The Yard on Broadway opening in the former Broadway Food Hall

Urbana’s Broadway Food Hall will soon be The Yard on Broadway as new owners take over the space. The new The Yard on Broadway will be the first Urbana outpost for four popular Champaign food businesses: Smith Burger Co, Fernando’s Tacos, Watson’s Shack & Rail, and Columbia Street Roastery. The renovated space will also offer a full bar as well as indoor yard games and arcade machines.

For all the details, read this short, exclusive interview with three of The Yard on Broadway’s incoming vendors: Drew and Jessica Smith of Smith Burger Co, Trey Bradberry from Columbia Street Roastery, and Sean Baird from Watson’s Shack & Rail about the exciting news.

This interview has been edited for length.

Smile Politely: So, tell me your big news.

Drew Smith: We [Smith Hospitality] purchased Broadway Food Hall. The place will be under a new name, and it’s going to be called The Yard on Broadway. Our hope is to bring the building back to life, and we’re teaming up with Columbia Street Roastery, Fernando’s Tacos, and Watson Shack and Rail, and Smith Burger will be in here, too. And a full bar!

We’re putting in an indoor-outdoor space over in front of the windows. We will have cornhole bags, outdoor Jenga, arcade machines, and televisions.

SP: Why is it called The Yard?

D. Smith: That’s a play on, because we’re going to have the indoor yard space, but also this is next to the original rail yard in Urbana.

SP: That’s cool. And so, why Watson’s, Fernando’s, and Columbia Street Coffee?

D. Smith: We’re trying to bring some of the best heavy-hitters in town in one spot.

Trey Bradberry: Obviously, this will be Columbia Street’s first cafe experience. We were looking to start one probably sometime this year, and when this opportunity arose, it was perfect. We’re excited about the opportunity to get to work with these guys. We’ve known each other for a long time.

This will be our first opportunity to have a cafe and, hopefully, to give more people opportunity to experience our coffee.

SP: Can you tell readers what’s going to be on the cafe menu?

Bradberry: Your typical espresso items, frappe-type items. We’ll have a breakfast menu.

SP: Okay, but about your cold brew?

Bradberry: Will definitely have cold brew. It’ll be on tap.

SP: What about Watson’s? Will Watson’s first Urbana location have a special menu or be like the food truck’s menu?

Sean Baird: Maybe a truck menu with a couple additional things, whatever we can fit. We’ll probably do some specific stuff here. I mean, it’s got a German beerhall kind of thing, so I think some appetizers and stuff like that but definitely bridged off our small truck menu, focusing on speed and quality.

I think with everything that’s happening down here, I think it’s a perfect time. We’re excited about it. We’d been talking for a while about partnering and doing something, so when I heard about this, I knew I wanted to get involved. Watson’s has just come off doing our second year at the stadium, and with both Smith Burger Co and us being food trucks — and my buddy is a part of Columbia Street Roastery, too. I said alright.

Plus, this space is big enough where you can actually sit with a big group of people. A lot of people are afraid to bring big groups to places because they don’t think they can get spots, and this offers a lot.

SP: What’s the capacity?

D. Smith: We’re gonna have seating right around 300.

Jessica Smith: A little different from Collective Pour! Which our spot in Collective Pour will stay open, too.

SP: Tell me about the bar.

D. Smith: It’s a new concept called Public House 1833 and be a full bar.

SP: What about Fernando’s?

D. Smith: Fernando’s will come in and be on the right side, and they’ll offer tacos and Fernando’s most popular menu items.

J. Smith: Having all the different food options and games, you know, you get the kids in here. We want to be a place that’s family-friendly. Where people can stay and not feel like they have to get up and go, so they free up a table.

We want people to come hang out and enjoy food from all the different vendors.

D. Smith: Another reason we want to put in the familiar foods is for families. You know kids are gonna love chicken strips. They’re gonna love tacos. They’re gonna love burgers. Mom’s gonna want some coffee.

Not only that, I thought it would be really cool to bring in three of the top food trucks in the area all in one building. We wanted to bring some well-known concepts in here that are family-friendly, familiar, and well-liked in the community, and I think just grow from there.

SP: So what are the hours going to be?

Bradberry: We will be open early in the morning, probably 6 a.m. to get that early traffic. We’ll have a breakfast menu.

D. Smith: We haven’t discussed officially really, but we’ll probably have the kitchens open until 9 or 10 p.m. with maybe the bar being open later.

SP: Alright, so when will The Yard on Broadway open?

D. Smith: We’ve got our plans in, so hopefully soon. Our hope is for all of us to open at one time.

J. Smith: We hope to open in the next few months, ideally May. It’s a little nerve-wracking, but we’re excited for this new adventure.

Follow the restaurants on socials for real-time updates: Smith Burger Co, Fernando’s Tacos, Watson’s Shack & Rail, and Columbia Street Roastery.

At this time, Les Gourmets Cuisine is still operating inside Broadway Food Hall and will announce via their Facebook page if there are any changes.

The Yard on Broadway
401 N Broadway Ave
Urbana