The burger and fries I had at this place were DELICIOUS! I ordered the Motherlode minus the mushrooms with grilled onions added and this burger did not disappoint. The blue cheese sauce they put on the burger was so rich and flavorful, the burger was juicy, and the bun was bread-y sweet goodness! The fries were seasoned very well, but a bit less substantial than I'd have liked (I prefer the medium-cut fries like Five Guys offers), but they give you a lot of them, so that kind of makes up for the thinness. The service was good - the servers were very friendly and held conversation with us and kept checking on us while we waited on our food. The only reason I give this place 4/5 and not a perfect 5 is the food took a long time to come out, and when it came out, our buns were cold. This didn't really take away from the burger, but next time I order food, I'll make sure I'm not TOO hungry. Otherwise, I'll order an appetizer or salad prior to my meal so that I will be ok with the longer wait times. read more

Hands down, best burger in CU! Excellent service. No wait tonight, yes! Worth it when there is though.

Very juicy burgers! Probably one of the best burger joints in the Champaign-Urbana area. Chill atmosphere, the decor was better than I expected after reading some others' reviews. It's good for family, friends gatherings and also to grab a beer and watch sports games. read more

The sum-up: Pub food at it's finest. We're new to the area and have heard good things about Farren's. My hubs and I had a free lunch w/o the kids and decided to go. It was not hard to find and it was pleasantly crowded for lunch, which was a good sign. We ordered sodas (bummer it was a lunch date, because we're beer drinkers) and each ordered mushroom swiss burgers, mine with blue cheese. I also decided to splurge and get the fresh-made potato chips. The staff was friendly and the food came out fast. The burger was juicy and delicious and the chips...were (hold on...I'm drooling...) aaahhhh-mazing! They were warm and the truffle salt was genius on these chips. We will absolutely be back to Farren's and would bring the kids along. This place is gold! read more

I waited a year and a half to go to Farrens, which was a huge mistake. The burgers are great, and probably the best ones in the CU area (though I still have lots to try). But what really sets the place head and shoulders above everyone are the potato chips with truffle salt. That stuff is fantastic, and totally worth every extra penny. Beer selection is okay, and they rotate stuff throughout the year. Staff is also very nice. Farrens only gets four stars because the bar selection isn't the best and because the decor feels a bit run-down. Still an excellent place to go. read more

Fantastic food, enjoyed the small resturant over big chain. Service was good as well. It was very busy every table filled but still had drinks kept filled and food came out hot and fresh in a decent amount of time. I got the Sponoli burger it was amazing and the onion rings are homemade tasted fresh. Others at my table got the venison burger which my brother loved and the Russell burger also great reviews from all at the table. Highly recommend this restaurant!! Waited said they were just voted one of the best burger joints in town. read more

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Made a quick stop here for lunch and was not disappointed! I hade the bacon cheese burger and it was awesome! The fries were delicious and so were the chips they make. The place was pretty busy but the staff were all very friendly and helpful to everyone! We were in and out in no time. Would highly recommend this place to all! read more

Don't need directions. Use the parking deck and follow the delicious smells downstairs to the alley. Great local beers, voted best burgers in Champaign. I had a hummus appetizer plate, which was my lunch. The pita was grilled, giving it a really nice smoky flavor. I'd give it a five but I counted only a bartender and one server for the whole place. Needs one more server. read more

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Great burgers but I go for the chicken tacos for lunch. I've been going here for years, haven't had a bad meal and/or experience here yet. read more

