Best Bars And Lounges in Downtown / Old Market

Food was very good and so was the service. It was my first time there but will definitely go back!

We had a great experience at Ghost Donkey! Getting in was a bit awkward since the entrance is located in Champaign Lanes, but once inside, we were warmly welcomed by a host who gave us a quick rundown of the place and encouraged us to sit wherever we liked. We did book a reservation on OpenTable, but they did not ask for it. We chose the covered, heated patio, which was pleasant, but the heaters became a bit too warm after a while. Combined with the hot salsa and our drinks, it made for a warm evening. It would have been nice if our server had checked in on the temperature, but otherwise was super relatable and pleasant and did what she could to make our evening amazing! We arrived around 7 o’clock, and the place was not very busy—maybe seven other patrons. Friends had warned us that the nightlife picks up later, which we noticed when security arrived around 8 o’clock. The food and drinks came out quickly, and everything we tried was delicious. The drinks were phenomenal, and the atmosphere was a solid 10 out of 10—great vibes and music. However, the water took longer to arrive, which was odd. One downside was the salsa; it was too spicy for us to enjoy, especially considering we paid $6 for chips and salsa (which is usually complimentary at Mexican restaurants). We mentioned this to our server, but unfortunately, no resolution was offered. We also requested a side of cheese sauce, which is listed with the nachos, but they couldn’t accommodate that either. We had the chicken quesadilla and Carne Asada tacos, both of which we recommend. The Bee Pollen drink (I forget the name) and mushroom margarita were also fantastic! However, I wouldn’t recommend ordering chips and salsa since everything comes with a side of red and green salsa anyway. The menu is somewhat limited, but the prices felt reasonable. Overall, despite a few minor issues, we really enjoyed our visit and would recommend Ghost Donkey!

We had a wonderful dinner! We chose the Cupid’s Menu for Valentine’s Day and it was delicious. The chef and staff were able to accommodate all our requests and the food was truly amazing!!! We will be back very soon!