So for all of you Illini and townies, here is my personal take on The Buzz's "Best of C-U." This is not an ego trip (although I do like self-promotion as much as the next person), but it's instead an open way of letting the readers get to know what kind of a scene this blog will be addressing. If it's not your thing, that's totally cool. Just figured I'd get it out there.
Allow me to present the Best of the Best...
Sandwich: Crane Alley
Place to take the parents: Radio Maria (instantly impressive, with amazing food)
Salad: Red Herring
Park: West Side in downtown Champaign, across the street from the IRS/RCS building
Ambience: KoFusion for the out-there funky vibe, Bread Company for the earthy funky vibe (sorry, as you can tell, I really like my funky vibe! And not in that way you sicko!)
Ice Cream: Jarling's Custard Cup (it's custard that's totally worth waiting in line for)
Burger: Murphy's (quarter pound of heart attack-waiting-to-happen)
Fries: Merry Anne's
Place to snore in public: Anywhere your GWS professor isn't
Politician: Tony Fabri (yes, I know that I should be bi-partisan, but you've seriously gotta hand it to a guy who remembers everything about you and shows up to all the big Fem Maj events! Hell, he wasn't even intimidated by Sex Out Loud! He just strode right in and struck up a conversation with the NARAL lady. Go Tony!)
Pancakes: Merry Anne's
Fine dining: Timpone's all the way, although I do want to check out Bacaro sometime
Diner: Merry Anne's (dude, I think they're gonna sweep the awards!)
Barbecue: Blues (this is what REAL southern comfort tastes like)
Vintage: The amazing deals, wild outfits, and smart-ass proprietress obviously make Le Shoppe the best of the best! Luv ya bunches, Cindy!
Used store: Exile on Main Street for CDs, Jane Addams for books, and Le Shoppe for clothes
Stir fry: KoFusion
Mexican food: Chevy's Fresh Mex with Dos Reales a close second
Asian food: Basil Thai of Urbana with Siam Terrace as second
Bookstore: Jane Addams Bookstore (Best selection around of books and a wonderful place to explore with a friend. Make sure the friend knows the basics of used-book-shopping first. It is a fine skill s/he must acquire before stepping foot in this lovely place.)
Fast food: Potbelly's or Jimmy John's
First date location: Aroma Cuban Cafe (come when they've got live music!)
Makeout spot in public: On one of the quads, under a lamp post...you heard that right.
Place to bowl: Illini Union rec room (cosmic bowling, anyone?)
Place to watch the Sunrise: At your friend's house, after a nine-hour party, when you're both sober and talking each other's ears off and then you're all like, "Holy shit, is it 6 AM already?? Let's get breakfast!"
Chicken wings: Buffalo Wild Wings (get the hottest sauce you can handle--it's not called "wild wings" for nothing!)
Milkshake: Courier Cafe
Pizza: Garcia's
T-shirts: Anything sold at Sex Out Loud in March. How can you not love something that says "My sexual preference is safe and often" or "This is what a feminist looks like"?
Grocery Store: World Harvest (the variety and prices helps World Harvest beat out my former favorite, AmKo, for the #1 slot)
Band to watch at a bar: Three-way tie between the Greg Spero Trio (for their eclectic appeal), Angie Heaton (for her attitude and sass), and Hotel Ahead (for their sense of fun).
Concert venue: Highdive
Act at Assembly Hall: Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Campus bar: Legends
Downtown bar: Crane Alley in Urbana, Highdive in Champaign.
Place to buy music: Exile on Main Street
Drink selection: Boltini
Chill bar: Soma Ultra Lounge
DJ bar: C-Street (Chester Street, the club with a triple-decker dance floor!)
Bar food: Tie between Murphy's and Legends
Concert venue: Highdive and Krannert Center
After-hours food: Merry Anne's
Coffee shop: Cafe Paradiso
Art gallery: Krannert Art Museum on campus, Cinema in Urbana, Wind Water and Light in Champaign. Or, check out the Boneyard Festival and see them all!
Video store: That's Rentertainment
Local website: http://the217.com/ That is literally my Bible/Koran/Torah/Kitab-i-aqdas/Analects/Bagavad Gita/Bayan all rolled into one!
Radio Station: 107.1
The biggest vote-getters? Merry Anne's and Highdive
Honorable mentions are Potbelly's, Murphy's, Le Shoppe, Exile on Main Street, Jane Addams Bookstore
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