I’d like to write and share my review for this place because it seems long overdue. You all know the food was amazing, but it was so much more than that to me. I got my first glimpse of 126 W Main in the summer of 2014. I was really struggling with my job satisfaction working overtime at a popular gastro brewpub downtown Champaign. I was eating “plant-based” for maybe a year’s time and only knew other people who called themselves “vegan” through online personalities. I was buying some leather Birkenstocks for my job out of desperation to relieve pain from being on my feet long hours profiting off of serving and selling loads of animal products including veal. This all was making me feel really unsettled inside, and it was starting to show on the outside as well. Gary Yourofsky’s Best Speech You’ll Ever Hear among other YouTube videos had left a lasting impression on how I wanted to align my actions with my ethics. I remember walking down the Main’s sidewalk with the shoe box in my hands getting wafts of new leather smells and thinking “I have to leave the restaurant industry. I really can’t sell myself like this anymore.” Just then I noticed a folder taped to a big storefront window with applications tucked inside for the taking. I peeked inside the window and it was obvious they had a good bit of remodeling going on, but it looked like it was going to be some sort of cafe. I took one and thought “Maybe a cafe wouldn’t be so bad… I was already considering applying to Barnes and Noble’s cafe and store. Then I could make a few tips and work for a local business.” When I got home I checked out The Dancing Dog Eatery & Juicery’s Facebook page and became shocked and elated to see it was going to be a fully vegan restaurant. I saw my day dreams of opening a vegan restaurant coming to fruition. After going in for an interview with Brian (one of the owners) and a manager at the time I knew this was the place for me to put my skills to use for something meaningful. These vegan weirdos asking me what kind of animal I would be in the job interview also seemed cool enough. :-) I spent the next several years in love with the business, coworkers, guests, and even the building itself. I really am saying this was a dream experience for me. I’ve made so many friends and memories though this wonderful place in time. I’ve learned though the great culinary artists I’ve worked alongside you can make a vegan version of anything, and it can often be better than the original. I’ve learned serving and making food with love is something you can taste and Dr. Emoto has the proof. I’ve learned there is great kindness in the hearts of the people of Urbana, and I have missed all of their smiles dearly. So a shout out to everyone who has made The Dancing Dog great over the years: the guests— the regulars and the out-of-town-ers (one time I served Michael Greger!), the employees, and especially the owners. Brian and Linda have treated me like family over the years and I can’t thank them enough for all they’ve done for me and the area. I hope the best is yet to come for them! With so much love and gratitude, AHA / Alexx / Bossy McSnausage
Shantay Wakefield
Great Food and Great Customer service!
Travis Smith
Black Cat Burger and the best fries in C-U made for an excellent lunch. House made ketchup is on point!
Zach S.
This place is awesome! Every meal they serve is fantastic and although I'm not vegan, I try to eat vegan meals as much as I'm able. Prices are reasonable and I leave feeling satisfied every time. The deserts really steal the show in my opinion. The only complaint is a big one: the hours. I understand that staff is hard to come by but this place is almost never open. Even when I come by during the week around lunch sometimes when it says online they should be open, they're closed with no explanation.
Yooji K.
The menu is rotated weekly. I got the burrito for this week:) I like the diverse flavor that I ate for dinner today. I recommend this place a lot!
Ella Tietz
As someone who has lived in Champaign County for a long time, I can say for sure that this is in my top two restaurants of all time. Unfortunately now that I am away at college, I no longer get the vegan food I need. Therefore, this 5 star restaurant in my books should really consider opening another location. I will leave you with the wise words of a great philosopher named Ella, "The Vegans know how to cook".
