I don't have kids, but it seems that Springfield Public Schools now have a 2-day break for Halloween. It certainly wasn't the case when I was in school here.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14lkIVphGfgL0XC1i9dIh2IMbxkcH2eh2/edit#gid=1518906390

Cashew Chef and Chinese Chef

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i3zrzyLOCw

FWIW, another positive for Hibachi is that it's never very busy. I actually went there for lunch on Mother's Day once, and there were only a few tables taken. If you went to Nakato or Hinode at the same time without a reservation, the wait would be hours long.

Someone already mentioned Lucy's, which has the worst crab rangoon that I've eaten in my life. China Star is in a very convenient location for me, but the food is pretty awful, and I've never understood how it has relatively good reviews online (4.5 on Yelp, WTF). I eat Chinese food regularly and live right by this place, but I haven't eaten there in probably 5 - 10 years because it's so much worse than other options in town.

Although I like some Japenese restaurants more than others, I don't really hate any of the ones that I've tried. Hibachi, which someone else mentioned, is probably the worst one that I've been to. However, it's cheaper than others, and I don't think it's terrible (but I haven't been there in years, so it could have gotten worse).

According to Van Holten's product locator:

Hy Vee 2150 E Sunshine 
Food 4 Less 313 E Battlefield 
Price Cutter 1260 E St Louis 
Price Cutter 3260 E Battlefield 
Price Cutter 4228 S National 
Price Cutter 2021 W Republic 
Price Cutter 712 W Commercial 
Price Cutter 1831 W Kearney 
Price Cutter 335 N Nolting 
Price Cutter 5504 N 17th in Ozark 
Murphy USA 1140 US-60 in Republic

According to Google Shopping:

Chainsmoker 2354 N National 
Puff & Stuff 1360 E Division

I seem to remember that Rosie Joe's (Ozark) had pretty good onion rings, but I haven't eaten there in many years.

I miss Ebenezer's. :(

I'm not familiar with what the laws are, but I once got kicked out of Fox & Hound at night when I was 20.

I haven't been real impressed with the clientele at that Eagle Stop either, but I go there a lot because I like to use that car wash.

https://www.brightspeed.com/c/internet/

https://i.imgur.com/hfm7f4i.png

Why do you assume they'll be instituting data caps soon?

I still haven't tried it myself yet, but a lot of people rave about Corner 21.

I really like the spring rolls at Thailand Station, but the entrees I've tried weren't very impressive. I stopped by there on my birthday just to pick up a to-go order of spring rolls.

For "cheap eats," I like the $1 carnitas tacos at Tacos El Champu on Tuesdays.

I've been eating at Chinese Chef (and now Cashew Chef) my entire life. It's my favorite in town, but I haven't tried Golden Palace. FWIW, King's Asian Chef on north Glenstone has good sweet & sour, but the cashew isn't as good as Chinese Chef/Cashew Chef. I'm not sure about the rest of their menu.