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Rating the best of the worst (for you) on Springfield menus.
Matt Lemmon
Photo Melissa Pedersen
Heaven ice cream (top scoop) from Emack & Bolio's.
Susie’s Slinger
Location: Merle’s Hot Dog Emporium, 3191⁄2 E. Walnut St.What it is: Did you know Merle’s does breakfast? Yup. This dishe is probably bigger than the space Merle’s calls home (for now—see page 8), with hash browns, scrambled eggs, chili, cheddar cheese and sausage gravy piled on a plate.
Cost: $3.47
Rating: Four out of five Hurley
Fried Bologna
Location: Big Easy Grill, 3027 E. Sunshine St.What it is: We know light bologna exists, but we’re guessing that doesn’t matter when you fry it. Cheddar cheese and Creole mustard add to the taste, but not the nutritional value. We don’t care. Served on sliced sourdough.
Cost: $5
Rating: Four and a half Hurleys
Springfield Loco
Location: La Fiesta Grill, 3825 S. Glenstone Ave.What it is: Our favorite new Mexican joint has Springfield’s most extensive fajita menu, highlighted by this crazy dish—sliced chicken breast smothered in cheese dip. We believe the Spanish-speakers call it “queso.” Mmmm.
Cost: $8.50
Rating: Three and a half Hurleys
Balboa’s Delight
Location: D’Arpino’s Italian Café, 3014 S. National Ave.What it is: This is a calzone, by nature is a pretty heavy meal, stuffed with five meats (ham, salami, pepperoni, capicolla, prosciutto), three cheeses (provolone, mozzarella, ricotta), peppers, onions and mushrooms. The menu says it’s Rocky and Adrian’s favorite. No wonder, with all the calorie burning they did pretending they never signed off on Rocky V.
Cost: $14.95 (serves two or three)
Rating: Five Hurleys
For the Love of Joe
Location: Parlor Eighty-Eight, 1111 E. Republic Rd., #180What it is: A desserty drink that includes everything decadent—Godiva white chocolate, Seagrams espresso vodka, Dekuyper Buttershots, cream and chocolate with extra bold coffee. Strong enough to keep you tipsy and wired all night.
Cost: $6.50
Rating: Two and a half Hurleys
Heaven ice cream
Location: Emack & Bolio’s, 2925 E. Battlefield Rd.What it is: A solid-white concoction featuring marshmallows and white chocolate chips, mixed up in vanilla ice cream. You can get one scoop or two, so portion control keeps this from being an absolute diet killer.
Cost: $2.75 (single), $3.65 (double in a cup)
Rating: Three Hurleys
