Restaurant review

Ramona Tacos + Mezcal is a truly welcome entrant to Springfield’s Mexican food scene, and certainly one that elevates the genre. Although not open for lunch during the week, it is on the weekends. It’s a place you do not want to miss. The physical space is clean and elegant. But for the view out […]

Located in Prairie Crossing in the former Sweet Basil Café, Harvest Kitchen + Bar offers a contemporary dining experience that seamlessly blends tradition with innovation. Its lunch menu features a variety of dishes that cater to diverse palates, each crafted with care and attention to detail. Odette Yobal, a fresh-faced 19-year-old, is Harvest’s co-owner along […]

The Lumpia House brings the vibrant flavors of Filipino street food to the heart of the Midwest. It’s quickly made a name for itself in the local dining scene and both novice and seasoned diners will find it delightful. The Lumpia House started out as a food truck. But its growing popularity led to the […]

Located near the intersection of Wabash Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard, Feast Buffet offers an expansive, all-you-can-eat dining experience featuring a mix of Asian and American cuisines. Open for lunch and dinner, the restaurant appears to be a popular destination for those looking for variety at an affordable price. The entrance fee is $11.99 for lunch […]

CD’s BBQ is a family-owned restaurant near the intersection of North Grand Avenue and Eighth Street. The “C” is for Cecil Turner, who’s been barbecuing virtually his whole life, while the “D” is for his wife, Doris Turner, who helps prepare the food when she isn’t at the Statehouse performing her duties as a senator. […]

I’ve never been a big fan of hot dogs. A few times a year when I’m at the ballpark or some other big venue I’ll opt for one, especially if brown mustard is available. Or late at night after a few beers, a Chicago dog might be called for – but not your general boiled […]

I’ve heard about Yummy Bowl for quite some time but had never visited until now, which was my loss. Most of the comments I heard were about how crowded it is and how much creativity diners used in loading their bowl – but more on that later. My friend and I planned to have lunch […]

Every month for over more than 20 years, a group of four friends have been visiting Springfield restaurants and taverns to sample chili. They’ve all become good friends of mine, and we’ve shared hundreds of rounds of golf together. So, I was very pleased when they decided to add me and another friend as probationary […]

I love diners, and the closing of the Ritz’s Jefferson Street location hit me pretty hard. Thankfully, two former staff members from Chatham Café decided to go out on their own to open a new diner in the former Jungle Jim’s space on Peoria Road. They delivered exactly what you expect – basic but good […]

Delaney’s Smokehouse is the latest iteration of this long-time, north-end stalwart. This latest incarnation has managed to provide diners with the classics that have been forever associated with the location, such as the fried chicken, as well as new and fun offerings. If you’ve never been to Delaney’s, you might think you are in the […]