Around my Hometown

We usually go here because they have a buffet and kids are free! So a family of 4 can eat for less than $20. The buffet has a variety of foods as this is sort of a high end restaurant but inside Bass Pro. They do also have regular entrées, and can be a bit fancy if you are looking for a night on the town sort of place.
It has a tropical/fishing decor, think Key West circa 1930, hence the name Hemingway's (Hemingway lived in Key West for those who don't know).
If you get out overlooking Bass Pro try to get towards the back, the front can be a little loud with the waterfall right next to you though it does provide the best view. Or sit around the bar and check out the massive saltwater tank behind the bar filled with colorful tropical fish.
Meals range from fried catfish to craved meats at the buffet with a little something for everyone in between. If the Mexican lasagna is available don't miss it. it was great!
They also do breakfast featuring the buffet but you can also choose from the menu. We had this several years ago and the food was wonderful!

Unless you are beating down the doors when they open expect at least a 15 minute wait. The later in the day you get there the worse it gets, up to 3 hours, I've been told.
The entrees start around $9 and go up to $20 the cheaper ones are the strage ones (at least to me) like gizzards, liver, ect. There is a burger and chicken for those afraid of new things. The sides are brought around by staff and they will refill your plate as often as you ask. The rolls are great, but you must have one trown to you is you want one, and the molasses on the roll makes it even better so get some while it's hot.
The atmosphere is basically like a Cracker Barrel, down home and a bit southern, so it gets a little loud, more so when the rolls come around, and the wait staff will trat you like are a guest in their home and invite you to stay even though your done.
This is actually a little south of Springfield but not a long drive, and on the way if you are headed to Branson.

A great spot for a working lunch or go at night for the pub/bar atmosphere. We have not been here at night but have walked by and it gets rather crowded, and has more of a nightclub atmosphere, therefore after a certain time you must show ID to enter.
For lunch or early dinner this is a quiet place for a lunch date, meeting friends, or a lunch meeting.
The sweet potato fries are not to be missed, the hamburgers are much tastier than any standard restaurant burger, and my favorite by far is the chicken cordon blu sandwich, a Friday special but I have been able to order it on other days though it is not on the menu.
A great location for those visiting MSU, sightseeing Springfield, or working downtown.
And for the TV buffs Trolley's is co-owned by the Aaron from "The Bachelor" and can occasionally be spotted around the restaurant.

We have been here several times and by far had more fun going with a group. It does not start to get crowded until close to midnight, and with the proximity to other clubs there is lots of bar hopping going on. There is a VIP room upstairs that you can only sit in if you have a reserved seat or party, which you can do at their website. They play mainly top 40 with a little 80's mixed in and sometimes a techno song or two. The cadence drum show is rather interesting and the crowd really gets behind them. There are 3 or 4 guys beating various sorts of drums and it is not just the beat but the way they run around to get to their drum that is fun to watch. It is only done on Thursday and Saturday though. They also have "flaming" bartenders where they light liquor on fire while shooting it out of their mouth, you usually have to ask to see this and only some of the bartenders do it.There is one of the biggest dance floors I have seen here, but less seating than many other places so unless you are early expect to stand. They do have 2 bars so getting drinks is not as bad as it could be, the bar on the side rather than in the back is usually least crowded.