My family and I enjoy dining at Gayle Starks' Neil Street Blues, a wonderful restaurant in Champaign, Illinois, that serves delicious food in an upbeat atmosphere. Gayle and her team are very enthusiastic, professional, knowledgeable, courteous, patient and so very warm, kind, and compassionate.
Our family decided to have our Thanksgiving catered by Neil Street Blues and we could not have been more pleased with our dinner!!!! The turkey was seasoned to perfection and so juicy, the ham was succulent, the mashed potatoes so buttery, the greens were perfect!!!!
We are excited and look forward to enjoying a wonderful, delicious CHRISTmas dinner catered by Neil Street Blues, what a treat!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
P (K)
A nice restaurant. They have a lot of options for food you can get. They also have a nice selection of drinks you can try. The staff here are very friendly. The atmosphere is very nice.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Kenneth S Thompson
When I visit Champaign, this is my favorite place to dine. During my visit, a week ago, I had the Blackend Catfish Fillet, collared Greens and a Cup of Gumbo with cornbread. And I also ordered the Peach Cobbler to go. Catfish was again delicious. I was not disappointed. The sides were good, and the dessert that I ate later that day was very good. Service was good. I had an early dinner so it was not busy. In my view the price was fair. Because I ate early, I did not get to enjoy the live entertainment that usually very pleasant for a dinner atmosphere. I have been here each time I traveled to Champaign and I have not been disappointed as I get exactly what I expect- delicious food. I plan to try the Jambalaya next time. I encourage people to check this place out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Threat To Thriving, Inc
I dont neet the owner but was thibkjbg, she should keep an ey on her employees. They dont value her business as muxh as she does, but then the reviews. Well someone cclaimed to be the owner. My frkend said that was not the owner. Keep an eye till you know your staff is on point. I was treated poorly by bartender and waitress. KJ was friendly. bar food chicken wings was on delicious, but with BBQ wjngs theyb Didn't provide napkins or the drink I requested. Was ignored by bartender all night. Very rude everytime. Ignored me and only responded when a regular asked her to help me. I wanted food she said she didn't know how I could get it. Girls in audience saying nasty things while I was up for karaoke. SMH sad
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
Mike Gergory
Awesome food and customer service!! I will definitely be back!
Peggy Gay
While the food is good, the service is not. I ordered from here through doordash twice, months apart and only received part of my order. I had to go and pick up the rest of my order which defeats the purpose of ordering through doordash.
I wish they would make sure the order is complete before they put it out for doordash to pick up.
They also did not have everything on the menu. They need to re-review what they have on their menu and remove the items that are not available.
I don't live in Urbana and was visiting relatives the 2 times my order was not completed
We have to do better if you want to thrive in business.
Food: 5
Service: 1
Alfred Shanks
We met here for a work dinner. Food and service were amazing. I got the chicken and fish platter. On the way out we spoke to the owner, she was amazing also. This place is legit, if you don’t like the food here, you don’t know soul food. They checked all the boxes!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Louis Rowan
Food fresh hot and good
Tim T.
First time eating here. Phenomenal server, great atmosphere, great food.
Food menu is best described as deep south soul food/comfort food (gumbo, catfish, fried chicken, jambalaya, shrimp, etc). It's delicious. The server stated they do keep shellfish in a separate prep area when asked, so cross-contamination for shellfish allergies won't be a thing if that affects you.
Live music was present, not sure if the DJ was regular or due to the birthday party also going on, but the volume was perfect for the place - loud enough to keep energy in the place up without causing anyone to have to talk louder to be heard.
The restaurants and bars (same thing for most of them, really) in downtown Champaign put all of the chain restaurants in the shopping districts to shame at comparable prices, and this is no exception. We will definitely be back.
I had the wings dinner with an extra side. The mac n cheese was bomb. The greens had a little sweet note which I didnt love but hot sauce fixed. Wings seasoned and cooked perfectly! Great vibes and music! Definitely coming back.
Best Catfish I’ve ever had! Amy was amazing as well! If you’ve never had soul food before or want to try something new, please go here!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Minhye Park
LOVE this place!!! staff is super kind, food is fantastic! 100/100
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Keynan Mullineaux
Some of the BEST soul food I’ve ever had. Everything was top tier, you can truly taste the love put into this food. Will def be coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
George Gouard
Every thing was excellent
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jam R.