Allie
The last time they had their chili fries the portion was so small I felt scammed. I also special ordered some cookie sandwiches for my birthday and they were SO dry like they were already a week old which was disappointing.And most recently (2/19/22) I ordered the pesto grilled cheese and found some type of animal hair on one of the pieces…. Which was real nasty. I love Dancing Dog but the negatives are really starting to stack up :/
Roberto Sabas
It's a cozy vegan eatery with good food and quick service. The person at the counter on 1-7-22, Friday evening was friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and efficient. We ordered an app: poppers in a yummy balsamic reduction that reminded me of a good caramel or chocolate sauce, but with a balsamic profile. My wife had the Chef's patty (a crunchy chickpea and spice blend), my son ordered the pesto grilled cheese with fries, and I got the Philly cheesesteak (made of seitan), dripping with a vegan cheese sauce. We all had the tomato bisque which was thick, rich, piping hot, and delicious! Moderately priced, we felt it was an excellent value for the experience. We will return!
Rob Dinero
It’s ok, the food has its days, it can be a hit or miss really.I just feel like for them to be the only vegan spot in the whole town, they run out of things on the menu too quick and the open and close time is very weird.This spot has some potential, but needs a little bit more structure and more catering to the customers needs.
Tabitha Qualls
it was decent but incredibly expensive. $6 for a slice of cake is a drastic ripoff, fortunately i'm hungry and too lazy to make vegan cake myself
Came here on the recommendation of a friend, and it was so good ! I am always looking for new things to try and the all vegan menu did not disappoint
Patti Crow Scott
This evening was our first time here and it was delicious!! I’m vegan and my husband is not, but he loved it too. I highly recommend!!
Hillary E.
I feel bad giving a less than stellar review because I do love the food here, for the most part (tzatziki sauce is atrocious though, get your falafel/gyro without). The people here are just never friendly, and I've been coming here for years. It's like they specifically hire really unpleasant people. I like having a vegan place somewhat nearby but always dread having to actually talk to anyone here.
Sabryna Valdez
Don’t think I’ve ever left a bad review before but the “blackcat” burger I ordered today was so burnt/ charred it was like I bit into a chunk of coal. Super disappointed since I had it on my lunch break and it’s literally inedible :(
Allyson H
Super delicious! Love an all vegan spot! The music was a lil loud and I wish there had been more outside seating but it was still a great place to eat.
I’d like to write and share my review for this place because it seems long overdue. You all know the food was amazing, but it was so much more than that to me. I got my first glimpse of 126 W Main in the summer of 2014. I was really struggling with my job satisfaction working overtime at a popular gastro brewpub downtown Champaign. I was eating “plant-based” for maybe a year’s time and only knew other people who called themselves “vegan” through online personalities. I was buying some leather Birkenstocks for my job out of desperation to relieve pain from being on my feet long hours profiting off of serving and selling loads of animal products including veal. This all was making me feel really unsettled inside, and it was starting to show on the outside as well. Gary Yourofsky’s Best Speech You’ll Ever Hear among other YouTube videos had left a lasting impression on how I wanted to align my actions with my ethics. I remember walking down the Main’s sidewalk with the shoe box in my hands getting wafts of new leather smells and thinking “I have to leave the restaurant industry. I really can’t sell myself like this anymore.” Just then I noticed a folder taped to a big storefront window with applications tucked inside for the taking. I peeked inside the window and it was obvious they had a good bit of remodeling going on, but it looked like it was going to be some sort of cafe. I took one and thought “Maybe a cafe wouldn’t be so bad… I was already considering applying to Barnes and Noble’s cafe and store. Then I could make a few tips and work for a local business.” When I got home I checked out The Dancing Dog Eatery & Juicery’s Facebook page and became shocked and elated to see it was going to be a fully vegan restaurant. I saw my day dreams of opening a vegan restaurant coming to fruition. After going in for an interview with Brian (one of the owners) and a manager at the time I knew this was the place for me to put my skills to use for something meaningful. These vegan weirdos asking me what kind of animal I would be in the job interview also seemed cool enough. :-) I spent the next several years in love with the business, coworkers, guests, and even the building itself. I really am saying this was a dream experience for me. I’ve made so many friends and memories though this wonderful place in time. I’ve learned though the great culinary artists I’ve worked alongside you can make a vegan version of anything, and it can often be better than the original. I’ve learned serving and making food with love is something you can taste and Dr. Emoto has the proof. I’ve learned there is great kindness in the hearts of the people of Urbana, and I have missed all of their smiles dearly. So a shout out to everyone who has made The Dancing Dog great over the years: the guests— the regulars and the out-of-town-ers (one time I served Michael Greger!), the employees, and especially the owners. Brian and Linda have treated me like family over the years and I can’t thank them enough for all they’ve done for me and the area. I hope the best is yet to come for them! With so much love and gratitude, AHA / Alexx / Bossy McSnausage
Great Food and Great Customer service!
