Can't wait to move to Champaign Urbana!

[zpfled]

Originally Posted by lilyorchid

I'm actually getting ready to move to Champaign-Urbana in the next week, too! I'm going there for a temp teaching job but plan on taking grad classes in the Spring semester. I don't really know anyone around there either, although I did graduate from Eastern Illinois (about 45mins away) in December so I kind of know the area. Maybe we could meet up? At least then we'd both know someone. Either way, hope everything works out!

Is that a teaching job at Central High School? If so...I applied for the same job Congratulations on getting it, though! The teachers at Central are awesome...really fun to hang out with. Especially the history department. They're mostly young-ish and single and all good friends.

Originally Posted by S_the_OWL

Of course Champaign is also home to "Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches" although what exactly is supposed to be "gourmet" about the place baffles me. The thing looks big, but it is all lettuce with a tiny sliver of meat in it. Unlike Quizznos or Subway you can't choose your toppings and all they don't offer much other than lettuce and tomato. I eat there sometimes because they are the only place open at 1 a.m. but I find it a rather strange, creepy experience to go in the shop. Unlike Subway where they can get by with one or two employees there are 8 to 10 people standing there behind the counter and they all start screaming off some "script" at the top of their lungs. How on earth having 8 employees around at midnight just to make a sandwich is good business practice is beyond me, maybe that's why a bread stuffed with 30 cents of lettuce cost's $6? The creepiest thing though is the way they scream odd sounding greetings at you the whole time you are waiting for the sandwich calling me slang terms like "bud" instead of the proper "Sir" or "Mister." I swear to god this is the way it goes. I walked in and they all started screaming one after another "hi bud how's it going" "Yo bud, how are you doing" "hey bud what's happening" "Hi bud what can I get you" "Yo bud, what's up" "Hey bud, how are you" Then I order and all 8 employees echo the order back and forth at the top of their lungs "number 8 coming up" "number 8 on it's way" "you working on that number 8?" "number 8 coming along" Then they just hand you this sandwich across the counter with no bag or anything for your chips etc. Along comes more creepy scripted dialog, "here you go bud" "hows that bud" "yo bud, enjoy the sandwich" "take care bud" "goodbye bud" "so long bud" "have a good day bud" It reminded me of the creepy workplace Jennifer Aniston's character worked at in Office Space with the "flair."

This is hilarious. I love Jimmy Johns! I guess it's a good thing we have lots of choices for sub sandwiches I like the simple ingredients (it's not all lettuce, but there is a lot of lettuce, which I like. I LOVE the menu because you don't choose your toppings. It's so much easier to order and not have to think about what you want. Too many choices can be stressful and annoying.

Also it's faster than any other sandwich place. And I get the vibe that the employees are a bunch of college students just hanging out and making the occasional sandwich, but not working too hard and having as much fun as possible. Makes for a nice atmosphere, IMO.

Just had to defend my favorite fast-food joint

[ShampooBanana]

ZP, you work at Central or used to? I know at least one or two people that work there.

S_the_Owl - I've been to Jimmy John's a gazillion times and nothing like that has ever happened to me there. I wish it would, though.

[BLOOMINGTONIAN]

Welcome to Central Illinois !!!

[cuNewHomes]

Welcome to central IL. Champaign-Urbana is a great & friendly community. Lots to do here, depending on what you are into. Friday & Sat nights are great for hanging out downtown, and you will always meet new people there.

[stoxman]

Try the Monical's Pizza. Best!