Best Damn Takeout: Theodore’s Booze, Blues & BBQ

Date: 6/10/2020

SPRINGFIELD – A longtime staple of downtown Springfield, Theodore’s Booze, Blues & BBQ on Worthington Street has been a go-to for the Maza family thanks to its unique blend of great food, atmosphere and drinks.

And for the 2-year-old, the mac and cheese is to die for and you can draw on the paper at the table.

Missing one of our favorite family night out spots, we decided to give the Theodore’s experience a try at home. The atmosphere was nice, but not the same. The food? Still just as good.

My signature dish at Theodore’s is a half rack of baby back ribs with sides of baked beans, slaw, cornbread and mac and cheese. The mac and cheese is sacrificed to my loving daughter, of course, but the hearty portions of fall off the bone meat is more than satisfying enough for me.

They also offer a selection of beer to take home, including offering growler fills of what is on tap.

My wife has a few different options. This time around, she chose the blackened chicken caesar salad. The lettuce was crisp and fresh as ever and the generous helping of chicken was a meal in and of itself.

For a place that prides itself on creating an experience that makes you want to stay, they’ve also done a great job perfecting getting people in and out with their food in a safe and healthy way.

A 15-minute drive from my house, the hot food was plenty hot and the cold food still chilled when it reached its destination.

We were so impressed, we went back again.

I got the ribs - again, this time with double cornbread.

My wife’s taste for the blackened chicken remained, but she went for the blackened chicken tender appetizer with a side of mac and cheese. The lucky 2-year-old got her own kids mac and cheese. Both also sampled some of my cornbread. The appetizer serving of chicken was so large she saved some of it and had it in a salad the next day.

I managed to finish all of my ribs.

Until we can sit in the dining room surrounded by murals of music’s greats while being serenaded by Joe Cocker and Buddy Guy, enjoying the city’s best barbeque from the comfort of home will do just fine. Just keep the ribs coming, guys.

Theodore’s also offers a rotation of family-sized meals. Each day, the meal of the day is updated on their Facebook page.

Theodore’s is located at 201 Worthington St. They are open for pick-up Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 4 to 8 p.m.

Their full menu and more information is available at http://theodoresbbq.com/.