I took my family here for breakfast thinking it was the same place I knew as a student. It took 50 minutes from order to being served. The food was cold and bland. The biscuits were stale, and the waitress didn't think to bring butter or jelly to the table. It was one of the saddest meals I've ever had, because this place was a real gem for so many years. Much better to go to a place like Denny's or Bob Evans now. This place serves warmed over cafeteria leftovers, now. Please stay away. read more

Chicken noodle soup is more of a cream of chicken with dumplings. I did like the chicken pot pie soup with the vegetables. Chili is good. BLT was good. Service is good. read more

We were one of three tables in the restaurant. Service was not good, food delivered cold, glasses never refilled and not one time did the waitress check on us. Floors, tables, and floors were visibly dirty. Sent food back, it came out as it had been microwaved, soggy and plate was hot. Find another place to eat! read more

The waiter was very rude, super rude. I don't know who pissed her off but we most certainly felt all of it. Our cups weren't refilled unless we asked. My mother asked for butter for her pancakes and it took her 15 minutes to get it. The waiter never even told us her name, and would walk off on us(several times) in the middle of making request. My steak i ordered medium well... it did not arrive as such. Save your money and go somewhere else, Lily ruined our experience here read more

This place is a great place for breakfast or lunch. I try and go every time I get to Champaign.

If you are looking for a place with lots of charm, large portions and great food, then look no further. The Courier Cafe delivers all of that and more! Beautiful stained glass windows and a painted tin ceiling are two of the architectural details that make this place so interesting. The staff was friendly, and my server kept my coffee mug filled. Speaking of coffee, not only was it delicious, but it was freshly ground on site. For breakfast, I had the Spanish omelet, and it was great! Even though it was made with chorizo, it wasn't overly greasy. The only drawback was the noise level. But, as you can tell, it wasn't bad enough to make me give a lower rating. This is definitely a place I will return to the next time I'm in town. read more

The Courier Cafe - Spanish omelet with sourdough toast. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Urbana, Illinois

They were out of many food items on the menu. Slow service. They didn't seem happy to see us.

Great place for brunch! We stopped by on a busy Sunday afternoon but service was still quick and food was still great! My mom loved her biscuits and gravy and I really liked my pancakes and eggs. My eggs were perfectly over medium which can sometimes be hard to pull off. If your family or you are visiting UIUC stop here for breakfast!! read more

My wife and I went to the Courier Café last night to get one of their delicious Rueben sandwiches. In our opinion the best in the CU area. We ordered two Rueben's, an order of Onion Rings which we shared, a soft drink and a water. We were more than shocked when our bill came to a ridiculous $42.74 ! We have enjoyed the Courier for many years however we will not be returning due to their new increase in prices. Good luck and I hope you have lots of money to eat out in your budget. read more

This is a great place. I highly recommend this establishment. The food was awesome and the staff was fabulous. I only have one complaint. They have a cashier. She's a portly woman with dark hair, glasses and a nose ring. She was rude and disrespectful. Was not helpful at all. I still have it 5 stars because I'm not letting one bad apple ruin the bunch. I will be back here for sure!! read more

We were in town for the Illinois versus Nebraska men's basketball game. Even though the restaurant was busy, they were turning the tables over quickly. A great experience with excellent food and excellent service. I highly recommend this place! read more

The food was good. Service was just okay -- my waiter brought my lunch, and then I never saw her again. I had to make a serious effort to get my bill. I don't really expect to have to spend 10 minutes on my own time trying to pay for something read more

On a sidestreet in downtown Urbana a hidden gem sits, tucked away By word of mouth, all locals know about Courier Cafe The moment you walk through the door you're filled with small-town cheer The atmosphere is "mom & pops" No wonder they've been here for years Gigantic cookies as big as your head pastries and muffins are on display Next to their vintage cash register Beneath the glass counter where you pay Their menu is full of sundaes and shakes ordered by children & adults alike They've got burgers, sandwiches and wraps I haven't found something I didn't like By the way, for just 95 cents you can pick a side with your meal Seasoned wedge fries or sweet potato chips But the dill potato salad's my ideal If you come, do so for brunch Or breakfast, lunch or dinner At any time of the day, just be prepared That you won't leave here feeling thinner Which leads me to a related topic Their hot fudge will make you swoon! "Would you like some ice cream with that fudge?" Nah, the fudge itself- plus me and a spoon. As a student, I had a morning ritual: Fresh coffee and a pastry. The croissant-crust with raspberry preserves Man, it's been years since I've had one lately... So, five stars are for nostalgia and five stars are for the food Hopefully proof enough, that this place is the bomb: Using poetry to capture the mood This place has made its mark It's a beloved Urbana spot of mine Every time I come back to campus This is hands-down where I'll dine read more

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Went here a few weeks back after a basketball game. Food and service were great. And phosphates!!! Have not had a phosphate in years. Next time will be trying a burger as they looked great. Also love the cash discount. read more

