Casper’s

For real some of the best chili I have ever had! Open face chili double cheeseburger for the win!!! This place is totally a must for anyone who lives in Springfield.

I think this place is more hype and history than substance. The waitress was great, very attentive and nice. The place is awesome, a tiny little shack, simple menu, over a hundred years of history. I am happy I went, but I wouldn’t go back if I were to drive through town again. The chili by itself was not good, having had chili from Texas up to the NE, this was bland, no two ways about it. On the burger it worked, but I didn’t get the people eating the chili by itself. I’d recommend going once.
Cash only, make sure you hit an ATM.

Food is great at very reasonable prices. Very laid back atmosphere. The waitress got my order wrong but still charged me for what I had originally ordered. Even though it was the wrong order, I still enjoyed the food. I recommend the Chili Spaghetti. You get a lot of delicious food without spending a lot of money with that order!

Visited this place because of Unilocal reviews. It’s a old fashion dive with lots a unique flair. Go hungry and know that the food definitely lives up to the hype! Go for the burger and definitely try the chili. Also the fried pickles are a starter!

Gimme more Caspers… it’s where my people dwell. Good belly filling food, fast, sassy waitress, cute to boot. My favorite all week in Missouri

After many years of driving by and hearing about Casper’s we finally got in for lunch. I dont mean this in a bad way but you can smell how greasy and dripping delicious the burger is going to be when you get out of your car. Once inside the smell of the griddle is everywhere. Our service was great and included the waitress telling me I couldn’t have what I ordered since I was a first time diner … she did not steer me wrong. The burger was full of flavor and dribble down the cheek. the chili not as spicy as mine but still a tasty offering… chili cheese fries were of course delicious and we loved the hot sauce that they offer up.
I love the eclectic look and feel but just wish it was a touch larger in seating for ease of moving around. All in all a great place and of course a Springfield tradition.

Driving to Texas from Michigan made this the best stop for the 18 hour drive. The place is busy, got the last seat at the counter. Had the open face chili cheese burger. Was good. The place is worth a stop just for the strange décor. Nothing special about the chilli. I don’t understand the other reviews raving about it. Coney dog chilli in Detroit much better. Had to add a lot of hot sauce to get some flavor.

When you are in Springfield you have to go to Casper’s. It is one of the best known local secrets. Great food, excellent wait staff. Bring cash and save room for dessert.

Fast service. Friendly staff, but most importantly, great food. Malts and shakes more than you can eat… and delicious! Chili cheeseburger great! I had the single, would take a big eater to eat a double! Don’t let this place fool you… my husband wanted to go on. So glad we didn’t. Great place for a hamburger… oh and if you are hungry for ham and beans… just like your mamma made, this is the place!

Great food and atmosphere. Wish they’d allow payment with a cards but that’s really the only downside. It can get a bit crowded inside, but that is how you know it is good! Highly recommended.

**CASH ONLY! BE READY. :) Delicious and HUGE PORTIONS. I had the double chili cheese burger with fries. Definitely the coolest hole in the wall I’ve found in springfield.

Wasn’t the best chili I ever had but we showed up with a party of 10 and the waitress accommodated and entertained us till our meals came. Very happy I was able to share the experience with my family and friends! PLEASE GO HERE! You will not regret it!

Perfect — Perfect hangover food !!
Its more than just a small food joint in Springfield; Its an experience. I take all my «out of the city/​country» friends here followed by a much needed walk at the bass pro after eating here.
Burgers are greasy as hell and so so delicious; chillis are amazing, always overflowing from the bowl with tons and tons of cheese and onions. If this won’t cure your hangover I don’t know what will.
If you plan on going to this place — Go hungry my friends !!
PS — be ready to not find a seat if you go during their open house. Patience is a must.

Really good. Love eating @ local places. Whenever we visit a city. Lots of character and cool atmosphere. It’s a small place, and looks kinda ghetto, but it worth it. Their double cheese burger is the way to go. Old school– which is the best kind. Their chili is okay. Wouldn’t taste great without cheese or the saltines, but then again, I’m picky about my chili. Would for sure go again.

This place is truly a Springfield tradition. No it’s not the best chilli, or burgers in the area. But if you want to be a part of Springfield’s history you gotta stop here.

I am lucky enough to live within walking distance of this gem. A friend introduced me and I fell in love with the food and character. There is something fun and funky on every square inch it feels and the people are so nice. Try their double whammy but plan on taking home a box!

Open till 4pm. Come early or late cause there will be a little wait between 1130 and 130 due to the great chili and loyal lunch crowd.

Weird and wonderful.
A must go if you are traveling through. The milkshakes are magnificent & they compliment the whole chili burger experience.

Wow. Casper’s is truly, truly a Springfield original.
Don’t be intimidated by the somewhat sketchy exterior of this neon orange airplane hanger of a restaurant, because you’re in for a treat. As soon as you walk in, your senses are completely bombarded with the smoky-​sweet smell of chili and the visuals of clutter and color. Color on the walls, on the chairs, on the ceiling.
Let me elaborate on that last bit — one of the absolute best things about Casper’s is its décor, which borders on absurdity, and yet is wonderful. You’ll never have time to memorize every item in this place, from ancient, crumbling Chaplin and art deco posters climbing up the rounded walls, to shelves of utterly terrifying porcelain figurines, to flyers from Springfield events gone by, to bizarre masks. From an aesthetic standpoint, Casper’s is a freak carnival, but it rules.
As far as the menu goes it’s simple — chili, by itself or on stuff. You’re a fool to not order the chili here. It’s simple but essential and texturally flawless. Personally, I love the Frito pie with onions, and every time I take the first bite, it takes me back to my utter joy when it was Frito pie day in my middle school cafeteria. For $ 5, it’s not a bad deal at all, and most of the menu items are even cheaper than that.
Finally, the service when I came here was INCREDIBLE. Our waitress was so kind, helpful and personable and every employee in general was willing to say something to us to make us feel welcome. It’s a small enough place where everyone in the restaurant can have one conversation, and that actually happened. It was a great experience on that front alone.
Also, this is worth noting: when we first walked in, we realized we hadn’t brought any cash along (there were three of us), so we awkwardly stood in the front deciding what to do. One of the workers behind the counter, probably the owner or manager, told us we could eat and come back and pay later. We went to an ATM and came back instead, but it was one of the most wonderful and genuine sentiments I’ve ever heard from a restaurant.
Rules to abide by at Casper’s: IT’S CASH ONLY, and you have to order a slice of pie or cake. I repeat: you HAVE to. Don’t ask, just do. The chocolate cake is too heavenly for words. Moist, complex, and a HUGE portion.
I’ll come back every chance I get!

They are only open during the cooler months of the year and that’s pretty much it.
Nothing fancy here and I don’t remember anything being more than $ 4? It was hard to spend $ 10 for 2 people.
I’d say the food is a 3 but the history bumps it a star. It’s really a local place and you know how that goes; you either get it or you don’t.
Probably not going to win a Michelin Star for anything but it is a sentimental part of local history and you gotta preserve that.
–business just sold so maybe hours/​menu will be extended… but hopefully it continues on unchanged.