Pat Bertoletti of Chicago won the title at the Cozy Dog Eating World Championship by devouring a stomach-churning 51 in 10 minutes on Saturday in Springfield, Illinois. That far outpaced the runner-up, Darrien Thomas of Toronto, who ate 37 1/2 Cozy Dogs. Jerome Burns of Danbury, Connecticut, finished third with 25. Bertoletti was considered the … Continue reading Chicagoan wins Cozy Dog Eating World Championship by devouring 51 in 10 minutes
Tag: Cozy Dog Drive-In
Competitive eaters to face off at Cozy Dog Eating World Championship
A group of the world’s top competitive eaters will gather in Springfield, Illinois, to compete at the inaugural Cozy Dog Eating World Championship at 1 p.m. on Sept. 26. The event is part of the larger Mother Road Festival, a celebration marking 100 years of Route 66. Sanctioned by Major League Eating, the contest will … Continue reading Competitive eaters to face off at Cozy Dog Eating World Championship
25-foot neon corndog erected at Route 66 Experience at Illinois State Fairgrounds
A 25-foot-long neon corndog -- condiments included -- was erected Monday at the Route 66 Experience park near the southeast entrance of the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. The big corndog serves as a salute to the landmark Cozy Dog Drive-In restaurant along Route 66 in Springfield. More from the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway: … Continue reading 25-foot neon corndog erected at Route 66 Experience at Illinois State Fairgrounds
Route 66 exhibit opening on May 23 at Illinois State Museum in Springfield
The “Miles of Memories: Stories of Route 66” exhibit at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield is scheduled to open to the public on May 23. According to the Springfield State Journal-Register, it will show "what it was like to live, work and travel along U.S. Route 66 during its peak years, drawing on personal … Continue reading Route 66 exhibit opening on May 23 at Illinois State Museum in Springfield
Oklahoma Route 66 Association’s official centennial T-shirt features Bob Waldmire artwork
The Oklahoma Route 66 Association recently announced that its 2026 Route 66 centennial T-shirt features artwork from late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire. Waldmire, a well-traveled hippie whose intricate pen-and-ink drawings were beloved by the Route 66 community, was also the inspiration for Fillmore the Volkswagen minibus in Disney-Pixar’s 2006 "Cars" film. He was also … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Association’s official centennial T-shirt features Bob Waldmire artwork
Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire featured in exhibit at Springfield gallery
The Pharmacy Gallery & Art Space in Springfield, Illinois, is featuring the work of the late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire in an exhibit through mid-December 2026. The gallery at 623 E. Adams St. is open from noon to 6 p.m. each Friday and Saturday. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. The exhibition will … Continue reading Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire featured in exhibit at Springfield gallery
Cozy Dog Drive-In earns Gold Award from county for outstanding food-safety practices
The Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield, Illinois, was one of several dining establishments that received a Gold Award for 2022 from the Sangamon County Department of Health. According to the Springfield State Journal-Register, the Route 66 landmark and other restaurants met these criteria from the health department: Being certified food manager compliant; No more than … Continue reading Cozy Dog Drive-In earns Gold Award from county for outstanding food-safety practices
New sign for Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield is a throwback to its earlier days
On Friday, Ace Sign Co. installed a new sign at the Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield, Illinois, that is a throwback to the Route 66 landmark's earlier days. The restaurant posted this photo of the sign, stating it wasn't yet completely functional but should be next week: About a week before the installation, Ace Sign … Continue reading New sign for Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield is a throwback to its earlier days
‘Archaeological dig’ scheduled in Illinois barn to find Bob Waldmire artifacts
Longtime Route 66 enthusiast Jim Conkle is scheduling a so-called "archaeological dig" at a barn in Rochester, Illinois, to find artifacts that belonged to late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire. The barn belongs to Buz Waldmire, Bob's brother. Bob also spent time there off and on during his lifetime, and he died there in 2009 … Continue reading ‘Archaeological dig’ scheduled in Illinois barn to find Bob Waldmire artifacts
New art space at Powerhouse Visitors Center in Kingman to feature Bob Waldmire
New art space at the Powerhouse Visitors Center in Kingman, Arizona, will feature the works of late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire when it opens March 14. According to a news release from the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, the art space will feature Route 66 artwork on a rotating basis. The news release … Continue reading New art space at Powerhouse Visitors Center in Kingman to feature Bob Waldmire