Star 66 Cafe

Springfield drivers have a growing tendency to crash into buildings, which has been well-documented on social media. One of the more recent incidents involved Star 66 Café, where a driver crashed into the seating area, pushing booths into the counter. Thankfully the injuries were only superficial, but the physical damage is still evident. Since it took one on the chin, I figured it was time to give the place a review.

When I think back on childhood road trips, the memories often come bundled with less-than-stellar meals at truck stops. Those places were rarely about good food; they were more about convenience. I can still remember learning the phrase “choke and puke” as a less-than-flattering nickname for the greasy spoons that dotted the interstate exits.

So, when I first considered visiting Star 66 Café, a restaurant tucked inside a truck stop on Camp Butler Road just off Interstate 55, I was hesitant. Could this really be the kind of place worth bringing clients? It seemed unlikely. But then the buzz started building. Friends from all corners – business associates, retirees and even a few self-proclaimed foodies – began raving about it. The consensus was so consistent that curiosity finally got the better of me. Since then, I’ve been a regular patron.

Walking in, other than the damage from the crash, one’s first impression is that Star 66 Café doesn’t try to dress itself up as anything other than what it is: a simple roadside café. There’s no elaborate theme or polished décor. Instead, the place has a sort of functional charm. The cash register greets you right at the entrance, with the kitchen visible behind it, creating the sense that you’re stepping into the beating heart of the operation. A short counter seats fewer than a dozen, and the rest of the restaurant is lined with booths and tables. It’s more practical than pretty, but it feels comfortable and welcoming in its own way.

By 11:30 a.m. on a weekday, the café was already bustling, with half the seats taken. Contrary to what one might expect, the dining room wasn’t filled with truckers alone, though a few were certainly present. Instead, the crowd represented a cross section of the community: construction workers grabbing lunch, retirees enjoying a leisurely meal and even a handful of business people who may have had the same initial doubts I did. The mix of diners was an early clue that this wasn’t your average truck stop pit stop.

Then came the menu. To say it’s extensive would be an understatement. Burgers, sandwiches, steaks, pork chops, seafood, pasta, salads and family-style classics such as meatloaf and chopped sirloin fill the pages. Breakfast is served all day, and the sheer number of options could easily overwhelm. Normally, I’m skeptical of restaurants that try to cover so much ground. In my experience, when a menu stretches too wide, quality suffers. But Star 66 Café works hard to prove that assumption wrong.

For our meal, we sampled a few of the staples: a club sandwich (available in several varieties, served with soup or salad and fries), a plate of pork chops (served with applesauce, soup or salad and a choice of potato) and the deluxe double cheeseburger (which also comes with soup and fries).

The pork chops were an immediate standout. The wall menu advertised nearly a dozen different preparations, though my guest opted for the straightforward grilled version. What arrived at the table was impressive – juicy, tender meat that was cooked perfectly. Alongside it came a mountain of fries, and I do mean mountain. The portions were generous, easily some of the largest fries I’ve seen in Springfield.

The club sandwich and the burger both lived up to their billing as well. The club was stacked high with fresh ingredients, though I personally would have liked the bread a little more toasted. That small quibble aside, it was excellent. The burger was equally satisfying, boasting a thick patty, crisp toppings and a toasted bun that held everything together without falling apart. In terms of execution, both dishes ranked near the top of what you’d expect from a classic American diner.

But the real surprise of the day came in the form of soup. The offering that day was chicken noodle and Wisconsin cheese. Although I opted for salad (classic iceberg lettuce), my guests went with the soup. Hearty, rich and brimming with chunks of tender chicken and tasty noodles, the chicken noodle soup tasted homemade in the truest sense. Each spoonful was deeply flavorful and comforting. It’s rare for soup to steal the spotlight in a meal like this, but here it did.

The service throughout our meal was excellent. Our server was friendly, attentive and efficient and what really stood out was the teamwork. Both the owner and manager weren’t shy about jumping in to refill drinks or clear tables. That hands-on approach created a sense of energy and attentiveness that you don’t always see elsewhere. It wasn’t frantic or rushed, more like a steady rhythm aimed at keeping everything running smoothly.

At the end of the day, Star 66 Café isn’t trying to be a fine-dining destination, and that’s precisely its charm. What it offers instead is straightforward food made with quality ingredients, served in hearty portions and delivered with a sense of pride. You don’t leave dazzled by fancy presentation; you leave satisfied, full and genuinely happy. And really, isn’t that what good dining – truck stop or otherwise –should be about?

This article appears in SBJ September 2025.