Why five stars you ask? And why review a Hooters in Champaign when I live in Chicago? Well once a very long time ago, when I attended the U of I, my roommate and I were eating lunch here on a weekday and in walks Harrison Ford. Thats right, Han Solo/Indian Jones himself walks in, by himself and treats himself to the delicious Hooters cuisine. There must of only been about 3 or 4 other patrons where, so it wasn't a big todo or anything. That is totally random (there is a airport down the road, and Hooters was on of the first restaurants you see when you drive up from it towards town, so he was probably refueling or something). So +1 star. So that aside, as a fried chicken review, I give Hooter's Chicken 4 stars. The very thing that makes it unique you either love or hate, Hooter's batters its chicken wings. Hooters also leaves the "tips" on its wings too. You can ask for them naked, but as its kind of the specailty of their wings I prefer the batter. The batter does soak up a lot of sauce and oil, so it is by no means healthy. It does keep ok, but its better reheated if you let it go cold. Hooters sauces are notoriously non-spicey (and I'm a big wuss when it comes to spice). "Hot" is about medium, "medium" is less than what is considered mild at most places, it has no flavor at all besides a buttery oilyness for some color. Please order at least "hot", don't be afraid, its not hot. The fried buffalo shrimp are pretty good too (but they go too quick). Grilled cheese was favorite too, but some of these options are not offered as many Hooters are franchised.
(5)
Mike K.
Wings and buffalo shrimp were great. Fried pickles were cooked just right. Service was above average but it was a very slow night. As always, Hooters didn't disappoint. Will be back next time in town!
(4)
Luana F.
This place was bad I came in hooters because of course I love it This is a tester store So they try new menus But here is the weird part I'm 100% Puerto Rican a well respected one the strange part I'm beginning to believe this is a racist town hello it's 2015 Because there was plenty of seats But they sat me in the corner in the dark away from everyone instead of where I wanted to sit down It was very strange and weird and I never felt so uncomfortable in my life although the food was good and my waitress was good I just could not get this vibe that they put out don't go to this place I would not recommended The most horrible feeling I have ever felt thank you hooters for making me sad on my journey back home
(1)
Jim J.
I just wanted a beer and the service was HORRIBLE . I waited at my table for a waitress but that didn't happen so I sat at the bar and wasn't much better. I got one beer and couldn't get the bartender to come back. I don't think they realize that they work on tips for good service not because they have a skimpy costume. BTW-for a college town, the girls weren't good looking at all. Maybe because it was Monday night and the C team was working.
(1)
Trent M.
Waitresses were great! Better wings than I've had at other hooters. Waitress came around offering a free margarita to critique the bartender. Best hooters ever!
(5)
David O.
If u've been here, u may very well kno the setup is terrible. Even jus finding this place (located behind Hardee's)is difficult. It's as if Hooters took over a previous establishment not big in business. The bar only seats 10 with a large square room. There r only 2 Hooters signs on the building itself. If this place wants to make better business, I suggest they move to a location more visual from Route 45. On the other hand, I noticed a fellow yelper complain about the texture of the food but it was fairly consistent for my experience. Also, this location employees pretty young ladies, after all it is a college town. Ur welcome! ;) Only 3* for mediocre-ism
(3)
Tiff B.
They get a 4 star just off the buffalo chicken dpi and they are playing the pacquio fight. I'm a woman so I can't go higher than a 4.... Even if the food is bomb... A little difficult to find compared to others. Set up is a little awkward. I nearly walked past the hostess booth
(4)
Jason C.
Tons of cute Hooter's girls, but I've been there twice since moving to Champaign and it seems like their wings consistently lack any crunch, even soggy. Everything tastes fine, just missing some texture.
(3)
Kristin J.
The Philly cheesesteak and burger we had for lunch were very good. The service was great, waitress was very attentive. There was only one negative while we were there. There was a university of Illinois football game on. One of the waitress (not our, thank goodness) seemed to get very agitated if she found out anyone was rooting for the other team. She actually came up to our table, gave us a dirty look, and told us she has friends on the team. You can root for whatever team you want, but you probably shouldn't try to pick fights with customers when you work for tips!
