For spud lovers, the classic baked potato can be simply enjoyed with a dollop of sour cream, or stuffed with a variety of toppings. Intermezzo Cafe, which is tucked away in Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, prefers the stuffed method. 

Their take on the comfort food, the Monster Stuffed Baked Potato, is available for lunch every Tuesday for vegans and meat-eaters alike. 

Intermezzo Cafe is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., as well as before and after performances. This cafe has a variety of dining options to fit different tastes and includes vegetarian and vegan menu items.

The cafe’s weekday specials are always a popular option among customers, said Jolene Perry, manager at Intermezzo for more than 14 years. They change daily and include a choice of fountain drink. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., but Perry said the special is usually sold out by 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday’s special, the Monster Stuffed Baked Potato, costs just under $5 and always draws a crowd. It is a large potato filled with a choice of toppings that include cheddar cheese, bacon bits, sour cream and green onion. There is also a Vegan Monster Stuffed Baked Potato, which is topped with Intermezzo’s signature vegan chili and green onions. Customers are able to choose which toppings to include and which to omit.

The cafe, which originally started as a snack bar decades ago, serves its dishes made to order, and anything can be ordered to go. The cafe has a full menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For breakfast, the menu offers a wide variety including breakfast pizza or a soy sausage sandwich. For lunch and dinner, Intermezzo serves sandwiches, soups and salads.  

Some unique features of the cafe’s menu are its organic options, as well as some ingredients that are locally grown. For example, customers can substitute organic lettuce into their meal at no extra cost. 

Intermezzo has also received Green Business Certification from the Illinois Green Business Association. Their food containers are biodegradable, and the takeout boxes are made from corn-based recyclable products, according to their website.

Taylor McCoy, Intermezzo employee, said that usually the cafe’s busiest hour is from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays. McCoy added that although the most popular choice varies, the cheeseburger, which is served daily, is also a common selection.

When a craving for a spud strikes, Intermezzo Cafe welcomes customers to enjoy their Monster Stuffed Baked Potato, whether they’re waiting for a Krannert performance to start or just looking for a quick lunch.

Kayla can be reached at kcburns3@ dailyillini.com.