text: There are really better options, both in Champaign and on campus.\n\nI don't really want to say that, because I used to love Cravings.  Like many of the people writing 5 star reviews, I was impressed by the large menu, the frequently cheerful staff, and the mostly reasonable prices.  \n\nBut as I went to other Chinese places in town, my opinion began to change.  I noticed that most of the dishes at Cravings were really heavy and oily.  And that most of the specials were very similar to one another.  And that some of the menu options .. didn't really match what was being described.  I don't mind some innovation, and I know you can't really get a Japanese style bowl of Ramen anywhere in Champaign, but Cravings' offering is nowhere close.\n\nThe last three times I went I ended up throwing out my leftovers.  I absolutely hate wasting food, but I couldn't finish them.  One was a squid special; the squid was extremely chewy and seemed overcooked.  The plate was mostly green peppers in a salty sauce, in any case.  Another was a \"coconut shrimp\" plate.  This translated to fried shrimp with (very sweet) uncooked coconut milk simply poured over them.  Unhealthy and not even tasty.  The last was Gado Gado Fish, which I remembered getting and enjoying in the past.  It was still really heavy - lots of breading with an oily, thick sauce.  \n\nIf you want to spend a little more money, I highly recommend Golden Harbor instead.  But the food is much better.\nIf you want to spend about the same or just a little more, I'd check out Lai Lai Wok instead - which I think is overrated, too, but is a bit better than Cravings.  Or you could get take-out from Rainbow Garden, which is pretty solid.  \nIf you want to spend less, you could try out Empire or Bo Bo China.  (Bo Bo China is all you can eat if you really want to maximize your calories/dollar.)