(4)
Christopher V.
Service was pretty attentive. The food wasn't as good as the typical Hooters experience. Wings were huge, too big in a steroid kind of way. Wouldn't go back.
(2)
Eric B.
LOVE the wings here, i think next to black dog they are the best in the city. The grilled chicken sandwich is excellent as well with a side of hot sauce and curley fries. Only drawback is the price, they are pretty expensive.
(4)
Aaron T.
I love hooters! This however was the worst food I have ever had at any location. The chicken was so dry and cheese sauce was hard and tasted disgusting.
(1)
Raymond T.
The combination of both beer and wings from hooters makes me sick in the morning I continue to eat there for years. As always the servers fake like they care but that don't bother me as long as a get good service and I do. Plus they are easy on the eyes.
(3)
Skip B.
Wow! Don't know where to start so many bad things say,and so little time.Let us keep it simple. Food really, really bad. Price oh my God them must be gold plated chickens,maybe thats why they taste so bad. The service was ok not good just ok, and my wife and I where the only customers at the time. Save your money fire up the grill make your own, I guarantee they will be better then what you would have spent way to much for at Hooters. I rated the noise level as quiet because my wife and I didn't make much noise. I gave it 4 [ $] just because it so overpriced.
(1)
N A.
Pretty much what you'd expect. Way overpriced, extremely low quality food served by not-that-bright, fake-baked girls wearing shiny nylons, big puffy socks, and the most unflattering shorts imaginable. Great if you're a perv from '86, decidedly not great for everyone else.
(1)
Sara A.
The most disgusting food I have ever been 'served' in my life. The grilled cheese sandwich was nothing more than two pieces of Texas Toast bread that had been smeared with butter and thrown in the microwave with two greasy slices of cheese in the middle. The fries were cold and the service was less than desirable. There were only about four other people in the entire restaurant, and yet our 'waitress' never bothered to give me a refill......I didn't bother to leave a tip. I don't recommend anyone go to the Champaign Hooters. Instead, go to Buffalo Wild Wings - WAAAAAY better!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Happy Hour : Yes Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Jonathan C.
Why five stars you ask? And why review a Hooters in Champaign when I live in Chicago? Well once a very long time ago, when I attended the U of I, my roommate and I were eating lunch here on a weekday and in walks Harrison Ford. Thats right, Han Solo/Indian Jones himself walks in, by himself and treats himself to the delicious Hooters cuisine. There must of only been about 3 or 4 other patrons where, so it wasn't a big todo or anything. That is totally random (there is a airport down the road, and Hooters was on of the first restaurants you see when you drive up from it towards town, so he was probably refueling or something). So +1 star. So that aside, as a fried chicken review, I give Hooter's Chicken 4 stars. The very thing that makes it unique you either love or hate, Hooter's batters its chicken wings. Hooters also leaves the "tips" on its wings too. You can ask for them naked, but as its kind of the specailty of their wings I prefer the batter. The batter does soak up a lot of sauce and oil, so it is by no means healthy. It does keep ok, but its better reheated if you let it go cold. Hooters sauces are notoriously non-spicey (and I'm a big wuss when it comes to spice). "Hot" is about medium, "medium" is less than what is considered mild at most places, it has no flavor at all besides a buttery oilyness for some color. Please order at least "hot", don't be afraid, its not hot. The fried buffalo shrimp are pretty good too (but they go too quick). Grilled cheese was favorite too, but some of these options are not offered as many Hooters are franchised.
(5)Mike K.
Wings and buffalo shrimp were great. Fried pickles were cooked just right. Service was above average but it was a very slow night. As always, Hooters didn't disappoint. Will be back next time in town!
(4)Luana F.
This place was bad I came in hooters because of course I love it This is a tester store So they try new menus But here is the weird part I'm 100% Puerto Rican a well respected one the strange part I'm beginning to believe this is a racist town hello it's 2015 Because there was plenty of seats But they sat me in the corner in the dark away from everyone instead of where I wanted to sit down It was very strange and weird and I never felt so uncomfortable in my life although the food was good and my waitress was good I just could not get this vibe that they put out don't go to this place I would not recommended The most horrible feeling I have ever felt thank you hooters for making me sad on my journey back home
(1)Jim J.
