Fast Food Monday

Eating on the Road

We didn’t plan it this way. Really. But one of the things travelers on Route 66 think about is, well, the food. There are a number of quick bite options that the road is famous for. I think we hit most of them today.

Dogs…

First, was Henry’s Drive In in Cicero (Al Capone’s old town.) know for it’s hot dogs and fries–“It’s a meal in itself.” The lady behind the counter knew immediately that we were taste-testing Route 66, probably because we split one dog at 10:30 in the morning. But we had to try it, right? There’s a reason it’s lasted so long. Good dog, with onion, pickle, and mustard. Great, fresh, hot fries.

Burgers…

Not long after, we hit the White Castle, in Berwyn, once famous for it’s silver dollar-sized (when the US still used silver dollars) hamburgers. Essentially, they were making sliders before the world had discovered sliders. So of course, White Castle now calls it’s burgers sliders. We had the 1921 slider. It was great to stop at the first White Castle, one of the first if not the first chain fast food restaurants. But if you have to chose between Henry’s and White Castle, choose Henry’s.

Fried Chicken…

We absolutely had to stop at Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket in for fried chicken. There is a darn good reason that this restaurant has survived, despite being passed over by the freeway, and darn hard to get to. This is fine fried chicken. And the fries (yes, more fries) were excellent. By now, we were waddling. But we had to try…

Soft-Serve Ice Cream…

In Joliet, Rich & Creamy soft-serve ice cream is what’s on offer under a roof graced by the Blues Brothers. And do these people know their transient audience. In addition to a long list of confections, they offer “baby” cones: $.80 cents for a few bites so you can say you tried it. They must know that you’ve already eaten at every eatery on the Route.

Any one for dinner?

You have got to be kidding. An early night, a cup of tea, and we are done for the day.

Liz