Springfield's 5 Best Quesos

We searched the city (and a bit beyond) for the best queso your hard-earned cheddar can buy.

Anyone who loves melted cheese will tell you that there is a lot more to a
 great batch of queso than a block of Velveeta and a can of Rotel. While many would expect Mexican
 restaurants to make the best (and as a rule, they do) at least one local bar and grill has a great take on this classic.

Queso con Chile Verde, Maria’s Mexican Restaurant
Price: $4.95
Served with tortilla chips, this queso works great when paired with Maria’s traditional (and free!) salsa. This particular variety is made of green chile cheese, spicy pepper jack cheese and green chiles giving this dip quite the zip. While not the best bargain in town (this was a small serving, especially when shared with the table), it is so popular that according to our waitress, “we don’t have to lower the price.”

White Queso Spin Dip, Big Whiskey’s American Bar & Grill
Price: $4.99 (or half price Monday–Friday, 4-6 p.m. during happy hour)
As our only non-Mexican restaurant on the list, this queso has a truly addictive quality: there is spinach dip mixed right in. Big Whiskey’s won’t reveal the ingredients (the menu calls it “Matty’s Secret recipe”); what we do know is that each time we’ve tried it, there is a different element. Sometimes onions appear and sometimes it is spicier than others, but it’s the unknown that keeps us ordering.

Chile con Queso, La Hacienda
Price: Small- $3.99, Large- $5.99
Simplicity is the key here. Its white Monterrey Jack cheese (they also offer a “yellow” version) is smooth and the green chiles add a kick of flavor, but that’s all there is to it. There aren’t any fillers here. Just pure flavor.

Queso dip, Acambaro Mexican Restaurant
Price: $2.59
One word captures the essence of Acambaro’s queso: texture. This is without 
a doubt the smoothest dip in town, nothing but melted white or yellow 
cheese, perfectly seasoned and not at all runny. Spice it up by mixing in hot sauce, but we recommend just admiring 
for what it is, Springfield’s most honest bowl of melted cheese.

Queso Laredo, Cantina Laredo
Price: $7.99
This queso is by far the most luxurious on the list (and the most expensive). Its price may be due to all that comes with it; it includes meat, tomatoes and a variety of spices. You also get pico de gallo and a “special sauce”. All these extras make this way more than just your average queso appetizer.

Did we miss a queso you love? Sign up to be a commenter (below) and tell us which one makes you all cheesy.