Maid Rite Sandwich Shop
118 N Pasfield St, Springfield, IL, 62702
Maid Rite Sandwich Shop Menu
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Address :
118 N Pasfield St
Springfield, IL, 62702 - Phone (217) 523-0723
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Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
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Teddy E.
This is my Favorite Hamburger in the USA. My father would take my mother here in the late 20,s while attending Springfield High. I have been eating these babies for some 50 years now and also remember sitting in the Caboose with my father and grand father having a maid rite and rootbeer. Now I take my son and daughter from AZ and Ohio for a few of those when I get the chance. The last time we drove over from Ohio I skipped breakfast and my son said Dad your going to be really hungry by the time we get there. 7 maid rites later and a bunch of rootbeer and he was right..I was hungry and did not want to fill up on fries..only Maid Rites..Last Christmas my mother gave me my present and it was in a UPS box, I could not figure out what it was..Suprise !!! 5 lbs of maid rite meat !!! thats right, he will mail it to you WOW..Now I eat them often again, just like when I lived off Sangamon Ave..Love this Historical Place
(5)Bill H.
Built in the 20's and absolutely one of a kind. First drive thru window in the US. Two Maid Rites, fries and root beer are the way to go.
(5)Sarah M.
Classic little joint. . .delcious loose meat sandwiches (highly recommend the cheese sauce!!) and root beer. Who wouldn't love a place that gives you gum-drops with your meal? You'll feel like you're "in" on the secret, once you take your first bite.
(5)Jan L.
While the historic cred is valuable and worth experiencing at least once, The atmosphere is terrific. The Maid Rite sandwich this place serves is lacking, very lacking. My favorite maidright was the ones my mother made. Lots of hamburger onion mustard and fresh bun... the sandwich delivered to me at Maid Rite included limited meat. Mother never scrimped. And most surprising of all the bun has been squashed for some reason...not apparent. It looks like someone sat on it before they handed it to me. "Here Ethyl, sit on this Maid Rite before we give it to the customer". The best maidright sandwich in Springfield that you can purchase is the crumbled beef sandwich you can buy at Joe Rogers "The Den" Chili Parlor on 9th St. Their sandwich is what a real maidright should be, and just like Mother would be proud to call her own...Thanks Mother for all those delicious maidright sandwiches...The Best!
(2)Michelle x.
This is one of the must-see restaurants I go to when I'm in Springfield. It has a very simple menu, but all I ever want is the loose meat sandwich, crispy french fries, and a root beer. I try to get a couple of those little sandwiches to take home with me -- if they don't heat the sandwich up right then, you can heat them up when you get home. It tastes better heated only once. This is what the owner himself told me. The service has always been extraordinarily friendly.
(5)Jenny z.
I love this place, it just screams "1936." I say that as I don't think anything has changed since the day it opened, very old timey and charming. Sitting off of a busy corporate strip stands a neat and unassuming little building hiding a very tasty secret - the "Maid Rite." You order from a tiny little window, and lo, a few minutes later, your taste bombs - aka Maid Rites- come out of the window, wrapped in waxed paper and accompanied by gum drops, also wrapped in waxed paper. The Maid Rite itself is DELICIOUS, some kind of a loose meat, White Castle sized concoction w/chopped dill pickle and onions. Sides (french fries and such) are seemingly home made and fantastic. The staff is friendly, the food is ridiculously cheap and delicious, and it's a family run business - what's not to love? In a world of fast food restaurants, Maid Rite is an absolute prize.
(5)Matthew B.
As a fan of Horseshoes and Maid Rites I had to try the Maid Rite Horseshoe! Yep, I loved it!
(4)Trista J.
Maid Rite may not be anything to look at and you might think that your just getting a loose meat sandwich. Its much more its a time honored tradition. There are very few places you can go and say you are eating at the same place and eating the same thing that your grandparents ate back in the 20's. It may be simple, but in this case is simple is awesome.
(5)matteo h.
Overrated. C'mon don't get caught up in the hype. Ever had a loose meat sandwich? Think sloppy joe without the sloppy. Decent root beer. Over all it's totally way over priced. Two maids( the afore mentioned sandwich ) fries and a drink for about 7 bucks. Been there a bunch , always feel like I need a shower when I leave. If you need nostalgia and an over priced lunch hurry on down to maidrite.
(2)Shannon S.
The first drive-thru established in 1924 and I believe it. The Special of the Day on the chalkboard reads 2 Maids, Fries, and a Drink. Go inside and order from the tiny window, pay, and get your food. No frills, just simplicity on the menu.
