Don’t let the name fool you…Fast & Fancy Restaurant is actually a quick, inexpensive, casual restaurant. If you like greasy spoon diners, this place is for you. Instead of booths, there is a small counter by the kitchen with a few seats (I think people wait for take-out food here) and a small dining room. I’ve had breakfast several times at Fast & Fancy. Both times I ate the typical eggs, potatoes, toast and coffee—-think delicious greasy spoon scrambled eggs—for only a few bucks. Two people can easily enjoy breakfast for $10-$12. Since it is so quick and inexpensive, don’t expect the highest quality (i.e. the occasional dirty fork on your place setting). But it has a hometown restaurant feel, which can be endearing. Not for everyone, but a good option. Fast & Fancy is located at 211 W. State Street, inside a building with attorney’s offices and a consignment shop. Look for their sign on the sidewalk.

If you’re having a family outing with kids, try Mrs. Marty’s Deli (formerly the Trolley Stop) for breakfast instead. It’s about two blocks east on State Street. Going for lunch, try Pinocchio’s just a few blocks away on Baltimore Pike.

I ate at Tavola’s for a dinner celebration with coworkers. It’s a very nice restaurant, located at the Springfield Country Club. As a vegetarian, there were limited items on the dinner menu for me. I had the vegetarian delight brick oven pizza. It tasted great and the maitre’d was joking around with me since it was his favorite pizza. My friend had the chicken parmesan and loved the big servings. We both took food home with us. We also shared a delicious dessert, the triple chocolate cake—-a must if you’re a chocolate lover. My meal (pizza, cake and soda) was about $20. The rest of the menu was a little bit on the pricey side ($16-$25 for entree), but well worth it. Remember to make dinner reservations ahead of time. I would go back to Tavola’s for lunch and maybe in the evening for drinks.