Question of the day
Monday, Jul 11, 2011 - Posted by Rich Miller
* It’s summertime, and since the GA isn’t coming back to town to deal with the capital bill, we can all relax. So, in keeping with our more laid back mode, let’s lighten it up a bit today.
* A very good friend of mine recently pleaded with me to give some props to his favorite restaurant, Popeye’s Bar-B-Que. Tedd eats there four days a week and he wants to help them spread the word about an important milestone. The restaurant sent this over…
Clay’s Popeye’s Bar-B-Que is celebrating 50 years in business and has made a major decision to raise the bar higher and higher! Clay’s Popeye’s Bar-B-Que Sauce is going on sale in house this week, now that you’ve tried all the rest, welcome home to the best.
We welcome you to stop in and try the sauce with a recipe that’s over a 100 years old. Try the tantalizing pork and beef and the lip smacking ribs - it will leave you wanting more! While you’re here, don’t forget to ask for a shot of Dee Blazin’ Heifer Sauce.
Clay’s Popeye’s Bar-B-Que is located at 11th and South Grand Ave. East, Springfield, IL. Hours of operation are Tuesday thru Saturday 11:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. Don’t forget to visit our website www.popeyesbbq.com.
* The Question: What’s your favorite lunchtime eatery? Explain.
And, just as an FYI, I’m not getting anything (other than getting Tedd off my back) out of that little plug for Popeye’s.
- titan - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 10:54 am:
Holy Land Diner @ 518 E Adams
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 10:55 am:
Explain, please.
- Just Observing - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 10:55 am:
I don’t live in Sprinfield and never had Clay’s — although I now want to try it. But Rich, please pass along to your friend that he shouldn’t be eating there four days a week — that is extremely unhealthy! (Before I get attacked… I’m just kidding around….. sort of).
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 11:00 am:
Tedd will never, ever be dissuaded. I wouldn’t even try.
- 47th Ward - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 11:02 am:
I’m not a frequent luncher to begin with, unless it’s a meeting, and then I’ll go to one of the nicer restaurants in the loop. Unfortunately, in the loop, it seems like everything is a chain and you generally have the same restaurants on all the corners. Someday I’ll write a eulogy to all of the fine independent diners, delis and greasy spoons that have been driven from the loop, but that’s for another day.
When I’m going out to lunch, and it’s just me and I can go wherever I want, the answer is easy: Harold’s Chicken Shack on Wabash and Balboa. I’ve been a fan of Harold’s since I almost got mugged in a shack on 79th Street. The chicken was worth the scare, and it still is. I think there is one in Wicker Park now too, so the urban hipsters can get their chicken on.
Deep fried chicken, smothered in hot sauce, on top of white bread with fries. Put on your eating pants and head over to Harold’s. Especially if you can nap after lunch. It’s a delight.
- Todd - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 11:07 am:
Dr. Of BBQ owned by One eyed Jack over by Birds and Brooks.
great BBq and fantasic ribs. his homemade mustard is something else.
- Tedd - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 11:10 am:
I refuse to eat Bar-B-Que prepared in a trailer! Besides, he doesn’t come close to Popeye’s.
- Gallery Sitter - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 11:11 am:
Perry’s deli at 174 N. Franklin in Chicago. Huge sandwiches. It’s a great lunch but not for the timid. They also don’t allow cell phone use so you don’t have to sit there listening to ten inane “important” one sided conversations going on around you.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 11:16 am:
See? Tedd will never be dissuaded. lol
- Wumpus - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 11:17 am:
Tedd, don’t get your bib in a bunch. SOme of the best bbq is prepped in trailers, barrel grills so on and so forth. Elitist!
- PublicServant - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 11:21 am:
I’ve been wondering how to work this in, Rich. But a recent viewing od Diners, Drive-ins and Dives featured Charlie Parkers in Springfield, and their “Horseshoes”. How is the joint? Ever frequent it?
