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In defense of Springfield

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* Natasha wonders how the Rauners will react to Springfield’s living conditions…

On the eve of the inauguration, two buses dropped off Rauner guests at a downtown hotel after a scheduled event concluded.

They streamed into a nearby bar. The place was packed. I looked around at all the high-rollers and thought, “man, it’s like printing money in here.”

What came next?

“Last call!” Faces looked stunned.

Was it their liquor license?

The bartender said simply, no, it was 10:45 p.m. and the place closed at 11. That was that.

The next night, I saw the sneer from a server at my hotel restaurant. Four reporters who were working during normal dinner hours arrived hungry, and initially relieved – there were several tables of people seated inside dining.

“Sorry, we stop serving at 9.”

It was 9:03 p.m.

I won’t use names here, but the first establishment is infamous (in my book, at least) for its lousy management - particularly the way it under-staffs the place. Even so, it was a Sunday night. Plenty of big city restaurants close down early on Sundays.

I’ve never had a problem at the second venue, but there’s another restaurant right around the corner which stays open until 10.

And I have plenty of complaints about Chicago restaurants, bars, whatever that I won’t go into here.

* I chose to move back to Springfield from Chicago several years ago. I really miss the culture (I was a Joffrey season ticket holder back then), I miss the restaurants and the music and the shopping and the people.

But despite all of that, and despite the fact that I find Chicago superior to Springfield in most ways, I manage quite well here. You have to look for the music (the Buckhart Tavern has a monthly event that’s not to be missed, for instance) and the various eclectic “scenes” (the punks on the East Side have been slamming it for years) but they’re there. It’s also important to have friends who aren’t directly involved in politics. They keep me sane and were a big reason I moved back here. Also, the money I paid for my house on one acre by the lake is about equal to what it would cost to buy a small two-bedroom condo near the Loop.

Springfield isn’t Chicago. It will never be Chicago. That doesn’t mean Springfield can’t learn a thing or ten from the big city. Springfield has a long way to go to improve itself, for sure. And the Rauners may indeed find themselves a bit bored at times, although I don’t expect them to be in town more than three or four days per week on average.

* I don’t think I’m speaking too far out of school when I admit that I brought up some concerns about Springfield with Monique Garcia when she told me last week that she was moving to Springfield from Chicago. But Monique is much younger than me, and if you’ve ever met her, you know that she’s not your usual Springfield type (and that’s not meant as a slam to either side by any means, I’m just sayin…). But she was really looking forward to the move and we have several mutual “non political” friends, so she was perfectly happy. And if Monique can thrive here, pretty much anyone can.

In other words, one horribly run restaurant and one snotty (or tired, or short-staffed) maître d’ does not a bad town make.

* Try to be helpful in comments instead of hateful, please. Thanks.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 11:04 am

Comments

To the businesses of Springfield: Make the Effort.You wanted the people back from Chicago (or at least the jobs). Now YOU have to step up a bit.

Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 11:12 am
Oh, Natasha, you’re so cosmopolitan and sophisticated. The way you dropped those subtle innuendoes in your Rutherford coverage…. almost missed them! It’s just like William Shawn’s “New Yorker” at the Sun-Times these days.

Personally, I don’t recall ever having a problem getting a drink in Springfield. On occasion, I would have a problem recalling where I got the last one.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 11:13 am
There are two Springfields, the Springfield that exists when the circus is in town and the one when it isn’t. If you are bored when the legislature is in session then you have no one to blame but yourself, the legislative process is entirely a social one and it breeds a social atmosphere. But when they’re gone you have to find a life outside that world and if it’s unfamiliar that can take some adjusting.

Comment by The Captain Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 11:14 am
Everybody needs a stint in a restaurant for perspective. If you stop serving at nine, teardown and cleanup probably started at 8:15-8:30. You plan & prep your ingredients based on closing then, and staff are expecting to go home at the end of their shift.

Comment by Shark Sandwich Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 11:15 am
I’m a Chicagoan who is only in Springfield during session. I had the same reaction as Rich to this column. I think Natasha was a little unfair. To a certain extent, cultures clash in Springfield — urbane, 24/7 Chicago vs. rural, slow-paced downstate. And that clash is often most obvious in the hospitatlity industry. But I think the town does a decent job of keeping a foot in both camps, which is part of the local charm. Springfield ain’t Madison, but it ain’t Jefferson City or Frankfort, Kentucky either. I’m fine with the way it is.

Comment by B.R. Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 11:17 am
I’m from the NW Chicago suburbs and have lived in the Springfield area for 20 years. The slower pace took some getting used to, but I love it now. Less people, less traffic, etc. If my kid needs to be picked up early from school or for a doctor’s appointment, it doesn’t take an hour to get there from my job. It was a shock at first that not many places were open late to eat, less things to do and not the greatest shopping, but you just have to seek them out. And be open to new things. I love having a beautiful dinner at someplace eclectic like Julia’s Kitchen and Lounge, and I love the local flavor (and the pizza) at the Buckhart Tavern.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 11:23 am
Rich, Thank you for the fair comments about Springfield. Every town in America with multiple restaurants has some with bad management. You go somewhere else and hope the owner/management changes at the other place.

