Eatin’ and Drinkin’ in the Land of Lincoln: Part 4–Takeout Revisited

December 11, 2020December 11, 2020 - Scott Leave a comment

In my last post, I listed many local restaurants with which I am acquainted that are a part of the Capital City Takeout Challenge.

Since then, the list of participating restaurants has expanded somewhat, so naturally, I figured it would behoove me to mention a few more.

Some of the establishments on this list have tried to come up with creative methods of combating the approaching wintry weather. The Fire Marshal, however, has had some things to say about open flames in tents, so this is a developing story as of 6:20 AM on December 10.

In any case, here are seven more local restaurants that I can recommend. Remember, the Capital City Takeout Challenge ends December 18, so if you haven’t started yet, better get on it!

Mekong Cafe

1308 S. 2nd St. Springfield, IL

Takeout Only

217-391-2511

http://restaurantportals.com/MekongCafe/

Mekong Cafe Springfield IL fried rice — Mekong Cafe has six different fried rice dishes under $9.00.

These folks have had a heck of a time this year. First, the COVID lockdown in March that affected everyone. Then, just four weeks later, some buttmunch was flying down 2nd Street and ran into a car, knocking it into the Mekong Cafe building. Then, after they repaired THAT hole, the restaurant was vandalized at the end of May during the BLM protests. A family emergency in September closed them down once again, however briefly. But they’re still standing. Let’s help them keep it that way!

Sweet Basil Cafe

4241 Conestoga Dr. Springfield, IL

Takeout, Heated tent (?)

217-679-2967

http://www.SweetBasilCafes.com/

Breakfast Burger Fries Sweet Basil Cafe Springfield IL — It Might Be A Breakfast Burger $14.95. Good luck finishing this one! A good sized burger topped with a ham steak (not slice, STEAK), bacon and a fried egg.

This megadiner had only been open a week when the second lockdown went into effect. They are known for HUMONGOUS portions and one of the most encyclopedic menus I have ever seen. We ate there three times the first week. Pretty much whatever food you’re craving, they’ve got it. Unless they can resolve the heated tent issue, however, they may have to go back to takeout only. Sangamon County isn’t messing around this time and has pulled the licenses of several restaurants that violate the COVID order, shutting one down completely.

La Fiesta

Two locations in Springfield. Pic below from 106 N. 5th St. Auburn, IL

Takeout. Outdoor seating, weather permitting

217-925-2200

Southwest pork burrito rice and beans La Fiesta Auburn Illinois — I’ve been up and down this menu several times, but I keep coming back to the Southwest Burrito, stuffed with crispy pork and covered in tomatillo sauce. $11.99.

LRF featured La Fiesta in Part 2 of this series. The Auburn location has been our go-to for takeout. They provide several new picnic tables for outdoor seating as well, though after today’s 60-degree forecast, I fear our run of good weather will be coming to an end.

Still, when Spring comes, and we’re HOPEFULLY done with all this COVID stuff, I hope places keep the outdoor dining thing. It does something for the sense of community when you see all these people outside enjoying themselves. The Auburn square hasn’t been this lively in the 23 years that I’ve lived here, and La Fiesta is a big part of that.

Chatham Cafe

414 N. Main Plaza Chatham, IL

Takeout only

217-697-1101

http://www.chatham-cafe.com/

Santa Fe Chicken yellow rice Chatham Cafe Illinois — Santa Fe Chicken–smothered in onions, red and green peppers and swiss cheese. $9.99

Chatham Cafe has had outdoor dining for a while; however, they have the misfortune of being a west-facing business. This means sun in your face at dinner time. They do a robust takeout business though, and being the only diner in Chatham, they do have a solid local following.

Finley’s Tap House

3236 Ginger Creek Drive Springfield, IL

Heated deck, plus inside dining with open windows

217-572-1996

http://www.FinleysTapHouse.com/

Beer Flight local brews Finley's Tap House Springfield Illinois — The food is great at Finley’s, but being a Tap House, they do have a rotation of local brews to sample as well. For a special treat, try an Assalted Caramel from Main Street Brewing in Belleville with cinnamon sugar on the rim of your pint glass.