Black Cat Burger and the best fries in C-U made for an excellent lunch. House made ketchup is on point!
This place is awesome! Every meal they serve is fantastic and although I'm not vegan, I try to eat vegan meals as much as I'm able. Prices are reasonable and I leave feeling satisfied every time. The deserts really steal the show in my opinion. The only complaint is a big one: the hours. I understand that staff is hard to come by but this place is almost never open. Even when I come by during the week around lunch sometimes when it says online they should be open, they're closed with no explanation.
The menu is rotated weekly. I got the burrito for this week:) I like the diverse flavor that I ate for dinner today. I recommend this place a lot!
As someone who has lived in Champaign County for a long time, I can say for sure that this is in my top two restaurants of all time. Unfortunately now that I am away at college, I no longer get the vegan food I need. Therefore, this 5 star restaurant in my books should really consider opening another location. I will leave you with the wise words of a great philosopher named Ella, "The Vegans know how to cook".
The last time they had their chili fries the portion was so small I felt scammed. I also special ordered some cookie sandwiches for my birthday and they were SO dry like they were already a week old which was disappointing.And most recently (2/19/22) I ordered the pesto grilled cheese and found some type of animal hair on one of the pieces…. Which was real nasty. I love Dancing Dog but the negatives are really starting to stack up :/
It's a cozy vegan eatery with good food and quick service. The person at the counter on 1-7-22, Friday evening was friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and efficient. We ordered an app: poppers in a yummy balsamic reduction that reminded me of a good caramel or chocolate sauce, but with a balsamic profile. My wife had the Chef's patty (a crunchy chickpea and spice blend), my son ordered the pesto grilled cheese with fries, and I got the Philly cheesesteak (made of seitan), dripping with a vegan cheese sauce. We all had the tomato bisque which was thick, rich, piping hot, and delicious! Moderately priced, we felt it was an excellent value for the experience. We will return!
It’s ok, the food has its days, it can be a hit or miss really.I just feel like for them to be the only vegan spot in the whole town, they run out of things on the menu too quick and the open and close time is very weird.This spot has some potential, but needs a little bit more structure and more catering to the customers needs.
it was decent but incredibly expensive. $6 for a slice of cake is a drastic ripoff, fortunately i'm hungry and too lazy to make vegan cake myself
Restaurantji Recommends
Came here on the recommendation of a friend, and it was so good ! I am always looking for new things to try and the all vegan menu did not disappoint
This evening was our first time here and it was delicious!! I’m vegan and my husband is not, but he loved it too. I highly recommend!!
I feel bad giving a less than stellar review because I do love the food here, for the most part (tzatziki sauce is atrocious though, get your falafel/gyro without). The people here are just never friendly, and I've been coming here for years. It's like they specifically hire really unpleasant people. I like having a vegan place somewhat nearby but always dread having to actually talk to anyone here.
Don’t think I’ve ever left a bad review before but the “blackcat” burger I ordered today was so burnt/ charred it was like I bit into a chunk of coal. Super disappointed since I had it on my lunch break and it’s literally inedible :(
Super delicious! Love an all vegan spot! The music was a lil loud and I wish there had been more outside seating but it was still a great place to eat.