I have a family here and believe it’s a quality place to raise kids. Depending on where you live, Springfield Public Schools is an asset where you can get a good education with good schools. Are there bad parts of the district? Yes, but you get that in all metro areas. You also have options in outlying communities if you like suburban or rural life and still be downtown in 15 - 20 minutes.

Quit frankly, there is more to do in this town than I have time in a day for. It’s not Chicago or St. Louis, that’s both a positive and a negative. There is some people in Springfield that need to stop the small town mentality, but you have jerks everywhere, not sure how you solve that problem.

Comment by Ahoy! Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 11:24 am
From garage to desk, it took me about 30 minutes to drop off the kid and get to work. It’ll probably take me an extra five minutes later tonight because of the “evening rush.”

I cannot imagine spending 2+ hour per day commuting. That’s a lot of time I could have spent with the kid. Yeah, this town is boring at times and the mayor needs to drop his downtown curfew nonsense. Having those extra 10 hours per week with the kid is enough reason to love Springfield.

Oh, and I enjoy not having to carry all of my groceries beyond the barrier. That’s a big plus, too.

Comment by Dirty Red Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 11:25 am
Natasha may have done Springfield a little favor in terms of making some adjustments on rare occasions. It’s in their economic interest to do so. One high profile observation can do that. I’ve been to Springfield countless times. I’ve been disappointed on a few occasions with the hospitality industry. Chicago gets an A. Springfield gets a solid B. Adjustments on both sides could be made. Expect a bit less, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised most of the time.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 11:26 am
I never thought that the Gov and his wife would be in the patch 24/7.. I think he will be more visible than our last 2 Governors. Like most Chicagoans, he will learn to adapt to the differences of Chicago and the Springfield, I do not see him as “snobby”, BUT..I do want a picture when he dives into his first and last HORSESHOE SANDWICH..

Comment by Not Rich Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 11:27 am
If you are going to dump two buses on a place, esp late on a Sunday CALL AHEAD.

I generally trust NKs reporting, but this was shabby, esp the gossipy comment about an upscale place sending people to the hospital. Verify it, or don’t use it. I wanted to email her, but couldn’t find her address.

I wonder when rauner will try the chicken w peppers at Saputo’s. Or thurs half-price wine at American Harvest

Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 11:28 am
Friends of mine who come to SPI from Chicago for session and the State Fair were stunned when I drove around SPI one summer afternoon.

Took them out by the lake, to the Washington Park area then to took them to the far west side. They told me their views of SPI had to date been nothing more than the downtown area and the fairgrounds. One even said the area around Washington Park could fit quite well into Evanston.

So look around SPI, not Chicago, but it is far more than what many see. And look for the local “mom and pop” places, there are some great places to eat and drink that you have not found yet.

Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 11:28 am
I moved to Springfield a little over a year ago, and I take advantage of the Springfield nightlife more often than I probably should. I have never had a problem getting a drink downtown since there are a handful of establishments that will stay open until 3:00am. Food, however, is a different story. Finding good food downtown late at night leaves you with just a few options since so many restaurants are only open for lunch. Hopefully, an increased demand for upscale late evening dining and drinks will encourage some local entrepreneurs to invest. I would love to see it, and I am anxiously awaiting what the YWCA block will bring.

Comment by Millennium Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 11:33 am
== “Diana is very concerned. It’s really tragic what’s happened. That’s the people’s house.”==

Interesting. What would Rauner have said if the state budget had included enough money to fix “the people’s house”?

Everybody wants the state to maintain its property and educate the kids and lock up the criminals, but nobody wants to pay the taxes it takes to do the job right. Rauner would rather pay money out of his pocket to fix the things he wants to fix than pay it in taxes which might be subject to someone else’s priorities.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 11:34 am
Stay, I asked you not to be hateful. I’m gonna delete you now.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 11:36 am
Compared to the nightlife in Montana, I’d guess Springfield measures up just fine.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 11:39 am
Poor Natasha. I can be hard being a stranger in a strange land.

Comment by Thunder Fred Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 11:39 am
moving is always an adjustment, no matter what. but “good” travelers are always gracious to the local culture — no matter what!

Comment by bored now Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 11:40 am
==and staff are expecting to go home at the end of their shift==
And a lot of them have child care arrangements that can’t be changed at the last minute, even if they would like to stay and keep earning.

Comment by Excessively Rabid Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 11:41 am
Rauner’s should try the local wine from Danenberger Family Vineyard to see what Illinois wine is like.

Comment by Ben Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 11:41 am
If you’re struggling to find a place in Springfield open past 11, then you’re not looking very hard. Although if we’re talking inauguration night it was a Monday, so I can’t really blame a place if their normal Monday schedule was to close that early.

Comment by Anonymoiis Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 11:43 am
Rich, perhaps Natasha would be able to find a late night drink at Bob’s or the Curve. We always seemed to be able to find a place that was open.

Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 11:50 am
As an immigrant to Springfield, it has plenty to do. Unlike Chicago, those things don’t leap up and smack you in the face (Lincoln excepted). You have to look for them. For example, Chicago have anything like Lincoln Memorial Gardens?

Comment by Anyone Remember Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 11:50 am
Agree with Millenium;

Almost always easy to find a drink downtown Springfield when session is in. Late night (even late evening) food is tougher.

