Champaign County Restaurants Hit With Red Placards, Closures After Health Inspections in First Half of 2026

More than two dozen businesses in Champaign County received less than satisfactory health inspections in the first half of 2026. The violations led to red and yellow placards posted at restaurant doors across Champaign and Urbana, alerting diners to potential health code failures.

According to a review of inspection reports by WCIA, the violations ranged from cockroach infestations to raw chicken stored above ready-to-eat foods. Some locations were temporarily shut down.

Houlihan's Shut Down in Champaign Over Repeat Violations

Houlihan's at 1902 S First Street in Champaign received a red placard on June 2 after inspectors found multiple repeated violations. The restaurant's health permit was suspended.

The inspector's report cited failures to keep certain foods at safe cold temperatures and the use of improperly concentrated sanitizer. The person in charge was not knowledgeable on how to properly test the concentration of Quat sanitizer, according to the report.

"As demonstrated by several repeat [priority and priority foundation] violations during today's follow-up inspection, the facility was unable to maintain compliance with the FDA Food Code," the inspector wrote.

Houlihan's was reinspected on June 11. The inspector verified that no repeated violations were found. The red placard was replaced with a yellow placard.

C-U La La Noodle Gets Yellow Placard After 10 or More Violations

C-U La La Noodle at 410 E Green Street in Champaign received a yellow placard after inspectors found 10 or more violations during an inspection on June 8.

Among the violations:

• Raw chicken was stored over ready-to-eat chili and BBQ sauce
• Multiple foods were not being held at safe cold temperatures, including tofu at 44.4 degrees, cubed potatoes at 66.3 degrees, and raw chicken at 56.2 degrees
• Food in a warmer unit was at 70 degrees
• A container of bloated tofu was dripping liquid in the make-table cooler
• The employee handwashing sink was not easily accessible, a violation noted for the third consecutive routine inspection
• No written procedures existed for cleaning up vomit

The restaurant was told a follow-up inspection would occur within 10 business days. If repeated violations are found, the restaurant will be closed and a red placard will be posted, according to WCIA.

Encanto Closed for Cockroach Infestation in Urbana

Encanto Restaurant & Bar at 115 W Main Street in Urbana received a red placard and was temporarily closed after inspectors found an active cockroach infestation on May 22.

The inspector's report documented:

• Three trapped cockroaches on a glue board on the staircase into the basement
• About 30 cockroaches on a glue board under the soda syrup tower in the basement
• "Countless harborage conditions" for pests

The person in charge told the inspector it was possible the roaches were present in food received from vendors. The restaurant was told to submit two consecutive pest control reports demonstrating no cockroach activity by June 8.

Encanto was reinspected on June 5. The inspector verified no cockroach activity, alive or dead, in any part of the facility. The red placard was replaced with a green placard.

Other Champaign County Restaurants Flagged

Additional businesses cited in the first half of 2026 include:

• Champaign Pit Stop at 1812 N Cunningham Avenue in Urbana received a red placard on June 12. The permit was suspended during a change in ownership process. The facility was not in compliance even after a four-month deadline extension.
• Wok at 703 Eastwood Drive in Mahomet received a yellow placard on June 9 for failing to keep certain foods at cold enough temperatures for the fourth consecutive routine inspection. Eggrolls, sweet and sour chicken, and crab rangoon were found above 41 degrees.
• Buffalo Wild Wings at 907 W Marketview Drive in Champaign received a yellow placard on June 4 for failing to complete a violation correction form by the extended due date. The restaurant was told to submit adequate correction for eliminating fly activity by June 17.
• Jip Bap at 601 S Sixth Street in Champaign received a yellow placard on May 22 after its fourth consecutive routine inspection of not holding certain foods at hot enough temperatures. Cooked rice noodles were sitting at 121.4 degrees when they should have been held at 135 degrees.

What the Placards Mean

Under the Illinois Food Code, restaurants post color-coded placards to inform customers of their most recent inspection results. A green placard means no significant violations were found. A yellow placard means violations were found and the restaurant must correct them. A red placard means the facility is not allowed to operate until violations are resolved.

The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District conducts the routine inspections. Inspection reports are available to the public upon request.