Champaign County's Changing Food Scene: What's In and What's Out

Champaign County is seeing a lot of changes in its food and drink scene. Some familiar spots have shut down, while new ones are popping up. This shift shows how the area is always changing. New places are opening up all the time. Dutch Bros Coffee, a popular coffee chain, started serving drinks on Green Street and Lincoln Avenue in Urbana. People lined up for blocks to try it. Another new spot, Big Sharks, serves fried fish and chicken on Prospect Avenue in Champaign. It's already become a favorite. There are also new places to eat in downtown Champaign. Blind Pig is a brewpub that took over the old Destihl space. It serves pizza, burgers, and lots of beer. Sumo Kitchen, a Japanese restaurant, opened on South Neil Street. It offers sushi, sashimi, and other dishes. Mashawee House, a Middle Eastern restaurant, started serving shawarma and kabobs inside Strawberry Fields in Urbana.Some places are still coming soon. Blue Ethiopian will serve authentic Ethiopian food on Walnut Avenue. SangEat, an upscale Indian restaurant, is planned for South Neil Street. Spitfire Chicken, a rotisserie chicken spot, will open in a place that has had many restaurants come and go. But not all the news is good. Some well-known places have closed. Guido’s Bar & Grill, a downtown Champaign staple, shut down after helping shape the area’s dining scene. Timpone’s Restaurant, another longtime favorite, closed in December. Epic Burger and Slim Chickens also closed, showing how tough competition can be. Bob Evans, a national chain, closed its location on Neil Street. The space will soon be home to another Dutch Bros Coffee. Health Alliance Medical Plans, a big employer, is also closing, which will affect many local jobs. These changes show that Champaign County’s business world is always evolving. While some places struggle, new ones keep opening, bringing fresh options to the area.