I'm surprised by the lack of reviews for Intermezzo. Located inside the Krannert Center, it's a popular spot for students, staff, and faculty at UIUC. First off, they only serve breakfast and lunch. Their menu is pretty simple, but they have various offerings. I've only had lunch here, but their breakfast menu looks great as well. They have a regular lunch menu in addition to lunch specials that chance daily. Basically, you order food from the start, get a written piece of paper with what you ordered, and pay up front. Then, you're food is ready for pickup at the side. They have utensils, sauces, bags, and napkins right nearby. What I like the most about Intermezzo is how quick the process is with ordering and picking up food. Pricing is also relatively cheap as well. They have plenty of seating at Krannert and it can get pretty busy during peak weekday hours. read more

I've read the other reviews for this place, but cannot imagine why our experience was so different from what others have described. I think I'd rather eat junk from a vending machine next time. We had a BLT. I've never before had a BLT that used diced tomatoes and shredded lettuce. At least nothing about the sandwich was actually horrible, but when talking about a sandwich that should be as simple to do well as a BLT being mediocre and the best part of a meal.... We also had the Chili, served in a bread bowl. It was thick and gummy, reminding me of Hormel's canned product. blech. For sides, we had the "Three Bean Salad". I don't think I've ever had a three bean salad that featured bits of broccoli or some kind of mysterious yellow disk vegetable. Other than mysterious extra ingredients, I do not recall it being particularly horrid, but it certainly was not something I'd order again. We also had the Potato Salad, which was decent but kinda sweet. The Iced Tea a fright, with a very industrial taste. Vying for best part of the meal with the mediocre BLT were the Oyster Crackers that came with the Chili. They were made by Nabisco, not my favorite brand, but they were fresh. read more

This place is pretty inconsistent. Some meals are good, but others.. I'll get to that. In general, most of the more complicated items on the menu are frozen and microwaved when you order. Their breakfast offerings are not bad. The breakfast burrito and breakfast pizza are both pretty cheap and reasonably filling. In fairness, I have heard their grilled cheese and soup on Thursdays is good. (I haven't had it myself.) The lunch dishes are not as good; the options change each day. The ones that are good are .. okay, and not that pricey for near campus. The ones that are bad are pretty bad. The nachos are alright - canned pickled jalepenos, diced up tomatoes, olives, thick tortilla chips, gloppy cheese. There is a lot of it. Not bad if you have a craving, but there are better options elsewhere. The salsa and hummus plate's not bad for a snack. Of what I have had here, I would recommend it most. The hamburgers are gross. They taste like school cafeteria low-grade meat and have the texture of frozen sausage patties. My girlfriend's cheeseburger had a big piece of scorched .. something on top of the cheese. Mmm. The "albacore tuna with mango" sandwich is alright, but the mango is mixed in with the canned tuna, along with a lot of mayonnaise and relish. There is not much mango to be found either. (I've noticed charred bits on the breakfast sandwiches too, which is baffling considering I think they are just microwaved.) For sides: the low-fat cottage cheese just tasted off. I have eaten a lot of cottage cheese and never had it taste like that - kinda chalky, kinda sour. My girlfriend got the pasta salad, which was a little better, but swimming in vinegar with some pepperoni plopped down into it. Our iced tea was very opaque and did not taste very fresh. They charge for refills on soft drinks, too. Service was alright, the kitchen guy is cheerful, but the food was unpleasant enough at my last lunch that I'm not going back. Within the same walking distance I can get to Derald's lunch truck and Espresso Royale - and I've been much happier with the food at both. Or Red Herring, or Bevier. It is worth noting that I paid with gift certificates - none of my own money - and still felt disappointed at the cost of free. Can't comment on the baked goods, haven't had them. What I hear is that the stuff made in house isn't great, but they get the cookies from elsewhere and they're okay. Also, after hearing - from one of the staff - that they don't change out the coffee every day in the pots, I am knocking it down to one star. Just, don't go here except maybe for the nachos. read more

I've been here twice now, both times on Wednesdays for lunch. The first time I went, I got the beef nachos. Yes. Yes. Yes. For six bucks, you get a mountain of nachos. If you're trying to really fill up, this is a place to get "the bang for your buck." In addition, the nachos were tasty. While they weren't the greatest nachos I've ever had, I'd certainly put them above mediocre. Yesterday, I did half a sandwich and a soup. I chose turkey and swiss on challah and red pepper & gouda soup. The sandwich wasn't that much to write home about (though I was happy to see challah, even if the student working behind the counter didn't know how to pronounce it...) but that soup was fantastic. Seriously, I would eat that stuff by the gallon - so savory and creamy with little cheese chunks hanging out in there. OH MY GOD YES. In short, I'll probably be back. It's kind of a wheelhouse restaurant but I think they do a good job at it. read more

The food here is only okay, but there is something utterly perfect about a campus lunchtime meal at the Intermezzo. If you're a veggie, go for the nachos and/or veggie burger. I also recommend you appreciate along with me the gruff style of the cashier. Untouchable. read more

This place is the dietary downfall of many students and Champaign-Urbana residents. I never had enough time during intermissions to properly savor the cakes, eclairs, pies and coffees, so we would sometimes go even if we weren't attending a performance. I don't think it's even freshly made, but the endless dessert possibilities will impress. read more

Some of the employees (main chef and some of the order takers) are rude. Forget about substitutions if you have allergies. The chef does not care. Definitely not the place for people with ANY food considerations. Their emails say "Intermezzo is open all year long" but note that they are sometimes closed without warning. Make sure you get their emails and only go on days you get the email or call there first. Walking all the way there and finding them closed is annoying, especially on short lunch days. Check your order if you get it to go (this is good for any place you go but especially here). Mistakes happen often. Their tomato soup is like tasteless tomato water (the grilled cheese that goes with it is almost equally tasteless). read more

This is my new favorite place for lunch in C-U. Good selection of sandwiches/salads/soups, reasonable prices, plenty of tables, and a nice atmosphere. It feels more grown up than most of your other lunch options, but the food is ready super fast. A number of veggie selections, and the desserts look amazing. read more

Excellent place for lunch. I work across Krannert and this is convenient. I love their veggie chili.

great place to eat , real food and you get it fast. Small kitchen but the pump the food out !!! Read some other post . Never known them to close early , except it's a school , so when there's breaks it's closed sometimes. Super friendly staff . I have ate there 3 times a week for 20 years . Place is awesome ! read more