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• Best Burger

One of the most common items on a restaurant menu is a hamburger, and because of this, it is easy to think that all hamburgers taste the same. No two burgers are alike, however, and the award for the best burger in CU goes to Farren’s Pub and Eatery in downtown Champaign.

Farren’s Pub is located on Randolph and Church Street behind Nitaya Thai and next to The Great Impasta. Patrons should enter through a large black door in the “front” of the restaurant. Parking is available in the adjacent parking lot. The location may be a little hard to find for newcomers, but it is worth it to taste these burgers.

While the menu features items such as buffalo wings, salads, sandwiches and tacos, the burgers are what brings people to Farren’s Pub. There are six specialty burgers, in addition to the traditional plain hamburger or cheeseburger. There is also the option of ordering a black bean patty instead of the beef patty with any specialty burger for $1 more, or ordering the menu item of the Vegetarian Black Bean Burger which is topped with lettuce, onion and cajun remoulade.

The burger choices are very diverse for all tastes. The Russell includes mushrooms, bacon, bleu cheese sauce and jalapeno cheese. The Motherload burger comes with mushrooms, bleu cheese sauce and swiss cheese, while the Green Chile Cheeseburger has jalapeno cheese and green chile sauce on it. There is also a Bacon Cheeseburger or a Mushroom Cheeseburger, which each come with a choice of American, cheddar or Swiss cheese.

All burgers are served with lettuce and onion, with an option of adding tomato and pickle. Each burger also comes with tricolored tortilla chips, although fries can be substituted for an extra $1. For those feeling adventurous or extra hungry, burgers can be made into doubles for an extra $3. Specialty burgers are all $7.50 or less, including tax.

For those who wish to dine in, Farren’s Pub offers a laid-back atmosphere with tables around the restaurant or seats at the bar. Burgers are cooked next to the bar on a large grill. However, all meal items are available for carry-out, and most burgers are ready in less than 10 minutes.