The Complete Story
The Cozy Dog Drive In is where American fast food history was made. In 1941, Ed Waldmire Jr. was visiting his brother in Oklahoma when he saw someone making corn-battered hot dogs in a contraption like a waffle iron at a greasy spoon in Muskogee. The process took 15 minutes and the dogs came out stuck together, but Ed was intrigued.
Years later, his friend Don Strand invented a batter that would stick to hot dogs while frying. Waldmire experimented with putting them on sticks while stationed in the Air Force at a USO kitchen in Amarillo, Texas. He originally called them 'crusty curs' but when he returned to Springfield, his wife Virginia wisely suggested that wasn't appetizing. Together they chose 'Cozy Dog' and Virginia designed the iconic logo of two hot dogs in a loving embrace.
Ed sold Cozy Dogs at the Illinois State Fair in 1946 where they became an instant hit. That same year he opened a stand outside his house, and in 1949 opened the first drive-in on Route 66 South Sixth Street. The current location at 2935 S 6th Street opened in 1996. Today, grandson Josh Waldmire runs the family business, using the same secret batter recipe Ed developed nearly 80 years ago. The restaurant doubles as a Route 66 visitor center packed with memorabilia.
Surprising Facts You Didn't Know
→ The original name 'Crusty Cur' was rejected by Ed's wife Virginia as unappetizing
→ Ed Waldmire developed the corn dog on a stick while serving in the Air Force in Texas
→ The Cozy Dog logo of two embracing hot dogs was designed by Virginia Waldmire
→ Now operated by third-generation owner Josh Waldmire, who took over in 2013
→ The same secret batter recipe from 1946 is still used today
Frequently Asked Questions
Visit Cozy Dog Drive In
✓ You Can Visit Today
Address: undefined, Springfield, IL 62703
What's There Now: Still operating as a restaurant and Route 66 visitor center. Open Monday-Saturday 8am-8pm. Third-generation family owned.
GPS Coordinates: 39.7623995, -89.6488399
Photo Tip: Best photographed in early morning or late afternoon when the Illinois light brings out the building's character.
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