Dishes featuring seasonal ingredients at this downtown Springfield mainstay are enjoyable
Name: Maldaner’s Restaurant and Catering
Address: 222 South 6th Street, Springfield
Phone: (217) 522-4313
Website/Facebook: https://maldaners.com/ https://www.facebook.com/MaldanersSPI/
Credit/debit cards accepted: Yes.
Hours: Lunch Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Dinner: Tuesday-Thursday 5 p.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Entrée price range: $12.48-17.16 (lunch)
Children’s menu: No.
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My order: This long-established Springfield restaurant is a fixture downtown. Despite its old-world charm décor with wood, etched glass panels, and white tablecloths, the lunchtime atmosphere is casual. Outdoor dining is an option. I ordered a daily special -- chicken salad on tomato which came with house-made chips ($13.52). My companion chose the special soup of the day, a melon soup consisting of two different melons and watermelon ($5.98), and a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich ($12.48).
Likes: The chef sources much of the food locally. The bright, juicy tomatoes were from the Old Capitol Farmers Market. The herbs in the chicken salad were from the restaurant’s rooftop garden where honeybees also reside. As a gardener and someone who loves to cook, it’s delightful to dine on fresh, organic food. My companion enjoyed the generous tomato slice in his sandwich and the savory, melon essence of the soup.
Dislikes: None
What would I order next time? In season, hands down I would order the chicken salad on tomato again. Otherwise, I would try the Monte Cristo sandwich with slices of turkey, ham, and Swiss on white bread dipped in egg and cooked golden brown served with mild jalapeno jelly ($15.96).
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Lunchtime atmosphere is casual at Malander's Restaurant in Springfield