I think one sentence sums this place up perfectly... "Greasiest Food you Will Ever Eat." There's a lot of hype and praise about this place, but I really can't dig it just because all the food comes out dripping in grease. It's a burger and fries type of place to begin with, but even the soups come out with heavily oiled broth and salads loaded with Oily salad dressing (definitely ask for it on the side so you can spare yourself the grease attack) My co-workers love this place so I go every now and then, but of all the different dishes I've ordered, they were all dripping buckets of grease. Sure it's tasty, and I will always dig some greasy food, but this is really too much... Way too much. Burgers, fries, salmon burgers, steaks, chicken sandwiches, salad, etc. it's all pouring oil out the wazoo. I got to say the service is exceptional though. Every time I've went the service was very friendly, quick, and our food always came out fast. Prices are reasonable too. As for the atmosphere, I can see some people digging it but it's quite "unique" to say the least. You really would never even be able to guess this was a restaurant looking at it from the outside. There's a sign on the main road for it, but then you got to walk into the block a little bit and its in a plain colored building, hid away in a little nook. It only gets more "interesting" as you go in and descend into the restaurant. Yes, it's in a sort of a basement almost. I'm not against the place by any means, and the food is OK and the service is great. It's just far too greasy for me. It's just a place for those that don't mind really really greasy food. read more

AMAZING BURGER!!! BEST IN CHAMPAIGN/URBANA!! The only complaint I could have is the slightly oblivious servers. We had the same server both times, rarely received refills and waited a long time for our check. It seems that ever when other servers walked by a noticed our empty glasses .. they didn't bother to assist! But when in good company of friends .. I could care less about my glass and an amazing burger! read more

Farren's is the prototypical hole-in-the-wall establishment. Out of the way of the regular downtown foot traffic, it's located in an alley. But every time I go there, it's packed to the door. The food is amazing. I love the green chile cheeseburger because it reminds me of home. Ask them to replace the pepper jack cheese with cheddar. Don't bother paying extra for a fancier side order to replace the tricolor chips - they're amazing. Ask for extra salsa! The service is alright - sometimes you have to flag down a server, but the place is super busy, so it's understandable. Not good for a quick bite. Not open late. Be prepared to wait. A party of two will be sat almost immediately at the bar. Any party bigger than that must wait. read more

My favorite burger joint in Champaign. I got a burger with blue cheese sauce in it and it was RIDICULOUS! The atmosphere is not the greatest but I go to a restaurant to eat and if the food is this good I can deal with a lacking atmosphere. read more

Undoubtedly, they have the best burgers in CU area. The beef patties are so tender and taste very natural. They should work on their fries though! A 10/10 burger deserves 10/10 fries. read more

WOW!!! Best burgers I've ever had. Not only is the meat quality top notch (shout out to ole time meat and deli shop) but the huge selection of cheeses is amazing as well! The fact of the matter is that I can literally have just a plain cheeseburger and it be phenomenal! But on top of that they have a great selection of different types of burgers. Try to get a side of blue cheese dressing, it's so good! Also we sat at the bar and were treated like regulars immediately. Can't wait to go back. read more

Good food and relaxed atmosphere! This is a great place for high quality food and a nice time. Their burgers are huge and they give you tons of fries. You won't leave hungry. They have a small bar, but it's not exactly a sports bar kind of place. If you want large portions of great food go here. If you want dim lighting, few distractions, and nice seating go here. read more

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The burgers are great - really big and juicy. They come with tortilla chips or you can pay extra for fries... I found the fries to be pretty bad though. Too skinny and not crispy so I was a little disappointed there weren't any good fries to complement the burger! But that's okay, the burger is really really yummy. I tried my friends' chips and they tasted a tiny bit stale but maybe that's the way they're supposed to be...? I've also ordered takeout from here by calling ahead, the food was ready in just 10 minutes. Awesome! read more

BEST BURGERS IN C-U. I've tried a couple specials and they were good, but nothing compares to the burgers. They also have an amazing molten chocolatey dessert. And, I've always had excellent service. My only complaint is that they serve tortilla chips with their burgers; it just seems odd. read more

Went here with a group of friends and had a very pleasant experience. Wait staff was prompt and inviting. I had the steak and it was cooked to my specifications and the sides were very good. Will definitely come back read more

Farren's has been going above & beyond to keep their patrons & staff safe during this time. The food was again delicious (Strawberry Chicken Salad & Green Chili Burger) & the drinks were cold. Shoutout to Chandler for the great service! read more

