Many longtime restaurants on historic Route 66 serve up comfort food and nostalgia.
Here is a sampling to try.
Ace Drive-In, Joliet
Ace Drive-In is known for its homemade root beer, sandwiches and carhop service.
A menu is posted on the Ace Drive-In building and on the drive-in’s website.
The pork tenderloin sandwich is an Ace Drive-In customer favorite, with the double steak burger and the double cheeseburger tying for second place, according to a recent Ace Drive-In poll.
Harold & Irene Voitek opened Joliet’s Ace Drive-In in 1949 and ran the business until 1963, when it was sold to Bill and Ardie Youngren – and then sold to brothers Rich and Tom Pierson – in 1983, according to the former Ace website.
Mitch Pierson assumed day-to-day operations in 2022, according to the website.
Cruise Night is held every Thursday from June to August at Ace Drive-In, located at 1207 Plainfield Road in Joliet.
Patrons also can enjoy their meal at picnic tables on-site.
For more information, call 815-726-7741.
Henry’s Drive-In, Cicero
Although Henry’s Drive-In in Cicero has been “famous for our hot dogs since 1950,” according to its website, several signature items are popular, too.
These include a tamale on a bun with fries, a pepper and egg sandwich (scrambled eggs with sweet peppers on French bread) and gravy bread.
Henry’s Drive-In is located at 6031 Ogden Ave. in Cicero.
For more information, call 708-656-9344 or visit henrys66.com.
Hey Hot Dog
Hey Hot Dog is a family-owned restaurant that dates back to the 1950s.
The restaurant is known for its chili dogs, hot dogs, Polish sausage, homemade root beer served in frosty mugs, and homemade chili and barbecue sauces.
Hey Hot Dog is located at 601 Ruby St., Joliet.
Call 815-723-5487.
Old Log Cabin Restaurant 
The Log Cabin Restaurant and Service Station was built in 1926 from cedar telephone poles and seats 45 people, according to The Route 66 Times.
Joe and Victor “Babe” Seloti built the lunchroom and gas station when Route 4 (later Route 66) was repositioned through Pontiac, according to the Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal.
Joe Seloti was known for his “talking” pet crow and cooking beef and pork barbecue on a big spit while “Babe” filled gas tanks and fixed flats, according to the journal.
The restaurant held a 100th anniversary celebration on May 2.
Old Log Cabin Restaurant is located at 18700 Old Route 66, Pontiac.
Call 815-842-2908 or visit hcdestinations.com.
The Old Route 66 Family Restaurant 
Old Route 66 Family Restaurant is a family-owned restaurant that began in 2001 in Dwight.
This restaurant specializes in “comfort food and classic American cuisine,” is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week, and offers catering services for events.
Old Route 66 Family Restaurant is located at 105 S. Old Route 66 in Dwight.
Call 815-584-2920 or visit route66restaurant.com.
Polka-A-Dot Drive-In, Braidwood
It often features specials, such as Milkshake Monday, Half-Price Hot Dog Tuesday and weekend specials, according to its Facebook page.
The Polka-A-Dot Drive-In also has memorabilia and nostalgic decor.
The restaurant is a family-owned, 1950s-style diner, according to the venue’s Facebook page.
Polka-A-Dot Drive-In is located at 222 N. Front St. in Braidwood.
For more information, call 815-458-3377.
Rich & Creamy
Rich & Creamy is a longtime ice cream shop in Joliet.
The shop began in the 1970s when it was known as Kreamy Delite and the destination for a turtle sundae.
The actual building was constructed in 1965 and formerly served as an office, according to the Route 66 Road Map website.
“The white shack with turquoise accents features Blues Brothers statues of Jake and Elwood on the roof that pay homage to the characters’ ties to the adjacent Joliet Prison, a big Route 66 shield that says ‘Joliet Kicks on 66,’ and neon lights that adorn the building, lighting them at night,” according to the website.
Rich & Creamy is located at 920 N. Broadway St., Joliet.
Call 815-740-2899 or visit Rich & Creamy on Broadway on Facebook.
White Fence Farm
White Fence Farm bills itself as serving the “World’s Greatest Chicken.”
Its 11 dining rooms at its original Romeoville location hold 1,000 people, and White Fence Farm sells an average of 8,000 chicken dinners each week, according to the restaurant’s website.
Robert and Doris Hastert started the family-owned restaurant in 1954, which their granddaughter Laura Hastert currently owns, according to the website.
When the Hasterts bought White Fence Farm, they brought their chicken and corn fritter recipes with them from their restaurant in Aurora.
Although White Fence Farm has carryout locations in Romeoville, Joliet, Downers Grove and Riverside, the Romeoville location is the original and holds a federal trademark on its name.
The original White Fence Farm is located at 1376 Joliet Road, Romeoville.
Call 630-739-1720 or visit whitefencefarm-il.com.
Dining and Cooking