Down in Springfield, MO recently, I was looking for someplace close to my hotel that had sandwiches and beer - nothing fancy and something quick. I had looked up a couple three places online to see if there was anything in the immediate area that tripped my trigger. I found a place that sounded good and decided to head over there for dinner. This is my little story about my visit to Galloway Grill on S. Lone Oak Rd. on the southeast side of Springfield.
For a number of years, the building that Galloway Grill now inhabits was the home of Galloway Station, a popular local eatery that had opened in 2003 and was named after Galloway Creek, a babbling brook that ran behind the place. When the owners of Galloway Station and the landlord of the building could not agree on a new lease about six years ago, they were forced to move to a new building. Today, Galloway Station is located on E. Republic Ave. on Springfield's far south side.
The building on S. Lone Oak sat vacant for a number of months before Dan and Ann Carter bought the building with the intent of reviving the place as a restaurant. They renovated the whole building putting in a new kitchen, new flooring and an outdoor beer garden. The Carters opened Galloway Grill in November of 2013.
Galloway Grill is located along the Galloway Creek Greenway, a multi-purpose trail that runs parallel to Galloway Creek (see map). The paved trail is part of the Ozark Greenways trail system around Springfield that is used daily by walkers, hikers, runners and bicyclists. The Galloway Creek trail was designated a National Recreation Trail in 2003 by the National Park Service, the first in Missouri to be named. Because of its proximity to the trail, Galloway Grill attracts dozens of bicyclists, joggers, and people out on walks in the warmer months.
All the head-in parking in front of the Galloway Grill was filled up, but there was a gravel lot just across the street. That lot, too was full, but a car was pulling out as I was looking for a parking spot. The barn-board facade of the building was illuminated by festive hanging lights. It definitely appeared to be a pretty popular place.
The party was definitely going on inside the restaurant. Groups of all ages were seated throughout the place. Old time beer signs were hanging from the walls helping to illuminate the area along with hanging white incandescent lighting.
They close off the beer garden in the winter time allowing for diners to use the area as an overflow seating area. They had gas heaters in the beer garden making sure diners were warm enough on cold winter's nights. It wasn't all that cold out when I was there, but there was still enough of a chill in the air where they had to use the heaters that evening.
I wanted to sit at the bar, but it was very small - only about six seats. And they were all occupied. I found a table toward the back corner of the place and took a seat there. Not long after I did that, a pleasant young lady by the name of Lindsey came by with a menu. She asked what I wanted to drink and I took a look through the beer menu. It turned out that many of the old time beers that they had signs on display - Hamm's, Schlitz, and Pabst Blue Ribbon - they served at Galloway Grill. It turned out that they even had Stag - I didn't know they even MADE Stag any longer. I ended up getting a Boulevard Irish Ale, one of my more favorite seasonal beers. Curiously, it was served in a plastic Galloway Grill 16 ounce cup.
The menu is pretty basic at Galloway Grill - burgers, sandwiches, appetizers, and salads are the main items. They may have had a special that evening, but I don't remember if they actually had one. They also had a limited kid's menu, as well.
Because they didn't have a lot on the menu, I ended up just getting the cheeseburger. But you could really customize the burger with a choice of 8 different types of cheese, or a dozen toppings such as jalapeños, ham slices, chili or a housemade blue cheese sauce. The burger patties were made with 100% certified Hereford beef, seasoned and char-grilled. I got Swiss cheese and bacon on my burger.
The burger plate was garnished with raw red onion rings, lettuce, and a dill pickle slice. And they seemed to be making a big deal out of the beer-battered fries at Galloway Grill that I decided to give them a try. ("They're our most popular side," Lindsey told me as she was selling me on the beer-battered fries. "People really love them!")
The burger patty was thick and juicy - I definitely needed more napkins than the single napkin they provided on the table. The bun was fresh, lightly toasted, and helped with the overall taste of the burger. (I've always said the mark of a good burger is a good bun.) The Swiss cheese was thick cut and oozing over the top of the burger. The bacon was crispy and also helped enhance the overall taste of the burger.
The fries were, well, all right. I didn't see why they made such a big deal about them at Galloway Grill. They had a crispy outer shell and a somewhat flaky inner core. I guess I could see how some people may think they were great, but I just didn't get that big of a kick out of them.
Galloway Grill was a good find, a nice and homey little tavern that had a somewhat limited menu of burgers, sandwiches and appetizers that would appeal to most people of all ages. They had a good beer menu - including some vintage "bottom-shelf" beers you don't find everywhere these days - and the service I received during my visit was friendly, prompt and efficient. I can see why Galloway Grill is such a popular place - not only during the warmer months when bikers are using the nearby trail - but also in the winter months when they make it warm and cozy inside.
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