Great burgers and excellent fries. As a burger fanatic I really enjoyed the spicoli burger, patty was excellent but perhaps could have used some more of the toppings listed on the menu. The fries are amazing, thin and crispy and definitely worth the upcharge. However, for lunch on a Saturday our food took forever to come out even though the restaurant wasn't full. We were seated immediately but waited at least 45 minutes for four burgers. The burgers are head and shoulders above any other burger I've had in the CU area but that wait time was brutal. Hopefully that's not the case next time I'm here! read more

I've lived in Champaign for the past few years, but I may as well have been living under a rock since I hadn't ever tried Farren's. I mean, WOW, this place is good! I'm always a bit skeptical of places that are really hyped up by people as they can sometime fall short of expectations, but that's not the case with Farren's. It's not a big or fancy place, it's kind of a hole in the wall in all honesty but that's what I like best about it. We sat at the bar and were immediately welcomed by their staff. In fact, throughout the night multiple staff checked in on us, not just our primary server. They have quite the beer selection (mostly bottles/cans) and have a full bar as well. We got the mozzarella sticks as an appetizer (fantastic) and I got The Spicoli burger, which has onions, mushrooms, cheese, and bacon. It was such a good burger. It had the perfect charbroiled taste and was perhaps the best burger I've had in C-U. Farren's definitely lived up to the hype. Simply put, it's a great place to eat. No frills, but great food. I'll make sure to be back soon. read more

I have ventured off of campus to Farren's 3 or 4 times and each one has been a great experience. As many have said, the burgers are all very good though a little expensive for a student's budget. For the student crowd, I would definitely stay away from the Kobe Burger as the extra cost isn't justified by any increase in flavor. The Buffalo Burger is one of the best burgers you can find in C-U and is definitely worth a try. Outside of the Burgers, Farren's has many unexpected dishes which are all delicious. I have tasted both the scallops and toasted ravioli, both of which I was leery of at first, but each of the dishes proved to be delicious. Don't be misled by the word "pub" in the name of the restaurant, everything on the menu is a specialty. The place is small so the service is always quick and the atmosphere is always very casual and friendly. All considered, a burger (or scallops) with a bottle of your favorite at Farren's is one of the best lunch picks in downtown Champaign. read more

Best food I've had in C-U thus far. Went on a Friday night in October with my sister. Had a burger that was covered in pulled pork, bacon, and cheese. AMAZING. (a heart attack waiting to happen, but so good!) My sister had a chicken pesto wrap thing that was also fresh and yummy. Great seasoned fries. Good bottled beer selection. I'll be back! read more

I wish this place was a "locals only" hidden gem... The Kobe Burger with their signature in house fries is by far the best burger in town. Great salads for anyone looking to have somethings a little lighter. Hipster employees with a cool atmosphere makes this place a must stop for anyone who comes to Champaign..... lol even though i wish they wouldn't. read more

I have been to Farren's about 10 times and I'd say their burgers are the most delicious in CU area. The quality of meat and how it's cooked is near perfect. The highlight is the blue cheese sauce in the Russel. For blue cheese lovers, it's that great especially with the sauteed mushroom. The fire burger with blue cheese sauce and ghost pepper cheese was one of the things to die for after the Russel. The service is usually quick and friendly even though the line is so long. read more

This is a must when I'm in town! The Russell is an amazing burger. I always order extra blue cheese sauce. Went there 7/20/18. It was busy but didn't have a wait. Not that it would have mattered! The wait staff was quick and the cooks do an amazing job in the small space they have. Can't think of enough good things to say. Just go there and you'll enjoy it. read more

Farrens has stepped it up. I haven't been denied a carry out in a long time.

Best salads eva! Scallop salad is ahhhmazing and it's huge. There's a strawberry chicken salad that my friend always gets and it looks delish too. Both salads have fresh strawberries, a delicious dressing and these crunchy cracker things on the sides that are also very good. Everyone I know loves the burgers here, I haven't had one but the French fries are to die for. The place is pretty cold in the winter months so dress warm, summer the AC is running and it's chilly then too so bring a jacket. It's a very casual atmosphere. read more

Update: I'm calling it. Farren's has the best burgers in C-U. The service is amazing, even when the lines are long and the place is packed. Definitely worth the wait!! read more

