When I need a comfort meal after a long day of work in the Champaign area, my mind immediately goes to Big Grove's tavern burger! It's a blend of beef, bison & pork, you can add cheese, and it has an aioli on top. I've tried it bunless, and the meal is equally as satisfying sans bun bc the meat is so juicy and flavorful!
Each time you dine in, you get a little tin of complimentary seasoned popcorn of the day. Nice touch. Another nice touch is the olive oil drizzle you can request on the vanilla ice cream for dessert!
On my latest visit, I wandered in at brunch time and tried the chilaquiles. Based on my previous dinners here, I had high hopes for the dish, but my heart sank with my first bite, as the pulled chicken was cold. I was able to find a few pieces that were lukewarm, but that was disappointing. The two poached eggs were bordering on cold too, so they had obviously been poached earlier. Atleast the tortilla chips were crunchy... I also appreciated the fresh cup of decaf brought to me mid-meal, since the kitchen had just brewed a fresh pot. I would've enjoyed a meal as hot as that coffee!
Last notes: I liked the strings of lights hanging from the ceiling, ornaments hanging by the bar, and snowflakes drawn in the window. Very festive! Music playing was right up my alley too, so I enjoyed the ambiance. The burger gets 5 stars, but the chilaquiles experience was 3, so it averages out to a 4.