Best Places For a Springfield, IL Horseshoes Near Pole Barn Chic
When it comes to creating an unforgettable wedding, it's the unexpected moments that guests remember long after the last dance. At a Pole Barn Chic wedding, every detail is an opportunity to create an experience—and a late-night Horseshoe Bar is one your guests will be talking about for years to come.
Instead of ending the evening with a traditional candy buffet or dessert station, surprise everyone with a build-your-own Horseshoe Bar. This hearty, made-to-order comfort food is the perfect way to refuel after hours on the dance floor while adding a fun, interactive element to your reception. Guests can customize their own Horseshoe with their favorite proteins, crispy fries, rich cheese sauce, and toppings, creating a late-night snack that's as memorable as it is delicious.
If your goal is to give your guests an experience they'll rave about long after your wedding day, a Horseshoe Bar is a unique way to celebrate your local roots, embrace comfort food, and end the night on a high note. After all, the best weddings aren't just beautiful, they're the ones that leave everyone smiling, full, and already reminiscing about the incredible night they shared.
Here are some popular options you might find at a Horseshoe Bar, allowing guests to build their own version of this classic comfort-food favorite:
Base Choices
Texas toast
Thick-cut white bread
Garlic toast
Protein Options
Hamburger patty (classic)
Grilled chicken
Pulled pork
Smoked brisket
Turkey
Ham
Fried chicken
Veggie burger or grilled portobello mushrooms (vegetarian)
French Fry Options
Classic crinkle-cut fries
Shoestring fries
Waffle fries
Tater tots
Sweet potato fries
Cheese Sauce Choices
Traditional homemade cheese sauce
Sharp cheddar cheese sauce
White cheddar sauce
Spicy jalapeño cheese sauce
Beer cheese sauce
Toppings
Crispy bacon
Sautéed onions
Caramelized onions
Sautéed mushrooms
Jalapeños
Green onions
Diced tomatoes
Pickles
Chives
Sauces & Condiments
Ranch dressing
Barbecue sauce
Buffalo sauce
Hot sauce
Ketchup
Mustard
Offering a variety of proteins, fry styles, and toppings lets guests customize their own Horseshoe, making it an interactive late-night snack that's both memorable and satisfying—especially at a relaxed, pole barn chic wedding where comfort food fits the atmosphere perfectly.
But wait – you had the tempting horseshoe bar, and now you want another horseshoe before you leave town.
I understand.
Here we go with our list of top 5 places to get a horseshoe near the PBC Venue:
Top 5 Places to Get a Horseshoe Near Pole Barn Chic
When couples begin searching for the best Central Illinois wedding venues, they're often looking for more than a beautiful place to say "I do." They want an unforgettable weekend for family and friends.
That's exactly what you'll find at Pole Barn Chic in Springfield, Illinois. Nestled on a picturesque property just minutes from hotels, restaurants, and Springfield's most popular attractions, Pole Barn Chic combines rustic elegance with modern amenities to create a one-of-a-kind wedding experience. The venue accommodates celebrations from intimate gatherings to large receptions and offers indoor and outdoor ceremony options, planning support, and flexible event spaces.
One of the best ways to welcome your out-of-town guests? Introduce them to Springfield's most famous local food—the horseshoe sandwich.
What’s a horseshoe sandwich? Never heard of one? Let’s break it down: a slice of bread, meat on top of the bread, fries on top of the meat and then cheese sauce added on top.
Now, that’s not the way it was in the past. It changed format over time. In the fact the original horseshoe sandwich had two patties of meat, more of the fries and the cheese was on before the fries.
Now, in most restaurants, the horseshoe only has one slice of bread and meat and the cheese is the last to be added, so it’s on top of the fries.
Whether your guests arrive on Friday evening, spend the weekend exploring the city, or stay for Sunday brunch, these five local favorites are all within about 20 minutes of Pole Barn Chic and offer an authentic taste of Central Illinois.
1. D'Arcy's Pint – The Springfield Classic
📍 Location: 661 W. Stanford Ave., Springfield, IL
🚗 Approximately 8 miles (15–18 minutes) from Pole Barn Chic
Nothing says "Springfield horseshoe" quite like D'Arcy's Pint. For decades, this local favorite has become synonymous with the horseshoe sandwich. Their generous portions, creamy cheese sauce, and endless meat combinations have made D'Arcy's one of the city's most recognizable restaurants for both locals and visitors.
This restaurant has been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, several traveling shows and on the food network too many times to count.
This is my #1 spot for a horseshoe, but not everyone’s, but this is where I recommend people go if they are wanting to have a delicious meal that will be remembered.
Trust me, you’ll be taking a picture of your plate – even if you don’t post it.
