Operators of Aunt Lou’s Soul Food aim to do for soul food what their predecessor in the historic Ferguson Building in downtown Springfield did for Mexican fare.
Cafe Brio, a downtown darling operating from 524 E. Monroe St. from 1994 to 2016, was the first in the market to serve fusion Mexican food with signature dishes like blackened tuna tacos and tamale muffins with shrimp and grits.
The menu at Aunt Lou’s Soul Food offers a similarly modern take on soul food staples in the same footprint.
“I wanted to bring soul food downtown, but something fresh, new,” said Corey Dickerson, who learned to cook from his grandmother, Springfield native Reola Louise Dickerson, who was known by most as “Aunt Lou.”
The menu features soul food staples like smothered pork chops, fried green tomatoes, baked macaroni and cheese and sweet potato pie. Beverages include sweet tea and Kool-Aid.
The bar has a lineup of mixed drinks, ranging from strawberry Hennessy to spiked peach tea.
Dickerson opened the business with partner Smarjesse Taylor June 21.
Aunt Lou’s Soul Food is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday. Phone: 217-717-1916. Dine in, carry out available. Advance orders can be phoned into the business. The building is ADA accessible.
VELE was last to call the address home, closing shop downtown in the fall of 2020 during the pandemic before moving to the city’s west side.
Plans for Aunt Lou’s Soul Food were first announced in 2022, but efforts to renovate the space met multiple delays. Dickerson's previous experience in the local dining scene includes running for former TKE 1 Lounge Sports Lounge & Grill in the hotel restaurant at 1701 J. David Jones Parkway.
Frozen treat inspired business
Taqueria El Dorado added scratch-made, fruit-infused popsicles, referred to in Spanish as paleticas, to the menu in 2022. Now the frozen treat has inspired a whole new business at the Toronto Road strip center.
Paleticaz opened at 1374 Toronto Road July 3, with an array of fruit-juice popsicles, hand-scooped ice cream, snow-cones and fruit-flavored waters. The menu also includes sandwiches, hotdogs, Mexican-style street corn and walking tacos paired with everything from Takis to Lays potato chips, Fritos to ramen.
Victoria Gonzalez, general manager at Taqueria El Dorado at 1386 Toronto Road, co-owns Paleticaz with her brother-in-law Johnny Parada. Omar Munoz is the general manager. Saucy Rice recently vacated the spot.
Paleticaz’ hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Dine in, take out available. Phone: 217-679-1104.
You've got a friend in me
Portillo’s is inviting fans to spend National Hotdog Week helping find a best friend for Pokey—the fast-food brand’s dachshund mascot.
Participants of the “Find Pokey’s BFF! Contest” stand to win limited edition dog toys, merchandise fit for two-legged friends and their pooch’s pic posted at their local Portillo’s. The grand prize winner will take home a year’s worth of the Oak Brook-chain’s Chicago-style fare.
To enter, simply post a picture of your pup – or other pet – showing some love for Portillo’s at #PokeysPal on any social media before midnight July 19 and add @portilloshotdogs. One finalist will be selected from each of the 10 states where Portillo’s operates.
The public will get to vote among these finalists with the top vote earner winning the grand prize – a year’s worth of Portillo’s.
Contest rules are posted at portillos.com under the blog tab.
Dick Portillo opened his hot dog stand, The Dog House, in the Chicago suburb of Villa Park in 1963. Today, the fast-food restaurant bearing his name operates 86 locations in 10 states.
Portillo’s is located in Springfield at 3400 Freedom Drive in Parkway Pointe.
Special menu
Burger King, long known for its flame-grilled burgers, is turning up the heat.
The fast-food chain is introducing a limited “fiery menu” July 18 with five new selections. These newcomers range from mild like the Sprite blended with a spicy strawberry puree to the melt-your-mouth, royal crispy chicken sandwich that layers on the heat with a chicken breast coated in a fiery glaze and topped with fiery-seasoned bacon, pepper Jack cheese and a creamy spiced sauce.
To balance the burn, Burger King also is adding Hidden Valley Ranch dip cups, which come with the mozzarella fries and chicken fries on the fiery menu. And while the fiery menu is available only for a limited time, Hidden Valley Ranch dip cups are now a permanent part of the chain’s offerings.
Burger King is located in Springfield at 3200 Northfield Drive, 1351 S. Dirksen Parkway, 510 W. Jefferson St., 2651 Veterans Parkway and 2900 S. Sixth St.
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.
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