D’arcy’s Pint is also a good restaurant. From what I understand, they have a room in the back for large parties. The prices are reasonable and the food is good - the horseshoes are fantastic, if anyone wants to try some native food.
Saputo’s downtown is good and a really good, really great price Mexican place is Xochimilco (so-she-mil-co).
Flyp, want me to help out with some arrangements? Lemme know. You can e-mail me at: TibsTanglewood@aol.com.
Tibs
I won’t be able to finalize my plans until mid-March, but I still hope to attend. If I can, then I will be driving down from Chicago and will be open to carpooling/room sharing as needed.
HORSESHOES! Anywhere that has horseshoes is ok with me! Flyp, if I don’t get a horseshoe, I’m holding you PERSONALLY responsible.
Tibs-I had actually thought about Saputo’s, but I wasn’t sure how hared it would be to accomodate the 25+ I’m expecting to show up. If D’Arcy’s does have a room that big, I’ve not seen it-it must be way in the back. However, I’m thinking that any of the three place you mentioned would be fine for the inevitable pre-Dopefest that occurs on Friday nights. I will let you know on the arrangements soon. Really, all we need is a confirmation with Cheddar’s that they’ll seat all of us, and check to see if the Comfort Inn/Crowne Plaza will cut us a discount.
The Friday thing is something we should probably wrestle down, too. For those of you who are coming in on Friday night and want to do something, please include that in the emails/posts. Otherwise, I’ll probably just end up screwing off all night, and Spiffled can be a pretty boring place if you don’t have a seasoned guide. Well, it’ll still be boring-the only things to do here are drink and screw (and yes, jackasses, I’ve been doing a lot of drinking)-but at least you’ll have me to make fun of.
I think that’s it for now.
Well, I think you’ll have to come early or stay late, Nym, because Steak n’ Shake appears to be the only chain around here that the homely little dish has infiltrated. But, if you really want one and your schedule will allow, come Friday and we’ll see what we can do about going to D’Arcy’s. They have really good ones (I weep openly for the buffalo chicken version), but alas, they’re not open on Sundays.
Flyp, can you just include me on the emails and assume I’ll be there Friday night, since apparently your email system hates me?
Tibs, I think Xochimilco doesn’t serve alcohol - but I may be wrong, I haven’t been there in ~4 months or so. D’arcy’s is GREAT, I actually just went there for the first time last week - mm hmm! - but I don’t recall a party room, though we stayed at the bar the whole time so I could have missed it.
I may be able to come Friday night solo, and will have hubby along Saturday night, so if anyone wants to party w/ the tygre Friday, drop me an email!
–tygre
Okay, guys, I might have a bit of a connection which could be helpful. I know the guy that owns the Cheddar’s chain; I assume it’s the same one as Cheddar’s Casual Café (how many different Cheddar’s can there be in the Midwest, anyway?). So I’ll see if tomorrow he might not be interested in giving us a few free appetizers or something for our patronage. 
Damn, Sani’s earned his keep already.
I think Xochimilco just got their liquor license a few months ago. I heard they have great margaritas.
Anyone here in Springfield want to get together for a beer on Thursday night?
I’m so damn curious about you all and have never met a doper.
Tibs.
Now, Cafe Brio has bitchin’ margaritas! No can do this weekend, though - but email me if you want to get together maybe next week? Email’s in my profile.
–tygre
Talked with my friend today and it turns out that while his dad owns several Cheddar’s, the one in Springfield isn’t one of them. But it looks like we weren’t planning on it anyway, so no biggie.
What am I getting myself in for?
I just found this thread, but, since I live in Springfield, I suppose I ought to put myself down as at least a maybe.
Of course you can come, but relative newbies get the tab… 
I crunched the numbers, guys, and unfortunately, I can’t make Spiffled. I will, however, still be in Chicago on the 25th, as originally planned.
Robin
Hey Flypsyde-
Cheddar’s is as good a choice as any. Right there by two major hotels, right there by the interstate, etc. I hope you’ve made the phone calls and reserved a private room (or made reservations for close to 30 people).
The only other place I can reccomend is D’Arcy’s Pint, but unless they have a banquet room somewhere (and I haven’t seen one) they’re out. And parking at the Town & Country Shopping Center is a nightmare :eek:!
I regret I will not be able to attend due to financial reasons. I apologize to anyone who was hoping for a ride and I hope this is early enough that you can find alternate transportation.
Have fun and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do…
I would like to change from a ‘maybe’ to a ‘definitely will be there’
I just saw my work shedule for April, and I have a 4-day weekend from the 6th to the 9th off.
See you all there.
CONFIRMED
Flypsyde Valerieblaise Falcon boli
porcupine DynoSaur tygre (+1) rastahomie (+1)
Jophiel Omniscient Tiburon Nymysys
Crunchy Frog vidad colek Gaudere ChrisCTP
Satan Drain Bead SanibelMan
TENTATIVE
UncleBeer thinksnow android209 Sapphire Bullet
Silo beagledave VileOrb Spiritus Mundi
SaxFace Tequila Mockingbird Thudlow Boink purplebear
kremit334 The Mighty Tiki God
Just doing my part to help out, Flypsyde!
Okay, everything is looking good as far as me going to this. I really want Turbo Dog to come with me, so I need to ask a question here. Any of the Springfield dopers, or anyone planning to attend, have teenaged offspring who would volunteer to play babysitter for our kids? Well, maybe volunteer is the wrong word, as I will pay them. But we don’t any reliable friends out here we’d feel safe leaving our kids with for 2 days.