This Missouri City Has a Cashew Chicken Trail

If you grew up in the Ozarks, like I did, it’s likely that your family had a go-to Chinese restaurant. And when you vehemently defended your beloved spot, it was because it had one dish that was made better than any other: cashew chicken. Ours was Canton Inn on the west side of town near my childhood home. My husband’s family was die-hard for Lucy’s Chinese Food. Both restaurants serve a version of the Springfield-style dish, which is most often made with fried chicken chunks, smothered in a brown gravy of soy and oyster sauce, and topped with green onion and cashews. 

Springfield, Missouri’s signature dish is believed to have been first served here in 1963 by David Leong, who was from China. His mission was to create a dish that would appeal to the Ozarkian taste with Chinese influence.

Today, cashew chicken is so heavily woven into the fabric of the community that over 50 restaurants serve some version of the recipe. Recently, The Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau launched the Springfield Cashew Chicken Trail, a self-guided tour that incorporates over 20 restaurants with various recipes, ranging from traditional to ultra innovative interpretations.

Here, a few of our favorite stops.

Leong's Asian Diner

Make the inventor of the Springfield-Style Cashew Chicken dish your first stop on the Cashew Chicken Trail. Owned and operated by the Leong family, Leong's Asian Diner is a legendary Chinese restaurant steeped in culinary history. The dish here might be the most classic iteration, topped with the signature brown sauce and served with crispy bits of chicken on a bed of rice with an eggroll on the side.

The Chicago Cheesesteak Company

This family-owned and operated hoagie shop has loads of sandwich options, including the “Springfield,” made with a chopped up chicken tender, covered in homemade cashew sauce and mozzarella cheese, and topped off with cashews and green onions. The Chicago Cheesesteak Company is open until 2 a.m., so make this your place to get a late-night cashew chicken fix.

Lucy's Chinese Food

A stalwart of Springfield's cashew chicken with four locations, Lucy's Chinese Food has been in business for more than 40 years and lays claim to the oldest Chinese food restaurant in Springfield. The restaurant’s thickly breaded chicken is topped with a light, caramel-colored sauce. Don’t forget the fortune cookie.

Canton Inn

Blink and you might miss this small and unassuming restaurant. The interior offers a couple of formica tables, but what the place lacks in frills, it makes up for in flavor. The cashew chicken here was my family’s favorite, at a spot for a delicious meal that comes in at less than $10. Be sure to spring for the crab rangoon.

Amazin Asian

This restaurant’s super-fresh made-to-order menu is consistently rated as a local Chinese food favorite. The cashew chicken is ultra crispy with a rich brown sauce and plenty of toppings. Hit up Amazin Asian for happy hour, where you can get cashew chicken, an eggroll or crab rangoon, and a drink for just $5.99.

Hy-Vee Battlefield

Don’t sleep on grocery store Chinese food; it was one of our staples growing up. The Hy-Vee chain serves everything from pizza to deli sandwiches, and the cashew chicken is a standout. This version is studded with carrots and celery and sauteed in a light brown sauce.

PaChan's Asian Kitchen

Follow the seriously devoted fan base tracking PaChan’s Asian Kitchen food truck. The cashew chicken is made with seasonal veggies and served with a signature brown sauce. If you can find this Chinese-food-on-wheels parked at one of the local breweries, the dish is even better with a craft beer.

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Springfield

You can get cashew chicken and a movie at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Springfield, the only location that serves this signature dish. Here, it’s made with breaded chicken, oyster sauce, green onions, and cashews, then served with a side of fried rice.

More Springfield-Style Cashew Chicken

To participate in the Cashew Chicken Trail, sign up for the mobile passport at springfieldmo.org/cashew, check in at each participating location using your phone's GPS, and earn points to redeem for prizes. Participants are encouraged to visit as many restaurants as possible and share their experiences on social media using the hashtag #SGFCashewChickenTrail.