Best Spots for Central Open Lunch

Open lunch is a wonderful concept from the get go. It’s freeing, it lets people get some fresh air, and it can give students a respite from an otherwise monotonous school day. But what do you do with all of these decisions? What do you choose in just an hour? Well, there’s no one right answer but this article can help you narrow down your choices and pick the place that best suits you.

If you have a car, it widens opportunities for more places but it can also come at the cost of time. Time management is crucial for a good place to eat. Casey Pyrz, a junior, suggested, “If you have a car, you can go to McDonalds, Culvers, Jimmy Johns.” Personally, I couldn’t agree more. McDonalds is great for affordability and it’s not too far from Central. However, it can be a pretty popular lunch spot so who knows if other people get the same idea? Another viable option, if you're willing to brave Prospect, is Jimmy John’s. Their sandwiches are always fresh and although they’re more expensive than McDonalds… They’re not called “freaky fast” for nothing. I’d personally recommend the Jimmy John’s further north on Prospect than the Mattis and Kirby location because it’s generally closer and has a drive thru.

But what if you don’t have a car? Well, then there’s still options for you! In the bustling downtown Champaign area, there are often food trucks parked on Neil Street. It’s a wonderful way to support local businesses, although you should get there fast before a line starts to queue up, otherwise it takes a while. I’d say it’s worth it for the fresh, hot food served moments after it’s cooked. But if you’d rather have a leisurely walk and a place to sit, then head over to Café Kopi. Situated on Walnut Street, its welcoming atmosphere draws you in, as well as their food. They’re a bit on the pricey side but, if you don’t mind a more brisk walk in the colder months, they’re sure to be a great spot for lunch.

If you’re wondering why I didn’t mention your favorite place for lunch, there's probably a reason. A senior, Allison Hobson, said, “I like Cactus Grill and go to Panera the most.” As much as I personally love Panera, it’s not a very viable option for open lunch because of the wait time. After you’ve waited for take out or the drive thru, you hardly have time to drive back to school and eat your meal. And Subway is too far to walk (or maybe I’m just unathletic).

Honestly, at the end of the day, it's your life- who am I to stop you? It’s your money to spend and it’s your decision to make. You could also choose to save your money and stay at Central, as Izzy Cain told me, who usually “stays inside the school and goes to the library” for their lunch hour. But, maybe, since you've gotten this far, I hope that you’ve listened to my two cents.