At Big Grove Tavern, we celebrate the true sense of the word tavern. The heart and soul of a community, the tavern is a warm and welcoming place bringing together both visitors and locals. It is somewhere to share a pint of ale or a wholesome meal with your neighbor, a place that welcomes all regardless of your position or status.
It is in this tradition that we bring you Big Grove Tavern. Our mission is to source local and farm fresh ingredients whenever possible – not only to create delicious dishes but to help support our neighbors.
Our name comes from a large stand of trees called, “The Big Grove,” which offered shelter from the wide open prairie skies during the earliest days of our community. Now known as Busey Woods, you can still see the remnant of Big Grove in Urbana today. Whether you’re from Champaign, Urbana, the University, the surrounding towns or a visitor –ALL are welcome at Big Grove.
"It is fun to try out the new tastes at Big Grove. The chefs come up with interesting and tasty twists on items that one might think of as traditional. The rhubarb crisp was outstanding--better than I make at home."
Dined on 6/16/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, great for lunch
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"The breakfast menu has unique offerings. My children enjoyed the house made blueberry scones and the yogurt and granola parfait with berries. My husband and I had two different egg dishes. Both were very good. There is a nice offering of choices and if you don't want breakfast you can also chose from several delicious lunch items. The food is phenomenal."
Dined on 6/16/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, hot spot, great for lunch, special occasion
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"Good try, Big Grove Tavern, but you didn't quite make it. This is a casual restaurant with a VERY limited menu. Prices are above average for area. Beef spare rib (note lack of "s") was excellent but the bed of corn succotash was inedible. Pork loin particularly good as were the grilled veggies. Sorry, folks, the popcorn sampler at the beginning doesn't cut it and lack of a bread offering is also an oversight.
Disappointing particularly since the restaurant that preceded at this location was several notches up the scale."
Dined on 6/15/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, great for outdoor dining
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"I was there on a quiet evening, so I don't have a sense of how crowded or noisy the restaurant can be when it's full, but it was a totally pleasant experience. The service was warm and timely, and my meal was delicious- I had the walleye, and it was a reasonable portion size that didn't make me feel guilty for sending back uneaten food. I cleaned my plate!"
Dined on 6/08/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"I love Big Grove and the burger and fries are both outstanding. Skip the Mac and Cheese. It's try and not particularly cheesy. I suggest to the chefs to add more cream and cheese to it. It would be wonderful if they would. As is, it's tasty, but quite dry, especially when they add the bread crumbs.
They have great house wine at a great price. Love the filet, chicken, wedge salad and the deviled eggs are wonderful. The Mac and Cheese was a major disappointment."
Dined on 6/07/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, vibrant bar scene, notable wine list, great for lunch
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"From the first greeting to the lingering sweet memory of dessert, the Big Grove Tavern is a gem in downtown Champaign! The marvelous creations from Executive Chef Jessica Gorin's kitchen delight the senses. A great presentation followed by a pleasurable plate experience is the hallmark of this establishment. Add to this a knowledgable and affable staff to make you a dining experience to not miss."
Dined on 6/06/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, vibrant bar scene, great for brunch, romantic, late-night find, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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"My husband and I had a wonderful night out here! The food was well cooked, well seasoned, and the ingredients were fresh and delicious. I also loved the lemongrass Peat martini and my husband enjoyed the wide selection of regional and locally brewed beer. Our server was attentive but didn't hover. The ambiance is trending and lends to dressy or dressy casual attire. Overall I had a wonderful experience at The Big Grove Tavern and I'm looking forward to our next visit!"
Dined on 5/31/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"music a little too much for the price. seats somewhat uncomfortable in. server seemed mildly annoyed that we were talking so long (first date), but the service was good. food was tasty, but fish a bit overcooked....."
Dined on 6/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"I love Big Grove Tavern. The food quality is hands down the best in a 100 mile radius. Service is very friendly and timely. The ambiance is spot on. Our #1 dining spot."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, romantic, hot spot
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"I'm very impressed at the amount of truly local food that Big Grove uses. They are helping to make Central Illinois a better place to live and to farm. The food was delicious, although I was very thirsty an hour later. Perhaps lighten up on the salt! (I find this to be the case almost everywhere that I eat, though.)"
