Cozy Dog Drive In facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cozy Dog Drive In |
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| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1946 |
| City | Springfield |
| State | Illinois |
| Country | U.S. |
The Cozy Dog Drive In is a famous restaurant in Springfield, Illinois, USA. It is well-known for its special hot dogs on a stick, called "Cozy Dogs." This restaurant has been serving customers for many years and is a popular stop for travelers.
Contents
The Story of the Cozy Dog
How the Cozy Dog Began
The idea for the Cozy Dog started with a man named Ed Waldmire. During World War II, he sold hot dogs covered in cornmeal batter. He called them "crusty curs." These were sold to soldiers at military clubs.
When Ed came back to Springfield, his wife, Virginia, thought "crusty cur" was not a good name for everyone. So, they decided to call them "Cozy Dogs." Virginia even designed the first logo. It showed two hot dogs hugging each other.
Early Days and Growth
Ed started selling Cozy Dogs at the Illinois State Fair in 1946. They quickly became very popular. In the same year, he opened the first Cozy Dog stand outside his house.
Later, a second stand was opened. This stand eventually moved into a building. It even shared seating with a Dairy Queen restaurant. When they first started, Cozy Dogs cost only 15 cents!
The Cozy Dog Today
New Location and Service
In 1996, the Cozy Dog restaurant moved to its current spot. This new location is just a little north of where it used to be. Today, customers have many ways to enjoy their food.
You can go inside and sit down to eat. You can also order your food to take with you. There is even a drive-up window for quick service. Orders are taken at the counter, and then the food is brought out to you.
Family Business
Ed's son, Buz, and his daughter-in-law, Sue, took over running the restaurant. They leased it from Ed. After some changes in 2001, Sue became the sole owner of the restaurant. The Cozy Dog continues to be a family-run business.
A Stop on Route 66
A Famous Roadside Attraction
The Cozy Dog is a very popular place for people traveling on U.S. Route 66. This historic road stretches across the United States. Many tourists stop at the Cozy Dog as part of their journey.
The restaurant has lots of cool things to see. It is filled with items that remind people of Route 66. There is also a gift shop where you can buy souvenirs. You can find items related to Route 66 and Springfield, IL.
Connecting with Travelers
The Cozy Dog has a special guest book. Tourists from all over the world sign it when they visit. This shows how many people come to see this famous spot.
Ed and Virginia's son, Bob Waldmire, was an artist. He traveled along Route 66. He got ideas for his designs from the places he saw. He created many postcards and maps inspired by the route.
Cozy Dog in the Media
The Cozy Dog has been featured on television shows. In October 2009, it was on an episode of Man v. Food. This show aired on the Travel Channel. The Cozy Dog was one of three Springfield restaurants shown.
It was also featured in a documentary in 1999. This program was called A Hot Dog Program. It was made by WQED, a TV station.
See also
