Maid-Rite Sandwich Shop in Springfield

I absolutely loved this very old school sandwich shop in downtown Springfield, Illinois. I was introduced to it by the owner of a lovely local inn where I was staying, the Pasfield House Inn. It's just a few blocks from the capitol and I love that the menu is super simple. You can count all the menu items on two hands - and that includes the beverages.


If you've never had a Maid-Rite sandwich, think sloppy Joe without the sloppy part. No sauce, only meat - seasoned ground beef on a bun. It's beefy and hot and satisfying - a perfect Midwestern lunch and best when washed down with a frost mug of their root beer. The Cheez-Rite cheesy fries with loose meat on top are also quite delish! The diner is small and cozy and you can't help but fall in love with it. It dates back to 1924 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

This Maid-Rite location also boasts the first drive-thru window in the country. They were way before their time! 

If you're in the state capital, don't leave without swinging by and sitting down for taste lunch - or grabbing a sandwich through the country's original drive-thru window.

Maid-Rite Sandwich Shop

118 N. Pasfield St.

Springfield, IL

217-523-0723