by Dawn Simonds

The Restaurant Lover's Guide to comfort food in the Midwest

ROGER'S ORIGINAL CHILI (THE DEN)
820 S. Ninth St.
Springfield, Illinois 62703-1624
217-522-3722
Lunch Monday—Saturday 11 am—4 pm
$3—$8
Cash

  Marianne Rogers took over her parents' restaurant, founded in 1945, and hasn't changed much. The menu is small and focused on chili—mild, medium, medium with a touch, and JR special. You can also try a loose-meats sandwich here, also known as a maid-rite: ground beef crumbled and steamed with an elusive mixture of spices.