(5)Lisa L.
My mom grew up in Canton, Illinois where there was a Maid-Rite diner. As a kid, every time we visited my aunt, we always stopped by the diner to have a Maid-Rite. Before I met my husband, he has never heard of a Maid-rite. Now he loves them. I told my husband the other night that we should make some Maid-rites. We haven't made them for awhile. The secret to a good Maid-rite is to use dill relish. If you use regular relish, it is not a Maid-rite sandwich.I also put a little ketchup on the sandwich.When I make Maid-Rites it brings me back to when I was a kid and went to visit my aunt in Illinois.That will always have a special place in my heart. I just talked to my mom on the phone and she told me that she would like a Maid-rite. Even though,my family loves Maid-Rites I wish that their was a Maid-rite diner in California. My mom also grew up on Tenderloins. she loves them. but of course there is no place like that out here either.
(5)Jimmy G.
This place is a classic. I recommend two cheese rites with everything, fries and a root beer. By the way...they brew their own root beer. Smother some of the secret hot sauce on your cheese rites and go to town. Whenever I am in town for business, I take clients there and even though they are creeped out at first glance...the place soon becomes their favorite. Flavor...good flavor.
(5)Lance C.
Simple goodness. Steamed loose meat was moist without having to be dripping with grease or fat. Wit' cheese was my choice. The star is their addictive home brewed Root Beer. Owner Sam was a pleasure to meet and is always ready to tell you the history of the place. Regulars constantly flow in and out at the counter or past the drive-thru window for their Maid Rite fix..
(4)Paul S.
The homemade root-beer was good. The shoe-string French fries were ok, touch over cooked, no ketchup in site, and I thought my portion was for a 3 year old. The loose meat burger was drowning in the bun and so was the flavor. $8.00 special was lacking anything special.
(2)Peter T.
Maid Rite is the brand name for a franchised group of restaurants that sell what is generically referred to as "loose meat sandwiches." Created by a butcher in Muscatine, Iowa, there are plus/minus a hundred outlets in the Upper Midwest selling Maid Rite type sandwiches, whether they are paying to use the name, or not. If you are not from, or have traveled through the Upper Midwest, you still may have heard to this specialty via telecoms: Roseanne used to refer to them, and her and (then ) husband started a restaurant to sell them in his home town of Ottuma, Iowa, which was also the fictional home town of Cpl Radar O'Reilly on MASH. So what the heck are they? Crumbled ground beef, cooked on a steam table with a bit of mustard and finely diced onions stirred in. A scoop is placed on a lightly steamed hamburger bun, and there you are. Ketchup and mustard on the tables. I stopped into one of the first ones, in Springfield, IL, on the old Route 66; the Springfield outlet is also credited with having the first fast food drive through in America. It's on the National Historic Register, in fact. Their menu is simple: Maid rites, Cheese maid rites, hot dogs, fries, soft drinks including a house-brew root beer. Lunch is gonna cost you about $7.00. I actually think it's kinda spendy for what it is.
(4)Emma S.
This is a local favorite for the people of Springfield. It's a classic burger with a unique twist as it is loose meat with chopped dill pickles and onions in the loose meat. The root beer is to die for - especially in the frozen mugs they serve them in. I am most definitely an avid cheese fry eater. The Springfield Maid Rite Sandwich Shop offers a local Springfield dish that was created in this very town. The horseshoe sandwich is delicious at Maid Rite as it is made with their signature loose meat, delicious fries, and yummy cheese sauce!! The atmosphere of this tiny restaurant is wonderful, and the old, run-down look of the place gives it the character it has. How can one not enjoy two cheez-rites, crinkle fries, and a tasty root beer when they come through Springfield. Check Maid-Rite - I promise you will not be disappointed!
(5)Susan C.
Not nearly as good as other Maid Rite restaurants, especially Quincy. There menu much more limited and the prices are higher. I would rather drive to Quincy Maid Rite which I love!
(2)Captain B.
Great little place you probably wouldn't find unless you were looking for it, but definitely worth the stop. The gentleman that runs the place was very friendly and came out from behind the counter to refill everyone's root beer. The sand which is a cross between a sloppy joe and a burger and it hit the mark! If I lived here I would probably make this a routine weekend lunch. It's a small ace but the staff takes pride in it and it's absolutely 4+ stars!
(4)Shane R.
Known as the first drive through restaurant, this Maid Rite location provides for a tasty meal. It is a great lunch stop and make sure to give their house root beer a try, if that's your cup of tea(or root beer).
(5)Geneva L.
