SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Along the iconic stretch of Route 66, there’s a spot where history isn’t just remembered—it’s fried to a perfect golden brown and served on a stick.
Welcome to Cozy Dog Drive In, a Springfield landmark that’s been serving up the original corn dog (or “Cozy Dog”) since the late 1940s. Step through the door, and you’re met with the scent of sizzling batter, chatter from the counter and a sense of nostalgia that’s impossible to miss.
“It was an icon! One of the first drive-ins in Springfield back in the ‘40s,” recalled Buz Waldmire, a former owner and member of the family behind the historic restaurant.
Josh Waldmire currently carries on his grandfather’s legacy, keeping the recipes—and the rhythm—exactly the same.
“When you’ve been here that long, you just kind of become a famous spot,” Josh said. “Everyone remembers it.”
The Cozy Dog story is one of family, flavor and fierce dedication to tradition. From chili spice blends mixed by hand to the same pans and spoons used for generations, nothing in the kitchen has changed. Even the rack used to fry the cozy dogs was designed by Josh’s grandfather.
“Cozy batter hasn’t changed—it’s still the same recipe,” Josh said proudly. “It’s nostalgia, but also pride knowing I can keep my grandfather’s legacy going.”
The menu, spinning road sign and bottles of ketchup and mustard on each table harken back to a time when Route 66 was booming with travelers. It’s a place where community still matters, and where everyone, from locals to tourists, finds comfort in a familiar flavor.
Longtime customer Greg Kapshandy has been coming since childhood.
“My dad delivered papers, and we’d stop here for coffee,” Kapshandy said. “It’s excellent—everything about it.”
For visitors like Becky Goodrich, it’s a bucket-list stop.
“We’re on the first leg of our Route 66 marathon,” Goodrich said. “We just wanted to try one of the original Cozy Dogs!”
For the Waldmire family, this isn’t just a business; it’s home. And for Springfield, it’s a living piece of Americana, still sizzling after more than seven decades.
“It’s difficult to express how proud I am,” Buz said while holding back tears. “I feel so fortunate to be a part of this.”
At Cozy Dog Drive In, the secret ingredient isn’t just in the batter—it’s in the people who keep coming back for another bite.
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