The current owners of the Polk-A-Dot Drive-In restaurant in Braidwood, Ill., are marking their 25th anniversary along old Route 66, reported the Braidwood Journal.
The diner actually dates to 1956. But owners Judy Chinski, Dan Chinski, Cathy Dixon, and Don Dixon remodeled it extensively into its current ’50s style after they purchased it in 1987.
The diner attracts people from all over the world, out to get their kicks on Route 66.
“All the people that come from foreign countries to travel Route 66 are absolutely amazing,” Judy said. “One day in here there was a young couple from China, there was a family from Italy, and there were 31 motorcyclists and they were from Norway. They were all in here on the same day.” […]
Among some of the most memorable visitors over the years were an Australian who stripped off his shirt to reveal a tattoo of Marilyn Monroe on his chest, and a 66-year-old woman who was walking The Mother Road with her pooch. […]
Another notable group of visitors was a tour group from France, who came through on their Citroens, a French manufactured sports car. Judy said that the group had actually flown their vehicles to the United States just to drive them on Route 66. During their drive, they stopped at VFW posts throughout the country and thanked veterans for their contributions to protecting France during World War II.
“They stopped here and a lot of men from the American Legion were here, and they had a book, and it was all pictures from when they were in France in the war, and that was really, really cool,” Judy said.
The restaurant plans to celebrate the anniversary by giving away gift baskets during the Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival on May 5-6 and hosting other special events. The Polk-A-Dot also wants to open its parking lot to car clubs.
Tucked into the story is this noteworthy item:
Even with the celebration in full swing, Judy said the time has come to really plan for retirement. Judy said she and the Dixons are searching for a new owner to take over and continue to run the place as a family friendly Route 66 attraction, because they’re ready to take a much needed break.
“The next step is to find somebody to take it over and run it like we did and keep it a nice community place for people to come and eat,” Judy said. “We need to retire. It’s time. It’s time for some fresh ideas in here, some fresh faces, it’s just time to move forward.”
Anyone want to buy a prosperous diner on Route 66 near Chicago?