Unfortunately, the Taco Bell on Green Street isn’t a sufficient dining option for many parents visiting their children at the University. 

Fortunately, there are plenty of options in downtown Champaign and Urbana for students to bring their parents to, including this year’s “Best of CU” winner, Black Dog Smoke & Ale House. 

The restaurant’s Urbana location is temporarily closed, but its Champaign location at 320 N. Chestnut St. is open every day of the week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The location offers on-site eating and online orders. 

If your parents are fans of barbecue and cocktails, they’ll definitely appreciate the food and beverages Black Dog has to offer. The restaurant’s menu boasts an array of food ranging from salads, chili, barbecue sandwiches and platters. Some menu items include pulled pork sandwiches, barbecue salmon sliders, brisket sandwiches and chicken wings. Black Dog also features an assortment of unique cocktails, like raspberry pepper margaritas, grapefruit hibiscus margaritas and Give It A Chai, a drink made from gin, lemon-ginger syrup and chai tea. 

Black Dog is easily a community favorite, so don’t be afraid to let your parents give it a try, too. Don’t forget to take your parents there and fall in love with its exposed brick accent walls, wooden booths and extensive bar all over again.

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