This is the true staple of spfld il! they have been around since before i was thought of and if i read right they had the first drive thru. I remember when i was in high school on my way home from school we would stop here and get maid rite sandwiches and rootbeer! . I have tried to remake this for my family so they could share in the joy i had as a kid eating these but mine never came out quite as good as theirs. The quality of ingreedents and their down home personalities makes you feel welcomed. Anyone raised in spfld ill holds this place near and dear to their heart, I have a list of places i always eat at when im home to visit and this is one of them.
(3)Mike M.
Cool place. Obviously the fact that it is on the National Register of Historic Places is a big draw. Food wise it's good, just don't expect to get a normal hamburger, they're all loose meat sandwiches here. The root beer is excellent but I wish they would give a larger helping of fries with the meal.
(4)Wendy F.
The menu is very limited compared to the Maid Rites in Peoria. No milkshakes here !!!!! The place is old .., real old. Disappointed since I have been to other Maid Rites and loved them
(2)Patrick J.
It is a must visit in Springfield as it is famous and has outlived most food places in town so it is historical. A lot of people rave about it. If you remember on the " Rosanne" show they had loose meat sandwiches? That is what a Maidrite is. A lot of folks love it but I am not as excited but that is just me and I am a tiny minority and maybe am just too used to burger style. You need to see it to judge for yourself.
(2)Jessica G.
My husband has been talking about this place for... Years. Years! So we were in Springfield this week visiting and decided to stop at Maid Rite for lunch. It's a little intimidating - don't move the chairs and be quiet!!! We ordered - me the two Maid special and my husband the Maid horseshoe. Food came quick, which is always nice. We sat quietly at our little two-person table and devoured our food. Very tasty! The meat in the Maid reminds me a bit of the stuff on a White Castle, which is not a bad thing in my opinion. The fries are pretty tasty, though sort of standard fast-food fare. My only complaint is that the sandwiches could have used a little more meat on them and for the price, it was a bit high. Overall, though, I would go back to give it another try.
(4)Eugene L.
Maid Rite is an old fashioned steamed "loose" burger franchise. It's a smallish sized burger with loose meat, like a sloppy joe without the sauce. It's on the national historic registry and if you're nearby it's worth stopping by for the old fashioned charm. When you walk in you walk right by the little counter and can see them cooking everything. The staff and owners are all EXTREMELY (yes, that needed to be capitalized) friendly and welcoming. They will inform you of the specials and that they make their own homemade root beer. I ordered the special which had two burgers, fries, and a drink, and I also ordered chili. The fries were a small portion of crinkly cut fries and were average at best. The burgers seemed to lack a lot of taste and the cheese seemed non existent and didn't add to the flavor. You're really going to have to LOVE steamed meat to like this burger. The chili was liquidy and had more of the steamed meat thrown in the middle of it. It just wasn't the meaty type of spicy chili I prefer. Unfortunately I would not go back for the food. But it was worth the visit (once) for the great service experience and historic value. I would only recommend this if you were flying out of the airport and needed something quick on the way out or back. Otherwise there are other restaurants in the downtown area near the Lincoln museum I would go to first.
(3)Jarrod S.
"What is a loose-meat sandwich?" my coworker asked. "We are going to lunch, right?" Delicious. That's what it is. It's like a hamburger that isn't a patty. It's a no-patty party. A steamed bun, some seasoned ground beef, a bit of mustard, and something relishish. They make their own root beer, just as they have been for the last 113 years. It comes in a frosty mug. I had mine with ice cream. The crispiest fries I've had in eons. Dine al fresco at their charmingly battered picnic tables. Interesting bit of trivia shared by the guy at the counter: they are the nation's first drive through.
(4)Steve J.
First time I have ever had a loose meat sandwich, I really liked the flavor and texture of the sandwich...but I didn't like that all I got was a spoonful of meat!!!
(3)Faye B.
Stumbled across this place when we first got into Springfield and our group was looking for lunch. Mostly we were looking for a sub shop, but Yelp pointed us here probably because it was sandwiches. It was mildly surprising. The menu was so simple that we were confused. The staff was quite friendly and explained that a Maid Rite burger is a loose steamed burger similar in consistency to sloppy Joe minus the sauce. The sandwich itself wasn't bland by any means, not chock full of flavor. First time for everything.
(3)Matthew G.
Just like the photo shows...meat sandwiches. Not very good but a quick lunch between meetings. However, they make their own root beer and it is YUM! We've been here a few times and will keep going about once every 6 months or so.
(2)Glenn W.
Love the maid rites and the quaint building. Takes me back in time..