- Casual Observer - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 11:22 am:
McCormick’s is up there with Popeye’s.
- Todd - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 11:22 am:
Tedd I would disagree. Been to a few BBQ comps and they all seem to cook out of a trailer of sorts.
it may not be pretty, but there are a lot of little dives and greasy spoons that serve all kinds of good food.
My wife is from the south and she always has been bringing back 5 lbs of Jacks pulled pork. She says it the closest to what she grew up on.
and I really enjoy Jack’s smked ribs with his rub on them. I’ve gone so far as to bring enough home to to a party for 30 people I thought they were so good.
- Tedd - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 11:24 am:
I’m no elitist - far from it. I just have this thing about restaurants. The word REST is in the word for a reason. If I have to bus the table, it’s not a restaurant.
- Greg in Monticello - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 11:24 am:
PublicServant - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 11:21 am:
I’ve been wondering how to work this in, Rich. But a recent viewing od Diners, Drive-ins and Dives featured Charlie Parkers in Springfield, and their “Horseshoes”. How is the joint? Ever frequent it?
I have been to Charlie Parkers several times its great, If you leave there hungry its not Charlies fault!!!! Huge portions!!! NO HEALTH FOOD at Charlies!!!!
- One of the 35 - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 11:25 am:
Rich: When I was living in Springpatch you could not get any better than Robby’s. Great dailey specials and terrific pie. I hope the place is still there.
- KarenSue - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 11:25 am:
You are right Rich, he’ll never be dissuaded. The only reason Ted doesn’t eat there 5 days a week is because they’re closed on Monday. Ted, I’ll put my bib on and join you for lunch sometime this week.
- Tedd - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 11:26 am:
FYI - People should know that they can call Popeye’s and pick up dinner to go on the way home!
- D.P. Gumby - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 11:31 am:
Both Popeye’s and Dr. BBQ are excellent–but the bbq sauce are too sweet. Still searching for a good North Carolina vinegar bbq sauce like Witt’s BBQ in Murphysboro that’s been closed for years now. But in Spi for lunch, go out to McCormick’s.
- Dan Shields a Voter - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 11:32 am:
Lake Springfield Tavern, all their food is reat but I really like their BLT.
- Give Me A Break - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 11:35 am:
On session days, please for the love of Pete, someone, anyone, give us some options other than the Rat and the place in the old Bauers.
On non session days, you can’t beat the Track Shack, good food, great prices and cold beer while hearing state workers complain about everything.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 11:36 am:
Todd, please stop baiting Tedd. Tedd, please stop taking Todd’s bait.
lol
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 11:39 am:
Does anyone know if Boone’s has reopened?
- Give Me A Break - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 11:40 am:
Rich drove by Boones over the weekend, lots work going on on and looks like there are working on the patio, but not open yet.
- Todd - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 11:41 am:
What…..me
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 11:44 am:
Boones had a special deal that allowed them to open for the 4th. They apparently missed yet another deadline. Maybe they’ll open the beer garden in time for the October veto session. It’ll be nice and warm then, I’m sure.
- Timmeh - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 11:45 am:
At home! You’ve got to be a good cook if the closest eatery is over 15 minutes away.
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 11:49 am:
My favorite lunchtime eatery in Chicago is Cafe Central in the Noble Square neighborhood (near my job), serving Puerto Rican food. They have a delicious carne guisada plate and decent jibarito sandwiches.
- Justice - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 11:54 am:
Boone’s is still a way off from opening.
I like Humphrey’s Market for lunch, Ace Hardware for their hotdogs, and Cozy Dog for their fixins. All good healthy places!All good food, cheap, and quick.
Have started liking Tai Basil out on North 31st street near Menards. Also like Sportsman’s Lounge for their huge pork tenderloin, Joe Rodgers Chilli, and Soup and Salad at Olive Garden.
I don’t expect to live much past 106 and will not feel good about dying ‘healthy’, having missed out out on all the crazy food fun.
