Question about vegan shopping opportunities in central Illinois
Posted by Sahnie on Aug 06, 2009 · Member since Mar 2007 · 8 posts
My husband and I will be shortly moving to central Illinois to attend the Univeristy of Illinois there. I have only lived and shopped in the US for about four weeks now and it looks that some of the supermarkets selling things like tofutti cream cheese and Vegenaise in the Detroit area (Whole Foods, Trader Joe's) seemed in Illinois to be located in the vicinity of Chicago, a little to far far our weekly shopping.
I would be grateful if someone could point me in the direction of some local stores around Urbana-Champaign.
Sahnie
I used to live in Illinois, I think you have Kroger in your area. They have a small health food section with soy milk, almond milk, tofutti cream cheese and sour cream, soy ice cream, fake meats, almost everything that you will need. The only thing I have to go to whole foods for is nutritional yeast flakes
We live about 45 minutes from Cham-bana.
Strawberry Fields http://www.strawberry-fields.com/ is located in Urbana.
If you want to make the drive to Bloomington-Normal, there's a great place called Naturally Yours, and also a smaller place called Common Ground in downtown Bloomington.
If you have any questions, just let me know!
Also - there are a few really good Thai restaurants in Champaign Urbana, not to mention an outstanding place called Radio Maria http://www.shout.net/~radiom/ that is not exactly cheap but great for a nice night out. The Bread Company does a super fondue (if you are lacto). There are other places in town, pretty veg friendly.
Bloomington Normal suffers from vegetarian restaurants, but there is an all veg place in Normal called The Coffeehouse - again, if you ever make the drive up here, about 40-45 minutes or so.
My husband and I will be shortly moving to central Illinois
My sympathies to you and your husb.
I've never been to the U of I area, but I know a girl from high school that goes there and is part of the school's vegetarian society (pretty much a veg club I guess), so there are like minded people there.
Thanks everybody for the insider information and good tips. I will definately be putting them to good use when we taggle our big pantry shopping in Illinois and getting acclimated to our new surroundings. :smile:
Sahnie
thanks!
My husband and I will be shortly moving to central Illinois
My sympathies to you and your husb.
haha
Champaign-Urbana is a great area for veg*ns.
I assume the original poster is already there, but for others who are reading this thread:
Strawberry Fields in Urbana is a great store!
The Co-op in town is also very good http://commonground.coop/
I've never eaten at the Red Herring, but they serve vegan food http://www.theredherring.org/
Also, the area is full of great ethnic food stores and restaurants - many of which have good vegan choices.
The only problem I consistently have is finding vegetarian bouillon cubes! Stock up before you go.