Name: The Feed Store

Address: 516 E. Adams St., Springfield

Phone: (217) 528-3355

Website/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Feed-Store

Credit/debit cards accepted: Yes.

Hours: Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-3 p.m., subject to change.

Entrée price range: $6-9

Children’s menu: No.

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My order: During times I worked downtown, I enjoyed dining at this 40-plus-year-old legendary soup and sandwich kitchen. I remember when President Barack Obama came to town in 2008 and stopped in to pick up lunch there. Its closure in mid-2020 closure was sad. New owners eventually re-opened the place and worked to replicate the restaurant’s recipes. While I haven’t eaten there since before COVID, I was set for my go-to order: a bowl of half cream of broccoli and half Wisconsin cheese ($6.00) and a chicken salad on light rye sandwich ($8.00). My companion ordered the beef barley soup ($6.00) and the club sandwich ($9.50).

Likes: I was happy my favorites were available and much of the menu has been preserved. The staff at the counter was friendly and eager to please. My companion was pleased with his lightly toasted sandwich.

Dislikes: Instead of the old, familiar yellow dishes, the soup was served in Styrofoam containers and the sandwiches were on paper plates devoid of the previous Feed Store’s trademark pickle slice and orange for color. The table tops, which had been embellished with little floral arrangements and condiments, were empty. Change can be tough. It can be difficult to replicate a chef’s recipe, and each chef will no doubt make some tweaks as personal touches. I longed for more contrast in soup color and a more robust flavor.

What would I order next time?: Perhaps the club sandwich.