Thought this might be a fun thread topic.

My wife and I are adopting a baby - he was born a tad early so we've spent the last 2 weeks in the NICU - we are also in Springfield, Missouri.

What has amazed us, is how good the food has been here. The restaurant scene has astounded us in both affordability as well and taste/quality. Definitely not what we were expecting, being in BFE Midwest.

We've had food ranging from Mediterranean, to Vietnamese, to good old fashioned American - all pretty darn good. Mexican might be next on our list - a sure fire let down I'm sure coming from Houston. However, we happen upon a chicken place that started in Florida - Huey Magoo's - it will be a hit in Texas soon enough im sure.

So my question to you all - have y'all been somewhat stranded in a city and been blown away by the food scene. What and where?

In laws went to school in Springfield. Swore it had the world's best Chinese food. I was more impressed with the maybe? Original Steak and Shake.

Our favorites so far -

Crave Mediterranean
FD's
We had some good Pho yesterday - Hong Yen
Black Sheep Express

We did go to a Chinese place that everyone lauded - but I thought it was ok - Corner 21 or something like that.

MichaelJ said:

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We did go to a Chinese place that everyone lauded - but I thought it was ok - Corner 21 or something like that.

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Saw a bbq show a couple of years ago and there was a young guy doing Tx style and it looked awesome

80sGeorge said:

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MichaelJ said:

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We did go to a Chinese place that everyone lauded - but I thought it was ok - Corner 21 or something like that.

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Saw a bbq show a couple of years ago and there was a young guy doing Tx style and it looked awesome

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City Butcher, and yea, it's surprisingly good for Springfield. The guy that runs it went to culinary school, worked in Austin and fell in love with Texas bbq. He basically rips off Franklins, even gets his beef from the same ranch.

Will have to check city butcher out

I was surprised by Wichita. Downtown area has some solid food options. We make it a point to stop there now as our halfway point to Minnesota in the summer.

I spent a weekend in Tulsa and was surprised by the food I had there.

jah003 said:

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I was surprised by Wichita. Downtown area has some solid food options. We make it a point to stop there now as our halfway point to Minnesota in the summer.

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I was up there for work a few years back and found a really good ramen place in the "downtown" area, it was even featured on Food Network at some point.

Cleveland, Ohio. I was there for a conference two years ago, and everywhere we ate downtown was fantastic.

Found a really good sushi restaurant in Wichita I try to visit whenever I am in town: excellent gyudon, ramen and if course sushi. There's also an Italian place that I really like as well.

There's a couple cajun restaurants thereI haven't tried yet but are on my list to hit up as they look legit.

Bruce Almighty said:

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I spent a weekend in Tulsa and was surprised by the food I had there.

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We moved to Tulsa from Houston in 2021 and we really like it here.

MichaelJ said:

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Honestly I'm shocked that Cleveland surprised you - it's a somewhat major city and has Michael symon's empire there.

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I'd never heard of Cleveland being a foodie destination. I did try Micheal Symon's bbq place. The bbq was ok, but the bourbon selection was amazing.

seattle, WA

I do a decent amount of work in Columbus, OH, and their downtown food scene and the restaurants in Dublin, OH have all been much better than anticipated. Pistacia Vera in downtown and The Pearl in Dublin were personal favorites.

Jacksonville

I have a friend who lived there and he told me they had great food.

Oh man - I'm not sure I agree here - lived north of Seattle for 5 years.

jja79: Howdy, I second your post, the Adoption is MUCH more important than the food! God Bless them and their new baby!!!!!

OasisMan said:

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Jacksonville

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Florida or Texas?

MichaelJ said:

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Thought this might be a fun thread topic.

My wife and I are adopting a baby - he was born a tad early so we've spent the last 2 weeks in the NICU - we are also in Springfield, Missouri.

However, we happen upon a chicken place that started in Florida - Huey Magoo's -

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I had Huey Magoo's in Vegas, didn't know they were from Florida.

Congrats on the adoption.

I have to go to Springfield frequently for medical appointments Our favorite restaurants are:
Farmers Gastropub-English style pub with focus on
local grown ingredients
The Aviary- Breakfast/Brunch
Cafe Cuzco- Peruvian
Van Gogh's Eeterrie-Dutch

Don't miss Askinosie Chocolate. Bean to bar chocolate factory that has won international awards.

For good Mexican check out the little cafe in the back of Leslie's Mexican SuperMarket on Glenstone. Helpful to know some Español.