Pizza pub to open with new twists on classic pies in neighborhood bar setting
Papi's Pizza Pub opens Friday with pies more likely to elicit cries of “Arriba! Arriba!” instead of “Mama mia!”
“We’ve got different flavors than offered in other places,” owner Ryan Bandy said of the new establishment at 1710 S. MacArthur Blvd., “things you wouldn’t traditionally see on a pizza, especially with a Latin flare.”
The signature pie – El Papi – even forgoes a traditional red sauce, opting instead to top the creation with fire-roasted chicken and a queso-based cheese.
But a plain pepperoni pizza is still available for those less adventurous. Other menu offerings include appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and desserts.
Dine-in only will be available the first week of operation with carryout service added on Dec. 17. Online ordering will join the options in January. Orders can be placed at the counter or bar. No table service is available in the dining room.
The building is wheelchair accessible and the restrooms are ADA-compliant. Phone: (217) 921-7274. Website: www.papispizzapub.com.
The address was formerly home to Pie's The Limit. The Springfield brand was the first in the market to wed pizza with the fast-casual concept.
Bandy – who also owns Win, Lose or Draught at 7004 Kingsmill Court – said Papi’s lane is more neighborhood bar.
Papi’s Pizza Pub is just the latest of a string of local establishments to open on a five-block strip of MacArthur Boulevard this year.
Nami-Poke – a Japanese-Hawaiian fusion establishment – opened in July at the corner of MacArthur and South Grand Avenue West. Travelers Kitchen began serving up cuisine from around the world – but with a decidedly African focus – at 1731 S. MacArthur Blvd. in the spring.
The Capital Cafe also was scheduled to open its doors at 1825 S. MacArthur Blvd. this holiday season. But a recent fire gutted the building, formerly home to McDonald's.
That event has left a question mark on when the cafe will be joining the MacArthur Boulevard strip’s dining options.
Building and restaurant owner Lu Asani said she intends to move forward with the cafe. But that project is on hold while she awaits a final report from the Springfield Fire Department specifying the cause of the fire and extent of the damage.
More: Here's a list of eateries that can help with your holiday meal preparations
Fairhills Mall Starbucks to open
The official word from Starbucks is the new Fairhills Mall location will be up and running by year’s end.
But the Seattle-based coffee purveyor has yet to share an actual opening date or spell out what the new stand-alone location at 1971 W. Monroe St. means for the current Starbucks that operates from the same intersection at 2003 W. Monroe St.
“We are happy to confirm that we will be opening a new location at 1971 W. Monroe St. in Springfield, Ill. in December of 2023,” was the emailed response from the coffee chain to inquiries about the Fairhills project.
Staff at the 2003 W. Monroe St. location would only say this week that an opening date had been shared with them, but that timeline was now in question because of another possible delay.
Progress on the new Starbucks’ store has dragged on since ground was broken for the project in the fall of 2022. The chain has operated from 2003 W. Monroe St. since 2005.
Cupcakery has new owners
Smallcakes Cupcakery & Creamery has reopened on Springfield’s west side under new ownership.
The Kansas City-based chain stocks a dozen signature flavors from basic birthday to lemon drop, as well as specialty and seasonal flavors that rotate onto the menu. Ice cream selections are also cupcake-inspired with the small-batch, in-house churned flavors infused with cupcake flavors.
Operating hours at 2300 Wabash Ave. are 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Smallcakes founder Jeff Martin – whose slogan is “Maybe a cupcake will help?” – gained fame appearing in three seasons of Food Networks’ “Cupcake Wars.” Martin opened his first store in 2008. There are more than 200 stores worldwide.
The Springfield location opened in 2018. Andrew Bartlett is the new franchise operator.
Decorate cookies
Three Twigs & Co. has just the event for anyone in the mood to decorate Christmas cookies but doesn’t have the energy to deal with the sprinkle-bomb disaster left afterward.
Dec. 9 is Christmas Cookie Day at the Montvale Junction eatery at 2661 Chatham Road.
Order up a tray of shaped holiday sugar cookies, complete with piping bags full of frosting and sprinkles ($18 for a half dozen). You and your elves can decorate to your heart's content and then leave the clean-up for the staff at Three Twigs & Co.
Santa and Christmas carolers also will be on hand for the event. Tables designated for icing are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Get on the list
Area restaurants serving New Year’s Eve dinner specials will be featured in the Dec. 24 column. Local establishments preparing fetes to ring in 2024 should submit information by Dec. 18.
The A La Carte column highlights restaurant openings, closings, renovations, and relocations, as well as personnel changes and business news. Natalie Morris can be reached at (217) 737-7254 or by email at natalie.sjr@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Papi's Pizza Pub to open in Springfield with new twist on classic pies
