Springfield, Missouri, is home to a unique and downright delicious culinary tradition: Springfield-style cashew chicken. With more than 50 restaurants dishing out their own versions, the city has now made it even easier (and tastier) to indulge in this deep-fried delight with the Springfield Cashew Chicken Trail, courtesy of the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau.

A Brief (and Mouthwatering) History of Springfield-Style Cashew Chicken

Cashew chicken first hit the Springfield food scene in 1963, thanks to David Leong, a Chinese immigrant on a mission to blend traditional Chinese flavors with Midwestern comfort food. The result? Perfectly crispy fried chicken smothered in a rich, savory brown sauce made with soy and oyster sauce, then topped with cashews and green onions. It was love at first bite, and today, it’s a local staple that no visit to Springfield is complete without.

Embarking on the Cashew Chicken Trail

To honor this legendary dish, the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau whipped up the Cashew Chicken Trail, a self-guided adventure featuring over 20 spots serving everything from the classic recipe to wildly creative variations. If you’re ready to eat your way through town, grab your stretchy pants and get going!

Top Stops on the Cashew Chicken Trail

• Leong’s Asian Diner – Where it all began! This legendary spot is run by the Leong family, and their cashew chicken stays true to the original 1963 recipe. You’re basically eating history (and loving every bite).
• The Chicago Cheesesteak Company – Ever wondered what happens when you mash up a cheesesteak with cashew chicken? Magic. This “Springfield” sandwich features chopped chicken tenders, gooey mozzarella, house-made cashew sauce, and crunchy cashews inside a hoagie roll.
• Lucy’s Chinese Food – A Springfield favorite for over 40 years, Lucy’s serves a thickly breaded version of the dish with a signature light brown sauce. It’s like a warm hug from your favorite takeout box.
• Canton Inn – No fancy frills here—just incredible flavor. This cozy little spot serves up cashew chicken that’s big on taste and easy on your wallet.
• Amazin Asian – If crispy chicken is your thing (and let’s be real, it totally is), this spot has you covered. Bonus: Their happy hour deal gets you cashew chicken, an eggroll or crab rangoon, and a drink for just $5.99. You might want to set a calendar reminder.
• PaChan’s Asian Kitchen – Cashew chicken on wheels? Yes, please! This beloved food truck puts a seasonal spin on the dish and is often parked at local breweries—because nothing pairs with cashew chicken quite like a craft beer.
• Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Springfield – Dinner and a movie, but make it Springfield-style. Their version features breaded chicken, oyster sauce, green onions, and cashews, served with fried rice. Now that’s blockbuster-worthy!

How to Participate in the Cashew Chicken Trail

Jumping on the trail is as easy as ordering takeout:

1. Sign up for the Cashew Chicken Trail mobile passport at springfieldmo.org/cashew.
2. Check in at participating restaurants using your phone’s GPS.
3. Rack up points and redeem them for prizes (because eating should always come with rewards).
4. Brag on social media with #SGFCashewChickenTrail—because if you didn’t post it, did it even happen?

Eat, Enjoy, Repeat

Whether you’re a lifelong cashew chicken fanatic or a newbie ready to take your first bite, the Cashew Chicken Trail is a fun (and ridiculously tasty) way to explore Springfield’s food scene. Thanks to the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, you can now eat your way through this crunchy, saucy, flavor-packed adventure—and let’s be honest, that’s the kind of trail we all want to hike.