Best casual places to eat in Bloomington/Normal

[ST_Lawson]

Hey Redbird fans,
I have a non-sport-related question for you all, who are likely much more familiar with B/N than I am.

My wife is attending a conference in Normal this week, and I'm going with her. Going to be there Wednesday through Friday. The conference provides meals for her, but I'll be on my own to eat most meals. So, other than a gondola at Avanti's, which I will, of course, have for one meal...what are your favorite non-chain (or at least, no big chain) places to eat in the area?

Best breakfast/brunch place?....Bloomin' Cafe? Fort Jesse Cafe? somewhere else?
What about BBQ?...Brass Pig? Annie's Eats? Bandana's?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[isuquinndog]

Annie’s eats is fantastic. If you’re looking for pizza, Flingers is great but I’m a biased. Bloomin Cafe is quite good.

Owned by our own @dpdoughbird06, Fiala Brothers is a nice place in uptown normal to spend some time. I also hear the new Haciedo Leon (spelling?) in uptown is good but I haven’t been there.

 

[Bdub777]

Pop Up Chicken Shop is outstanding and frequented by many Redbird athletes notwithstanding being a long way from campus. Mom Nom Noodle, which replaced Pop Up at the VFW, is also exceptional. Brass Pig is very good as well.

 

[DaveBird10]

Hey Redbird fans,
I have a non-sport-related question for you all, who are likely much more familiar with B/N than I am.

My wife is attending a conference in Normal this week, and I'm going with her. Going to be there Wednesday through Friday. The conference provides meals for her, but I'll be on my own to eat most meals. So, other than a gondola at Avanti's, which I will, of course, have for one meal...what are your favorite non-chain (or at least, no big chain) places to eat in the area?

Best breakfast/brunch place?....Bloomin' Cafe? Fort Jesse Cafe? somewhere else?
What about BBQ?...Brass Pig? Annie's Eats? Bandana's?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Here is my list of places that I like.

- Pizza- Flingers ,Tobins or Joe's Station House pizza pub
-BBq- Annie's Eats
-Pop-Up Chicken Shop (is a must stop)
-Dp Dough (must stop)
-Burger- I am partial to Western Tap or Crawfords Corner Pub
-Lucca Grill

 

[MadBird]

We almost always find a way to get to Lucca Grill when we're in town, mostly for pizza but pasta too. Have had good breakfast at Ft. Jesse Cafe.

I highly recommend Barney's Caboose and Bingo's and Charlie's in Kappa . . . . . oh, wait, wrong century!

 

[ST_Lawson]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

Fiala Brothers is only a couple of blocks from the hotel we're staying at, so I'll definitely check that out.
I've had Annie's Eats before a couple of years ago, but I'm up for another round.
I can't eat pizza (I like pizza, but pizza doesn't like me), so I'll have to skip some of those options.
Sounds like I have to venture towards the airport to check out the Pop-Up Chicken Shop.

As for Kappa...I'll just say I am familiar...and those days are a couple of decades in the past for me.

 

[Cindy00]

Sounds like you'll be in the Uptown Normal area. For a cheap burger and fries (not as good as Western Tap or Crawfords but still good) Brewe'Ha's is the place. It is a dive college bar and I would go for lunch not dinner. Lunkers is known for their fish sandwich and I would recommend their sweet corn nuggets with syrup. If you and your wife enjoy wine stop by Stave for a glass (or bottle). I'll throw another shout out to Fiala Brothers. Make sure to check out the rooftop patio. If you are looking for a little nicer meal Medici is a good spot to, although I think service can be a little slow unless you are at the bar. We have a ton of really good local food in Bloomington/Normal.

 

[isuquinndog]

If you order Flingers for delivery tonight or tomorrow night you may get your favorite RBF admin deliver it to your hotel room.

 

[Qcity]

I really like Egg Republic for breakfast

Pop up is a must

 

[MadBird]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

As for Kappa...I'll just say I am familiar...and those days are a couple of decades in the past for me.

No, Charlie's in Kappa wasn't like that, they had a really nice whole fried catfish. The rest of Kappa, not sure they have any of that anymore.

Also agree with Cindy, we enjoyed Medici on our only visit.

 

[bombay]

Is Grady's Pizza still there? I loved that place.

 

[fdbird83]

Tony's in Bloomington has good home cooking. I've eaten there 5-6 times when in town visiting family.

 

[isuquinndog]

Is Grady's Pizza still there? I loved that place.

It is still there, amusement park and all.