I just wanted a beer and the service was HORRIBLE . I waited at my table for a waitress but that didn't happen so I sat at the bar and wasn't much better. I got one beer and couldn't get the bartender to come back. I don't think they realize that they work on tips for good service not because they have a skimpy costume. BTW-for a college town, the girls weren't good looking at all. Maybe because it was Monday night and the C team was working.
(1)Trent M.
Waitresses were great! Better wings than I've had at other hooters. Waitress came around offering a free margarita to critique the bartender. Best hooters ever!
(5)David O.
If u've been here, u may very well kno the setup is terrible. Even jus finding this place (located behind Hardee's)is difficult. It's as if Hooters took over a previous establishment not big in business. The bar only seats 10 with a large square room. There r only 2 Hooters signs on the building itself. If this place wants to make better business, I suggest they move to a location more visual from Route 45. On the other hand, I noticed a fellow yelper complain about the texture of the food but it was fairly consistent for my experience. Also, this location employees pretty young ladies, after all it is a college town. Ur welcome! ;) Only 3* for mediocre-ism
(3)Tiff B.
They get a 4 star just off the buffalo chicken dpi and they are playing the pacquio fight. I'm a woman so I can't go higher than a 4.... Even if the food is bomb... A little difficult to find compared to others. Set up is a little awkward. I nearly walked past the hostess booth
(4)Jason C.
Tons of cute Hooter's girls, but I've been there twice since moving to Champaign and it seems like their wings consistently lack any crunch, even soggy. Everything tastes fine, just missing some texture.
(3)Kristin J.
The Philly cheesesteak and burger we had for lunch were very good. The service was great, waitress was very attentive. There was only one negative while we were there. There was a university of Illinois football game on. One of the waitress (not our, thank goodness) seemed to get very agitated if she found out anyone was rooting for the other team. She actually came up to our table, gave us a dirty look, and told us she has friends on the team. You can root for whatever team you want, but you probably shouldn't try to pick fights with customers when you work for tips!
(4)Christopher V.
Service was pretty attentive. The food wasn't as good as the typical Hooters experience. Wings were huge, too big in a steroid kind of way. Wouldn't go back.
(2)Eric B.
LOVE the wings here, i think next to black dog they are the best in the city. The grilled chicken sandwich is excellent as well with a side of hot sauce and curley fries. Only drawback is the price, they are pretty expensive.
(4)Aaron T.
I love hooters! This however was the worst food I have ever had at any location. The chicken was so dry and cheese sauce was hard and tasted disgusting.
(1)Raymond T.
The combination of both beer and wings from hooters makes me sick in the morning I continue to eat there for years. As always the servers fake like they care but that don't bother me as long as a get good service and I do. Plus they are easy on the eyes.
(3)Skip B.
Wow! Don't know where to start so many bad things say,and so little time.Let us keep it simple. Food really, really bad. Price oh my God them must be gold plated chickens,maybe thats why they taste so bad. The service was ok not good just ok, and my wife and I where the only customers at the time. Save your money fire up the grill make your own, I guarantee they will be better then what you would have spent way to much for at Hooters. I rated the noise level as quiet because my wife and I didn't make much noise. I gave it 4 [ $] just because it so overpriced.
(1)N A.
Pretty much what you'd expect. Way overpriced, extremely low quality food served by not-that-bright, fake-baked girls wearing shiny nylons, big puffy socks, and the most unflattering shorts imaginable. Great if you're a perv from '86, decidedly not great for everyone else.
(1)Sara A.
The most disgusting food I have ever been 'served' in my life. The grilled cheese sandwich was nothing more than two pieces of Texas Toast bread that had been smeared with butter and thrown in the microwave with two greasy slices of cheese in the middle. The fries were cold and the service was less than desirable. There were only about four other people in the entire restaurant, and yet our 'waitress' never bothered to give me a refill......I didn't bother to leave a tip. I don't recommend anyone go to the Champaign Hooters. Instead, go to Buffalo Wild Wings - WAAAAAY better!
(1)