The VFW #630 in Urbana, a club for veterans, is open to the public, and now has a restaurant serving lunch Tuesday through Friday and dinner on Tuesday and Friday nights.
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
Adorning the walls of the restaurant were a variety of plaques, framed photos, and glass shadow boxes of memorabilia and medals. Along the dining room walls, there were flags and a POW/MIA table, a table set up in honor of fallen, missing, or imprisoned military service members. I even heard one diner talking to a veteran about his upcoming 100 year birthday party.
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
I stopped by for lunch on Friday to try the new restaurant’s lunch. Parking is plentiful, and I walked through two doors to enter the bar. Through the bar, I walked to the well-lit dining room of white tables. I wanted to try a variety from the new menu, so I ordered the Friday special of fried fish sandwich, a cheeseburger with fries, and an appetizer.
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
All of this food was $17, and the two drinks (a beer and a mixed drink) were $6.25. It was quite an affordable — and huge — lunch.
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
I ordered the cheeseburger ($6), and it came with pickles and onions plus a side of fries. The burger had two patties, smashed with lacy edges, with two slices of melty American cheese. The flavor was fantastic. The long pickles and raw onion gave a great crunch to the burger. It was piping hot and everything I want from a burger. The fries were delicious and plentiful.
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
My husband ordered the Friday lunch special: a fried fish sandwich ($7.50). The fish was so big that it stuck out both sides. The coleslaw was sweet, and the tartar sauce was good. The crispy, light batter on the fish was incredible. This fish special is definitely worth trying. The special came with a huge side of coleslaw and a side of fries. This was a ton of food for $7.50, and it was so tasty.
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
We also ordered a side of fried green beans ($3.50), and they were really good. There were interesting sides like fried pickle spears and cheese curds in addition to sides of fries, coleslaw, and potato salad.
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
The excellent food is no surprise when you learn who is running the kitchen. Cooks Zachary Bronson and Katrina Downes are a pair from the kitchen of Radio Maria where Bronson was the sous chef and Downes was a cook and bartender.
The manager of the bar and restaurant is Brad Gould, former State Commander. Check out the full menu and peep those low prices.
Photo provided by VFW #630.
Sauces were also available, and a handwritten list of the ten available sauces ranged from ranch to buffalo to sweet and sour.
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
Remember to bring cash as no cards are accepted; the restaurant and bar are both cash only. It’s a great little spot to go for a weekday meal. The VFW #630 has good food at cheap prices, and it’s a nice place to go to remember the service of our veterans.
VFW 630
1303 E Main St
Urbana
T 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. + 5 to 8 p.m.
W-Th 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
F 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. + 5 to 8 p.m.
Top image by Alyssa Buckley.
