Springfield: The Dugout

by Katie Tonarely, For the News-Leader

Whether you hit up Springfield Cardinals games or not, you’ve likely heard of the Dugout. Or maybe not. Though I tend to enjoy nearly all of the things the Dugout serves, and the occasional Springfield Cardinals game, the only thing I’ve really heard about the Dugout is that they have amazing french fries, and my cycling friends like to make it a regular spot when they’re out for a ride. Well, my ignorance on the subject of the Dugout ends tonight.

Put some smoke on those wings, baby. I checked the menu beforehand, and I come to the Dugout ready for some wings. I love wings. Everything about them. The flavor, the effort it takes to get that flavor into my belly and the different sauces that local joints around town feature. Dugout’s menu boasts that it smokes its wings, which make sense because it’s clearly a bar with a barbecue bent. And oh, my. I can taste every bit of that smoky flavor. If you like barbecue or the flavor of smoking, these wings are a must. I got mine in the buffalo style, and I dip each one into way too much of the Dugout’s delicious ranch. To make the buffalo sauce, Dugout is sure to use Frank’s, which accordingly to manager Kesha Bailey is manufactured solely in Springfield, which gives the Dugout that authentic Queen City feel. “It’s a Springfield thing. We smoke the wings for 60 to 90 minutes, three times a week,” she says. Plus, the crew uses a larger-than-normal wing to give customers more meat. I have more than enough to take to work the next day, so I’m happy to make those around me jealous.

Pickles for the pickle haters. I am a self-proclaimed pickle hater. Even when pregnant, I couldn’t ever get into the crunch or the flavor of pickles. Everyone always says, ‘Anything fried tastes good,’ but that’s not true for me with pickles. I’ve tried them everywhere, even at Galloway Station, where the appetizer is pretty famous. I decide to get them at Dugout, because Yelp is telling me to, and I’m pretty susceptible to social media peer pressure. I’m a millennial. Anyway, the Dugout’s pickles are spears, and they’re served with a made-in-house dill ranch. For real. As if creamy dips couldn’t be made any better. Let’s add dill and make it in house. Yup. The Dugout knows what’s up. Kesha says the fried pickles are made in house, too, and to order. “The pickle spears are covered in a Mother’s Beer batter,” she says. And on hearing that, it’s no wonder I loved them. I enjoy most of Mother’s beers, and maybe that’s the secret behind why this pickle hater could handle the fried pickles? The breading is light — Kesha says it’s more like a tempura, and I’d agree — and I still can’t get over the fact that a bar is making fried pickles to order.

Burgers, sandwiches, even steak with quality meats. For my main meal, I get the Green Chile Burger, because clearly wings and fried pickles aren’t enough food. The burger has green chili chutney, pepperjack, lettuce, tomato and a fried egg on top. The fried egg serves to cool the spiciness of the sandwich. “What sets it apart is the green chili chutney,” Kesha says. The chutney is made in house with jalapenos and pineapple juice. “It’s sweet, smoky and spicy,” she says. I agree. The real treat is definitely the fried egg, and I find myself dipping my sandwich in the ranch, too. Kesha says the Dugout crew grinds it own burgers so they taste fresh.

Pop culture to keep your brain buzzing. While I’m eating, there’s something big getting ready to happen: Sunday night pop culture trivia. I can’t stay for it, but I’m jealous. I love trivia. And on that note, I should also say that the Dugout has karaoke on Thursdays, which I adore equally, if not more, than trivia. Sports fans will also find a home at the Dugout. The team is devoted to the Springfield Cardinals and even caters for them and the away teams at Hammons Stadium. “We’re only 467 steps away from the stadium,” Kesha says. So this partnership with the players and fans just makes sense.

And speaking of the buzz, get your beer on. Karaoke and trivia are really just excuses to have fun things to do while drinking local craft beer, right? Yes. And the Dugout delivers. There are several options for local beer lovers. Tonight, I enjoy a Snow Drift vanilla porter, and it goes amazingly with my spicy wings and burgers. The Dugout has the feel of a typical hole-in-the-wall bar, but with amazing food that screams burger joint, not dive bar. Kesha says a big secret to their success is that their staff is small, so they get to know the regulars. “We welcome newcomers,” she says, “and we love our regulars.” I might not get fried pickles every time, but I’d like to be a regular for those smoked wings, pop culture goodies and great beer selection.

Chew on this

What: Dugout Bar and Grill and Sports and Music
Address: 1218 E. Trafficway
Phone: 866-2255
Cuisine: Barbecue and bar food
Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday 
Price range: $3.48-$11.99
Accepts: Cash, all major credit cards
Services: takeout, catering
Parking: on-site
Reservations: accepted for larger parties
Seating capacity: 78
Family friendly: high chairs, booster seats, separate kids’ menu
Wheelchair accessible: yes
Alcohol: full bar
Smoking: on the outside patio
Information provided by Kesha Bailey