The Top 5 Restaurants in Springfield, MO

Sightseeing, shopping, and traveling can make us ravenous. But, with all the choices, where do you go? I still find it difficult to choose at times, and I have been a Springfield resident my entire life. One thing we don't have to worry about here, is running out of a variety of fine places to eat, which is great! To provide a little insight, not just my own, here are some suggestions from the Springfield Travelers Bureau.

Enjoy mouth-watering food, for breakfast, lunch, or dinner at Hemingway's Blue Water Cafe, located inside Bass Pro Outdoor World at 1935 S. Campbell, (417-891-5100). This one-of-a-kind restaurant was named to honor the celebrated author, Ernest Hemingway, and the food as well as the atmosphere is unrivaled. Choose from a breakfast or dinner buffet, or from the menu- a wide array of delicious selections like sandwiches, salads, fresh seafood, pasta, aged beef, and more. Dine in a unique atmosphere of sport ish, African game trophies, and an impressive 30,000 gallon saltwater aquarium. After you enojy a great meal at Hemingway's, you can walk it off by browsing through the hugest selection of outdoor necessities at BassPro Outdoor World! For more information, hours, and special events, log on to: www.basspro.com, or Hemingwaysbluewatercafe.com.

Always a favorite in casual dining is Chili's Grill & Bar, located at 3023 S. Glenstone, (417-886-3630). A perfect choice for couples or families, where you can enjoy your favorites like salads, burgers, steak, or shrimp. And Chili's is known for their great chips & salsa, fajitas and baby back ribs! If you're watching your waistline, Chili's makes it easy and tasty with their special Guiltless and Low-carb menus! Kids can even choose their own sides here too!

Be sure to come hungry when you visit Lambert's Café, 1800 W. Highway J, Ozark, Mo., (417-581-7655), just 7 miles south of Springfield, on US Highway 65. A favorite to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, or even to just to have lots of fun, Lambert's has incredible food, unbeatable prices, and of course, the original home of the "throwed rolls!" Top your roll with sorghum, molasses, honey, and choose from menu varieties of the best in home-cooking like chicken, steaks, pork, fish, and more! As you enjoy your meal, the friendly servers come around with more side items for you to try like macaroni and tomatoes, fried okra, french-fried potatoes, and much more. There's balloons for the kids, and great time for everyone when you visit Lambert's Café. For more information log on to: www.throwedrolls.com.

Looking for great pizza, and fun for the kids? Come out to Springfield's Incredible Pizza Company at 2850 S. Campbell (417-887-3030)! You won't find a better place to go for pizza, and family entertainment. Choose from different pizzas, pasta, and desserts from and 80-item food bar! There are private rooms for birthday parties and group meetings. And after all that great food, turn the kids loose in the Fairgrounds room for go-karts, bumper cars, mini-golf, 100 interactive games, and more. "A great place for fun, family and friends!" To learn more log on to: www.incrediblepizza.com.

A Springfield tradition in fine dining since 1966 is the elegant Steak and Ale, 1935 S. Glenstone, (417-883-7717). Enjoy casual dining, combined with superb prime rib, steaks, chicken, seafood, and full bar. Perfect for the whole family and inspired by the atmosphere of an Old English Inn, an early evening discounted menu is offered, and private rooms are available. If you are looking for charming atmosphere, the best in service, and exquisite food to impress a date, pamper someone for a special occasion, or to simply show how much you care, Steak and Ale is the place to go! For more information, log on to: www.steakandale.com.

Springfield, Mo is indeed a great town, offering fun options for any visitor, and certainly a wide variety of eateries, cafes, restaurants, and bistros to strike anyone's fancy. These five restaurants mentioned rated high on the list in the Springfield, Mo Travel Guide. You'll want to give at least one of these a try while you visit, as well as the browse around and see what else you might want to try while you're here! You'll find lots of variety, and you certainly won't go hungry!