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Illinois Football: Your Weekend Guide to Champaign

By John Everette

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Headed to the Illinois football game this weekend? Excited for Lovie’s debut but in need of some tips on where to go other than Memorial Stadium? Look no further!

Now, a disclaimer: I don’t currently live in Champaign. But I spent four glorious years of college there from 2006-2010, and then another four years visiting my sister while she attended until graduating this past spring.

In fact, I’ve been visiting my entire life. It’s where my dad grew up, where my parents met and where my grandfather still lives. I’m about as local as a non-local can be.

If your internet stalking skills are as good as you try to convince the new girl at work they aren’t, then you can easily figure out what I look like and maybe find me definitely not imbibing at some of these spots…

Friday night

As soon as you check in to your hotel on Friday evening, it’s time to grab some dinner. There’s no better place to start your weekend than with a hearty meal at The Ribeye (1701 S Neil St).

Don’t let the website from 1994 fool you. The food is fantastic, the service is great and the ambiance is perfect for an Illini fan, with old photos, jerseys and autographs dotting every inch of the walls.

The salad bar alone is enough to get me there, not to mention their namesake menu item.

After dinner, clog your system further with some delicious ice cream at Jarlings, which is nearby (309 W Kirby Ave). Personally, I’m a big fan of Cookies ‘n Cream (in a cup, mind you, we’re not animals), but to each their own.

Since you’re fully ready to keep consuming stuff, it’s time for a nightcap at Tumble Inn (302 S Neil St). You know what they say? “Tumble In, Stumble Out.” Classic.

I haven’t directed you to campus yet, and there’s a reason for that. You’ll have more time tomorrow. For now, you’re going to an old-school sports/dive bar with cheap beer, friendly crowds and plenty of bar games that remind you of a bygone era.

Relax and enjoy your first night, and get ready for a big day.

Saturday – Pre-game

You’re lucky this weekend: The opener is at 2:30 p.m. CT. Not many of those, or night games, in recent years. With Lovie on board and recruiting already ticking up, I expected fewer 11 a.m. start times than previous years, but I’m pleasantly surprised it’s happening this soon.

When you do get out of bed, it’s time to hit up Merry Ann’s Diner for breakfast. Depending on where you’re staying, you’ve got three options: 1510 S Neil St (near Memorial Stadium and The Ribeye), 1 E Main St (right in downtown Champaign) or 701 S Gregory St (on campus in Urbana).

Merry Ann’s has everything you need to get over the hump and begin your day on the right note. At the original location on Neil, the booths line up right next to the kitchen, and you’re in and out with a full stomach and a full wallet.

This is a late breakfast, so eat up. No time for an actual lunch today — if you want food later, definitely get a hot dog or burger at the game.

You have a little bit of time to check out the campus and, more specifically, Green Street. Knock back a few adult bevvies at any number of the places below, depending on your mood, style and crowd preference:

  • Looking for a super-Illini crowd that’s also probably headed to the game later? Legend’s Bar and Grill is your spot (522 E Green St).
  • Wanting a low-key hangout at an Irish pub? Murphy’s Pub will do the trick (604 E Green St).
  • Needing to pretend you’re still in college? Head to Joe’s Brewery (706 S 5th St).

You really can’t go wrong with any of these, or countless others not named in this blog. Walk around a bit. You’ll find something you like.

However, there’ll be more time for campus after the game. As you make your way to Memorial Stadium, leave some time to tailgate and check out Grange Grove, right outside the west entrance to the stadium.

It’s run by the university, so I’m *pretty sure they don’t sell booze. But, if you have kids, this is a great place to take them, as it’s very family friendly. And even if you don’t bring kids, it’s still a fun atmosphere to enjoy before the game, especially if you don’t have your own tailgate to attend.

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Saturday – Post-game

Following our Illinois football team drubbing Murray State (yay?), fight your way back to Green Street/campus town for some grub and a night out. Be aware, it’s going to be packed around here, and anywhere else you go after the game, so plan accordingly.

A perfect spot for dinner, one that embodies the nightlife of campus and serves above average food, is Firehaus (708 S 6th St). Firehaus has great burgers, sandwiches and wraps, plus soups and salads. There’s definitely something for everyone.

Now, dinner’s over; where to? Last, but definitely not least, there’s one place I haven’t mentioned yet. Well, there are a lot of places I haven’t mentioned, but there’s one in particular…

KAM’S (618 E Daniel St).

This is a special place. Bars like KAM’S don’t exist anymore. For basically my entire Senior year, the one men’s bathroom stall just didn’t have a partition. It was broken in a fight. They just left it.

The floors are constantly sticky, it smells and there doesn’t ever really seem to be any semblance of order. It’s perfect.

If you’ve stuck with me for this long, I salute you. Give this blog a quick read: brewhouseblog.com/2012/10/02/a-true-college-bar/. It’s the best description of KAM’S I’ve ever heard, and it will explain everything.

By this point, I hope you’ve enjoyed a wonderful weekend in Champaign.

Next: Game-By-Game Predictions for the 2016 Season

Sunday morning

Get out.

GO ILLINI.

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