Comment by chi Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 11:51 am
I lived there for 20 years and found it to be a great place in terms of local lifestyle. But, the local political and cultural leadership can’t be accused of “thinking big”. When you live there, you have to accept the place on it small-town terms.

Comment by Chad Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 11:53 am
Langhorne given how many times Mr. Rauner over the years went down to Springfield over charter legislation and other education bills he supported its hard to believe he hasn’t already eaten at Saputo’s, I prefer the baked manicotti myself, and the Speaker seems to like salads.

Comment by Rod Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 11:55 am
==I am anxiously awaiting what the YWCA block will bring.==

A sentence that has been spoken in Springfield since at least the 70’s. A lot of grand plans, and a lot of failed ideas.

Comment by Anonymoiis Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 11:55 am
I love Springfield. As someone who values not having a commute, either to work or to the grocery store or to entertainment, it’s perfect. As others have said, if you can’t find a place open past 11 downtown, you’re not looking too hard. I will say, as someone who lives close to downtown, I wish more of it was open on the weekends, especially Sunday. But I get that people need a day off and if you’re losing money as a business it doesn’t make sense to stay open.

On the subject of downtown, there does seem to be more and more “cool” businesses opening there (a new coffee shop and a new bakery just to name two). Hopefully they go the distance

Ditto what Rich said about the east side music scene. It’s been there for years and is pretty thriving, and is even bringing some much needed business to a faltering part of the city. And that’s just one aspect, there’s a pretty decent country tour racket thanks to some bars around town, Donnie’s brings in good bands and entertainment, and if you want something more “big city” UIS has some pretty big shows come in.

Every time I visit Chicago, at first I’m thinking to myself, dang, wish I lived here. But by the time I’m leaving and getting off I-90 and on to I-55 I’m happy to be heading back to Springfield.

Comment by Drew Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 11:57 am
But there are now bike lanes on 2nd Street. Sure nobody uses them and it’s often impossible for cars to make it through more than one light at a time but Springfield is really becoming a cosmopolitan city.

Comment by That Guy Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 11:59 am
If you a post 1980’s wanne be YUPPIE type, Springfield is not the place for you.

Comment by Federalist Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 12:01 pm
Rich, speaking of the Governor living in SFLD, any news on the condition of the mansion and any steps being taken to fix it? Last I heard it needed millions in repairs. From the outside there are some obvious issues; missing balusters, tuckpointing, paint, warped porches…that’s just what I can see from the street.

Comment by Will Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 12:01 pm
Rich, you had JOFFREY SEASON TICKETS? HOW DID I NOT KNOW THIS?

Comment by Soccermom Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 12:01 pm
Soccermom, remember that Lake Michigan cruise featuring 60-80-year-old women you invited me to?

That could answer your question.

Just sayin…

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 12:03 pm
I am a recent transplant. I was pretty depressed until I discovered Obed & Isaacs and Meekong Cafe. This weekend I discovered American Harvest Eatery and Hawaiian BBQ, Wow is all I can say. Springfield has some good places to eat and drink.

Let me be the first to disagree that Springfield is inexpensive. The list prices of homes may be cheap, but the property taxes are not, about 2.9% of the homes value, each year. Extremely high taxes. Think $5.5k a year for a $200k house.

Comment by Millennial Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 12:10 pm
Millenial they have also added a Coopers Hawk Winery to the list….I nearly slammed on my brakes and caused an accident when I saw this by White Oaks…I went in a Tuesday night and all the tables were filled at 8 PM at night with more people coming in….I kept saying to my dining companion that I could not believe this was Springfield on a Tuesday night

Comment by illilnifan Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 12:14 pm
===added a Coopers Hawk Winery===

Best steak in town. By far.

Oh, man it’s so good. Wish it wasn’t so far outside the sandbox, but even that’s been moving westward for the past few years.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 12:17 pm
=The biggest complaint you’ll hear from lawmakers, lobbyists, and reporters who travel to Springfield is there’s a dearth of places to find decent food=

It’s true that Springfield doesn’t have an Alinea an Avec or even a Nightwood (I’ve had dinner at two of these places) but there are some local treasures to be explored.

Julia’s Kitchen is a rising star. Obed and Issac’s is solid. American Harvest has an occasional stellar meal that will rival any Bib Gourmand. Driftwood shows some real creativity.

Then there are the off-the-beaten-track-I’m-bringing-my-uncle-here places like Westwoods Lodge (who doesn’t like to eat under a stuffed bobcat?), Charlie Parker’s (featured in Diners, Drive-ins on Dives on The Food Network), or Arlington’s (great ambiance).

I’ve heard this talk before, but I think it stems from narrow-mindedness. Instead how about an embrace of the local color?

I’m sure some of you can add to my list.

Comment by Sangamo Sam Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 12:18 pm
@That Guy…..I actually saw a person riding his bike down 2nd street this morning…..he was on the sidewalk though, not even using his fancy wide bike lane.

Comment by TCB Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 12:20 pm
Comparing any urban area with 6 million people to a town of 300,000 is apples and concrete. Never going to be close. I grew up in Chicago and go back regularly. Now live in central ILL corn country. Huge difference and I joke about going to the big city of Springfield. You can say the exact same thing about Bloomington and Peoria. In the long run how many restaurants can you go to? It’s what you make of it. Want small town? Go to Pittsfield, Vienna, and Oblong.

