The Best Mexican Food in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois

With the proliferation of Mexican restaurants in most cities these days, finding the highest quality Mexican fare can be a hit-or-miss proposition. Champaign-Urbana, located in East Central Illinois, is no exception and offers its share of Mexican cuisine of varying quality.

Among the eleven Mexican restaurants in Champaign-Urbana, only a few stand out with regard to superior food quality and comfortable, authentic atmosphere. Topping the list is the quaint and well-run Fiesta Cafe at 216 S. First in Champaign. Having undergone a facelift - a brightly painted exterior and new outside dining area - Fiesta (as locals refer to it) offers the most satisfying Mexican experience in the C-U area. With a friendly staff serving piping hot dishes of consistently well-prepared, high-quality ingredients, this is the premier spot for your south-of-the-border cravings. One faces a true dilemma, however, when deciding among the equally delicious menu choices. But it's hard to go wrong with an appetizer of tantalizing chile con queso and any of their tasty fajitas, brought to your table on a crackling hot skillet! A cozy bar in the back room invites those looking to merely chat while they quench their thirst. A perennial winner of local "Best Of" awards, Fiesta Cafe stands above the rest not only in this fair-sized, college community but for miles around.

The main contender in town is Real Hacienda, located at 912 W. Bloominton Road in Champaign. With a truly captivating decor - painted, carved-wood-relief tabletops under suspended glass and genuinely interesting, original artwork on every wall (my favorite is a painting of lilies, arranged to produce a woman's face!) - Real Hacienda's delicious entrees and friendly staff run a close second. The burritos are some of the tastiest anywhere with a great selection of appetizers as well. This restaurant has a spacious bar area and a lively atmosphere for a truly wonderful Mex dining experience.

Last but not least are three, same-owner restaurants and two fast food (believe it or not!) restaurants of growing regional renown. El Toro with locations at 1104 N. Cunningham in Urbana and 1802 S. Neil in Champaign, and El Torero at 2312 W. Springfield in Champaign offer top-notch Mexican fare and feature daily lunch and dinner specials for those on a tight budget. A regional, chain restaurant, La Bamba, is the biggest surprise here but makes the list for tasty burritos and tacos as well as sheer convenience. For those with no time to spare, La Bamba, with two Champaign locations - 606 S. Sixth on campus and 1905 Glen Park Dr. on the west side - offers fast-food-style booth seating but is mainly known for its carry-out service. It offers a convenient drive-thru at its Glen Park Dr. location as well. Inside, your food is prepared on a grill right in front of you and made to order with top-quality meat and fresh veggies. La Bamba lays claim to the dubious distinction of "Burritos as big as your head!" (their Super Burrito is certainly as wide) and is a tasty alternative for students and those on the go.

Those looking to find a "Mex fix" in East Central Illinois should make their way to Champaign-Urbana and check out any of these great restaurants.