Ed Waldmire Jr. had a vision..... In 1949, Ed made a permanent place for his hot dog wrapped in yummy battered bread. This was a dream that came to pass after selling them for 15 cents in June of 1946 at the Springfield Beach House and fair prior. Now this is a Route 66 must eat. You must try a piece of the past. While Ed was at Knox College and then after the war he was ready to give this cozy cur "prior name," before his wife called that a "no go!" Hence we have a cozy dog, much better name truly! And my goodness be ready to be blown away. It's spectacular! Make sure and get your stomach and mind together it's time to get cozy . Plus the building has changed and become even better. In 1996 the building moved to where the past has become a little less crowded . Where the Abe Lincoln motel once stood is where Cozy Dogs are now . Plus the connection to Lincoln rub his nose for good luck. The Walgreens sits next door on the corner where Cozy used to occupy. Now it's time to get your very own Cozy Dog and see all the Route 66 fun you have been missing all these days . read more

Cozy Dog Drive In - Rub Lincoln's nose for the best luck. - Hot Dogs Near Me - Springfield, Illinois

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This is the cutest place! We made the drive as we work through the Rt 66 Centennial passport & it's one of our favorite stops so far. First - the food is delicious and priced amazing! For $38 three of us got a burger, side, and drink plus ice cream cup for our dog. The burger and onion rings were amazing. They have fresh cut onions and great pickles self serve to add more if you like which I always appreciate. Note this is not a true drive in where your order is taken and brought to the car, it's dine in but we are traveling with our dog so we got our food to go and ate outside at the car. Next - the vibes! Perfect historic hole in the wall vibes. Absolutely full of history, artifacts, & even a memorial library. Also tons of Rt 66 merch! I paid 54 cents for an adorable postcard with an illustration of the Cozy Dog with history facts on it. Don't skip this spot! read more

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One of my good friends grew up nearby on a farm his grandparents owned about 2 blocks away. He told me how this pleas one of the best and only places to go after ball games or any time after school then as he got older its still one place he has lunch at every now and then. Service was quick we came after lunch and it was still busy. I easily saw 3-4 things I wanted off the menu. And also saw a few things while waiting for my order to be called up this is part of the Route 66 so there's all kinds of gifts to buy that are also cozy dog related. Tables brought back memories of my parents kitchen table the prices are fare enough and well worth it compared to chain restaurant across the street. Food 5 Pepsi products. Ambiance 5 Service 5 Location 5 small parking lot come early or a little late. Plenty of seating all around. Value 5 fun food in a unique environment. 9/2026 read more

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Happened to find this place on Google and I'm glad I stopped in. Not just for the coolness of Route 66 or because it's home of the corn dog but because they actually know how to make a mean Corndog and the homemade white sauce was as my nephew put it "oh that's fire!" read more

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I stopped in on a Tuesday, and there was no wait at all. I ordered the Cozy Dog, and it was the perfect meal for a road trip--hot, fresh, and exactly what I was looking for. The next time I'm passing through, I definitely want to try the pork tenderloin since I've heard great things about it. One of my favorite parts of the visit was the atmosphere. The walls are covered with Route 66 memorabilia, making it feel like you're stepping into a piece of American history. The staff were friendly, and everything was cooked to order, which made the meal even better. If you're traveling along Route 66 or just passing through Springfield, it's a fun stop that's well worth making. read more

Had their special - 2 Cozy Dogs with Medium Fries. The corn dogs were great. Loved the ambiance. Lived up to expectations built up as a Route 66 attraction. read more

While in Springfield, Illinois for the Mother Road Route 66 car show, we tried to do everything along Route 66 including Cozy Dog Drive In. It is a classic diner and it could be really great. Mr. Bee had the hot dog, and I chose a diner classic, grilled cheese. The hot dog was good and fine. My grilled cheese was a typical diner sandwich. It was toasted and crunchy on the outside and the cheese was perfectly melted. The onion rings were nothing special, more like frozen and fried. It was nostalgic to eat lunch here, and fun to see the memorabilia. Where it could be great, we walked up to the counter to order and the young man who took our order didn't want to be there. He was not friendly, not a smile or a thank you. The tables had not been wiped down, so we chose the least sticky one of them we could find. I expect more for places along Route 66. Make it a fun and memorable experience, and this was not that. We did have other great spots along the way. read more