Ah yes, Farron's. Welcome to my service full of fail poop list. While the food here is tasty, the service leaves much to be desired. There's simply no good reason to have people wait when there party is only one short and half the tables are empty. Nope. No. Oh hell no. So if you want a burger downtown try Big Grove, Distihl, or even Guido's (the service is only marginally better than Farron's). If you want the best burgers for your buck though try Jurassic Burger in campus town. Word to the wise, #servicematters read more

A great looking hidden gem in downtown Champaign often voted best hamburgers in the area. This Irish bar has a grill right up to the bar and a nice dark decor with odd art on walls. A place where the academics come and dialogue while enjoying staple American eats. A good choice of drinks as well read more

I wish their menu had a little more things to order but the burger was fantastic. Fries were definitely fresh and delicious. Even had my favorite beer ON TAP! Weihenstephaner. read more

I love the burgers. The staff is always hella attentive and even when it's packed the line moves quickly. The ambiance is also set up so that the customers are relaxed enough to engage with one another (if you choose, too). If you are looking for a place where no one knows your name and has a good burger, this is the place. read more

I love Farren's burgers. I usually get The Russell burger and order it with bison instead of beef (sometimes they run out of the bison). Of course if you don't like mushroom, then it's not for you. I usually also go with the handcut fries, but some people love their truffle chips. I find them to be too salty. They also have good salads, if you want some lighter fare. read more

occupying a small-ish basement location on Randolph St in downtown Champaign, Farren's has been my go-to place for salads for years and years. they make their own salad dressings (both the strawberry vinaigrette and ranch are delish) and use excellent greens and toppings. the everything-topped crackers that accompany the salads are light, and a real treat. and their prices have stayed the same for years now (unreal, no?), which translates into a good deal in 2008. yes, they have good burgers and a mean veggie burger. yes, they have creative specials using super-high-quality ingredients at prices more reasonable than all those other downtown joints. yes, they were the original killer-beer-selection place before there was a Blind Pig. and yes, the manager Todd is fantastic and the service is fast and friendly (don't sit at the bar unless you're up for a chat). but mostly, just go to Farren's for the salads!!! read more

Since they have moved locations it has been a constant disappointment. We waited over 20 minutes to be sat- this was about 230pm on a weekday and lots of open tables. The server finally greeted us after 20 minutes, got our drink order and didn't come back. My boyfriend ended up flagging down another server. Our order was messed up, overcooked on the burger and it was mostly cold. My daughter's order was not even brought out. Took me everything not to just walk out but we were very hungry and I had an appointment to get to. Tired to get the manager but it took too long. Our server visit our table 1 time take the food order. Someone drop off the (incomplete and messed-up order) and it wasn't rectified at all. We had to ask at the front for our bill (but in all honesty we probably could've just left and they wouldn't have even noticed). The only feedback we got is that our original server probably left it take a smoke break and they don't know what happened to him. (I had another similar experience there so I did go back and hoped things had improved but as y out can see it didn't). Hope their service has changed but I'm not coming back to be disappointed again. read more

I really enjoyed eating Pesto & Cheese Sandwich with Fries. Also we had Mozzarella Cheese sticks as our starter, which was tasty but lesser quantity than we had expected based on its price. Overall, great experience for an American meal in Champaign. Quality of service was also great. Would go there to have a good sandwich / burger there again. read more

Been to this hidden pub and burger place a few times and it's pretty good. Quick to seat us and plenty of different food options available. Prices aren't too much and I enjoyed the food I had there with my partner. Unfortunately, the service here always tends to be subpar at best. One server just disappeared on us halfway through serving. Good food with okay service, worth a visit though! read more

How has this place been around for as long as it has and I NOT have tried it before today?!?! These burgers are absolutely AMAZING! We had three to try (bacon with american, mushroom with habanero and plain with provolone). All of them rocked! They were huge, fresh and juicy. We got fries with them and could not come close to finishing it all. The fries were really good too, not too greasy or salty. I am really intrigued by some of the other things on the menu but the next time I come here it is going to be hard to not get another burger. The guys working there were all super friendly and casual. Wonderful food, fantastic laid back service....this place is great! read more