Cozy Dog Drive In
A Route 66 institution open since 1949 at 2935 S 6th St, Springfield, IL 62703. Ed Waldmire Jr. invented the corn dog on a stick here in the early 1940s and named it the 'Cozy Dog.' The original drive-in moved to its current building in 1996 but has operated continuously on Route 66 ever since. The walls are covered in Route 66 memorabilia and old photographs. Open Monday through Saturday 8 am to 8 pm.
Ed Waldmire Jr. developed the batter recipe for the Cozy Dog while stationed at an Army Air Corps base in Amarillo, Texas during World War II. After returning to Springfield, he and his wife Virginia settled on the name "Cozy Dog" — her idea, replacing his original working name — and she drew the logo of two hot dogs in a loving embrace that the place still uses. The drive-in opened on Route 66 in 1949, moved to its current building at 2935 S 6th St in 1996, and has run continuously on the Mother Road ever since.
Three generations of the Waldmire family have worked the counter. Josh Waldmire, Ed's grandson, took over operations in 2013 and still uses his grandfather's original batter recipe and the same cooking equipment Ed used in the 1960s. The menu beyond the signature corn dog on a stick includes burgers, Ed's homemade chili, and fresh-cut fries. The walls are covered in Route 66 memorabilia, old photographs, and Springfield keepsakes, with a gift shop carrying Route 66 merchandise. Customers can eat inside, order to-go, or use the drive-up window. The place is open Monday through Saturday; call ahead or check their site before a holiday run, as they close for several holidays throughout the year.
One of the few original Route 66 diners still family-operated and unchanged in character. The corn dog on a stick originated here. Standard first or last stop on any IL Route 66 run through Springfield.
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