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My wife and I were excited to visit Cozy Dog Drive-In on Route 66 in Springfield. There were lots of folks in the restaurant, both tourists and locals. We ordered two cozy dogs or corn dogs, two chili cheese, dogs, and a double cheeseburger. My wife really liked the corn dogs and the chili dog. I thought the corn dog was just okay. I thought the chili cheese dog was outstanding! The hamburger had a weird sort of taste that I have never experienced before. My wife picked up on that instantly. She had one bite and refused to eat any more of it. It was very strange. We enjoyed the history of the place in the story of the artist, Bob Waldmire. I purchased his Route 66 map artwork. It's a true treasure. read more

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Food was fine - diner deep fried style. Corn dogs were good and the kids liked the drink syrups you can add to your soda. I found the prices ok but hated that the fries have no salt or seasoning. I know this is just a personal preference but we just would rather have salt. read more

Delicious and affordable! Great atmosphere and service! Highly recommend. I'm not someone who even likes corn dogs and this place converted me! read more

Enjoyed Cozy Dog very much. We haven't had corn dogs in a long time. A trip down memory lane!

Decided to do a section of Route 66 and started at Cozy Dog in Springfield. It did not disappoint! The crispy finish on the Cozy Dog was perfect! Great vinegar fries and a lot of nostalgia! read more

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Iconic restaurant along Route 66. Stopped in for lunch and to try their signature Cozy dogs. Service was pretty prompt. The dogs were good, fries wet kind of mushy, could have been cooked a little longer and the onion rings were ok for frozen onion rings. The place is worth the stop just for the history, and Route 66 memorabilia. read more

Cozy Dog Drive In - Specials - Cozy Dogs - Hot Dogs Near Me - Springfield, Illinois

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Food was great. Price was fair. The place was full of nostalgia. Tokens of a time gone by were everywhere. I can't wait to go again when I'm in town. read more

Old school feel. Good food, fast service and plenty of things to look at. Worth your time.

Order at the counter and then find a seat. The food was tasty. I ordered the corn dog and a hamburger. My husband had a hamburger and fries. The food was good and the fries reminded me of the fries from the fair. Fun place to visit when traveling Route 66. H read more

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Cozy Dog has the greatest tenderloin sandwiches! The service at the drive-through is always quick, no matter how busy they are! Reasonable prices, too! read more

Heard about this place from a friend who saw it on the Food Network. We happened to be in the area, so we stopped by for a qi k bite. The corn dogs are fabulous. Served scalding hot right out of the fryer. The onion rings were also served hot and fresh, but they appear to be cooked from frozen rather than fresh. They were good even so. We ordered a small container of the cheese dip just to try it. It was on the bland side but a nice addition. Lots of fun kitsch decorating the restaurant. Get your kicks on Route 66! Would definitely recommend. Eating here if you like hotdogs. read more

The first stop in our road trip to Springfield was Cozy Dog drive in. We arrived shortly after 11, and a line formed very quickly. The space is reminiscent of a 50's era roadside diner. The was are covered in fascinating Route 66 memorabilia. The restaurant is counter service and self serve seating. Their bathrooms are exceptionally clean. We ordered a Cozy dog and fries. Pro tip: ask for well done fries. Trust me, it's better that way. The cozy dog itself was tasty. The menu boasts many items if you're craving something else. Burgers, sandwiches, soup, chili, are among some of their offerings. Come for the food, stay for the old school experience of a Route 66 classic. read more

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Cool place to see on the Route 66 drive. The fries were very good! Plenty of seating, though it seemed dirty inside. We ordered the Cozy Dog & decided we just didn't like them. Coming from Wisconsin where the corn dogs are sweeter, these were bland. read more

