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Polk-a-Dot Drive In

Diner & restaurant
In Braidwood, Illinois
On Route 66

Directions OpenStreetMap

The Polk-a-Dot Drive In is a 1950s-style diner in Braidwood, IL, on the old Route 66 through town. It began in 1956, when Chester "Chet" Fife started taking food orders from a school bus painted in rainbow polka dots, and it has been feeding travelers ever since. Today it is a retro diner known for burgers, hot dogs, malts and chili cheese fries.

What is Polk-a-Dot Drive In?

A roadside diner dressed in 1950s style, standing on Front Street, the old highway through Braidwood. It serves classic drive-in food: burgers, hot dogs, fries and malts.

Visiting Polk-a-Dot Drive In: tips

It makes a natural lunch stop on the first day out of Chicago, between Joliet and Pontiac. The Gemini Giant in Wilmington is about 5 miles back up the road.

Practical info

Address: 222 N Front St, Braidwood, IL 60408
Phone: +1 815-458-3377
Hours: Daily 11 am–8 pm
On site & nearby

Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix

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Stops near Polk-a-Dot Drive In

All of Illinois

Eagle Hotel in Wilmington, IL

Eagle Hotel

Wilmington, Illinois · on Route 66

An 1838 hotel building in Wilmington, a short walk from the Gemini Giant.

Historic hotelPhoto credit

4.4 mi from Polk-a-Dot Drive In

Small–Towle House in Wilmington, IL

Small–Towle House

Wilmington, Illinois · 0.1 mi from Route 66

An 1864 Wilmington house once sold for a single dollar, a short walk from the Gemini Giant.

Historic buildingPhoto credit

4.7 mi from Polk-a-Dot Drive In

Gemini Giant in Wilmington, IL

Gemini Giant

Wilmington, Illinois · on Route 66

A fiberglass astronaut holding a rocket, standing beside Route 66 in Wilmington.

Art & landmarksPhoto credit

4.8 mi from Polk-a-Dot Drive In

Mazonia/Braidwood State Fish and Wildlife Area

Mazonia, Illinois · 0.9 mi from Route 66

A 1,017-acre state fish and wildlife area in Grundy County, a quiet side trip south of Joliet.

5.6 mi from Polk-a-Dot Drive In

Tracy

Tracy, Illinois · 3.6 mi from Route 66

A lost coal-mining town in Kankakee County that emptied out when its coal ran out around 1900.

6.7 mi from Polk-a-Dot Drive In

White and Company's Goose Lake Tile Works near Joliet, IL

White and Company's Goose Lake Tile Works

Joliet, Illinois · 7.8 mi from Route 66

The site of an 1850s tile works in Goose Lake Prairie, an early try at making farm drainage tile.

ArchaeologyPhoto credit

7.9 mi from Polk-a-Dot Drive In

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