- Slick Willy - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 11:54 am:
I will throw in a vote for Gillmore’s Cafe in Petersburg. Small town atmosphere with top notch food. They have a lunch buffet that always includes some combination of broasted chicken, salty ham, fresh fish or roast beef. Sides include scalloped potatoes, broccoli & raisin salad, green beans and corn. If you go, be sure to save room for a slice (or two) of homemade pie - cherry, peach, chocolate and/or coconut cream. Damn good!
- Michelle Flaherty - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 11:59 am:
From the amount of work being done to Boones it appears someone’s in it for the long haul. Looks like the entire interior has been gutted. The old beer garden was torn down and a new one is being built. even the sidewalks along College are being torn out and redone.
- Cheswick - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 12:04 pm:
Titan, I think Holy Land moved to Vinegar Hill a couple years ago.
In Springfield, we love to pick up a pizza (or two) from Bernie and Betty’s for the office. We recently discovered their ultra cheese pizza. It is not your kids’ typical cheese pizza.
- Retired Non-Union Guy - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 12:13 pm:
In Springfield, I tend to go to different ones. Independents on my “regular” list include Charlie Parkers (the St Louie Omelet), Cozy Dog (Tenderloin), Sunrise Cafe, Hunan on Wabash (lunch buffet, especially the princess dishes), Alamo (meat & bean chalupe plus their chili is the best mild chili in town), Dublib Pub (yellow sauce horseshoe plus their fried mushrooms are the best in town), Top Cats (walleye on Fridays). Of the chains, I prefer Steak n Shake on Wabash (Triple Steakburger), Cheddars (the Key West Chicken & Shrimp, ask them to bring some of the Jack Daniels sauce for dipping). Of course very few of these dishes except the chalupe would qualify as “healthy” …
- Retired Non-Union Guy - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 12:15 pm:
Forgot to put a plug in for the best pizza in town, the Pizzeria (15th & Ash)… their thick crust matches or exceeds anything in Chicago. Unfortunately it takes 45 minutes or longer so it’s not really suited for lunch
- KGB - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 12:25 pm:
Don’t think the chalupa qualifies as healthy either…
Cafe Brio is always a solid lunch with healthy alternatives. Feed Store is great for a half sandwich and great soups (cream of broccoli and cream of ’shroom are faves). BEntohs, except you have to get there early or forget it. And Brickhouse has a couple of good fish and salad options. Never, NEVER eat at the Rat or the Strat! I’d eat at the Howlett before either of those.
- KGB - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 12:27 pm:
And Gabatoni’s on 3rd and Laurel has the best pizza in Springfield. I will fight anyone who says different!
- Oberver no. 12 - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 12:35 pm:
Joe Rogers Den Chilli Parlor. Friendly staff, quick service and chilli anyway you want it: extra meat or beans, hold the oil or extra oil, extra beans or no beans, and onions on the side if you wish. And you never know who you’ll see in there.
- Retired Non-Union Guy - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 12:36 pm:
When should my second contact yours? Seriously, I was in Gabatonis recently and the pizza has gone downhill from what it used to be years ago. I agree on the Feed Store, it’s my wife’s favorite … but those cream soups are loaded with calories also.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 12:40 pm:
===I’d eat at the Howlett before either of those. ===
In all my years here, I didn’t even know there was a restaurant in the Howlett.
- rhonda - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 12:50 pm:
Witt’s of M’boro’s sauce is close to Cairo BBQ sauce available in store.Witt’s had great BBQ and there’s little doubt that the further south you go in Il,the better the BBQ.
- rhonda - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 12:51 pm:
Reverse that for Italian beef.
- He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 12:55 pm:
Bob Vose Corndogs on the fairgrounds is now open. When it is not, Delaney’s Tavern has great Food!
- Dominique - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 12:58 pm:
Until the day he died my Grandfather ate at Popeyes once a week, good stuff. I love the chips and cheese at the Alamo.