Cozy Dog Drive In - Cozy Dog and fries. - Hot Dogs Near Me - Springfield, Illinois

It's a classic drive-in feels. Easy to get to, and easy to leave. The food was incredible. They cook a hotdog, and put it in batter, then fry it up and serve it to you. It's awesome. The fries are handmade from scratch it pretty good. Incredible, and it is worth its own meal. The only bad thing was a red-blonde woman who kept yelling and demeaning employees behind the counter for the duration of our meal. The other employees, by the way, were excellent. This chick, however, damn near ruined the experience. When I came up with my tray to throw away garbage, she blurted at me "Are you looking for garbage?" in the same tone she was using with other employees. Y'all need to fix that s***. read more

A typical tourist spot, mediocre food, tons of stuff piled around. Find a better place, not worth the time

We loved this place when the kids were little and finally stopped again. Food was still the same. Crispy Cozy Dogs, delicious fries! Let's not forget the Route 66 Root beer, YUM!! This place is warm and nostalgic! Servers are nice and have big smiles. If you are ever in Springfield Illinois. Listen to this girl and stop! read more

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This place claims (to have) invented the corn dog - ok - let's say they did - because this place is excellent! And all their Route 66 (yes, this place is on old Route 66), makes the place a neat little place to see! The corn dog has a great tasting coating...that a bit airy in texture. The hot dog itself is a great tasting dog (they use). The fries: these are a smaller extrude fry...gets a great cook on it...and they taste good...make for a nice side dish. I've gone to place for years - and it's always delivering great mom and pop Dairy Queen favorites! read more

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For corn dog officiandos this is Mecca. But the secret are the fries. Fresh cut and flavorful. A road stop worth the trip and the interior is an awesome eclectic collection of history and Route 66! read more

Review Visit: March 11th, 2014 Possible home of the original Corn Dog? Looking a bit into the history of Cozy Dog, it seems like this place is the original inventor of the Corn Dog, or the Cozy Dog, as they call it here. More can be discovered via the Wikipedia and Website links below. Stopping in here for a bite to eat after spending all day exploring Springfield, my friends and I were treated to a diner-feeling place mixed with restaurant-vibes. The staff was friendly, the interior was fun and the place just seemed cheerful. What we all ordered escapes me, but I do remember picking up some Route 66 brand soda and that was delicious, as was the food we ordered. This is a pretty popular stop along Route 66. I remember there being quite a bit Rt. 66 merchandise for sale on the inside. So if you find yourself in Springfield or cruzing remnants of Route 66, stop by for a delicious bite to eat. I wouldn't mind revisitng the place to try the original Corn Dog, or as they call it, Cozy Dog. It's like eating a piece of history here! read more

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Exactly what you expect from a stop on Route 66. Big menu, large drink selection, and lots of memorabilia. I ordered a corn dog, tater tots and fried mushrooms. All tasted good. The breading on the fried mushrooms didn't stick to the mushrooms, but still tasted good. Next time I'll skip the tots and get the fries. The restrooms were clean. read more

Cozy Dog Drive In - Corn dog and fried mushrooms - Hot Dogs Near Me - Springfield, Illinois

I came here because it was recommended by many. Based on my personal experience, the place was super casual, which is fine, but the food was average at best. Corn dogs is what they are famous for, based on my experience: The hotdog itself in the corn dog was super soft, the bread was regular and tasted stale. Corn dog outer layer was really good. The Fries on the other hand was actually good and tasted fresh. Fried mushrooms were not bad, it was super average. Never going back, it was not worth it for me read more

The last time I went here was almost 20 years ago. I remembered it being decent, so when we returned to Springfield we returned to Cozy Dog. I don't think they've changed much in the 70+ years they've been in business, but my palette must have changed. This time around, the cozy dog had no taste. I had to salt it a little before dipping it in my preferred condiment of mustard. Thank god my 10 year old ate them with no complaints. The cheese curds were good. You should definitely stop there if you want the experience, but prepare yourself for a slightly disappointing meal. read more