Comment by zatoichi Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 12:24 pm
Springfield is a great place for a city its size. Key phrase - “for a city its size.” It’s silly to come here and expect the concert scene, bar scene, copious five-star restaurants, niche establishments, etc. that you’ll find in a much, much larger city. On the other hand, if you keep your expectations grounded in the reality of the number of people we have here, you’ll find yourself pleasantly surprised. We have a thriving, eclectic arts and music scene - for a city this size. We have a good variety of restaurants - for a city this size. There aren’t a lot of places open late, but there are a few. Enough, if you know where to look. (And, unlike many cities larger than ours, just about all our grocery stores are open 24 hours…)

There are business opportunities, though. We could really use a gas station closer to downtown, as a simple example. And, as far as I can tell, there isn’t a locally owned or downtown place to get coffee later in the evening; if you’re looking for a place to sit and get some work done (i.e., if you’re not Rich and can’t get your work done in a bar), you have to venture to the outskirts and find a Denny’s or Steak n Shake.

I recently took my kids to a museum in Chicago. It was fabulous. They had a great time. But we had to park a long way from the building. There was a line for the tickets, the coat check, the bathroom, the exhibits, the gift shop. I wanted to find a little hole in the wall for lunch, but because of time constraints, we had to eat at the museum. The traffic on the way out made us late to an evening appointment in Springfield.

Nobody is going to feel sorry for me when I tell that story; if I can’t handle traffic and lines and expensive parking, I shouldn’t go to Chicago. So why don’t we just let Chicago be Chicago and Springfield be Springfield?

At least here, you almost never have to stand in line.

Comment by Commander Norton Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 12:26 pm
This is more a big city versus suburban type complaint, not exclusive to Springfield.

I could use a Headwest sub right about now.

Comment by Mittuns Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 12:27 pm
===there isn’t a locally owned or downtown place to get coffee later in the evening===

Try Sunrise. It’s not that far.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 12:29 pm
My sentimental fave place is Alexander’s’ Steakhouse, where you grill it yourself. I’d have to say the biggest surprise to me between Chicago and Springfield was that until recently, you had no bus service of any kind after 6 PM and none at all on Sundays. It’s more like living in an outer Chicago suburb, where you might need a car if you want maximum flexibility in when and where you want to be.

Comment by Newsclown Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 12:32 pm
Yeah, there’s Sunrise. I haven’t been pleased with the food, but for a cup of coffee, I guess it’s fine. Open until midnight, right? You obviously don’t know all the odd times I find myself needing a cup of coffee and a power outlet…

Comment by Commander Norton Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 12:32 pm
A moment of silence for Mister Ted’s, please…

Comment by Newsclown Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 12:32 pm
A couple of notes –

Shocked that a place is closing early? Come on. That’s fake outrage at best. In Chicago we have the same issue often. Unless you are up for bar food, it can be tough to find a meal late. There’s Hubbard Street where you can get a high quality meal (admittedly in places concentrating on bar service), and some fast food places like Weiner Circle, but not all that much else late at night. Countless nights my wife and I have tried to find a place that we like open relatively late and ended up giving up because we did not want to dine in a bar.

There is a lot of give and take between Chicago and other areas in the state (with Chicago typically being on the receiving end of the comments) but this sort of thing from a reporter is unfortunate. “Restaurant closes early” is not “news” as much as it is “reinforcing baseless stereotypes.”

That being said, and I don’t mean to sound like I’m bashing Springfield, but I have wondered how, if at all the location of government in Springfield impacts the workforce.

There are people — myself included — who don’t hold anything against small town life, but it just isn’t the sort of life we want to live. It moves a bit too slow for us. There is nothing inherently wrong with that, but I wonder if the location prevents some good people from taking the positions.

Comment by Gooner Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 12:37 pm
Natasha’s column/story was a little unnecessary.

Funny story:

When I still had a Myspace account, I sent the band Taproot a note and asked them to play in Springfield again. The lead singer personally replied and wrote, “Hey - isn’t Springfield where all of the restaurants close in the middle of the afternoon?!” I will never get that out of my head.

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 12:41 pm
Rich,

As far as culture, I’d invite you to check out the local theatre scene. I know it is only community, but the Hoogland and the Muni put on some great productions.

As to the column it is all relative. I attempted to buy something at the CVS across from Union Station. Our train back to Springfield left at 7pm on a Saturday. The CVS was closed when we tried to go in at 6:30.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 12:51 pm
If people like Thai food, check out the Magic Kitchen on Springfield’s north side. It’s packed most of the time but you can bring your bottle of your favorite wine.

Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 12:52 pm
All kidding aside, I really like Springfield. I got my undergrad degree here and Mrs. Sleep & I have lived in town for almost a decade. Our church is great. Our kids’s school system is wonderful. It takes me a whopping 12 minutes to get to school and about 5 after I drop the kids off. I can run home at lunch and be back within an hour. The restaurants are pretty good. The nightlife was always fun when I was younger and single. And we are the capital and a historical hub. Now that Uber is here and When high-speed rail (or at least some version of it) finally arrives then I think my fair city will have “arrived”.

