Illinois' Route 66 will take you back with these popular restaurants

A popular activity among motor vehicle enthusiasts is to follow Old Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica, a 2,448-mile trip back in the day. It is currently listed at 2,278 miles.

At some point, drivers are going to get hungry. Here are just a few of the restaurants in Illinois that have been around for generations.

White Fence Farm

Touting “the world’s greatest chicken,” White Fence Farm, 1376 Old Joliet Road, in Romeoville, has been serving chicken dinners since the early 1920s, even before Route 66 came into being. For more: whitefencefarm-il.com

Polk-a-Dot Drive In

The Polk-a-Dot Drive In, 222 N. Front St., in Braidwood, has been in business since 1956. It features a 1950s motif, giving the customer a taste of what life was like on the Mother Road back in the day. It offers photo opportunities with many statues of well-known characters and people.

Old Route 66 Family Restaurant

This is actually a new place, as in it was opened in 2001, long after Route 66 was decommissioned. Still, the Old Route 66 Family Restaurant, 105 S. Old Route 66, in Dwight, offers visitors a taste of the Route 66 vibe with its decor and comfort food menu.

Old Log Cabin

There aren’t too many restaurants that scream Route 66 lore like this place on the north edge of Pontiac at 18700 Historic Route 66. Opened in 1926 by Joe and Victor Seloti as the Log Cabin Inn, it started as a restaurant and gas station. Joe ran the restaurant, where he did the cooking, along with his talking crow. Victor, also known as “Babe,” managed the gas station. Joe Seloti was famous for his BBQ. It got its name because the building was constructed with telephone poles and knotty pine walls.

Cozy Dog Drive In

Although it has been in different locations over the years, the Cozy Dog Drive In has its roots in Oklahoma and Texas before becoming a staple in Springfield thanks to Ed Waldmire. A hot dog on a stick fried in a corn bread batter, it has become world famous as a corn dog. In Springfield, it was the driving force in developing a hot dog stand opened by Ed Waldmire. Waldmire’s wife suggested calling the corn dog a “cozy dog,” thus the Cozy Dog Drive In was born. The current location, 2935 S. 6th St., in Springfield, is just north of the original place. It is still a popular stop for travelers along Route 66. For more: cozydogdrivein.com

Ariston Cafe

Originally located in Carlinville, the Ariston Café was opened in 1924 by Pete Adam on Illinois Route 4. Adam relocated the Ariston Café to Litchfield five years later. In 1935, it was moved to its current location, 413 Old Route 66 North, Litchfield. It is one of the oldest restaurants along Route 66. It was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006 and is still owned by the Adam family.

The Riviera

Although it is no longer in business, it would be remiss to leave out mention of The Riviera Supper Club.

Located along Route 66 just north of Gardner, the history of this landmark restaurant includes legendary stories of some notorious characters. It was a popular place because of the booze and gambling that took place there during prohibition.

It is said that Al Capone used to like dining there. The Riviera closed in 2008, was reopened in 2009 but closed again in 2010. Later in 2010, a fire destroyed the building, but there sign that marks the Riviera’s location.

This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Illinois' Route 66 will take you back with these popular restaurants