(5)Claire M.
Omg hahaha. The first time I went to a Maid Rite was with my aunt when she brought me to Quincy for her alumni weekend in 2001. I thought the concept of a "loose meat sandwich" (ewww) was so hilarious that I bought a t-shirt (I would really love to know where it is...) so imagine my delight to discover while planning a weekend in Springfield that they have their very own Maid Rite! This is the first place we went after checking in to our hotel. I don't eat meat so I had fries and a chocolate shake but I insisted my husband have a "loose meat sandwich." I told him nothing about the place before we arrived which only added to the mystique. He found it odd I'm sure, but ate both of his sandwiches. We went more for the novelty than anything else but hell, I got a kick out of it. Our dog was with us so it was nice to be able to sit outside at the picnic tables with her. I wanted husband to have an interesting culinary experience and I succeeded. That's all I wanted.
(4)Bart S.
I was in town for the IL State Fair..the fair food was boring, I mean to say, how many food booths are there that sell corn dogs? Like every other one! Food at the fair was really pretty bad (good pork chops though)..I went to Maid Rite and I am glad I did. The history of the place is not as old as Springfield politics, but close. Just go, get the Maid Rite with Cheese! Have a homemade Root Beer. They claim to be the first drive thru..I say OK, but go inside and check it out, you can also eat outdoors if it's nice out. Love this place. (see my pictures posted) The staff was super nice, and appreciate everyone who stops by.
(5)I. F.
Odd, tiny building on the historic register. We tried eating here on a Saturday, but they were closed. Not stopping to look at the posted hours, we came back Sunday, and they were closed again. Finally, stopped by on a week day, and they were open for another 20 minutes. The burgers were mostly bun--little meat, not flavorful. This is nothing like the Maid Rites in Rock Island / Moline--those things are huge and delicious. The root beer was good. The people working there were very friendly and helpful--that's what I like most about this place.
(2)Wayne G.
I have such wonderful memories of visiting with my grandfather when he was alive in the 1980s. He dined there when he was attending Springfield High School in the 1920s, truly amazing history! When I am back in Springfield I try to visit and have the two cheeserites, fries and root beer. Wayne Gorsek
(5)Margie C.
I always get the special when I go - 2 maid rites, fries and a drink. Pretty good sandwiches. They are loose meat instead of the regular pre-formed patty. They are quite tasty and well seasoned. The fries are hit or miss - sometimes they are amazing and other times they are merely fries. I've never eaten instead - only drive thru. Which they claim is the first in the nation. If you live in Springfield, or have are visiting and have never had a loose meat sandwich, definitely worth a trip.
(3)Jason N.
I have eaten there once and it was ok. I loved the Root Beer and would go back just for that. I was expecting more for the price. It is a lose beef sandwich and they are small. I want to say for fried and a drink it was around $8. Not bad after reading about the place my mouth was watering, yet the beef was dry. I would go back and eat there but it is not the top of my list.
(3)Booda B.
Get the special (2 Maid-Rites, fries, and a drink) with cheese and a root beer. Just tasty. The sandwiches are normal hamburger size - think McDonald's regular hamburger, rather than a quarter-pounder or White Castle. The fries remind me of Wendy's - very potato-y. As many have already said, the root beer is awesome and worth a stop on its own. They sell it by the gallon, and I kind of wish I had gotten one.
(4)Jordan L.
The hamburgers werent really that good, but the atmosphere was cool to experience. The owner will tell you all about it too... Worth checking out if you have the time.
(3)Kerstin B.
What can I say my grandmother was present the day Maid rite first opened it's doors in 1924. She went to high school up the street at Springfield High School. Then my mother and father were both introduced to the Maid. Soon my sister and I were. It is the 1st drive thru and it is listed in the national historic society. Although the original owners are long gone and several new owners have followed. The maid is true to the original recipe, thank you! If you have never had a maid you need to get one. Actually you need to get more than one at least 2. The maid is a very well seasoned loose meat burger served with mustard onion and pickle relish just a dab of each on a soft steamy bun. Make sure you smoosh em together to keep the meat in the bun. Also do have the homemade root beer it is delish~~~! Just drive up order 2 maids and a beer you wont be sorry!
(5)Santiago A.
Great, great loose-meat sandwiches. Get two or three with cheese and you won't regret it. This place makes me understand how Roseanne could make a living running a place that sold loose-meat sandwiches. If they were anything like this place, then they must have had customers going in and out all day long (yes, i just referenced Roseanne, the sitcom). Sure, the sandwiches are the main attraction, but the root beer here is incredibly delicious. Make sure to get a frosty mug and a side of fries to make your experience complete.