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 12:54 pm
Not to digress, but the Gov.’s Twitter account posted a photo of him checking out the great culture of North La Salle Street today — M Burger, in the basement of the Thompson Building.

Speaking from way too much experience, that’s a very good fast food burger.

Comment by Gooner Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 1:00 pm
From my experience hotel restaurants in Chicago, and most everywhere else, coast to coast, close at roughly the same time on Sunday night as the Springfield Hotel in Natasha’s rant. I suspect that she may be less well-traveled than she thinks.

Comment by Keyser Soze Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 1:01 pm
Food Environment Statistics:

Number of grocery stores: 28
Sangamon County: 1.44 / 10,000 pop.
State: 2.24 / 10,000 pop.

Number of convenience stores (no gas): 5
This county: 0.26 / 10,000 pop.
Illinois: 0.75 / 10,000 pop.

Number of convenience stores (with gas): 67
Sangamon County: 3.46 / 10,000 pop.
Illinois: 2.61 / 10,000 pop.

Number of full-service restaurants: 156
Here: 8.05 / 10,000 pop.
Illinois: 6.86 / 10,000 pop.

By comparison, Santa Fe — the best capitol city (from a restaurant point of view) in the nation (with about half the population of Springfield)

Food Environment Statistics:

Number of grocery stores: 22
This county: 1.55 / 10,000 pop.
New Mexico: 1.44 / 10,000 pop.

Number of convenience stores (with gas): 32
This county: 2.25 / 10,000 pop.
New Mexico: 4.06 / 10,000 pop.

Number of full-service restaurants: 164
Santa Fe County: 11.52 / 10,000 pop.
New Mexico: 7.12 / 10,000 pop.

And here are the Chicago stats:

Food Environment Statistics:

Number of grocery stores: 1,460
Here: 2.77 / 10,000 pop.
Illinois: 2.24 / 10,000 pop.

Number of supercenters and club stores: 23
This county: 0.04 / 10,000 pop.
Illinois: 0.08 / 10,000 pop.

Number of convenience stores (no gas): 490
Cook County: 0.93 / 10,000 pop.
Illinois: 0.75 / 10,000 pop.

Number of convenience stores (with gas): 806
This county: 1.53 / 10,000 pop.
State: 2.61 / 10,000 pop.

Number of full-service restaurants: 3,516
Cook County: 6.67 / 10,000 pop.
Illinois: 6.86 / 10,000 pop.

Comment by Soccermom Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 1:05 pm
The Rauners should try a lunch at MCL. They will probably find a room full of supporters amongst the old people who throng there. The epitome of small town life.

Comment by anotheretiree Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 1:08 pm
===try a lunch at MCL===

I took my uncle there years ago during Christmas season when it was at the mall. I go every year now when I’m shopping.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 1:11 pm
Was at the monday night game and left game early to walk back to Hotel and the same thing happened to us in Chicago. Was in the hotel bar less than an hour. About 25 people talking the game. With people still coming in the lights came on we had to get out. The Bears did play bad and we needed drinks went to the room and drank. It happens all over.

Comment by Down South Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 1:14 pm
What, there are no poorly-run restaurants or snotty maîtres d’ in Chicago? As a Chicagoan, I beg to differ.

Comment by JoanP Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 1:16 pm
Sort of on subject: I don’t think anyone eats dinner at home in SPI. EVERY restaurant seems to be packed between 5-7:00 PM

Comment by Namaste Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 1:23 pm
From what I’ve heard pizza in Chicago is a religion. So Chicago has great pizza and the second best brats in the world after Milwaukee, from what I’m told.

Comment by Ginhouse Tommy Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 1:24 pm
Rauner has been here for a little over a week can anyone tell us how many days he has stayed at the Manision? Let’s keep track what do you think?

Comment by Honest Abe Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 1:28 pm
Coopers Hawk

Great food and service….

Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 1:29 pm
=== Let’s keep track what do you think?===

Maybe you should get your own blog.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 1:36 pm
My suggestions to Springfield:
1) You’re not a big city, get over it.
2) You’re not a small city, appreciate what you have. There’s a lot going on outside your local high school’s gymnasium. When a big act comes to town, get out of your house and go see it. When a small act comes to town, try to see one once in a while.
3) Spending money to make a place nicer is a good thing. Parks, recreation, landscaping, good-appearance ordinances…not evil.
4) If you can’t drive the speed limit, stay home.
Or at least take public transit.
5) Really… it’s not too far to walk 2 blocks from your parking place.

I’m surprised no one has mentioned Cafe Moxo, although I guess the conversation is geared toward late night and not daytime. But it’s a very nice place too.

That said, I love visiting Chicago but wouldn’t trade it for living here.

Comment by Skeptic Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 1:50 pm
My impression is that Springfield has way too much suburb for the city. Rather than capital hunkering down and flipping neighborhoods, of which there are many examples in the city, you just keep building further out in the cornfields.

Hard to develop a central concentration of amenities that feed off each other that way.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 1:52 pm
@The Captain:

100% agreement about how the sidewalks are rolled up when the legislature is not in session in Springfield.