My husband and I were in town to see his parents and Sunday morning we drove here to meet up with my teen stepson. My husband chose this place because he had been here many times during his college days. He said it hasn't changed a bit. We had excellent service, and outstanding food. I always appreciate restaurants that offer vegan or vegetarian choices. I was able to get "The Courier Breakfast" (2 eggs, bacon, ham, or sausage, served with hash browns and your choice of toast) with vegetarian sausage patties. My eggs over easy and German Rye toast blended well with the patties, and the hash browns were perfectly browned. Add a small grapefruit juice, and bottomless coffee and my meal was just what I wanted. I wanted the Almond French Toast too, but had to pick only one meal. I'm not in the area often, but I would definitely come back. I loved their selection of kids's book (see photo) if you have a child that needs occupied at the table. There is also plenty of parking, both in the lots next to it, and across the street. read more

The Courier Cafe - A book selection to occupy young kids! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Urbana, Illinois

Courier Cafe is delicious. We visited for the first time on Monday evening because we had some out-of-town family stop by for a visit. We knew my grandma-in-law would really like Courier (based on pictures and previous reviews), but we enjoyed the food just as much. Each of us ordered some kind of sandwich: tuna melt for me, BLT for my husband, chicken salad and turkey club for our guests. I added the fries as a side and enjoyed them, but the homemade sweet potato chips were probably the best I've ever eaten. We all had leftovers. My husband was excited that Courier has local beers on tap that rotate regularly. Grandma tried the brown sugar cheesecake for dessert and said it was very good. I bought some of the huge cookies in the display case near the cash register to take home for later. The best $2.25 you'll spend this week if you swing by for a cookie. We had great customer service. Food is very reasonably priced. We'll definitely be back! read more

The Courier Cafe has long been a great place to get delicious and well prepared food in Urbana. The decor has literally not changed in decades, and suits it well. For this visit, the wife and I ate small. She had a quesadilla with sweet potato fries (chips, actually) and I had the potato skins along with a ham and cheese. Funny thing about their sandwiches. The inside is warm, but the bread is soft, not toasted. That was strange. The potato skins have changed, and I think this must depend on who is cooking. I didn't like these as much as the old ones. The old version was literally potato "boats". The new version are more like fries. I was told the quesadilla was only fair, not great. I ordered the phosphate as always, and it was a little bland. Maybe they need to up the quality of their food again. I wouldn't rush to go back as I always have. read more

The Courier Cafe - Strawberry Phosphate! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Urbana, Illinois

This food sucked tasted horrible the service was horrible didn't get our burger and the bath rooms are smelly and theirs crap everywhere. We didn't our food forever and it tasted like dog. read more

I enjoyed my breakfast at Courier Cafe while exploring the neighborhood. There is a good mix of vegetarian and carnivore friendly menu items, the prices are great and the service is friendly. The fresh toast with sourdough bread was generous and had great texture. The butter and fresh syrup on the side helped me adjust to my taste without worrying about the toast becoming soggy. I got a side of vegetarian sausage to balance out the sweetness. I sampled the hashbrowns, eggs, and a croissant as well. The chunky hashbrowns were satisfying on this cool morning. Our sever was quite effective at anticipating our needs and answering our questions, even as she balanced a large number of tables. The place was busy on a Saturday morning, though we were lucky to wait only about 5 minutes before being seated. Although I never felt rushed, tables turn over pretty quickly so the waits do not seem to be too long at peak periods. Food 3 to 4 stars, service 5 stars, ambiance 4 stars. read more

This place definitely exudes an antique-hipster aura. I wouldn't be surprised if the people working here were hipsters themselves. I absolutely love the style of the menu. I ordered a Dagwood which is a 3 layer sandwich that includes ham, roast beef, two cheeses, pickles, tomato, lettuce, secret sauce, cucumbers, and onions. Though the waitress got our order wrong (two of us didn't want onions on our items), the food was still magnificent. Half of the Dagwood sandwich was enough to make me feel satisfied. We ordered the brownie special. Indeed, that brownie now has a special place in my heart. The brownie special can be enjoyed by two-three people. It is a brownie topped with vanilla ice cream, whip cream, and a side of chocolate syrup. I gotta say that the brownie itself inundated my senses with a resplendent sweet flavor. read more

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Absolutely horrible. order 2 blts, both came with 2 peices of bacon each, mega tomatoes, and a skimpy peice of lettuce. I ordered "fries". i recieved 10 potato wedges. i ordered a "side Cesar salad". i received a tiny container of a few pieces of lettuce, cucumbers, carrot shavings, and get this, it was completely dry! not a single speck of cesar dressing. i go back inside and ask for cesar dressing, they confess they do not have any dressing. mind you, i would not have ordered it had they let me know beforehand. i spent a grand total of 35$, 30 minutes, and the cost of my dignity. I will not even comment on the attire worn, although it felt a little unprofessional. do not go here. I am deeply disappointed. read more