(4)Chris S.
This shop claims to have the first drive-thru in the nation, and I tend to believe it. The place looks like it was built before cars, but in a good way. It has the heavy wooden interior and big windows that remind me of every CCC-era camp canteen that I've been to. It feels well worn and welcoming. I had no idea what a rite burger was walking in; so I was lucky that the gregarious old lady at the register highly recommended (actually just plain told me what to get) a few items on the menu. And it was great. A couple of loose-meat burgers, fries, and root beer only cost me a couple of bucks. I'd love to stop in again if I'm in the Land of Lincoln.
(4)Bryan W.
Prices I think are a little steep but good food. They only take cash, but do have a ATM near the cashiers like Joe Rodgers Chili The Den on 9th. St. I give it a 3 star due to cash only only and prices, otherwise the food is great.
(3)Aaron S.
The decor is simple. The dining room is small. There is almost no variety. Really, the only thing to get is a Maid-Rite sandwich (you can add cheese), fries and a soda. However, that's all you'll ever need after you taste a Maid-Rite. If you have never heard of the sandwich, it is a steamed loose meat sandwich. Kinda like a sloppy joe, but not really. I can't really describe the taste, but it is one you must experience. It's hard to screw up fries, but they do them right. The root beer is a must. I don't care if you normally drink something else, get the homemade root beer. It's great, fast and cheap. A little tip: this is kinda like White Castle. You'll need to get two or three Maid-Rites for a meal. One is just not enough. My only complaint is that they are not open late enough.
(4)mi s.
Maid Rite is an old style sandwich shop which makes their burgers loose with onions, mustard, and pickle relish. We had one in Hammond, IN years ago but big chain burgers ran them out. While traveling we noticed a Maid Rite in Springfield and decided to try it. This was not the burgers we knew. No onions, little mustard, and just several pieces of relish. The meat was salted so heavily it was inedible. We were very disappointed as the old quality was not there. Use 1/4 the salt, add some pepper, put onions back on, with the mustard and relish and the old burgers will be back. Please don't try to cheapen it anymore.
(2)Adam C.
This review isn't based on the the food or the service since I have no idea. Why? Because I came here twice looking for a Maid Rite sandwich and found it closed. Once at 3:15pm on a Saturday, and then the next afternoon around lunch time. I mean, who ever heard of a fast food place being closed on Saturday afternoons? And Sundays completely? Well, I guess there's chick fil-a, but they're just weird. I had so been longing for a loose meat sandwich and had not been in a Maid Rite for nearly 15 years. When I heard there was one near our hotel I was just giddy. The last thing I expected was to have the place closed pretty much the entire weekend. Major, major disappointment.
(2)Drew S.
I must travel 2,500 miles to get to Springfield, but Maid-Rite is always one of my first stops. The food is unique and tasty (first-timers should stick with the 2 sandwich special with fries and root beer for the traditional experience). The more-adventurous might enjoy the shop's version of a "horseshoe" sandwich - a Springfield original. But I also go to Maid-Rite to get my dose of home-town nostalgia. This location is on the National Register of Historic Places, and is certainly one of the first drive-thru windows in the country. The current owner seems well-aware of the historical significance, and maintains much of its old-time charm. (Hand-painted signs on the wall for "The Law" of the dining room, etc.) I'm sure there can't be much profit for the owner, so I am thankful that he puts in the love and effort to keep the place going. Personal note: I can recall sitting with my grandpa in the tiny little benches in the original "caboose" section - and now I am old enough to be a grandpa myself. So it is more than the food that brings warmth to my tummy when I visit. It's worth the $7 to enjoy the history - and the food is darned good too!
(4)Ned D.
You can't eat a loose beef burger on a burger bun without making a big mess or having a soup spoon near you helps they'll provide one...All they need to do is what I've told them so many times please contact corporate and say USE A LOBSTER BUN a oversize hot dog bun..They just don't get it..
(2)Jessica R.
Delicious loose steamed meat and they ship too. My picky nephew loved the sandwich and the staff is super friendly! Loved it!
(5)Bill S.
Not worth going out of you way for (which, I unfortunately did) and very overpriced for the sandwich size. I suggest a couple of White Castles for a similar taste and to save some change.
(2)Kristy G.
My first loose meat sandwich--the perfect additional to our Chicago to St. Louis road trip. The Nathan's hot dog was tasty too for my kid, and the owner was very friendly. If we're in town again and needed lunch I would stop again.
(5)