Comment by Under Further Review Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 1:53 pm
===100% agreement about how the sidewalks are rolled up===

Apparently, you’ve never been downtown on a warm Saturday night. There are so many people on the street that they have an ambulance stationed in an alley.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 1:54 pm
===keep building further out in the cornfields.===

The state has contributed to that by moving offices out of downtown.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 1:56 pm
Springfield is alright. The traffic lights in Springfield are atrocious. Getting a green light in this town happens as often as snow in Ecuador.

Comment by Jorge Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 1:59 pm
I don’t have anything to add that hasn’t already been said.

I encourage people to check out SJ-R photo editor Rich Saal’s twitter feed for some cool photos of what downtown Springfield used to be. It’s like visiting someone in a nursing home, looking at their photo album and realizing what a strapping dude/stunning knockout they used to be.

Comment by LizPhairTax Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 2:02 pm
Have been in Springfield for some time now and it kind of blows my mind that there isn’t a very good Mexican restaurant around here. It’s surprising given the good quality Thai and Indian places around here. What’s a guy gotta do to get a decent torta around here?! La Bamba is for the college kids.

Comment by The Muse Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 2:04 pm
===there isn’t a very good Mexican restaurant around here===

Casa Real, man.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 2:06 pm
Try the chocolate croissant or baguette and a latte at Incredibly Delicious. Best bread, desserts and cake in Springfield and all made on-site by a French trained chef.

Comment by In the Sticks Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 2:10 pm
Oh how I miss Baurer’s and for a late night fiery cocktail there was the Aloha!

Comment by Nitemayor Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 2:10 pm
I think it’s fair to say at this point that “Springfield has been adequately and nicely defended”. The homers are out there! lol.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 2:11 pm
===a late night fiery cocktail there was the Aloha===

The Brewhaus has one.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 2:13 pm
==there isn’t a very good Mexican restaurant around here. ==

Define “here”…
Casa Real, Xochimilco, Los Agaves, Az-T-Ca, to name a few
It’s sounding like a lot of you never venture beyond 9th/Cook/Capitol/Jefferson boundaries.

Comment by Anonymoiis Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 2:23 pm
Rauner was at Az-T-Ca the other day.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 2:24 pm
The premise of Natasha’s story is silly anyway.

If the Rauners are in desperate need of a late-night drink or bite to eat, the taxpayers have graciously provided them with a mansion and servants.

I understand it’s a fixer upper, but if you have nine cribs all over the country, I suspect you’re used to a little “pardon the dust.”

The story is hilarious. Who knew being a
Chicago reporter was La Dolce Vita, Paris in the 20s, every night in Barcelona?

I don’t think a double cheese at the Goat after 10 p.m. qualifies as “dinner.” It makes a horseshoe look like haute cuisine.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 2:29 pm
There’s no White Castle,Al’s beef,Jimmie’s Polish,or decent hot dogs in Springpatch.So much for fine dining .

Comment by Ed Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 2:29 pm
Skeptic -
You’re absolutely right about #5! For all Springfield has to offer, the natives think they should be able to park for free 10 steps from the back door.

Comment by Anyone Remember Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 2:30 pm
This is the same thinking that has people nominating their hotel bar for the golden horseshoe. It’s amazing what you can discover when you step outside of your own little bubble every now and then.

Comment by Thunder Fred Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 2:31 pm
==I don’t think a double cheese at the Goat after 10 p.m. qualifies as “dinner.”==

They serve food there?

Comment by Anonymoiis Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 2:35 pm
Casa Real is fantastic. It’s also a shame that Manny’s place downtown (can’t remember the name) closed. The best lunch buffet in town!

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 2:39 pm
“This is the same thinking that has people nominating their hotel bar for the golden horseshoe. It’s amazing what you can discover when you step outside of your own little bubble every now and then.”

AMEN

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 2:44 pm
I’ve always believed that a huge mistake made by the state and the city of Springfield was locating Sangomon State University (now UIS) on the outskirts of the city limits instead of downtown. Had the city fathers been willing to take the heat for leveling a few blocks near the Capitol to build the univesity downtown (like Mayor Daley did in Chicago,) Springfield and the university would have fed off each other and both would be bigger and more economically successful today.

I once brought this point up to Rich Miller while in a downtown bar (for the record, it was past 11 p.m.) and he reminded me that the university was chartered in the late 1960’s, a time when Springfield businessmen and politicians wanted to keep pot-smoking, war-protesting college kids far away from the Capitol and downtown business district. Might have made sense back then, but it looks awfully shortsighted now.

Comment by B.C. Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 2:49 pm
– I wonder if the location prevents some good people from taking the positions.–

Definitely. There are people who would not live near the James R. Thompson Center.

Comment by Bigtwich Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 2:50 pm
3 tomasso’s Deluxe Italian is a pizza to die for! Better than Giordano’s!

Comment by Diego Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 2:50 pm
Big,

Easy access to Nurse Bettys at M Burger make that location extremely desirable.

Comment by Gooner Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 2:59 pm
===Better than Giordano’s===

Low bar. Hate that place. Lived next door to one in the city and only went there when out of towners insisted.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 3:02 pm
“or decent hot dogs in Springpatch” Of course not, this is the home of the corndog. Proudly served with ketchup. BTW, there is a Chicago’s Best hot dogs at Lewis and Jefferson.

