This is the food I've had in central Illinois, hands down. Staff was lovely, vibes were excellent.

Another amazing meal, this time the blackened catfish filet The flavor was excellent, the beer cold, and food very hot. The fried cabbage and onion rings were a great compliment to the catfish. The server was attentive but not overbearing. The only thing that could have been better was if there had been butter for the roll. That partially falls on me however, as I was too busy stuffing my face to even think about asking. read more

Neil St Blues - Catfish Fillet Dinner - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Champaign, Illinois

We were greet by a very friendly hostess and were seated upon arrival. The establishment was dimly lit, played a great music selection and clean. The food was great - the sides were my favorite part - the fish was a little brown I'm thinking maybe they didn't clean or it wasn't deveined properly but the chicken was good. overall the food was good and I'd go back literally just for the peach cobbler. Chefs kiss! read more

Neil St Blues - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Champaign, Illinois

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$35 weekend brunch buffet includes crab legs on Saturday only! My favorites from the buffet were the crab legs, fried chicken, Étouffée, abd collared greens! read more

Neil St Blues - Saturday Brunch Buffet - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Champaign, Illinois

The ribs were tenderisom at its best. The ribs get the sauce mixed sweet and spicy. First time visitor and I will be back read more

Neil St Blues - Ribs - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Champaign, Illinois

Food is okay depending on what you order. Bartenders always make good drinks, good vibe, good music and BLACK OWNED.

Missing New Orleans? This is the place for you. We visited my brother at college and took him out for brunch. He said one of his roommates recommended this place and he wanted to try it. On the weekends, they have a brunch buffet that includes unlimited crab legs. I slightly regret not springing for unlimited crab legs because it's a great deal. The food we ordered was delicious. We got hush puppies (not pictured) as an appetizer. The sauce it came with complemented it perfectly. I ordered the fettuccine. I'm usually not big on pasta but I really enjoyed the rich, flavorful sauce. My partner ordered the jambalaya. He loves jambalaya but says he likes the fettuccine just a little more. All the food we got was amazing. We've already made plans to go again the next time we visit the area. read more

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I am OBSESSED with this place! I just visited for the first time and I WILL be a reoccurring customer. First off we were immediately sat and our waitress was SO nice! She gave us time with the drink menu and we started with a couple of bar drinks, now I will say the drinks were STRONG, so they were a little hard to casually enjoy but some people like their drinks strong so it's just something to keep in mind! We decided to just do appetizers for our meal and got the Egg rolls, the cheese curds, the spinach and artichoke dip, and the hush puppies. When I tell you everything was amazing... it doesn't do it justice. Everything was so flavorful and came out so quick. My personal favorite was the hush puppies and egg rolls. My only note was the bread of the dip was maybe a little greasier than I would have loved but honestly such a small note that it didn't take away from the experience at all. I also felt like prices were fair! We got three alcoholic drinks and 4 appetizers for less than $90 so I was happy with that as well! I want to come back and get a proper entree but seriously my mouth is WATERING remembering this food read more

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The evolutionary trends of the culinary world has always taught me to have low expectations and HIGH hopes of satisfaction. Neil St. Blues delivered on the latter and then some. Yesterday I got together with a dear friend of mine from the Chicago area and we landed in them gem. Full disclosure, I was tasked with the selection of our location and their minority owned status swayed us through the front door. From the moment we entered the establishment until the time we departed our entire experience was that of a warm hug on a very cold day. A young man named Centrell competently attended to our request. Each selection was presented and prepared with high levels of praise and enthusiasm. Needless to say "I'll be Bok". There's plenty of inexpensive parking directly across the street and I'm certain a good time awaits you as well. read more

Neil St Blues - Wing and catfish combo with fries and collards. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Champaign, Illinois

Great food always a hit and great staff love this place so much recommend everyone to go and eat and have a great drinks as well.

We stopped in for breakfast after church one day. We looked at the Buffet they had on the way to a table. We never made it to the table. We're too old to pay $30 for a buffet breakfast at our age. We don't eat that much, but it felt that way. read more

I came to Champaign for a work trip. Our host took our group to Neil St Blues. It was very busy on a Tuesday night (other larger groups). The menu is extensive. I wanted to try everything! I ended up getting the wing platter that comes with 2 sides and added a side! Okra was perfect. Those yams. Omg. The spaghetti. Everything was so delicious. I got to try a bite of the fried green tomatoes--must get! For a packed restaurant with several large (15+) parties, the service was AMAZING! The food and drinks came out fast! Highly recommend! read more

Neil St Blues - Wing Dinner - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Champaign, Illinois

Best cheese curds in town! Great service, great portion sizes, great vibes. The cuisine is hearty and comforting.