This is my go to spot when I’m in town visiting my son. I love the food here! The food really touches your soul! The staff is always friendly. I wish I could catch the live music though. The bluesarita is a hit too!
My family and I enjoy dining at Gayle Starks' Neil Street Blues, a wonderful restaurant in Champaign, Illinois, that serves delicious food in an upbeat atmosphere. Gayle and her team are very enthusiastic, professional, knowledgeable, courteous, patient and so very warm, kind, and compassionate.
Our family decided to have our Thanksgiving catered by Neil Street Blues and we could not have been more pleased with our dinner!!!! The turkey was seasoned to perfection and so juicy, the ham was succulent, the mashed potatoes so buttery, the greens were perfect!!!!
We are excited and look forward to enjoying a wonderful, delicious CHRISTmas dinner catered by Neil Street Blues, what a treat!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A nice restaurant. They have a lot of options for food you can get. They also have a nice selection of drinks you can try. The staff here are very friendly. The atmosphere is very nice.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
When I visit Champaign, this is my favorite place to dine. During my visit, a week ago, I had the Blackend Catfish Fillet, collared Greens and a Cup of Gumbo with cornbread. And I also ordered the Peach Cobbler to go. Catfish was again delicious. I was not disappointed. The sides were good, and the dessert that I ate later that day was very good. Service was good. I had an early dinner so it was not busy. In my view the price was fair. Because I ate early, I did not get to enjoy the live entertainment that usually very pleasant for a dinner atmosphere. I have been here each time I traveled to Champaign and I have not been disappointed as I get exactly what I expect- delicious food. I plan to try the Jambalaya next time. I encourage people to check this place out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I dont neet the owner but was thibkjbg, she should keep an ey on her employees. They dont value her business as muxh as she does, but then the reviews. Well someone cclaimed to be the owner. My frkend said that was not the owner. Keep an eye till you know your staff is on point. I was treated poorly by bartender and waitress. KJ was friendly. bar food chicken wings was on delicious, but with BBQ wjngs theyb Didn't provide napkins or the drink I requested. Was ignored by bartender all night. Very rude everytime. Ignored me and only responded when a regular asked her to help me. I wanted food she said she didn't know how I could get it. Girls in audience saying nasty things while I was up for karaoke. SMH sad
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
Awesome food and customer service!! I will definitely be back!
While the food is good, the service is not. I ordered from here through doordash twice, months apart and only received part of my order. I had to go and pick up the rest of my order which defeats the purpose of ordering through doordash.
I wish they would make sure the order is complete before they put it out for doordash to pick up.
They also did not have everything on the menu. They need to re-review what they have on their menu and remove the items that are not available.
I don't live in Urbana and was visiting relatives the 2 times my order was not completed
We have to do better if you want to thrive in business.
Food: 5
Service: 1
We met here for a work dinner. Food and service were amazing. I got the chicken and fish platter. On the way out we spoke to the owner, she was amazing also. This place is legit, if you don’t like the food here, you don’t know soul food. They checked all the boxes!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food fresh hot and good
First time eating here. Phenomenal server, great atmosphere, great food.
Food menu is best described as deep south soul food/comfort food (gumbo, catfish, fried chicken, jambalaya, shrimp, etc). It's delicious. The server stated they do keep shellfish in a separate prep area when asked, so cross-contamination for shellfish allergies won't be a thing if that affects you.
Live music was present, not sure if the DJ was regular or due to the birthday party also going on, but the volume was perfect for the place - loud enough to keep energy in the place up without causing anyone to have to talk louder to be heard.
The restaurants and bars (same thing for most of them, really) in downtown Champaign put all of the chain restaurants in the shopping districts to shame at comparable prices, and this is no exception. We will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Jambalaya, Chicken \u0026 Waffles
I had the wings dinner with an extra side. The mac n cheese was bomb. The greens had a little sweet note which I didnt love but hot sauce fixed. Wings seasoned and cooked perfectly! Great vibes and music! Definitely coming back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
Best Catfish I’ve ever had! Amy was amazing as well! If you’ve never had soul food before or want to try something new, please go here!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
LOVE this place!!! staff is super kind, food is fantastic! 100/100
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Some of the BEST soul food I’ve ever had. Everything was top tier, you can truly taste the love put into this food. Will def be coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Every thing was excellent
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is my go to spot when I’m in town visiting my son. I love the food here! The food really touches your soul! The staff is always friendly. I wish I could catch the live music though. The bluesarita is a hit too!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
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