Ernest Hemingway was arguably one of the most influential American authors of the last century. Regardless of one’s feelings about his novels, he lived the kind of life that most of us would envy. Hemingway was a world traveler and adventurer. From Spain to France and Africa to his home in Key West, Hemingway traveled the world in search of adventure. He was known among his friends as a great hunter and fisherman. In that spirit, he would feel welcome in the restaurant that carries his name. Located in Bass Pro Shops, Hemingway’s Blue Water Café is an oasis of the tropics in Springfield, MO.
As one would expect, the decor is impressive. The Bass Pro organization doesn’t do anything half way; for them it’s all or nothing. The host and wait staff greet you in Hawaiian shirts with friendly smiles. Stepping through the front door is like stepping into the tropics. In this impressive restaurant, it is easy to forget that you are inside a massive sporting goods store. The sights of the wilder parts of the world instantly surround guests. The walls are decorated with mounts of exotic fish and wild game. Behind the bar is a 60,000-gallon salt-water aquarium filled with hundreds of beautiful tropical fish and turtles. Numerous photographs of Hemingway taken as he enjoyed the outdoor activities he loved adorn the walls of the restaurant.
As one would expect from the name, seafood is the specialty here, but for those who prefer other foods, there are dishes of pasta, chicken, beef, or pork as well. I’ve never eaten anything here that wasn’t delicious, but the best deal is the lunch buffet. For $8.50 you can enjoy all you want to eat of many delicious treats. Standard items on the buffet are carved beef, turkey, or ham, fried catfish, numerous kinds of salad, pasta, vegetables, and the best clam chowder this side of New England. The buffet itself is beautiful. At the center of the hot food area is a large bonze mermaid, and smaller bronze mermaid statues hold up the sneeze guards around the buffet area.
One of my pet peeves when dining out is to run out of my drink. In spite of the fact that the drink glasses are small, that has never been a problem here. The wait staff is always attentive and friendly, even when you choose the buffet. After a few visits, you realize that many of them have worked at this restaurant for a long time. Jim, our waiter on the visit that prompted this journal entry, told my son and I that he has worked here for 14 years, which showed through his knowledge of the products and his attentive service.
With its beautiful decor, impressive service, and delicious food, Hemingway’s Blue Water Café is one of the best places to eat in Springfield. It, along with the Bass Pro Shop store in which it is located, is a do-not-miss destination in Springfield, MO.