Comment by Skeptic Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 3:18 pm
Great food is easy to find in Springfield! We have some great dives and diners, and lots of chain restaurants. Several have been on food tours. Great corn Dogs, wonderful chili, huge tenderloin pork chops, famous horseshoes, grits, fried green tomatoes, chitlins, venison, buffalo, and great dirty martinis. I had one of the coldest beers I have ever had out at the Fairview while enjoying some great fried chicken.

All one has to do is ask a local, especially someone sporting a bit of girth. We are rich with great places to eat, and drink…and places that truly appreciate your business!

Comment by Sunshine Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 3:32 pm
Food Magazine once named Joe Rogers Chili Den the second best chili parlor in the country. Definitely a plus.

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 3:37 pm
Go to Fritz’s. Great food, great service, and some of the cheapest drinks in town. Plus if you go after the early bird rush (anytime after 7PM), you can always get a table.

Comment by Jaded Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 3:37 pm
Not only is casa real great, but the atmosphere there is great as well

Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 3:37 pm
===Not only is casa real great===

They have a seafood cactus dish that blew my mind.

If Mr. New Orleans himself Tony Leone loves a restaurant, then it’s a good restaurant. First time I went there, Tony was at a booth raving about the food.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 3:41 pm
Rich, we refer to MCL as the Medi-Care Lounge because so many blue hairs go there. It is a great cafeteria and we do go there ourselves on occasion. They have good food. By the way…not suggesting you are old….well, not that old….

Comment by Sunshine Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 3:46 pm
–they serve food there?–

The Goat doesn’t have pretensions or make claims about its menu, but, yes, I think they would call it “food,” in a broad sense, as in, we will sell it to you to eat.

No more questions, please.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 4:12 pm
I never understood why the “Horse Shoe” sandwich never caught on outside of Springfield. Corn dogs have become widely accepted elsewhere.

Years ago, there was one tavern in Beverly had “Horse Shoe” sandwiches on its menu.

Comment by Under Further Review Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 4:16 pm
You’ve also got local staples like Chesapeake, the Old Lux, Gabatoni’s, and newer local spots like Lake Pointe Grill. I mean, my God man this town lays claim to the first salad bar and drive thru, there are plenty of options if you just ask around. Or even just watch the Food Network.

Comment by Anonymoiis Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 4:20 pm
@Rich Miller:

Giordano’s has closed a few of its Chicago area locations recently, so you are probably not alone in your opinion. As Chicago Style Pan Pizzas go, Giordano’s would probably be the best available option if I was in Council Bluffs, Rochester or Sioux City. Not in Chicago IMHO.

Comment by Under Further Review Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 4:21 pm
==I never understood why the “Horse Shoe” sandwich never caught on outside of Springfield. ==

There is a place is Chicago now that serves them that does pretty well. It’s owned by a Springfield native (naturally) in the Bucktown area.

Comment by Anonymoiis Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 4:22 pm
Gooner: I have never, ever had a problem getting a relatively late dinner (as late as 11pm) within the city limits of Chicago - and not just at places like The Pick Me Up Cafe or Weiner’s Circle. Au Cheval, Longman & Eagle, and Kuma’s are just a few where I’ve been served well after 9pm. Suburbs, on the other hand, are a completely different story, even the ones with busy downtowns. I’ve been turned away from places in downtown Naperville where I just wanted to have a burger and a beer at 9:15 on a weeknight.

I’m going to have to bookmark this post for all the suggestions on places to eat in Springfield on future trips.

Comment by Tim Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 4:35 pm
There’s now a Casa Real in Lombard, owned by the brother of the Springfield Casa Real; some staff was also moved up from Springfield at least to train the new employees. I went there a couple of weeks ago and the menu is similar, although not exactly the same.

Comment by Katiedid Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 4:38 pm
===there isn’t a very good Mexican restaurant around here===

Az-T-Ca

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 4:51 pm
- Under Further Review -

The “shoe” has returned to the South Side at a great new microbrewery in Beverly, Horse Thief Hallow…”a Springfield tradition”, the menu says.

Comment by B.C. Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 4:51 pm
== I never understood why the “Horse Shoe” sandwich never caught on outside of Springfield. ==

Actually, it has but it isn’t called a horseshoe. I’ve been lots of places arond the country that have a meat / potato / cheese sauce dish on their menu; some were good, some weren’t.

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 4:56 pm
===I think they would call it “food,” in a broad sense, as in, we will sell it to you to eat.===

No food. Cheezeborger.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 4:56 pm
“The bartender said simply, no, it was 10:45 p.m. and the place closed at 11.”

Next time call ahead on your smart phone.

Comment by Enviro Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 5:07 pm
===Next time call ahead on your smart phone.===

Or walk across the street to the Globe, which is what we all did.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 5:08 pm
Life’s too short to order Gioirdanos.

Life aint worth living to order a Little Papa Domino Caesar or whatever those barbarians are serving up. You might as well pick one up from the Jewels.

If you’re in the Chicago area, and you dont have some serious long-term romances going on with a few neighborhood pizzerias, condoglianze.

Lou Malnattis is good and steady in a pinch.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 5:13 pm
I don’t get the bashing of Giordano’s.

Yes, their thin is pretty average. But the stuffed is very good. We don’t go in there because of the crowd but for delivery it is a good product.

