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    Clay's Popeye's Bar-B-Que

    4.1 (10 reviews)
    InexpensiveSoul Food, Barbeque
    Closed 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

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    The wall of fame, cooking area, and lots of articles about the local track and field high jumpers (kids of the owners?).
    Steve O.

    Clay's is the place to go for lunch bbq in Springfield. We stopped by last Saturday around noon and got the lunch special (bbq shredded pork, rib tips, and beef on top of texas toast and a side of potato salad) along with the catfish and fries (the catfish was a separate lunch). At only $6 and fully loaded with a variety of meats smothered with barbecue sauce, the lunch special was well worth the trip. Along with the good eats, Clay's features a roomy and welcoming dining area. There's counter seating for solo diners, and booths or tables for groups. While you're waiting for the food to arrive, check out the giant mural of some people fishing on a riverfront, and take a look at the shrine of local celebrity photos and autographs. The people who own the place seem to be big supporters of the local high school sports teams too, given all the track and field placards up on the wall. Friendly people and great bbq make this a solid destination for lunch. It's also interesting how this neighborhood, the 11th St. and South Grand Ave. area, is allegedly getting some attention as a small business redevelopment district.

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Always good food, pork BBQ is the best in town. Mary and Jeff are great hosts. Thanks

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    3 years ago

    Friendly service and even better bbq. A long-standing local institution that meets every expectation. Best rib tips in town.

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    11 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    Aunt Lou’s Soul Food - Chicken strips collard greens red beans and rice and cornbread

    Aunt Lou’s Soul Food

    4.0(31 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    This spot is top notch and a lifesaver for the downtown area! I've come to expect a great meal…read moreevery time I visit. The server's are always thoughtful and ready to acommodate when they can. I love the wings, mac and cheese, and the savory pork chops! The layout and set-up of the restaurant is a modern open layout. My only recommendation is to get em early cause their food options do run out; it's still on my list to try the banana pudding.

    WOW!!! So glad we stopped in today, I've been driving by regularly but never had time to stop. Our…read moreserver was amazing and on top of our drinks, checked in several times to make sure the food was good. I believe the owner (or possibly the chef) stopped by and made sure everything was up to par as well. I honestly thought it was going to be a much smaller space as when I'd driven by it looked small, but there was so much seating inside! The decor was beautiful, too, and the music was awesome. We both had chicken and waffles and my LORD it was so good! The waffles were so crispy and flavorful (I've seriously never had waffles so good in my life) and the chicken was breaded well, perfectly seasoned, and was super fresh. I'm pretty picky about sweet tea. If Wilford Brimley doesn't side eye me with serious concern as I drink it then don't even bother. This was so perfectly southern sweet I was in heaven. Sweetest sweet tea I've had in Illinois. I'd go back for that alone even if the food was just okay. We had decided on fried green tomatoes (which were soooooo dang good and zesty!) when she told us they JUST got fried okra and I said both. Just give us both. I'm a fried okra fiend and was so happy I could've cried. The okra was fresh and perfectly crispy, and the seasonings, again, were immaculate. Absolutely cannot wait to go back. (I just need to give my stomach a lil rest, we both took home over half of our meal there was so much.)

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    Jalyrih Grill and Catering

    Jalyrih Grill and Catering

    4.0(2 reviews)
    36.5 mi

    I came in because I had heard from family members how good the food is. I brought in a friend, her…read morehusband and their two kids. It was near the end of the night but the service was not lacking. I order a piece of fish, a pork chop, black eyed peas and yams. The fish was flaky and crispy. The pork chop was seasoned well and cooked perfectly. The black eyed peas were tender. They yams were seasoned well but tasted like they were from a can. We got dessert. I was disappointed that they were out of sweet potato pie. I had the butter pecan cake and my friend had the double chocolate cake. Over all we all enjoyed our meal. My friend's son tore up his wings. For all the food we ordered we only spent $35. This place is reasonably price and delicious. I would highly recommend it to anyone. The only reason I wouldn't give five stars is because there were several items they were out of. I would just suggest getting there early. I would go back anytime I'm in Decatur. As a matter of fact, I would make this a "have to visit" place when I am there.

    Not quite my idea of soul food but sort of. I've eaten fried walleye fillets with side dishes here…read moretwice and they've been quite good. Place looks clean to the point of obsession and the staff have been solicitous and kindly. Breading on the fish has been very nice. I wish I'd asked for greens but foolishly I've asked for green beans. The Friday fish buffet was unexpected and not self-service: ask for what you want and they'll put it on a plate for you. Then they'll bring you deep-fried catfish or walleye to go with it. I cannot understand why they're not mobbed with customers, but then again I left Decatur in 1981 and spent another year there in 1991-92 and I don't understand the place though I was born there. Boots Randolph the saxophone player is the only famous native.

    Clay's Popeye's Bar-B-Que - soulfood - Updated May 2026

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