We found this restaurant on a impromptu day trip; we drove about 2.5 hours south. We went to a train museum in a neighboring town. Then after searching the map and reading reviews, we decided Neils St. Blues. The food was phenomenal, fresh, and flavors on point. I ordered the smothered oxtails and mac n cheese being my side. I also ordered the Georgia peach signature cocktail; DELICIOUS - not too sweet, just how I enjoy it. I can't wait to dine- in again! I already know what I'm going to order - either the catfish filet dinner or 4 piece mixed fried chicken dinner. Side bar: the Trappey's juice, with Louisiana hot sauce drizzled over my meal was flavorsome. read more

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Food was GREAT! Jerk lamb chops! Delicious. Service was SUPER! We had a large group and everyone enjoyed themselves

My first time going to Neil St. Blues The food was AMAZING OMGOSH I Had the fried green tomato's as my appetizer and oxtails and yams I also wanted to try the greens every thing was top notch ! I also got an order to go pork chops they have a great chef because I come from a family that can cook so every entree was delicious . The service was also great our waitress named Dorothy was the sweetest and she was sooooo patient taking care of the 4 of us plus 1 orders to go . I also want wonder the owner came to greet us towards the end which added a special touch Along with the desert. The Ambiance was very nice and Very clean . read more

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First off, them greens and sweet potatoes come from a can. If you know soul food then can definitely tell. The Mac and cheese tastes watery and seemed like it was reheated from the night before. Now the chicken and the fish was absolutely delicious and fried perfectly and them muffins are fire. read more

Food was amazing... couldn't get much as I'm in a budget but the fried green tomatoes were amazing. Perfectly seasoned and crispy, it didn't even need the sauces it came with (also delicious). Philly Cheesesteak egg rolls were so good and a lot bigger than a regular egg roll (which is good since it only came with two). I could have easily had both of these as a meal just by themselves. read more

Neil St Blues - Fried green tomatoes - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Champaign, Illinois

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Excellent food and service. I would absolutely return. Everything was fresh, seasoned to perfection, and portions were hearty.

Amazing food. That's really the whole story. Takeout is delicious and portions are pretty good. In person is a fine experience, service adequate. But really every dish I've had is amazing. I've tried at least 5 different plates. read more

Fabulous. The best place for in dinner CU. Get the shrimp and grits. Great vibe with good Blues.

Neil St Blues deserves 5 stars!!! Their Service/ staff amazing & very polite and willing to answer any foodie question that you have !!! ambiance is very relaxed & open !!! Succulent, juicy ,Deep Golden to Perfection fried chicken!!!! Tender & tasty !!! Collard greens & Mac & cheese ,Gives that southern flavor !!!! read more

Neil St Blues - Catfish Fillet Dinner & chicken Wing Dinner - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Champaign, Illinois

This place was absolutely amazing the food was so good and our waitress Mi or My she told me but was long night but she was amazing also. The owner was there she came said hello. Was a packed house!! Definitely would recommend this place everything we had was good. read more

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They make good food but their service is disappointing. The wait for food, drinks, for the server to check on you, is egregious regardless of whether they are busy. I took my father here and we ended up going somewhere else because the server never came to take our order despite visiting tables that came after us! I wish I had more good things to say as this is one of--if not the only-- black owned restaurant in Champaign. read more

Food, service, hospitality all good. Comfort food huge menu. Beer list was decent. Pay to park area. Downtown. read more

Neil St Blues - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Champaign, Illinois

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Ok so I must admit being a Louisiana/Texas natives , after eating in Champagne we did not hold much hope for this place , but man were we wrong in the best way! Crab cakes were large moist and fresh. My catfish was fried to perfection. I had to fight TSA OFF the leftovers it at airport . Greens, yams, mac n cheese good. Salmon was very good. Definitely will be back! read more

First time here with my wife. We had the Shrimp and Grits and jambalaya. Fairly busy on a Friday night, but after a short wait got a table. Server was very attentive. My wife loved her Shrimp and Grits and stated that the Peach Gobbler was legit and made from scratch the correct southern way. :-) I liked the Jambalaya but felt it was just missing something, maybe a better "kick" compared to others in my past in the south. I had to try the local Blind Pig U IPA beer on draft which was great. We used the 15% discount from the Yelp checkin. Definitely will return next time in town! read more

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Amazing service for a party of 20+ The food was delicious and atmosphere was peaceful. Great time!! read more

Good food and clean. Food is seasoned very well. I would recommend this place to everyone!