Another repeater from Part 2, I wanted to mention Finley’s again for their outside-the-box thinking on seating. We ate there just last night, and were able to sit inside, because the bar side of their dining area has windows that open out to the patio. Apparently, the level of ventilation appeased the public health department to where they allowed limited indoor seating (although Finley’s is strict with contact tracing, just to be on the safe side).

They have put up canvas on the outside to block the wind, but left the top open so that they can have a couple of their patio heaters running inside the canvas, but outside the building (no carbon monoxide issues). Also, they have portable space heaters by each of the tables next to an open window. It isn’t perfect, but it’s pretty darn good. So is the food.

Hunan

1333 W. Wabash Jerome, IL

Takeout Only

217-726-5670

https://www.hunanwabash.com/

Fried rice Hunan Jerome Illinois — Do I like fried rice? Yes, why do you ask?

Since Hunan relocated down the street, they have rebranded themselves a bit. (OK, more than a bit.) It sounds like it ought to be a basic Chinese restaurant, and they certainly do have that cuisine. But they are also known for sushi, and now they have even gotten into the Cajun seafood boil craze. Springfield currently has three places featuring crab, etc. boils with a fourth on the way. I haven’t jumped on this bandwagon yet, but plan to soon. Stay tuned!

Krekel’s Custard

Various locations in Macon and Sangamon County. Pic Below from 310 Carroll St. Pawnee, IL

Takeout with walk-up window

217-625-4952

https://www.krekelscustard.com/

Krekel's Custard Pawnee Illinois — Glad we got here early. It got busy in a hurry!

Krekel’s started in Decatur, IL way back in 1949. They now have seven locations where they serve up burgers, shakes, and fries that have remained basically unchanged since then. If you’re in Central Illinois, chances are you have encountered their unique marketing tool, the car with the chicken on top.

The fight to save Illinois restaurants is a long way from over, and it certainly won’t end on December 18 when the takeout challenge does.

So, go out and getcha some! Oh, and don’t forget to wear your mask!

More Eatin’ and Drinkin’ in the Land of Lincoln (Phase 4 Edition)

June 27, 2020December 11, 2020 - Scott 1 Comment

Something significant happened in Illinois this weekend.

This means one thing for the Low-Rent Foodies in the Springfield area. Time to take off your masks and EAT!

So, with that, here are five local establishments that are open and ready for your hungries!

Finley’s Tap House

I first heard about Finley’s from a friend of mine at church, who is a fellow craft beer enthusiast. One day, whilst we were discussing the merits of particular brands of stout, he mentioned that the fish and chips at Finley’s were legendary.

My 49th birthday was coming up, so I chose Finley’s as my celebration destination. I was not surprised by the drink selection and the elevated bar food.

Finley's Tap House — Beer Battered Wisconsin Cheese Curds with Sriracha Aioli

What did surprise me was what else the chef had up his sleeve. Living in the 217, I don’t have much experience with gastropubs, as that’s more of a big city thing. The easiest way to describe the experience is, instead of a bar that also has food, this is a restaurant that also has a bar.

Because it was my birthday, I decided to splurge on the braised pork shank.

Finley's Tap House Springfield Illinois — Sadly, this is no longer on the menu.

Oh. My. Dog. I have never had piggy melt in my mouth like this. At $21.99, I don’t know if it quite qualified as Low-Rent, but this Foodie regrets nothing!

Finley’s is also a nice place to stop in for lunch. My daughter (Low-Rent Foodie, Jr.) recommends the Crunchy Asian Chicken Salad.

Of course, this is Springfield, so you gotta have horseshoes on the menu.

Lake Pointe Grill

I have mentioned this place before. It’s still one of my favorites, conveniently located near my wife’s office (or at least what used to be her office before the Branch Covidians took over Lincoln Land with their hysteria).

I have always appreciated the diversity of the menu at Lake Pointe, with its Midwestern take on southern classics such as BBQ, shrimp and grits and gumbo.

