5 Dives: Taylor's Drive In

It’s a little too upscale and prominently located. However, the Benton and Trafficway location is what tipped the decision. After all, Taylor’s was considered one of the triune of sacred buildings when Jordan Valley Park was first conceived. I remember well the city meeting where it was solemnly declared: The wrecking ball shall not touch the Shrine Mosque, the American Legion or Taylor’s Drive In.

Taylor’s is a Springfield icon.

Despite its place in history and its center city location, Taylor’s owners have no real love for Jordan Valley Park. Darlene Collins, with husband Jack, has owned Taylor’s for 29 years, and Darlene Collins says business severely declined when access was difficult during park construction. And she doesn’t credit the revitalization with any of her current business.

“The Expo Center is a disappointment,” Collins says. “We get a few workers but not the visitors. Not even from ballgames.”

However, the recent Tour of Missouri that raced through the park may have evened the odds. Collins says it was the busiest day they ever had.

One claim to fame is Taylor’s connection with Winstead’s, a well-known Kansas City drive-in.

In fact, Collins says, “They showed us how to grind the meat, and we still do it the same way – fresh every day.”

A tribute is paid to Winstead’s on the menu, which features items from 1955 when a steak hamburger was 25 cents and a limeade was 10 cents. Today, a steak burger basket with fries and salad is $4.35, and a single steak burger is $1.95.

The hamburger tastes as fresh as they claim, with the crispy edges that signify an old-time burger. In fact, we were hard-pressed to decide if Casper’s or Taylor’s would win in that category. The chocolate shake is definitely a winner, so thick with hand-dipped ice cream you can just forget the straw. Skip the onion rings and stick with the fries.

All of Taylor’s employees have worked there at least five years, including our favorite waitress, June Salvador. In fact, we first discovered Taylor’s when we followed her from Hamby’s on Boonville Avenue, after it closed a few years ago. As a result, this is another place where we consider ourselves regulars, to the point where Salvador knows Paul’s order before he opens his mouth.

In addition to steak burgers, Taylor’s offers tenderloin, chicken, ham, patty melts and a bacon dog – a hot dog wrapped in bacon and deep fried, which according to June, is “guaranteed to harden two arteries.”

Collins and crew stick to lunch hours mostly because “I’m old, and I’ve already done the internship,” Collins says. “I don’t want to work any harder than I have to.”

In reality, she’s putting in a full week’s work and more.

Taylor’s Drive In

Address: 139 Memorial Plaza (Benton and Trafficway)

Phone: (417) 862-3278

Hours: Open 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday

Known for: Being the longest-running, locally owned restaurant in Springfield (since 1947)

Seating: 60 seats among booths and tables

Décor: 1950s diner

Clientele: Mix of families and businesspeople

Dress: Anything goes

Payment: Cash

Paul K. Logsdon is director of public relations and publications for Evangel University, and Kay Logsdon is director of the Food Channel for Noble. They have written restaurant reviews for 25 years.