• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Route 66 Association of Illinois

Where The Road Begins

  • About
    • Our Mission
    • What is Preservation?
    • Officers & Board
    • Route 66 Associations
    • Additional Route 66 Sites
  • Join Us!
    • Membership
    • Your Donation Fuels Our Mission!
  • What To Do
    • Calendar
    • Museum/Hall of Fame
    • Destinations
    • Illinois Route 66 Counties
    • Map View
  • History
    • Route 66 History
    • Association History
    • Hall of Fame Members
      • Hall of Fame Nomination Process
    • Illinois Stories
    • FAQ/Trivia
  • News
    • President’s Letter – Spring 2022
    • Thanks, Don Schlosser!
    • Thank You, Bob Karls!
    • Route 66 Google Doodle!
  • Contact
    • Officers & Board
    • General Questions or Comments
    • Contact Web Administrator

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

Search

Translate this site with Google

en English
ar Arabiczh-CN Chinese (Simplified)cs Czechnl Dutchen Englishfr Frenchde Germaniw Hebrewit Italianja Japanesept Portugueseru Russianes Spanish

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; 100% of donations are allocated to preservation efforts along the Mother Road in Illinois (never to administrative or housekeeping expenses). We thank you for your generous donation toward maintaining our nostalgic slice of Americana.


The Allure of the Mother Road

Listen to Association member, Route 66 expert and author, John Weiss, describe the allure of the Mother Road. What makes Route 66 a treasure worth preserving? John explains it all.

Motor City Mad House Radio Show

Additionally, John was recently interviewed on WCPT by Richie Zie. View and listen to the show here.

Get Your Memorabilia!

Order your Waldmire-designed T-shirt and Funk’s Grove Midpoint Pin!

midpoint pin100.png

Copyright © 2023 · Log in