- Bigtwich - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 1:12 pm:
Witt’s in Murphysboro was the best, but gone. Big Al’s in Harrisbug, excellent, gone I think. King Barbacoa in Mount Vernon, great and still there. Springfield? Popyese will do.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 1:12 pm:
Good food in Springfield?
Food here is absolutely horrible.
Except for Garden of Eatin’’s Friday night Iranian cuisine.
Lunch in Springfield is so bad I usually skip it.
Best pizza in Springfield is in Chicago.
- Cheryl44 - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 1:21 pm:
I have a cat named Ted, who would probably eat bbq if I’d ever bring him any.
The best restaurant in Chicago for lunch or dinner is Jury’s, Lincoln and Pensacola.
- CircularFiringSquad - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 1:28 pm:
The Thai place by SPI HiSchool is the best
Cruised by Boone III, Step Son o Boone’s on Friday and it looked a long way from the goal line.
BTW the person ripping Gabs pizza must be the owner of Bernie and Betty’s. Rest assured it is still the best in SPI
- Diner - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 1:34 pm:
Hey Rich — good topic.
I’ll put a plug in for a great new site finding the best deals on meals in Springfield.
www.springfieldspecials.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/springfieldspecials
It promotes the deals of the day and the week on food and drink specials in the capital city and should help restaurants and bars connect in a more dynamic and real-time way with customers.
It’s also searchable by day so you can find out the best deal for when you’re ready to go out.
Check it out.
- Tedd - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 1:35 pm:
Perhaps I should have had Rich tell you all that this is my main meal of the day; not your average lunch. Sure you can get that, but when I get home I don’t want to cook!
- Smitty Irving - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 1:40 pm:
It was (and hopefully will be again) Boone’s.
- Easily Entertained - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 1:41 pm:
Springfield: Corky’s for pulled pork barbeque. It’s locally owned and tastes better than Smoky Bones. The Spice Rack for chili - it has great selection and atmosphere. Dr. BBQ is also great.
Chicago: Eleventh Street diner for old fashioned deli food ramped up a notch. Pastoral for delicious artisan sandwiches
- LINK - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 1:46 pm:
At Charlie Parkers right now on your advice…and I am not a Horseshoe fan! We will see how the pork tenderloin (fried) tastes.
For lunch I have frequented Chi-Style for their chicken strip meal. At $4 for four strips, excellent fries sand refillable soda, its a great deal!
- Anon from SI - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 1:51 pm:
Rhonda & Gumby–Grew up down south and remember Whitt’s BBQ well–and it was Whitt’s with an “h”. If any of the readers are ever over in Louisiana, Missouri (I know, it’s not a quick drive for lunch) but there is a place called Izola’s that has really great BBQ. It’s on Route 79 as you go through town. Reminds me of Whitt’s for taste and atmosphere.
- Political Junkie - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 1:53 pm:
If you want lunch in Springfield the best options are Norb Andys, Headwest Sub Shop or Joe Rogers Chili, when I am in Chicago I eat at Catch 35 or Frontera Grill
- Retired Non-Union Guy - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 1:58 pm:
CFS, for the record, I have zero ownership in any restaurant, period.
- KGB - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 2:08 pm:
===I’d eat at the Howlett before either of those. ===
Rich, it would be generous to call the cubby-hole in the Howlett a restaurant. But they do usually serve three hot dishes and some deli stuff. The fried chicken is the best bet. Only go there if I can only spare 30 minutes during session.
- Southern Lady - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 2:22 pm:
Still gotta have Gabatoni’s pizza!
- JL - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 2:37 pm:
In Chicago, Chickies Beef on Oakley and Taylor cannot be beat. Also, Bari deli has the best Italian subs in Chicago for less than you’ll pay at subway or potbelly.
- Bonsaso - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 3:09 pm:
Sausage and mushroom pizza at Coz’s on west Wabash, behind Culver’s, free peanuts. Horseshoe - Ritz’s at Jefferson and Walnut, or North Grand.
