Watson's Shack & Rail

211 N Neil St, Champaign
(217) 607-0168

Recent Reviews

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Becca Rhodes

Order from Door Dash, food was still nice and warm even on a -3 degree day! Mac N Cheese was super tasty. Chicken fingers a bit spicey for my taste but good. Chicken Gravy had LOTS of Black Pepper (too much for my liking). Sould tame it down on the Black Pepper on the Chicken and Gravy as those condiments can be added for each persons taste.

1967CarlyleK!

I went to Watson’s tonight for the spit roasted chicken…unfortunately, they eliminated the best item on their “new” menu. I walked out and may not come back. The new menu is disappointing. Many of the old favorites are gone.

Eleanor Wedell

Something has changed here and the food (chicken and sides both) are not what they used to be! I would rather pay more for the previous quality food than reorder what they served me on my last visit. Please bring back the old quality! I will forever miss the wedges if you do not!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 1

Service: 5

John Hoeffleur

Ordered Watson's catering for an event with 70 guests.

Easy to work with, right on time and accurate, great value, and delicious food. Highly recommended.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Justin Pugh

Joke of a chicken sandwich: they just thow a bunch of sorry, small strips of 90% breading on a bun and think its acceptable to charge $13 for it. You’ll find a bigger, jucier piece of chicken from any KFC or popeyes. Only good part was the Riggs Hefeweisen on tap.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 4

Kris Deters

This is no longer a chicken restaurant. Their 2 options for chicken are grilled chicken breast and fried chicken tenders. This was not the case on my last visit. Just know that any pictures you see in Google reviews of the food is no longer accurate.

The only defense I can give is that the waitress asked if we had been previously and then informed us that they had recently reduced the menu and the fried chicken was now fried white chicken tenders. The prices are incredibly high for chicken quality that is lower than fast food, such as Culvers. I'm glad I didn't order the Chicken and Waffles because I have a sneaking suspicion that I would have received a frozen toaster waffle with my chicken tenders.

I believe they used to say where they sourced their chicken. Now, they've increased prices, made sandwiches a la carte, and their food appears to be all from Sysco food services. Truly disappointing fall.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 5

Amsal Khimani

We went on a Friday night, it took almost 40 minutes to get a seat, then it took almost 30 minutes for the server to place our order, and it took an hour for the food to come out. All of us had places to be two-ish hours later. We ended up giving our food to go as it came out. It wasn’t that good that it was worth the wait.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 3

Service: 1

Jennifer Stash

Stopped late night for some drinks and snacks and it exceeded our expectations! The pretzel was annazing and the adult slushy flight was delicious! The Dole Whip rum slushy in particular was SO good. Will definitely go back to try the chicken. Lots of people ordered chicken & waffles.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Adi Kapoor

I’ve been a handful of times. Every time it’s been great. Amazing food and friendly staff. It was my go to place in town to show visiting family and friends… it was.

However, the last time I went (sept 14) my girlfriend’s chicken came drenched in grease. I’m talking like it was laying in a small bath that was a few centimeters high. Alongside the bath of grease was a very high amount of fryer gunk. She ordered the spicy chicken so I assumed it was just the seasoning and I took a bite. Big mistake…

My order was also quite awful. It was wet and unseasoned. I think I was given a boiled chicken that was brushed with oil.

The staff replaced my girlfriend’s chicken super quickly but the replacement which was nice. However the chicken was still sitting in a bath of grease and was shriveled up.

Overall, Watson’s has been an amazing experience. Not sure what was up with the cook this particular time, but that honestly makes me hesitant for next time.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 5

Mason Andrews

Food was good, chicken tenders were pretty tasty. Service was great, Sam at the bar was a pleasure to talk to and the staff seemed very friendly. The atmosphere was great, loved the decorations around the restaurant and the overall homey vibe of the place.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Gwen Keller-Lusk

What a fantastic lunch! Started with the special which was potato wedges with blue cheese, pulled chicken, I think some kind of sauce and coleslaw. Think southern poutine. Totally delicious. I had the chicken with white sauce, my son had the hot chicken sandwich, and my husband had the fried chicken sandwich. All delicious. Sides were Cajun green beans, Mac and cheese, and mashed potatoes and gravy. Also all delicious. Finally, I needed to use the rest room and found a shrine to Dolly Parton. A+ all around.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Zak Lowman

Food was good. Not sure I'd recommend for takeout because it was rather slow.

Angel Whitehorse

great food. come in for whiskey Wednesday and get half price pours all day!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Prasun Raha

Great place in Champaign downtown

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Evan Chen

From a taste perspective, this is likely the best chicken sandwich in the Champaign-Urbana area. A bit more expensive than your fast food chicken sandwich, but makes up for it with size and flavor. Their potato wedges are a good side. My only complaint is one time I ordered the chicken rice bowl and got maybe two small pieces of chicken and a thin layer of rice - so I'd stick with the sandwiches or the tenders.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Watson's Hot Chicken Sandwich

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