110952 Thu Jun 27 10:52:17 -0700 2002 4 7 Chicago Area 0 599818 As Seth would cannily say, I am off to horseshoe. Leaving aside the worth or lack thereof of french-fries on things, where exactly *should* we go next week in Springfield. We will be staying downtown. Rob Thu Jun 27 10:52:17 -0700 2002 0 Vital Information 1 599820 I would recommend Magic Kitchen for Thai, but it's out north of town, maybe out of your way. Downtown, Norb's for horseshoes and local color, Cafe Brio for Southwestern, Maldaners for classy American, Sebastians for drinks and appetizers, Augies Front Burner for lunch. Trout Lily Cafe....just to eat at a place called Trout Lily?? Augie's Front Burner #2 W. Old St. Cap. Plaza. 544-6979, Eclectic American Cafe Brio 524 E. Monroe, 544-0574, Mexican/Caribbean, Mediterranean/Mexican Maldaner's, 222 S. Sixth St., 522-4313, American/Eclectic Norb Andy's, 518 E. Capitol, 523-7777, American Sebastian's Hide-Out, 221 S. Fifth Street, 789-8988, Mediterranean Trout Lily Cafe, 218 S. Sixth St., 522-4049, American.Fondue Magic Kitchen, 4112 Peoria Rd. Pickings are slim to what you are used to, so good luck. Actually the Thai place is very good, and great pies too. Link: http://www.springfield-illinois.com/restaurants.htm Thu Jun 27 11:08:02 -0700 2002 599818 0 Jim S 2 599823 Magic Kitchen is a local legend, a dive-like atmosphere with celebrated Thai food. I have never had Thai food in Chicago that made my mouth even tingle, yet the "medium" at the Magic Kitchen was almost too hot for me to handle. Can't remember if they had exotic dishes (probably not) but they will at least deliver a knockout punch of heat should you request it. Is it still BYOB? Is it still a bunch of picnic tables on a concrete floor? Haven't been there in a long time. Norb Andy's and perhaps also Wayne's Red Coach Inn will provide representative examples of fancier, "classy" horseshoes, but don't neglect to try also a horseshoe from one of the numerous dive-type places - simpler, greasier, better. Anyone you meet in Springfield will have a recommendation, although you might have to work to get them to tell you their real favorite, as opposed to the (relative) prestige places to which they might feel inclined to steer visitors. Springield is also proud of its chili and perhaps the best place to try is: Joe Rogers Original Recipe Chili Parlor (820 S. 9th St. - just south of downtown; lunch only, I think; locals tend still to call it by its original, long-time name, "Den's") Finally, try the original corn dogs, battered and cooked when you order them, at: Cozy Dog Drive In (2935 S. Sixth St. - on the southern outskirts of town; features a lot of Route 66 memorabilia as well) Below is a link to a Springfield thread on the Midwest board that might be of some service. The Mexican place mentioned in that thread (Armando's) is nothing for a Chicagoan to go out of his/her way to investigate. Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/120466#656733 Thu Jun 27 12:29:50 -0700 2002 599820 0 Harry V. 1 599833 And one more thing to check out. One of those trivia things that Springfield hasn't taken advantage of. It was the start point for the Donner Party. There is a small plaque hidden on the south side of the downtown square. I always thought it should be made into a tourist event, with Far Side cartoon hand sandwiches, but the city would rather ignore the historic significance of the event and promote Abe Lincoln. Go figure. Thu Jun 27 17:36:53 -0700 2002 599818 0 Jim S. 2 599834 Springfieldians are nothing if not adventurous eaters. Thu Jun 27 18:01:24 -0700 2002 599833 0 Harry V.