In Search of the Burger, Week 2: Galloway Station Bar & Grill

Galloway Station

Hours: 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; Friday and Saturday

Address: 4211 S. Lone Pine Ave.

Phone: (417) 881-9730

Décor: Breezy, outdoor atmosphere

Notoriety: Proximity to Ozark Greenways trail and Sequiota Park

Seating: Indoor/outdoor, but screened patio is preferred

Clientele: Casual, frequent joggers and bikers

Twenty years in Springfield, and we’ve never been to Galloway Station Bar & Grill.

It’s the kind of thing to make up for by going repeatedly for the next few years. Loved the place; didn’t so much love the burger – it was fine but didn’t make it to the top of the list. We know, though, that it’s all a matter of taste, so let’s tell you what we did like.

Galloway Station is part of the whole Sequiota Park area, home of bicyclists and joggers. It’s the kind of place where you can literally yell across the fence to invite passing friends to come join you. An Ozark Greenways trail connects right to the restaurant.

We started by reviewing the list of hamburger options. The Big Texas is covered in Swiss cheese, chipotle ranch and topped with an onion ring. Other specialty burgers are called the Rajun Cajun, the BBQ Jalapeno, the Chili Cheese, the Patty Melt and the Bleu. You also can get a classic burger ($7 with cheese).

All of the burgers are K-pound certified Angus beef. They are cooked to medium-well, unless you specify otherwise, and you can get your choice of homemade chips, fries or coleslaw. We say go with the chips.

The Monday night ambiance was worth the visit, at first because of the lilting Irish music, and then because of the pure fascination of watching musician after musician get added as the evening progressed – altering the sound only to the point of making it more robust.

There are a variety of seating arrangements, including under a grass umbrella outside, or on high top tables inside.

We started with onion rings, which arrived piping hot and flavorful, although pretty standard fare as far as breading and presentation and obviously not homemade on site. The burgers arrived nicely scored from the grill, on sesame seed buns. Again, hot, but not hand formed (our server told us the meat was always fresh, not frozen, from a secret supplier). Skimpy amounts of onion, tomato and lettuce came on the side, with plenty of dill pickles (we hear the fried pickles are worth a future visit).

We talked with several people who consider themselves regulars. College student Andrea Cannon hangs out after biking the trails. “I’ve been coming for a couple of years,” she says. “I like the Irish band on Mondays, and it’s just a good spot.”

The verdict

Galloway Station is the place to kick back and enjoy the environment, the people, the music, and the knowledge that, for this meal at least, you are off the beaten path.