Food needs help, cheese curds were the only thing that was any good, fries were ok, corndog, cheeseburger, tenderloin was pretty much left untouched. What service? Ambiance, that's a laugh...a good cleaning would make a huge improvement. The pictures shown on this post did not accurately match what we found on our stop. This was definitely a one & done. read more

We came here last year to find that they closed on Sundays. We were looking forward to coming this year. We were curious what this historical iconic diner was all about. Inside was cute with their logo and Route 66 signage. There were a couple games to put quarters in but one was broken. You order at the counter. I would suggest you research the menu first because the employee is not there to help. He seemed inconvenienced to take our order and when asked how big the hot dogs were, he answered with "regular size". We ordered a cozy dog, and a hot dog and fried mushrooms. The hot dog was not "regular size". They were out of ranch for the mushrooms. Let's just say we were not impressed with this road side attraction. The food was not good. It was nothing special and it was low quality. The hot dogs tasted like cheap hotdogs with cheap grocery store buns. They were not hot either. The mushrooms would have been the highlight, they were at least fresh- but still needed the ranch dressing that they were out of. The best item I had was the cherry coke I brought in from the car because they are a Pepsi establishment. We planned our day around eating here and feel disappointed. We have checked this off the list. If you decide to stop, do not go for tasty food. Use the bathroom, try a different item maybe or just keep going. I would say the hot dogs are probably better at the flying J gas stations. read more

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Absolutely worth a stop for a good cozy (corn) dog and fries. The batter has a hint of sweetness, and the cozy and fries were crispy and hot. Prices are very reasonable. Atmosphere is very nostalgic with Route 66 memorabilia and IL license plates hanging on the walls. Don't let a long line deter you as it moves quickly. The staff are efficient and friendly. read more

Great stop for good food and nostalgia. The people who operate/work there are super people. Recommend.

Cute place! Hubby bought a T-shirt! Food was good too! Good and friendly service. We liked the reading the story of the restaurant.

The food is simple and delicious. The price is perfect. Service was fast and friendly. If you love Rt. 66 this place is a place for you. Also, they have the best corn dogs around!!! The ambiance is clean and friendly. There is plenty of parking. read more

Cozy Dog Drive In - Eggs, sausage, hash browns. - Hot Dogs Near Me - Springfield, Illinois

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Found this place in a guide book, as the creator of the corn dog, so had to give it a try. Ordered it with fries and breaded mushrooms. The fries were probably the best part of the meal, followed by the mushrooms. The side of ranch came in a salad dressing pouch and wasn't that good. The corn dog was okay, but nothing special. Had some kind of twang to it. Glad I gave it a try, but no need to return. read more

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classic Route 66 stop filled with history is the food fancy no but it's classic food done good you have to stop at the home of the original Corn Dog read more

Cozy Dog Drive In - Hot Dogs Near Me - Springfield, Illinois

Burgers are delicious. Great environment. Don't forget the cozy dog always fresh!!! Route 66

Good food. Good service. I ordered the a hotdog and fries, and a soda. The drive thru guy was super nice. Fresh bun.

It's always fun to visit a retro restaurant with an interesting history, and this one definitely qualifies. It's a fun place with fun food--a Route 66 classic., founded in 1949 and still family-owned. They claim to have invented the original deep-fried, batter-dipped hotdog on a stick. I had to try it, even though I have never been a fan of corn dogs, and I absolutely loved it. The batter is much less thick than a corn dog and really tasty: it complements rather than overshadows the hot dog, and it is crisp and wonderful. My barbecue sandwich was also really good, as were the fries. Staff were kind and efficient. The line moved quickly, and the food came out amazingly fast. The restaurant is clean and quirky: everyone seems to pose with huge dancing hotdogs. Don't miss it. read more

Cozy Dog Drive In - Hot Dogs Near Me - Springfield, Illinois