- Arthur Andersen - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 3:12 pm:
AA would vote McCormick’s and Head West hands down over anything else on the west side, which is where I do most of my lunches.
Only chain worth a Tums is Culver’s.
Also a big Gabatoni’s fan, but eat it there unless you live close or are the police. That pizza doesn’t travel well.
- Way Way Down Here - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 3:44 pm:
Go see Arch at Robby’s for lunch. Meatloaf on Tuesdays. I’m a Gabatoni’s fan also, but AA is correct, it does not travel well.
- waitress practing politics... - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 3:48 pm:
Clay’s is great. Always service with a smile. Check this out:
http://tribstar.com/sports/x1019716006/ISU-s-Major-Clay-is-one-of-nation-s-best-high-jumpers
- Bitterman - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 4:20 pm:
Cafe Moxo is very good. Their Chicken Pot Pie in the winter is the best comfort food a body can ingest.
- KGB - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 4:34 pm:
I second Moxo. Osaka is good, too. But not the best sushi in town…
- FormerWrmnpolitics - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 4:48 pm:
Manny’s Deli -Corned Beef on an onion roll, potato pancake,matzo ball soup and a Green River. That and nearly every politician and wanna be in Chicago. Doesnt get much better.
- Just the Facts - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 4:55 pm:
Augies or Caitie Girl’s for lunch when in Springfield. When in chicago the burger joint next door to Cal’s on Van Buren - or the italian place about three blocks further east.
- KGB - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 5:12 pm:
Burger place on Van Buren and Wells is no great shakes. Pogue Mahone’s across from LaSalle Station is 10 times better. Italian is Boni Vino and a good buy. I Dream of Falafel a block away is healthier and cheaper (but a chain). Tamarind in Chicago’s South Loop is great for lunch.
What can I say…I eat out a lot.
- Dan-O - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 5:55 pm:
I really like the Hawaiian Barbecue on Monroe street in Springfield. Only Hawaiian food place in town, and no, it’s nothing like the fabled Aloha of old. A nice little place with really good food, Mikki the owner is very nice and it’s a great place for a small party. They make actual Hawaiian dishes, but also a very good Vietnamese type “fo” soup, and some Korean food. They even do Hawaiian food with SPAM in it. I like the combo platter, a little bit of everything to try.
- wordslinger - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 6:29 pm:
–And Gabatoni’s on 3rd and Laurel has the best pizza in Springfield.–
Gabatoni’s is good, one of the best pies outside of Northern Illinois or the New York metro. Most pizza in the rest of the country is an abomination.
- NIref - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 8:42 pm:
I’m disappointed no one has brought up the Feed Store. For a quick and tasty lunch, they are the best. Chicken salad is out of this world, and the pasta salad is fantastic. The owners are great people and always happy to be there.
- Downstate Commissioner - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 10:28 pm:
Must not be any good-old-boys who eat fish on here. Carter’s (on South Grand) fish andwiches- great walleye & buffalo(catfish is probably okay, but don’t care for catfish)- and one “sandwich” is enough for two people, or two meals. Nothing fancy (sorry, served out of a shack), stand in line, no place to sit, but simply great!!
- In the Sticks - Monday, Jul 11, 11 @ 11:35 pm:
Incredibly Delicious, 7th & Clay, just north of the original Springfield Clinic. Best bread in town, desserts made in their kitchen, salads, sandwiches, quiche, soup. Stop for breakfast and try their croissants (chocolate, cinnamon, raspberry, apricot, almond). Best place to order a cake for any kind of special occasion.
Maldener’s is also a great place for lunch.
- Anon - Tuesday, Jul 12, 11 @ 4:07 pm:
I just picked up a pizza from Gabatoni’s last night and it was AWFUL! Dry, over-cooked, no sauce, etc… A frozen pizza would have tasted better and it would have saved me a few bucks.