• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Route 66 Association of Illinois

Where The Road Begins

  • About
    • Our Mission
      • What is Preservation?
        • Preservation Stories
        • Preservation Projects
    • Officers and Board
    • Route 66 Associations
      • Additional Route 66 Sites
    • Contact
      • Questions or Comments
      • Contact Web Administrator
      • Submit Content for The 66 News
      • Upload An Image
      • Submit a Route 66-Related Event
  • Membership
    • Join Us!
      • Renew An Existing Membership
    • Your Donation Fuels Our Mission!
    • Member Login/Profile
      • Membership Email Update
      • Member Sign Out
    • Member Pages
  • What To Do
    • Calendar
    • Museum/Hall of Fame
    • Motor Tour Information
    • Illinois Alignments
    • Destinations
      • Map View
    • Illinois Route 66 Counties
  • History
    • Route 66 History
    • Association History
    • Illinois Stories
    • Illinois Road Maps 1917-2014 (External)
    • Hall of Fame Members
      • Hall of Fame Nomination Process
    • National Register of Historic Places on Route 66 in Illinois
    • FAQ/Trivia
  • News
    • Meramec Barn Repaint – 2025
    • Pontiac Parking
    • President’s Letter – Spring 2025
    • Memory Lane Tree Removal
    • Membership Changes
    • October Presentation
    • In Memorium
      • Kathy Miller
      • Rich Henry
      • Joy Henderson
      • Durelle F. Pritchard
    • Samantha Brown’s Places to Love
      Route 66 in Illinois
    • The 66 News Archives
  • Centennial!
    • November 11, 1926
      US Highway 66 is Established.
    • Meramec Barn Repaint – 2025
    • US Route 66 Centennial Website Launches
    • 66 Centennial Series
    • Looking For Route 66 Stories
  • Facebook

Polk-a-Dot Drive In, Braidwood, IL

As part of a series on the influential, colorful, historic people, places and things along Illinois Route 66, we present….

Polk-a-Dot Drive In

Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame Class of 2002

222 N Front St, Braidwood, IL

Polk-a-Dot Drive In Facebook page.

Here’s the story behind this historic landmark:

In 1956, a man named Chet parked a white bus with polka dots painted on it by the side of Route 66 in Braidwood. He put a kitchen in it, served food from the side windows and Braidwood had its first drive-in restaurant. As time and profit allowed, Chet erected a small building with walk-up windows, then a dining room.

Couples John and Cathy Dixon and Dan and Judy Chinski bought the business in 1972, sold it in 1978, and then bought it again in 1987. They have remodeled it extensively with neon and ‘50s decor from other area businesses. But the walk-up windows are still in use. The restaurant’s original Hamilton Beach mixer is on display. Green River floats and chili-cheese French fries remain as menu favorites. You can even order a Black Cow but you have to know the secret because the words “Black Cow” do not appear on the menu.

The Dixons and Chiniskis work side by side with their staff. They take pride that many of their young workers have made the honor roll, made valedictorian, and gone on to college. Every day this team show that a family-owned and operated business can still thrive in the day of franchises.

Since the Polk-a-Dot’s induction, they’ve welcomed Elvis and Superman statues ~2016. They’ve added a drive-up window to the establishment. The restaurant is open 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Click to read stories about the ever-growing list of Hall of Fame inductees.

Primary Sidebar

Loading…

 

Search

Upcoming Events

Jun 16
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm CDT

Berwyn Cruise Nights 2025

Jun 20
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm CDT

Lincoln Third Fridays Downtown

Jun 20
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm CDT

Route 66 Cruisers Cruises

Jun 21
June 21 - June 29

2025 Great Race

View Calendar

Translate this site with Google

Donations Fuel Our Mission!

Your donation to our Association helps support our efforts to preserve, promote, educate and enjoy Route 66 in Illinois. We are a volunteer organization and thank you for your generous donation toward maintaining our nostalgic slice of Americana. The Association is a 501(c)(3) for tax purposes.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Route 66 Association of Illinois, a 501(c)(3) charitible organization
Copyright © 2025 · Administrator Log in