Read all about what's happening with the food scene in Springfield in this week's Table Talk.
Apr 29 2025 at 8 a.m.
Early last year, Bambino’s on Delmar temporarily became Bambino’s on Walnut to make way for major renovations at the original location that include an expanded kitchen, dining area and second story. We’ve got good news to report on the progress! This past week, we reached out to owner Andy Faucett, who told us they plan on reopening the Delmar location in just one month. Now for some (minor) bad news. The Bambino’s on Walnut location will only be open until mid-May, which means there will be a couple of weeks where we’ll all have to survive off just the Battlefield location. Speaking of which, Faucett teased some plans for a potential remodel coming to the kitchen and dining area at that location as well. As for Bambino’s on Walnut, Jen Smith from the Traveling Chef will be purchasing the building for her catering business, so it’s in good hands. Phew, all that news about pasta has us wishing it was already lunchtime. 🍝
If you’re like us and already itching to go strawberry picking, we’ve tracked down three places in 417-land where they are ripe and ready. And judging by the other updates we've come across, this list is likely to grow quickly.
• This past weekend, one of our staffers visited Highs Berry Farm and came home with an excellent haul.
• Gardener’s Orchard and Bakery is offering weekday strawberry picking, and they are also hosting their Strawberry Shortcake Festival this Saturday.
• Stewart Farms Co-Op is another local farm that has already hosted multiple U-Pick days this season, so be sure to follow them on Facebook to stay up-to-date on the next one. If you don’t have time to pick your own strawberries, never fear. Stewart Farms also tries to keep their farmstand stocked with some fresh pints.
This year, Cinco de Mayo falls on a Monday. But don’t let the day of the week dampen the mood. Here’s where to get your tequila or taco fix.
• Miss Boston’s is hosting a Cinco de Mayo celebration complete with Mexican music by DJ Miguel Adrian and specials on tequila cocktails.
• 4 by 4 Brewing is hosting fiestas at both locations. Lalo's Tacos will be parked at the Fremont Hills location, serving its authentic Mexican cuisine at a deal, while Tortilleria Perches will be dishing out free chips, salsa, queso and guacamole at the Galloway location. On the drink side of things, margarita slushies, Paloma draft cocktails and the Perches Mexican Lager will be flowing at both.
• If you want to celebrate a little early or kick off the festivities on Saturday, attend 14 Mill Market’s Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 3. Wisner Bar and Not’cho Ordinary Taco will be offering specials that day, and there will be activities like a tequila tasting and Latin dancing.
• Here’s a bit of sad news ahead of Springfield hosting the Route 66 centennial celebration kick-off. Red’s Giant Hamburg is up for auction. The auction is scheduled for May 15 at 1 p.m. Fingers crossed that the new owners will keep the nostalgic diner open. 🍔
• The Garrison at Finley Farms just announced that they are now hosting a happy hour on Fridays and Saturdays from 4 to 6 p.m. with 25% off signature cocktails and 30% off select wine bottles.
• The best day of the week just got a little better. Hinode just expanded its Saturday hours and is now open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Mother’s Day is right around the corner, so it’s time to start making plans. In case you need an idea, Springfield Brewing Company is hosting a Mother’s Day lunch complete with a make-your-own perfume and a permanent jewelry pop-up.
A Progress Pop Up 🥂
Yep, you read that right. Chefs
Daniel Ernce and Kyle Davis, who ran the kitchen at Progress, are
teaming up to bring Springfield a pop-up for one night only on May 17.
In case you’re new here, Progress originally began as a wildly popular
pop-up experience before its now-shuttered location opened in Farmer’s
Park. We just reached out to them to find out where the pop-up will take
place and how we can grab tickets. In terms of what the two are up to
now, Davis recently opened the new ice cream stand in Rountree,
Buttermilk, and Ernce moved to Bentonville and has been working in
corporate food consulting. Ernce announced the news on his personal social media page and jokingly wrote, “You can call it Progress if you want, just don’t call it a comeback tour.”
Snag Some Fruit Snacks
Growing up in the '90s, it
seemed like there was always a delicious, limited-edition treat being
advertised to me in commercials, and they were typically fruit-flavored.
That’s probably why coming across several fruit-themed specials filled
me with a familiar sense of urgency to try them all before they are
gone. Here’s a little round-up of what I’m talking about.
🍋The newest Andy’s Frozen Custard concrete flavor just dropped, and it’s lemon bar. This tangy treat sounds like pure sunshine in a cup with actual lemon bars blended into vanilla custard. Like all their special flavors, this is going to be a good, but short run.
🍓Xurros Cafe is serving a downright delicious-looking strawberry cheesecake milkshake for a limited time. They suggest pairing it with the strawberry cheesecake churro (don’t mind if we do!).
🍒 Askinosie Chocolate just released its fourth edition of The Zeke Bar. This run features tart freeze-dried cherries. It’s already flying off the shelves, and they don’t have plans to make any more of this flavor.
🍋 Before & After Brewing just released a new radler flavor, and it’s strawberry lemon. Now they haven’t explicitly stated whether this drink is just a temporary special, but it’s best not to take any chances. The Before & After crew consistently releases delicious seasonal offerings that only run for a few weeks.
🍑 And last but not least, all Pineapple Whip locations are back open! Since each stand features a unique flavor in addition to pineapple, it can be hard to try them all before the season ends. Lucky for us, they've just posted a cheat sheet on where to currently track down grape, lemon berry, strawberry kiwi and mango peach.