Exactly what we wanted - a cozy and welcoming space with good food and an especially yummy salad bar. The staff members were wonderful and the whole experience leaves us wanting to come back soon. read more

Place is unique! Good service and we suggest waitress to let other know never fired the chef, was AMAZING DELICIOUS! Blueberry coffee was very good and biscuits and gravy they've mini, to small, to medium and large. If you just want a bite and try it and you're eating main dish yourself, mini is plenty and me and hubby we both have our own dish and small was a lot lol. Very full. I'm new in town and this has become my FAVORITE breakfast place! read more

The Courier Cafe - Spanish omelet, corned hashed, small biscuits and gravy, blueberry coffee! Excellent breakfast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Urbana, Illinois

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I love this little restaurant downtown not far from the All Souls Presbyterian Church and the lovely Bohemian Store. Its menu has a great selection of meals, and they are delicious. The interior is an interesting collection of bygone years memorabilia. I am sure anyone that visits this delightful establishment will always return for more delicious meals and great service. FYI not handicapped accessible- one must go upstairs upon entering the front door AND once inside the front door there are 3 more steps to reach seating. Milkshakes, if you are one to enjoy these, are the best to be had in the CU area. read more

The last time I came here, two out of the three people in my party left with their food nearly untouched because it tasted that bad. If you're wondering how that would be possible, just know we couldn't believe it too. Today I went back for $10 worth of coffee (one hot coffee, one iced) and waited 20 minutes to pay my check. read more

This is located close to the Main Street, it was fairly busy during brunch time. Of course there was a graduation on the same day also. The place is old, and you can feel the draft from the windows. Unfortunately, we've got the window seatings. They do have daily specials, including soup and special coffee flavors. There isn't much room inside to wait nor seat down. If you have more than 4 people in your party, you may need to wait at least 20-30 mins. The menu items are very basic. Breakfast, pancakes and drinks. The price is ok, my eggs, bacon and biscuits were around $7. I was glad that the food weren't greasy! So many breakfast place I go to, they use so much grease! Their biscuits were good. Even though it was busy, we were served right away, however, I did feel little rushed by our server. Their buck wheat pancakes tasted same as regular pancakes. If you are in town, this place would be a good breakfast but I suggest making a reservation. read more

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I would give this place 0 stars if that was an option. I used to love this place, but my last experience included my server (younger blonde lady) using profanity at a guest, which prompted me to not even order and to leave. Once I called to speak to a manager about my experience, she had stated that the servers are allowed to be unprofessional and if I did not like it then I should not come back. I am unsure on why she decided to go about the situation this way but she is right I will not be back and I will not spend my money here anymore. read more

This is a nice little quaint place located in Urbana. It has an old school feel... Taking you backwards in time! The service is fantastic! Our waitress was attentive and kind. We came during lunch time so I decided to order the regular race burger. No cheese or other toppings. It came with lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, onions and I got sweet potato chips as a side. The chips were delicious! The burger was very overcooked and dry. The bun also tasted really tough. I did not enjoy the food as much as I hoped for! I've heard the brunch is delicious but the burger was just not prepared well. read more

The Courier Cafe - Burger. Super dry unfortunately. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Urbana, Illinois

I thought the food was pretty good, I got the # 6. Decent size portion. My hubby, not so much. He got the # 28. 2 little pieces of bacon, eggs and 2 pancakes. We both got the specialty coffee, which was very good. But almost $30.00 for 2. read more

Courier Cafe is an anchor of the downtown Urbana eateries. Down the street from its sister venue Silvercreek, it is a very homey and comfortable place to enjoy some hearty American-style fare. I've eaten breakfast, lunch, and dinner here and I've always come away fairly satisfied. Breakfast selections are varied but I usually go for an omelet here. It usually is presented with hash browns or toast (your choice) and you can also get the regular sides of meat or other options like a freshly-based muffin. At lunch, I like their hamburgers but they also have other sandwiches and you can enjoy their soup and salad bar (priced by the ounce). The venue itself is an interesting bit of Urbana history and the service is usually very good. If you want a decent, reasonably-priced meal, the Courier Cafe is a dependable choice. read more

Courier is a great lunch/brunch spot. It's located in a great little funky building that used to house a local newspaper. The vibe is casual & local. Menu is varied and everything we've had there tastes good, but the star, imo, is their salad bar with the most delicious quinoa salad & lots of fresh veggies. They charge for salad by the ounce, and it's reasonable. A plateful costs me about $3-4. Included with the salad bar, you get half a house-baked muffin or some other fresh-baked bread option. The staff is efficient & the servers treat you well, but don't expect them to be super-friendly until you're a regular. I actually like that about the place... that they know their regulars. read more

I've gone there forever-at least, since I was in grad school over 30 years ago, and never once had a bad meal. Definitely worth seeking out. read more

I've been coming here for 30+years. Love the skinny dippers, shakes hot fudge sundaes flavored coffees, burgers and fries. But the new fries taste terrible...go back to the original wedges. Renee is the most Awesome server...she should be cloned read more