Dining out choices continue to grow with new restaurants and rebooted menus
ExplorUS specializes in turning around underperforming park concessions.
The Overland Park, Kan.-based hospitality management company operates in state and national parks throughout the U.S. It now adds Abe Lincoln to its lineup as the operator of the Lincoln Cafe, which recently opened in the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum at 212 N. Sixth St.
The cafe marks the return of concessions to the downtown Springfield tourist draw since Subway closed in the spring of 2020.
ALPLM spokesman Chris Wills said ExplorUS was awarded the 5-year contract in February after placing the only bid to operate the cafe and gift shop.
The gift shop opened in June with a selection ranging from top hats to T-shirts. The Lincoln Cafe first began serving customers in mid-October. The menu features an array of breakfast and lunch sandwiches, individual pizzas, salads, soups, and desserts. The children’s menu ranges from peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to macaroni and cheese.
Lincoln Cafe is open to the general public; museum admission is not required. Operating hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Dine-in and takeout are available.
Rent generated from the tenancy, as well as a portion of sales, goes to the library and museum.
The presidential library and museum is the fourth contract ExplorUS has secured in Illinois. The company also operates concessions and retail in Starved Rock Lodge and State Park in LaSalle County, the Illinois Beach Hotel in Zion in northeastern Illinois along Lake Michigan, and the White Pines Lodge in the White Pines Forest State Park in Ogle County.
ExplorUS, which previously operated as Ortega National Parks, has been in business since 1995. The company website says it operates more than 60 locations throughout the country, focusing on small- to medium-sized park operations.
More: Popular downtown bakery opens location on Springfield's west side in time for Black Friday
Family plans new cafe
Springfield diners are accustomed to the operators of Sgt. Pepper's Cafe spreading holiday cheer after decades of serving free Thanksgiving and Christmas meals to the public.
This year the Samara family has yet another gift – a second cafe on track to open by year’s end.
Preparations already are well underway for a second Sgt. Pepper’s Cafe to open in the former Ritz's at 700 W. Jefferson St.
“Same menu, same affordable prices,” said Ziyad Samara, who with his wife Souad, has operated the cafe since the first location opened at 3115 Chatham Road in 1999. This time, though, a different Samara’s name is on the title.
“Our son Muhammad is the sole owner. He’s worked with us since he was 14. He’s 40 now. It was time to have his own place.”
Samara said the goal is to open by early to mid-December.
Sgt. Pepper’s Cafe is known for a menu stacked with comfort food ranging from waffles to pony shoes.
This won’t be the first time the cafe has sported multiple locations in Springfield. The flagship location moved into Chatham Square Center at 1754 Chatham Road one year after opening. Two years later the Samara family christened a second site – and its current home – at 3141 Baker Drive in Park South. The cafe in Chatham Square Center closed within the decade. It currently is home to Godfather's Pizza.
“They were just too close,” Samara said. “We were drawing the same customers. When we closed on Chatham, our sales here went up 20 percent.
“This one is further away, drawing from different areas of town.”
Ritz’s, which shut its doors in August, was another family-operated, locally run cafe. Ritz’s operated for two decades before the recent closing. Owner/operators Curt and Vicky Ritz still run Ritz's Lil' Fryer at 2148 North Grand Ave. E.
Restaurant opens early on Black Friday
Vele is opening its doors early Friday to Black Friday shoppers on the hunt for a good deal.
The restaurant at 3241 W. Iles Ave. will be open Nov. 24 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to allow holiday shoppers to purchase gift certificates to the fine dining establishment. Food will be available that day during regular dinner hours of 5 to 10 p.m.
Vele will give an extra $25 for every $100 in gift certificates purchased on-site that day.
New burgers and specialty pizza on menu
Several newcomers have joined Fire & Ale's fall lineup.
The Sherman establishment has added blackened shrimp tacos, a shaved ribeye sandwich, catfish po boy, and a garlic grilled cheeseburger. The entire burger lineup can be ordered with a single-, double- and triple patty or made with Wagyu beef.
Several new specialty pizzas are on the menu, along with appetizers such as alfredo fries and wings.
Get on the Christmas list
Area restaurants serving up special Christmas meals or local businesses willing to help set the table for home-based feasts will be featured in upcoming A la Carte columns. Local caterers, restaurants, and food-based businesses interested in participating should submit information by Dec. 4.
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: Museum cafe gets reboot; new restaurant to open; fall menu grows