It seems like people want to bash the name places (Giordano’s, Unos, Gino’s East, Lou’s), but for the most part, they got their reputation by being good. Due’s remains our favorite but unfortunately they don’t deliver.

That being said, Bacino’s produces a better stuffed pizza, but that’s saying a lot because Giordano’s is good.

Of course, I seem to be one of the few people who are pretty happy with Billy Goat (although I don’t go to the one off Michigan Ave). A triple cheeseburger and fries goes directly to the arteries but it does taste good.

Comment by Gooner Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 5:14 pm
Gooner, Billy Goat foods serves a purpose.

If you’re ashamed and you want to die for how much you drank the night before, eat at the Goat.

Soon, you’ll be ashamed and want to die for what you just ate.

But, within minutes, like at Lourdes, miraculously, the sins cancel each other out and are washed away.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 5:24 pm
Food at Billy Goat can be greasy. But in context, it isn’t bad.

It is not like Boss Bar, where you only eat it if your vision is too blurred to see what you are eating.

Comment by Gooner Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 5:32 pm
The Goat is both a great cause of and cure for a hangover

Comment by Anonymoiis Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 6:00 pm
I got my walkin’ papers last week, and the prospect of not going to Springfield regularly has not phased me…that beig said, Chicago folks should eat like a local when in the Capitol…you will not be disappointed…I will miss Kelley’s bar down the street from the Statehouse Inn…

Comment by Loop Lady Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 6:11 pm
How about Fox’s on Western?

Comment by Pizza Pizza Pan Pan Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 6:25 pm
BC makes a good point about about building Sangamon State so far out of town.

More students live, work and go to school in the Greater Loop
than C-U. They bring a lot to the table for risk-taking and innovation in a mature urban economy.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 6:48 pm
Always remember when you tire of Springfield Chicago is only a 3 hour drive north and St. Louis is 1 1/2 hour south

Comment by Pacman Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 6:57 pm
Sorry Rich wasn’t meaning it literally of keeping track of his stay. Instead of starting my own blog I will just reframe from commenting on here in the future. Again sorry!!!

Comment by Honest Abe Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 8:36 pm
It’s not three hours north anywhere near the speed limit.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 10:40 pm
=== building Sangamon State so far out of town===

They built the university at the height of the student riots. Nobody wanted those hippies anywhere near them. It’s too bad, because Spfld lost an opportunity to at least approach Madison.

Same for Governor’s State, by the way. There’s a reason it’s out in the middle of nowhere. Built at the same time. Universities weren’t seen as economic development. They were seen as breeding grounds for radicals. And SSU sure as heck was.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 20, 15 @ 11:44 pm
Ok, I’ve been looking for good Mexican food in Springfield for years, and tried every restaurant mentioned above. Yes, Casa Real has the best food, but the service and management is lacking. My last experience there? The restaurant closed at 9, but we walked in at 8 on a Thursday and were seated in the bar area as staff was putting stools up on tables all around us and mopping - yes, literally mopping the floor around us. The mop bucket was not exactly appetizing. They just can’t quite get it right.

Comment by Mary Sunshine Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 12:11 am
Agree much of what has been offered so far.

Fulgenzi’s Pizza is about a three minute commute from downtown and well known for great pizza, chili, hot dogs, a great double cheeseburger & old school milkshakes since 1979! For those who think the 3 minute commute is too much, they will even deliver upon your request till 10pm.

“I can’t get a drink or food late in Springfield” said by no one ever who made any effort to fulfill their desires.

Entertainment? Great local acts as well as those passing through. I just saw Buddy Guy and Toby Keith recently. Boondocks is just one venue offering decent music of late including Florida Georgia Line that played to a sold out crowd among many other bands on the charts. Great local/regional music available if you look for it. Check Illinois times or SJ-R for local events. Hoogland & The Muni offering great shows as well.

If you are a sports fan, local high school competition is outstanding. Basketball tourneys offer great entertainment and often the student athletes move on to D1 and/or pro play.

Andre Iguadala? Jason Werth? Many others who played their hearts out in local gyms/fields before moving on to prime time. May seem quite silly to the big city elite but Local high school sport and theater groups offer some amazing talent. Or for laughs, go The Gym basketball courts on a night when 4-6 year old Biddy Basketball is being played. Hysterical watching the youngins get after it.

If you are in need of some alternative therapy, try sitting thru a Spfld. City Council Meeting on occasion.

If that is not enough for some, I’ll offer that I can get to a Cards/Cubs,Blues/Blackhawks game, or Justin Timberlake, Garth Brooks, Billy Joel, Van Halen, Taylor Swift, Pearl Jam or perhaps The Jersey Boys at The Fox Theater in less time than many daily commutes.

And how about the comment above asking for a moment of silence for the late Mr.Teds. Classic.

Comment by Jeff Fulgenzi Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 12:59 am
Oh, Natasha, you’re so cosmopolitan and sophisticated.

Nat - fashion, style, class and elegance are good things. Stop using those good things to trash people who don’t appreciate them. Embrace the average and rejoice in the common. Those are good things too.

It is easy to enjoy shiny things, but it takes a wise adult to enjoy what brings a giggle to a toddler.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 9:17 am