Reopening of longtime Springfield restaurant appears to be delayed

The Illinois Stewardship Alliance’s newest season of “What’s Cooking at the Capitol” begins Monday, dishing on current legislative efforts affecting food and farm issues — just without the dishes this year.

The Alliance’s deputy director Molly Pickering said like any good recipe, the online video series had to be tweaked using the ingredients on hand.

“This year we wanted to focus on providing our partners with a space to share about the important legislation they are championing,” Pickering wrote in an email, “but most of them are in different parts of the state and it was too tricky to try to coordinate partners to arrive for an in-person cooking show.

“I’m hopeful that in future years we can bring back the cooking element.”

A new session will air every Monday in March at noon. Access is free and open to the public, but participants must RSVP at ilstewards.org to get the Zoom link.

Sessions range from the importance of local food infrastructure (SB 3077/HB 0054) to potential impact of the Good Food Purchasing Policy (HB 5052).

Horseshoe Trail: New travel pass bringing business to Springfield restaurants

The video series, which first appeared in 2021, was born as an effort to liven up dry policy working its way through the statehouse. Videos in the first three seasons blended policy discussions with cooking tutorials often using local products.

The first season tackled subjects like the since passed Home-to-Market Act and the Healthy Local Food Incentives Fund while whipping up blackberry-honeysuckle margaritas and charcuterie boards.

Reopening delayed for Fritz's Wagon Wheel

Fans of Fritz’s Wagon Wheel Restaurant continue to await the promised reopening of the landmark establishment. But that goal seems a little further off with the recent expiration of the business’s liquor license.

Owner Joe Bart, however, said this week he is actively working to revive the 84-year-old business.

“We relinquished (our liquor license) until such a time as we are either ready to reopen or to do something else entirely with the location,” Bart wrote in an email.

Bart said the restaurant's chef and kitchen manager are still working to assemble a reliable staff.

“I wish we could report that we are ready to go back into service next month but we are still at the mercy of outside forces.”

Fritz’s Wagon Wheel Restaurant hasn’t been open for dinner and drinks since last July. Bart called the closure temporary, saying the business at 2709 S. MacArthur Blvd. will reopen once new staff is recruited.

The full-service restaurant and bar has been a feature of the Springfield dining scene since 1939 when Louella Easton opened Easton’s Wagon Wheel. Fritz Havrilka added his name to the establishment when he purchased it in 1969.

His wife Nancy picked up the reins in 1982 when Fritz was fatally shot by armed robbers after closing the restaurant one Saturday night. She ran the restaurant for a decade before selling to Bart in 1993.

More: New look, but familiar feel: Springfield bar reopens following renovations

Mel-O-Cream's new location

Lincoln Mel-O-Cream fans no longer have to play the guessing game of whether they’ll reach the store before the doughnuts run out.

The Lincoln staple opened in its new home at 227 N. Kickapoo St. this week with extended operating hours and the promise that doughnuts will be available throughout the day. Previously, there was one early morning bake with supply strictly on a first-come, first-serve basis.

New operating hours are 5:30 a.m. to noon Tuesday through Sunday. Phone: 217-732-8972.

The move also brings an expanded drink line up. The beverage menu features hot and cold flavored coffees, espresso and specialty drinks.

The Springfield-based Mel-O-Cream brand has been a part of the culinary treats available in Lincoln since the original store opened in the Keokuk Shopping Center in 1964.

The last doughnut passed the counter at 704 Keokuk St. Feb. 25.

St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick’s Day parade is preparing to roll through downtown Springfield March 16 while the official day falls on March 17. A la Carte will run a list of local St. Patrick’s culinary specials March 10. Deadline to submit information is March 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 Rockford Register Star: Fritz's Wagon Wheel in Springfield delays reopening. Here's why