BEST COFFEE SHOP
Starbucks Six locations in Springfield www.starbucks.com It’s easy to think of Starbucks as this corporate coffee behemoth, but when you look into all they’ve done for the community, they suddenly seem a little more like Mom ’n Pop. Carol McFarland, manager of the Hilton location, tells us that one of their most important charity ventures is donating funds to families of teenagers who’ve been in car accidents to pay for their medical bills. They also give to churches, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Animal Protective League, in part because of the Hilton’s dog-friendly policy. Other Springfield locations work heavily with Habitat for Humanity and support neighborhood projects with money and volunteers. Of course, the charitable nature doesn’t begin and end with Springfield. Starbucks as a whole funds clean water education, gives Youth Action Grants, and is part of the (Red) movement to save the lives of those living with HIV in Africa. Have some ethics with your morning coffee.
Runner up: Grab-a-Java

BEST ASIAN FOOD
Magic Kitchen 115 N. Lewis St., 525-6975 4112 N. Peoria Rd., 525-2230 The number of Asian restaurants around Springfield is growing at a gratifying pace, but an old favorite — Magic Kitchen – is always a good bet for Thai food. Their peanut sauce alone is enough to make our mouths water. When you’re done with the delicate and crunchy egg rolls, dump the rest of the peanut sauce on the garlic chicken – it’s delicious beyond description. If you’re daring and would like something intensely spicy, go for the “hot” pad thai. It will not disappoint. Just be sure to get there early. It’s a popular place, and it fills up quickly. As an added bonus, you can bring your own cooler of booze to their Peoria Road location. Does it get any better than that? Little Saigon was a close second, with their delicious crab rangoon and pineapple shrimp fried rice.
Runner-up: Little Saigon

BEST CHILI
Joe Rogers’ Original Recipe Chili Parlor 820 S. Ninth St., 522-3722 When Rick and Rose Hamilton purchased Joe Rogers’ Original Chili last December, they were well aware of this Springfield treasure, featured in the magazine, Bon Appetit and the Food Channel’s “Man v. Food.” Purchasing the restaurant meant inheriting the coveted “best chili” title. And just like its former owner, they are issuing you a challenge. Before you agree, you should know that this challenge just might fry your hair, curl your toes, and set your insides on fire. Still not backing down? Pull up to Joe Rogers’ Original Chili, order yourself a bowl of “firebrand,” and keep a pitcher of water real close because when you’re done you’ll want to extinguish the fire that’s sure to be ablaze on your insides. Those who managed to eat the flaming hot bowl are honored with an inscription of their name on the wall.

What makes this chili so special? Perhaps it is the fact that the beans and the meat are cooked separately, giving customers the ability to tailor their chili with just the right amount of beans, meat and grease to their liking. Yes, we did say grease, which is sometimes ordered without the chili. (Yikes!) To give you an idea of just how popular this chili is, Rose Hamilton says they sell an average of 170 pounds per day. But don’t flock to Joe’s for dinner or on Sundays. The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Second place goes to Steak ’n Shake, with Joe’s Chili Bowl taking third place.
Runner-up: Steak ’n Shake