Popular BBQ returning to Springfield at new location after closing last year

When Li’l Willy’s Smokehouse BBQ closed last year, owners announced it was not a farewell, but rather a “so long for now.”

Parent company Conn Hospitality Group is making good on that promise with the barbecue joint’s flavors returning to Springfield, although not in name or its designated, long-term home in Vinegar Hill Mall.

Li’l Willy’s smoker – and several menu favorites – can now be found on the beer garden/to-go menu at Obed & Isaac’s Microbrewery and Eatery. The Springfield-based hospitality group also owns the microbrewery at 500 S. Sixth St.

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Menu selections include baby back ribs (half and full slab), brisket and pulled pork sandwiches, rib tips, jumbo turkey leg, nachos and tacos and the Willyshoe—a grillers’ ode to Springfield’s signature horseshoe with a cornbread base topped with macaroni and cheese, choice of brisket or pulled pork and covered in cheese sauce.

Side dishes include baked beans, green beans, cole slaw, potato salad, macaroni and cheese and cornbread.

The beer garden menu is served from 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 11 p.m. Sunday.

A company official said pairing these Li’l Willy’s menu items with Obed & Isaac’s beer garden is a temporary hybrid until the Southern-style barbecue selections find a permanent home at Vinegar Hill Mall.

Li’l Willy’s operated from 916 S. Grand Ave. W. shy of two years before closing in April 2023.

Coffee shop opening soon

Major renovations have been underway at Vinegar Hill Mall at 107 W. Cook St. to the building that prior to the Conn’s efforts had sat mostly vacant since the majority of its shops and restaurants closed in or before 2016.

The British-themed Trish and Mary’s Pub was the first to open in the revamped space last fall. Wm. Van’s Coffee House is the next slated to open at the address, although a date has yet to be announced. Company officials said Li’l Willy’s menu could be folded into Trish and Mary’s Pub sometime later in the year.

The sprawling red brick building just one block from the Illinois State Capitol was constructed in 1908 to house the expanding Edwards & Chapman Laundry. But for the past several decades it has been carved into an assortment of restaurants, bars, retail and office space.

Wm. Van’s Coffee House poured its last cup at 503 S. Seventh St. in April 2022 after operating for eight years in the former Maisenbacher House. Conn Hospitality Group opened 7th Street Cidery in the historic house.

The Railyard opening weekend

The Railyard’s outdoor eateries is ready to open for the season.

The al fresco food court featuring Mexican fare, Texas barbecue and Japanese ramen served from converted shipping containers is open to the public again after a brief run last fall before closing for the winter months.

The original opening date, April 5, was pushed back a week due to weather.

The Railyard Cafe, the only part of the complex housed in a brick-and mortar space at 2242 S. Sixth St., continued operations throughout the winter, but now is expanding operating hours.

The cafe opens at 9 a.m. while the outdoor venues open at 11 a.m. The daily operations for all The Railyard holdings close at 9 p.m.

The Railyard Cafe serves pastries and coffee, soups and sandwiches and Zuba’s Frozen Custard, El Taco Guapo, Tare Ramen and Earnie’s Texas BBQ, featuring Texas Hill country-style barbecue, operate from different shipping containers that open onto an outdoor dining area.

Live music will be featured Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons throughout the spring and summer months.

The Railyard concept is patterned from the California-based SteelCraft, which opened its first outdoor urban eatery in Long Beach, in 2017. Since then the brand has expanded to locations in Bellflower and Garden Grove, California.

The Railyard sits on the site where for six decades Springfield diners turned to for its premiere steakhouses.

The former building, which was gutted in a fire in 2020, opened in 1953 as the Black Angus. The same address also was home to Jim’s Steak House, Gallagher’s and finally Charlie R’s. Charlie R’s closed following heavy flooding of the Sixth Street viaduct in 2016.

The Railyard is owned by Kirk and Marilyn Jefferis. Dave Matthews, who formerly co-owned Cinco Saguaros, is the executive chef and operating manager.

Paul Whalberg in town

Fans of Paul Wahlberg will have an opportunity to take selfies with the celebrity chef and to sample Wahlburgers at Home product line at Hy-Vee Thursday from noon to 1 p.m.

The stop over at the 2115 S. MacArthur Blvd. grocery store – home to the Capital City’s sole Wahlburgers location – is part of a multi-day tour promoting the product line in Hy-Vee locations throughout Illinois and eastern Iowa.

Wahlberg founded the Boston-based burger chain with his brothers, actors Donnie and Mark Wahlberg in 2011. The high-end burger place was the focus of a TV series by the same name that ran on A&E Network from 2014 to 2019.

Hy-Vee has carried the Wahlburgers at Home product line since 2018, shortly after announcing the Des Moines, Iowa-based grocery chain would build, own and operate 26 Wahlburgers locations.

The burger brand replaced the full-service Hy-Vee Market Grille in Springfield in 2020.

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 Rockford Register Star: Li’l Willy’s Smokehouse BBQ returning to Springfield, Illinois