Royale has put out, like the Elvis burger that has peanut butter and bananas on top of meat, but that is not what called me to the food stand. I’m interested in the much less adventurous classic single with cheese. La Royale doesn’t have a standard single cheeseburger — the menu only offers a double — but if you ask, they make it for you without a problem. I’ve been in situations before at a burger place where you don’t realize the cheeseburger comes with two patties, so I’m glad they are up front about it.
My burger came in a cute brown box with crinkle cut fries ($5.03; the double cheeseburger is $5, and fries are an additional $2). The burger was wrapped in paper to reduce those annoying spills. The fries are kind of thick, but there is still that nice crunch element that makes for a good bite. Ketchup is available in containers at the station before you sit down.
Now for the burger… I have to say, I loved it! It had all of my favorite toppings: mayo, ketchup, lettuce, and pickles on a beef patty with cheese on a nicely toasted bun. La Royale has definitely mastered the classic American cheeseburger. The bun nicely absorbed many of the toppings so it never got too messy.
The next thing I wanted to try at La Royale was the egg and cheesy breakfast sandwich. Bacon isn’t part of the original sandwich, but it’s only a dollar to add on, so I did for a total of 
$4.97. This seems to be the same bun that was used with the cheeseburger. It’s toasted on the outside, but still soft on the inside and has a mild sweetness. The bacon was distributed on the bottom layer of the sandwich; there was a consistent crunch to each bite. The egg and cheese were not scarce on this sandwich, so you’ll want to make sure you come in with an appetite. I came in hungry, and I still wasn’t able to finish the whole thing.
I guess you can say this is a review of the classics: cheeseburger, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich with bacon, and lastly, a chocolate shake. When serving classics like these, they have to be on point! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been disappointed when thinking I was playing it safe at a new spot. I’m so happy that wasn’t the case at La Royale.
The shake was $4.42, and I wasn’t asked a size option. Although it looks small, the shake is very rich, so it was all I needed. It had a thick consistency that you look for in shakes, and had just the right amount of chocolate. I’d go back for it again.
At Broadway Food Hall, you walk into a nice, open space with five different food stations, so everyone has their pick. The seats range from couches, high tables, regular tables, and even bar type seating near one of the entrances. The lighting is kind of dim with hanging lights strategically placed around the ceiling, and larger dim centerpieces above the main tables. It creates a more intimate setting, and I do feel at ease and comfortable. This place is somewhere you can get a quick bite alone, or to come and let the day pass by with friends.
The first two times I went to Broadway Food Hall were during the day. It’s a great place to have a lunch meeting with co-workers, or just catch up with a friend mid-day. The third time I went was at night, and it was a completely different vibe. It was busier, with people drinking and eating, a basketball game was up on a big screen projector, and it was an all around good feel for some chill, nighttime fun. I’m so glad this review gave me a chance to go to Broadway Food Hall, and try La Royale; it is officially my new favorite spot.
La Royale
Broadway Food Hall
401 N Broadway
Urbana
M-W 8 a.m. to 3 p.m
Th + F 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Photos by Anisa McClinton