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Daily Illini Buzz

Courier Cafe - Best Burger

By Paul Wagner

The Courier Cafe is not just your everyday, run-of-the-mill cafe. Aside from having the best hamburgers in Champaign-Urbana, The Courier Cafe also has an interesting history. The land the Courier Cafe was built on was home to the first building in Urbana, a two-room cabin built in 1837. In 1916 the land was sold to Alvin T. Burrows, the owner of the Courier Newspaper. Until the newspaper's demise in 1979, it was run successfully fro the site were the Courier Cafe now stands.

In the 1950s the building housing the Courier Cafe nearly burned down, but was saved, and the damaged parts of the building were rebuilt. Charred timbers can still be seen inside the cafe, allowing for an old-time feel for the patrons.

Adding to the comfortable atmosphere are the numerous antiques scattered throughout the cafe. These include a biplane ceiling fan, a large self-correcting master clock from 1925 and a 1914 brass cash register. All of the antiques in the cafe are authentic. They demonstrate the historical aspects of the Courier Cafe and add to its aged, cozy atmosphere.

Antiques are not the only thing the Courier Cafe offers its patrons. It also has the best hamburgers in the Champaign-Urbana area; half-pound cuts of meat that come in a variety of styles; including, of course, the classic burger. The Courier Cafe also serves breakfast and other lunch and dinner foods, ranging from sandwiches to seafood.

The friendly waitstaff, authentic antiques, cozy atmosphere and great food make the Courier Cafe a favorite dining destination in the Champaign-Urbana community. Whether one is looking for an omelette, French toast, pancakes, a quesadilla, salad, soup, ham and cheese sandwiches, strip steak, shrimp or award-winning hamburgers, the Courier Cafe will deliver.

The Courier Cafe is located at 111 N. Race St., Urbana, just a few minutes from the University of Illinois campus -- a short journey for a satiating meal and friendly atmosphere.