Name: The Stadium Smokehouse Bar and Grill

Address: 2300 N. Peoria Road

Phone: (217) 241-0905

Website: thestadiumsmokehousebarandgrill.com

Credit/debit cards accepted: Yes

Kitchen hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Entrée price range: $8-$12; pizza prices vary

Children’s menu: No

My order: I had the Italian beef sandwich ($11), a mound of seasoned shredded beef topped with melted mozzarella, diced and grilled peppers and onions, and served on a hoagie roll. It came with dipping juice and a choice of fries, tots, or chips. The Stadium isn’t known for skimping on ingredients, and the amount of meat on this sandwich proved it. Toasting the roll gave the sandwich a nice crunch. My dining companion ordered the Stadium salad ($8.50), a bed of greens topped with ham, bacon, egg, Cheddar Jack cheese, red onions, tomatoes, and croutons. The lettuce was fresh and the salad also was a substantial entree. 

More:Festive decor, fresh, crisp chips and flavorful dishes make this downtown eatery stand out

Likes: This place is nothing fancy, so even the most casually dressed diners can feel welcome. The menu is loaded with quintessential Springfield bar favorites: appetizers, sandwiches, wings, loaded spuds, salads, pizzas, and horseshoes. There are daily specials and an outside pick-up window.

Dislikes: None

What would I order next time? I might try the Bourbon Burger ($10), a ground beef patty glazed with sweet bourbon sauce and topped with Cheddar cheese and onion rings.