Joe's Makes Changes for an Upcoming Semester

Colleen Couture
Alpha Chi Omega

With a new semester about, schedules and resolutions are not the only changes students have to look forward to. The one and only Joe’s Brewery, located at Fifth and Green, has renewed the already mouthwatering menu by adding new food options as well as changing up both drink and food specials for each day. These big food changes have been set into place by kitchen manager and Lamda Chi Alpha alum, Steve Rocus who is excited about the new menu and reminds us that “[Joe’s] has the best burgers in town.” Aside from the great food, it is the atmosphere at Joe’s that continues to bring in crowds of students and now faculty for the meals and of course the night life. It is true that a week in Champaign is not quite right without a good “Monday Night Joe’s."        

Some of the new additions to the menu are found on the appetizer, salad, and now dessert list. An example of some new appetizers customers can look forward to are quesadillas with the option of adding chicken, veggies, etc. There are also now desserts at Joe’s to finish off a delicious burger which are delectable brownie bites and funnel cake sticks. According to waitress, Kristin Morrill, her favorite new addition is “definitely a tie between the chicken quesadillas and the funnel cake sticks…I can never stop eating them!” And after trying some of these, Dan Helfert, an avid lunch customer, raves they “put the yum in yummy.”

Other changes can be found in regards to the food specials for each day. According to Alpha Delta Pi and employee, Katie McNamee, Wednesdays especially have “been tailored more to needs of the customers” with the new discount of 25 percent off any food item with an i-Card, she also comments that, “it’s really cool to see a lot of faculty in here.” Also, the burger sizes have been modified where instead of having the option of quarter pound, half pound,etc. there are single burgers, double burgers, etc. which employee and Kappa Alpha Theta, Gaby Dumasius says “are a really great change.”

Although the menu and specials may have changed, the environment has not. The staff, complied of both Greek and non-Greek affiliates, remains among the best, allowing Joe’s to offer the greatest college experience to its students. Alpha Phi, Mary Gill says her favorite part about working at Joe’s is, “absolutely the staff. They are awesome and well definitely the food…it gets me every time….I always feel like I’m craving a burger.”

Every bar has its own attitude, its own ambiance to say the least, and each one is incredibly unique. The best part about the night life in Champaign is the idea that walls formed by stereotypes and preconceived notion of different chapters are often broken because while everyone’s out, whether they be on an exchange or not, they are there for the most part to have a good time and enjoy the time shared with their friends and those around them.

Joe’s although on paper may appear to have changed a small amount, still remains the place to be on any night of week. And along with a great staff has now more great food to offer the best customers in the city of Champaign and according to owner Doug Larson, “all looks delicious." So, as resolutions are being made and schedules are being altered, make it a point to stop in at Joe’s Brewery and try out some new items on the menu.

Colleen is a sophomore studying political science and communication. You may contact her at couture3@illinois.edu.