Bird Bites: 5 Best Chicken Salads
These five restaurants have found a way to mix in the unexpected. with perennial spring and summer favorite.
Chicken Salad
Cost: $7 (lunch menu only)
Where to Get It: Twilight Grille,
1717 E. Cherokee St., Springfield, 417-886-7116
Why We Love It: If you like your light lunches perfectly proportioned, we suggest the chicken salad sandwich from Twilight Grille. It’s served on focaccia (but the marble rye is tasty, too) with fries or super-fresh fruit. The mixture is an original; tarragon adds a bit of fancy flavoring while pistachio nuts provide crunch. (At press time, a nationwide pistachio recall had just been announced. Until it ends, Twilight Grille is serving this sandwich sans green nuts.)
2 . Mille’s Honey-Pecan Chicken Salad
Cost: $9.95
Where to Get It: Mille’s Turn of the Century Café
313 S. Jefferson Ave., Springfield, 417-831-1996
Why We Love It: You won’t find any lettuce here. Mixed with pecans, tarragon vinegar, mayonnaise and honey, this one makes our list because of what it is served with. Warm pita bread with melted cheese, fresh fruit and cottage cheese accompany the mix. No matter what time of year we order it, we always think of summer.
3. The Right Fielder
Cost: $7.50
Where to Get It: Ebbets Field
1027 E. Walnut St., Springfield, 417-865-5050
Why We Love It: In the mood for an over-stuffed sandwich? We’ve found it. Served on a hoagie-style bun, the kitchen cuts it in half for a reason. The recipe is pretty simple, really. What sets this one apart is it’s one of few on our list packed with onions. We suggest paying a little extra and getting the hand-cut fries. All the seasonings mix perfectly. Oh, and go ahead and add a beer while you’re at it.
4. Tarragon Chicken Sandwich
Cost: Friday ($9.99) and Saturday ($7.99) only
Where to Get It: Nearly Famous Deli
2708 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, 417-883-3403
Why We Love It: Sometimes it’s simple. Toast a croissant, add celery to the mix for a little crunch, and don’t forget the mayonnaise. In this case, it’s a little tarragon mayonnaise. Known for packing a lot of punch in a little spice, you’ll forget it’s there until you get a bite. On Fridays, the chicken salad is served with a generous helping of fresh fruit, and it’s accompanied by potato salad on Saturdays.
5. Chicken Salad
Cost: $7.95
Where to Get It: Café Roswitha
2620 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, 417-881-2003
Why We Love It: Known for it’s German flair on traditional dishes, Café Roswitha has added fruit (like grapes) and spices (like Cherchies
garlic and herb seasoning) to their secret recipe. We aren’t sure of all the ingredients, but the magical combination can only be described one way: tangy and delish.