As a Louisiana native from Lafayette, LA (if you know you know), the food did not disappoint and my husband and I went into this restaurant with judgmental tastebuds! I felt like I was back at home. The blackened fish was made with huge fillets and there was no old bay seasoning anywhere near it. The flavors were authentic Louisiana Cajun/creole. The crab cake was humongous with very little filler. Sooooo good. If I wasn't passing through, I would definitely be back again and again. And the staff were all friendly and efficient. I'm so glad we decided to give them a try! read more

Ambiance was nice with great r&b music playing. The jambalaya, shrimp and grits were delicious! My cocktail, the coconut crusher was delicious! read more

Service and food were very good. Music during the Sunday brunch was at a very low level that did not interfere with table conversation. Bad part was that there was not any shrimp and grits nor were there any charbroiled oysters at the buffet , even though their website has them listed as part of the brunch!!! Those items were a large part for dining. To me it was clear cut false advertising !!! They need to redo their website and make it a truthful list of what is offered!! Very very disheartening !!!!! Probably will not return to this place. read more

Excellent food, music, and service! Shannon was very approachable and attentive to me and my wife's order. I believe she deserves a big promotion because she is a one of a kind worker. She made sure we had everything we needed and made great food recommendations! Please understand that this woman has excellent values for Neil St Blues! read more

Neil St Blues - Red beans and rice Chicken wings Much bread! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Champaign, Illinois

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I have continued to visit this restaurant and since my earlier pandemic era review my opinion has markedly improved. The food is still excellent and is served hot and swiftly. The staff is friendly and brings what is ordered. The atmosphere is back to pre-pandemic joy and pleasure. This one of my plant-based diet top choices and I strongly recommend that you pick an evening to try it out. read more

Have been there twice. Lots of people dining in both time. The food here was very good. The first time I ordered a jambalaya and collard greens. The second time I ordered a catfish dinner with sides collard greens and green beans, as well as some extra corn bread and dinner rolls. They kept the ingredients simple, but still delicious. The fish was really tender and juicy. The veggie was not oily at all! As long as you do not order those fried dishes I think it could be tasty and healthy. Service, especially check out, was slow. The second time I spent over 20 min to complete it. The restaurant might be understaffed. So schedule plenty of time if you want to eat there. Still, I will come back to try more dishes. read more

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I got the combo, catfish and shrimp, with greens and mac and cheese. I switched the dinner roll for cornbread (at the hostess's suggestion) and ate at home. Remoulade and a little barbeque sauces on the side. It was phenomenal. I can't wait to go back and have some of other suggestions they made...oxtails, pasta, and the wings. Also loved supporting a minority women owned business. Highly recommend!!! read more

We had a really slow service even with a reservation. we waited at least 20 minutes at the front. I'm in the food took another 20 minutes .

The buffet was good but the price was very high. I don't think I will be going back anytime soon. It's just too expensive.

Gail and the rest of the crew at Neil St Blues were very welcoming and went above and beyond the regular standard of service. Food was truly great and the ambiance was just right for the occasion. We can't wait to go back and enjoy the southern hospitality read more

This was a pretty good find for a Sunday Brunch. It was super chill and we got some real southern home cooked meal. They also had a DJ that was playing just at the right volume. It looked empty from the outside, but it was pretty full inside. We did the buffet which I thought was ok. The food on it was excellent, but the options were a bit strange. No eggs or pancakes, but they had ribs and lasagna. For Brunch? You could get chicken and waffles so that was great. I also liked the shrimp and grits and the mac and cheese. The service was ok. I was expecting to see the server a tiny bit more, but since it was buffet, I kind of understand them taking a step back. Either way, this was a pretty good spot. Maybe a lunch or dinner is in the works for me! read more