Dined on 04/26/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining
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"I always enjoy eating here. The food is amazing and the staff is always helpful and prompt."
Dined on 04/25/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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"Limited menu but everything we had was excellent and prepared very well, server was very attentive to all our needs and the assistants kept waters refilled and offered any help needed. They have a wine of the day white or red for $4 which was very tasty and a great deal"
Dined on 04/12/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"I've been to Big Grove twice now and have been satisfied both times. Most of the dishes I tried were good and the dessert and drinks were excellent. Highlights include the chicken/dumplings and pretzel appetizer, while the short rib left something to be desired. The portion sizes were on the smaller side, but certainty enough to be satisfying. The atmosphere is excellent and the place is really nice inside. Finally, the service has been top notch."
Dined on 04/12/2013
2012
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"We went to try out the brunch menu. I love this place and brunch certainly didn't change that! The menu choices were great and there is a whole specialty drink menu that pairs really well with the food. Always a great experience at Big Grove Tavern."
Dined on 04/14/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, notable wine list, great for lunch
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"I keep coming back to Big Grove Tavern. Their wonderful menu make choosing favorites difficult. So much to love. The chicken dish is so moist and full of flavour, but then there is the killer burger & fries, or the Mac'n'cheese. The appetizers are wonderful and special. I had the farro for a main course, and everybody at the table picked at my left overs (more than ample portion size for normal people). Desserts are always perfect and btw, the coffee is the best flavoured brew that I have had in C-U. Really terrific. And we have visited on Tuesdays and adore the Fried Chicken & Waffles special. This is our new hang for sure."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, late-night find, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, hot spot
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"The food was really tasty, well-presented and notable for unusual ingredient pairing (i.e., vanilla ice cream with sea salt???). Service was attentive, not overwhelming. The setting is nice, conversation is easy. All in all, a very nice Easter brunch, worth the drive from Chicago."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"My party was excited to try Big Grove's new brunch. Were disappointed that the small brunch menu was further cut because they had run out of two of the dishes - quiche and steak for steak and eggs. Seemed a bit strange on Easter Sunday to run out of brunch food.
Nice Bloody Marys but the cinnamon rolls were cold in the middle."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2005
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"Premiere diners on a Saturday evening pre-theater. The ambiance alone is worth the visit...beautifully carefree, artsy, gorgeous...the kind of carefree that takes great pains to create! Our server was Kelly, so helpful, very attentive (but not intrusive), and able to answer all of our questions thoughtfully and completely. The bar drinks were a beauty to behold as well as drink, our food was delicious to the point of wanting to pick up our plates and lick them. Our seats were rather close to another pair of diners, which caused a bit of concern at seating, however by the end of the meal we'd enjoyed some festive small talk and wished them a happy birthday as they left. Charming, lovely, can't wait to return."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, special occasion, hot spot
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"Big Grove Tavern is definitely a favorite of mine in the Champaign area! They are a "farm to table" restaurant, serving only local food within a 25-30 mile radius (with the exception of the seafood, which is flown in almost daily from The Keys). The food, service, and ambiance are all outstanding! I definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone and everyone!"
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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"it was so nice! I liked the foid and environment! especially the staff (I don't remember his name), recommended fabulous food bistro filet and cocktail! also peacan tart which he recommended us was also terrific!! I want to go there again! also will recommend to others!!"
Dined on 03/08/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, special occasion
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"Big Grove is good overall. The wine list is decent, and the beer on draft is very good if you're into microbrews. They aspire to a fine dining experience, and in that regard, the staff and service is indeed always excellent. However, the food seems to be more indulgent of the chef than the patrons and is often too ecclectic to appeal to the general population, particularly given the price. It's worth going to least once."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"This was our first time at this restaurant. We got the prix fixe Valentine's Day menu with wine pairing. It was 5 courses with 4 wines. The food was delicious, and the wines were great choices for the courses. Our waiter did a good job explaining the food and also some background about the restaurant. My only suggestions would have been to allow a bit more time between courses and keep the popcorn coming. Overall, we really enjoyed ourselves. I hope to go back and try some of the regular menu items."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Food is always unique and delicious. Very friendly staff, great ambience, contemporary cuisine. Great for dates or even just going with a group of people. Rustic yet modern decor with elements of nature, such as the branches above the bar, which are very cool looking."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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