2. The Dublin Pub – A Local Favorite
📍 Location: 1975 W. Wabash Ave., Springfield, IL
🚗 Approximately 6 miles (12–15 minutes) from Pole Barn Chic
Many Springfield residents swear by The Dublin Pub when discussing the city's best horseshoe. Known for generous portions and flavorful cheese sauce, Dublin Pub has quietly earned a loyal following among locals. It's a convenient stop for wedding guests staying on Springfield's west side before heading to Pole Barn Chic.
And, one of the really cool bonus features of picking The Dublin Pub, is you also get to decide the cheese sauce you get served: classic & traditional thick yellow cheese, or the thinner white cheese?
You don’t always get to have a choice, so this makes it really nice for guests trying their first horseshoe.
The reason why this was mentioned is due to the location and proximity to Pole Barn Chic.
It’s literally two left turns and one right -- and you’re in their parking lot.
3. Steak 'n Shake – A Quick Springfield Stop
📍 Location: 1580 W. Wabash Ave., Springfield, IL
🚗 Approximately 6 miles (12–15 minutes) from Pole Barn Chic
Did you know the Springfield Steak 'n Shake serves its own version of the famous horseshoe? For travelers looking for a quick meal between wedding festivities, it's an affordable and convenient way to experience this Central Illinois tradition.
Ok but why did Steak ‘n Shake included on this list? A couple of reasons.
Not everyone is adventurous. Some people don’t want to venture out and go to a locally known restaurant. Some people are content (or even prefer) to stick with places they’ve already been to or know have been established. Steak ‘N Shake is a trusted and known chain restaurant that is across the US.
The Steak ‘N Shakes here in the Springfield area have also added the horseshoe sandwich to their menu’s, as well. They have a distinct cheese sauce that I haven’t seen duplicated anywhere else.
4. Scoop Du Jour – Sweet Treats Worth the Short Drive
📍 Location: 95 Plummer Blvd., Chatham, IL
🚗 Approximately 5 miles (8–10 minutes) from Pole Barn Chic
After enjoying one of Springfield's famous horseshoes, satisfy your sweet tooth at Scoop Du Jour. Located just minutes from Pole Barn Chic, this local favorite serves handcrafted ice cream, specialty coffees, shakes, and desserts, making it the perfect stop before or after a wedding celebration.
And why did this one make the list? Easy – because they are the ONLY restaurant that offers an ice cream horseshoe!
See, you can get a Springfield, IL famous sandwich just about anywhere around here, but this is the only location you can get it in ice cream form!
Take advantage of the opportunity by driving around the corner from Pole Barn Chic. Fran and Shannon will be waiting for you with smiles (and donuts).
5. Krekel's Custard – Burgers, Horseshoes & Frozen Custard
📍 Location: 2121 N. Grand Ave. E., Springfield, IL
🚗 Approximately 12 miles (18–20 minutes) from Pole Barn Chic
No trip to Springfield is complete without a visit to Krekel's Custard. Famous for fresh burgers, frozen custard, and a delicious version of the Springfield horseshoe, Krekel's gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy two local favorites in one stop. Don't leave without trying one of their famous concretes or sundaes to complete your Springfield food tour. And while all of these reasons are wonderful enough, I personally like to go so that I can see the giant chicken car. Yes, it’s a car with a giant rooster head coming out of the top and a rooster tail coming out of the back trunk. Lets be honest. Even if you don’t come here for the horseshoe, you’re still going to take a picture with the giant 4 wheeled chicken.
Now, in this town everyone has a favorite location for horseshoes. And there is no real rhyme or reason to their reasoning. Usually it’s for cheese sauce, but sometimes people like steak fries instead of crinkle cut. It’s all about preference and you really can’t go wrong.
Wait --- correction. You can go wrong.
Don’t door dash a horseshoe.
This meal must be eaten fresh and hot at the restaurant of choice.
Now, where is your favorite place to get a horseshoe from?
Are you or someone you know planning a Central Illinois wedding?
If you are in the Midwest and looking for a white barn wedding (or just an awesome one) please consider the PBC Venue.
Pole Barn Chic is a locally owned Springfield, Illinois wedding venue, offering both outdoor and indoor ceremonies and receptions.
From garden weddings and spacious outdoor receptions to small quaint elopements, Pole Barn Chic is the Springfield IL wedding venue that brings it all together.
Pole Barn Chic is a beautiful Illinois hybrid wedding venue that offers the natural beauty of the outdoor country life next to mind blowing photo opportunities. This mix country meets chic Midwest wedding venue is a must for multiple reason!
To learn more about Pole Barn Chic, read our FAQs, schedule a tour, check availability and more, please visit us any of our social media sights:
On our website at: www.pbcvenue.com
On Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/polebarnchic
On Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/PoleBarnChic
On TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/illinois.weddings