After 5: 5 Dives: The Smallest, Greasiest, Dingiest, Best Places to Eat in Town

Kay and Paul Logsdon

Posted online December 16, 2007 | 11:00 pm

When a relative moved back to Springfield after 30 years away, he wanted a list of locally owned restaurants. Specifically, he wanted “dives” that were off the tourist route. You know the kind – the ones where you would never go if you were judging a place solely on its exterior.

For sake of clarity, let’s define our term. “Dive,” according to the dictionary, is “a dingy or disreputable bar or nightclub.” For the most part, the five places that made our final list of locally owned and operated restaurants may be a bit dingy due to age and constant use, but their reputations are stellar.

So, prepare yourself to suspend judgment based on looks, and let’s talk atmosphere and taste. During the next five weeks, we’ll review five popular dives in Springfield.

Oh, and back to that definition. Dive as a verb means, “to plunge into an activity or enterprise with vigor and gusto.” Our advice? Take the dive. Better yet, take all five. With vigor, gusto and ketchup.

The Short List

Pappy’s – Nov. 19

Taylor's Drive In – Nov. 26

Pizza House – Dec. 3

Anton’s – Dec. 10

Casper's – Dec. 17[[In-content Ad]]