Lake Pointe Grill Springfield Illinois — Not on the regular menu, but this is a frequent special.

I have a feeling, though, that I’m going to be eating a lot more of their wood-fired pizzas, since owners Chris Hanken and Vic Lanzotti were forced to close the branch of Pie’s the Limit nearest to where I live due to COVID fallout. (The location on South Macarthur remains open.)

You can build your own pizza, but some of the combos they have come up with make it not worth the stress of making your own decision. My favorites are the pulled pork pizza with gouda cheese, jalapenos, and sautéed onions; the Creole pizza with shrimp and andouille sausage, and the Michigan Avenue pizza (shown below).

This pie bears much more of a resemblance to New York Pizza than Chicago, but that’s another post for another day.

La Fiesta

La Fiesta currently has three locations. It began its life as Omar’s Latin Fusion Cuisine in the former location of Xochimilco Grande at Piper Glen. Owner Omar Hernandez kept the highlights of the Xochimilco menu, made some improvements to the recipes, then added a few concoctions of his own. The “Latin Fusion” label might have thrown some people off though, so they eventually reverted to a primarily Mexican menu.

In 2017, Omar bought the La Fiesta restaurant on Stevenson Drive, rechristening it La Fiesta Grande. About that time, the Piper Glen location changed its name to La Fiesta Chatham (even though it’s technically in Springfield).

Not long after that came a very happy day when Omar opened the third location within walking distance from Low-Rent Foodie headquarters! There’s something about being able to sit on your front porch and smell fresh burritos! Speaking of which…

I love all Mexican food, but I CRAVE burritos! La Fiesta currently has seven different burritos on their menu. My favorite is the chipotle burrito (pictured above). I prefer this one with steak. It comes stuffed (and I do mean STUFFED) with black beans, rice, onions, and green peppers, and topped with that magnificent chipotle cheese dip and Pico de mango.

Two more that I order regularly are the Southwest Burrito…

La Fiesta Chatham Springfield Illinois — Loads of shredded pork inside, tomatillo sauce outside. I like it with a drizzle of Yucateca green habanero sauce. $11.99

…and the Tricolor Burrito, which is topped with ranchera sauce, cheese dip and tomatillo sauce to represent the colors on the Mexican Flag.

Lulu’s Diner

Lulu’s originally opened as an international buffet with an emphasis on Middle Eastern cuisine.

In 2017, however, it reopened under the management of Landi and Klorida Skenderi with a focus on made-from scratch American diner food.

Lulu’s in known for their friendly service, inexpensive breakfast and lunch specials and HUGE portions. I have been known to throw down some hearty breakfasts in my time, but I couldn’t even finish this corned beef skillet.

Lulu's Diner Springfield Illinois — $8.29. It’s OK to ask for a box. Don’t be a hero.

Lulu’s is one of those places where the staff knows the regulars and has their orders started before they even sit down. I can’t help but feel comfortable in a place like that, even as a first timer.

Scoop du Jour

After all that legal chowing down, you’re going to need dessert, right? So let your food settle, then head on down to Chatham and cool off at Scoop du Jour.

Shannon McCauley and Fran Abbott have been serving up coffee, fresh-made pastries, sandwiches, wraps and soups since 2015. Oh yeah, and ice cream.

Lots of ice cream.

About 30 flavors of ice cream, some of which vary from time to time.

And not just any ice cream, but Cedar Crest ice cream, from Cedarburg, Wisconsin, which is the greatest ice cream on earth. (I stand by that statement. If there is any that is better, I haven’t tried it.)

I usually get a waffle cone (made fresh daily), but sometimes, you just need a sundae.

Scoop du Jour Chatham Illinois — One scoop for $3.95. You can add another scoop for another dollar, but be advised that the scoops are generous!

These are just a few of the establishments that opened up this weekend. Many more are opening soon. This lockdown has been absolutely brutal for mom and pop places like this, so please do what you can to help them keep their doors open. One way you can do that is to share this post on social media with the hashtag #supportsmallbusiness.

Now go GETCHA SOME!