RESTAURANTS IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE
Rather than name a single winner in this eatery category, we thought it would be more fun to alert readers to several delightful out-of-the-way discoveries nominated in our Best of Springfield survey.
Westwoods Lodge 2406 W Jefferson St, 698-9256
Tucked away on Jefferson, this place is easy to pass until you go there once. Then you’ll never pass it up again. A haven for hunters, wannabe hunters, or non-hunters who just love good food, Westwoods Lodge has a menu that looks like it came out of your camp nightmares, but worry not. The “Pinecones”? Tasty deep fried mashed potatoes. “Acorns”? Whole mini-potatoes with garlic and pamesean. Their take on the horseshoe, the “Snowshoe,” comes with all kinds of unique options. We recommend the brisket sandwich and, if you can handle it, their Bear Track Dessert, which is a deep-fried cheesecake topped with honey, cinnamon, sugar and whipped cream. Be still our beating hearts.
Star 66 Café 3752 Camp Butler Rd., 523-0611
Who knew a tiny restaurant next to a gas station would be such a favorite? Then we went and figured out exactly what people were talking about. This word-of-mouth café isn’t just for truckers on a road break. Often packed, especially on Sunday mornings, Star 66 carries tasty classic comfort dishes delivered to your table by fast and skilled servers. In fact, their service is what our voters spoke of most in their comments. “When I’m hungry, I don’t need anything fancy. Just truly delicious food and good people.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
Morning Star 6141 Main St, Salisbury, 626-2022
Though Morning Star is only 12 years old, its rustic quality brings you to another time altogether. Owner Pat Adamski says this was her goal. Returning to Springfield after living in Israel, Pat was ready to follow her dream of opening a tea room, and, with her parents Bill and Georgia, purchased a 100-year-old barn and used its pieces for the parts of the café. Yes, that’s a 100-year-old door you’re pushing open to get your sandwiches and pies. Well known for her chicken salad and olive nut sandwiches, broccoli salad, and delicious desserts, Pat’s favorites are the crépes. The spinach chicken mushroom crépe? with Swiss cheese sauce is her top pick. Trust us, there’s nothing on the menu that will disappoint you.
Maggie’s 310 E Ebony St, Thayer, 965-9860
The more things change, the more they stay the same, and though Maggie’s in Thayer has seen a few different owners in its day, its most famous menu items have been in place since the 1930s. Opened in 1929 by Maggie Enrietta, Maggie’s current iteration still serves its famous fried chicken, spaghetti and house dressing that has kept the American-Italian style family restaurant in business. Owner Josh Snodgrass stays true to the restaurant’s roots when asked about his favorite – he picked the fried chicken, but in the spirit of modernity, he is also a big fan of their horseshoes. Attracting locals and visitors from the surrounding areas, Maggie’s is as much of a mainstay as its menu favorites.
