The Complete Story
Ernie Edwards (1917-2012), known as 'The Old Coot on Route 66,' purchased what would become the Pig Hip Restaurant in 1937 when it was called Wolf's Inn. He changed the name to Harbor Inn (because of the restaurant's wallpaper), and in 1939 renamed it the Pig Hip after his signature sandwich became wildly popular.
The Pig Hip sandwich featured fresh, uncured ham which Ernie claimed 'came only from the left hip of the pig, never the right.' The sandwich consisted of ham, tomato, and lettuce on a toasted bun with Ernie's proprietary special sauce. During World War II, when Route 66 was widened for military transport, Ernie's house was moved to Elkhart and a new restaurant was constructed in 1943 with government funds. Ernie himself served as a cook in the South Pacific and Japan during the war.
Ernie closed the restaurant in 1991 after 54 years of operation and converted the building into a Pig Hip/Route 66 museum, which he ran for 17 years. Celebrities including Arnold Palmer and President Jimmy Carter visited over the years. Tragically, the building burned down on March 5, 2007, and Ernie passed away in 2012 at age 94.
Surprising Facts You Didn't Know
→ Ernie Edwards claimed the pig hip sandwiches could ONLY be made from the left hip of the pig, never the right
→ President Jimmy Carter and Arnold Palmer both visited the restaurant/museum
→ Ernie Edwards was inducted into the Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame in 1990
→ He co-founded the Route 66 Association of Illinois alongside artist Bob Waldmire when Route 66 was decommissioned in 1985
→ The building was relocated during WWII when Route 66 was widened for military transport
Frequently Asked Questions
Visit The Pig Hip Restaurant
⚠ Historic Site
Address: 101 West Oak Street, Broadwell, IL 62634
What's There Now: The building burned down on March 5, 2007. Today, an informational plaque attached to a boulder and a restored Pig Hip sign mark the original site. Surviving artifacts from the Pig Hip are displayed at The Mill Museum on 66 in Lincoln, Illinois.
GPS Coordinates: 40.0673231, -89.4449513
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