Tucked along the historic path of Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, The Cozy Diner—more famously known today as the Cozy Dog Drive In—is a cherished institution that has served travelers, locals, and nostalgia-seekers for over 75 years. With deep roots in the mythology of the Mother Road and a lasting connection to the legendary Waldmire family, this humble roadside stop has become more than a restaurant—it’s a symbol of Americana, mid-century innovation, and Route 66 culture.
The History of the Corn Dog:
How Ed Waldmire’s Cozy Dog Became an American Classic
The corn dog is one of America’s most beloved comfort foods—simple, delicious, and deeply nostalgic. But behind this deep-fried icon lies a fascinating history rooted in post-war innovation, family tradition, and Route 66 charm. Known in its earliest commercial form as the Cozy Dog, the modern corn dog was introduced to the world in Springfield, Illinois by Ed Waldmire in 1946. His creation not only changed American fair food forever but also became a legendary stop on the Mother Road.
The Invention of the Cozy Dog
Wartime Inspiration
The story begins with Ed Waldmire Jr., a Springfield native who served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. While stationed in Amarillo, Texas, Ed came across a fellow soldier who was experimenting with hot dogs dipped in cornmeal batter and fried. Inspired by the idea, Ed envisioned a convenient and flavorful food-on-a-stick that could be quickly prepared and enjoyed on the go—perfect for the fast-paced, post-war American lifestyle.
Upon returning home in 1946, Ed set out to perfect the recipe with the help of his wife Virginia. The couple developed a proprietary batter and figured out a reliable cooking process. But Ed didn’t stop at just making them—he also created the name, marketing strategy, and even a whimsical logo for what he dubbed the “Cozy Dog.”
The Cozy Dog Corn Dog.
From Springfield to the Mother Road
A Route 66 Origin Story
The Cozy Diner began as a simple idea that would forever change the way Americans enjoy a hot dog.
In 1946, Ed Waldmire, a U.S. Army veteran, returned to Springfield with an idea sparked during his service: a hot dog on a stick, dipped in cornmeal batter, and deep fried. Working with a friend in Oklahoma who had a similar idea, Ed refined the recipe and began selling what he called the “Cozy Dog”—a creation that predates the modern “corn dog” by a few years.
The Cozy Dog Drive In Circa 1950s. Credit: 66postcards.com
The Cozy Dog was first served at the Lake Springfield Beach House before moving into a series of brick-and-mortar locations. Eventually, Ed and his wife Virginia opened the Cozy Dog Drive In on Route 66 in 1949, right on South Sixth Street (Business Loop I-55), which was part of Route 66 at the time.
The Cozy Dog Story
The original Dog-On-A-Stick idea was conceived in 1945, when Ed stopped at a roadside cafe in Muskogee, Oklahoma for a bite. What he ordered — & carefully observed the preparation of — was a row of 3 weiners laid down in a hot iron, covered with a batter, & closed up to cook. The only problem was the lengthy span of time it took. So Ed started brainstorming. He know if a batter-coated weiner was submerged in hot oil, it would cook rapidly.
So when Ed arrived for duty at the Army Air Field in Amarillo, Texas, he began experimenting. He served the prototypes on cocktail forks, in the base mess hall, & they were an instant hit.
Arriving back in Springfield after his discharge, Ed set about solving the problems with his new idea, engineering a rack that would clamp a flat stick. The impaled weiner could then be dipped & coated in batter, then the rack (ultimately designed to clamp 3 “dogs”) set into a fryer – with the dogs submersed just up to the base of the stick.
Ed’s original racks featured the ingenious use of clothespins. He successively refined the design, until arriving at the present design.
The Cozy Dog was first introduced at the Lake Springfield Beach House on June 16, 1946. It was a hit.
Encouraged by the response, Ed and Virginia began selling Cozy Dogs at the Illinois State Fair and a series of diners, eventually opening a permanent location on South Sixth Street in Springfield, Illinois—a road that happened to be part of the original Route 66 alignment.
Early Location of Cozy Dog Diner in Springfield, Illinois. Credit: 66postcards.com
In 1949, the couple officially opened the Cozy Dog Drive In, where travelers along Route 66 could grab a quick, hot, hand-dipped Cozy Dog. The drive-in concept and Route 66 location made it immensely popular with motorists during the booming era of American car culture.
The interior of the Cozy Diner is fully decorated with Route 66 souvenirs and nostalgic artifacts. The picture below is of the condiments counter inside The Cozy Dog Diner in May, 2018.
Why It Mattered on Route 66
Route 66 was the beating heart of American road travel, and the Cozy Dog Drive In became a natural stop. With its fast service, iconic hot dog, and warm hospitality, it appealed to travelers looking for a quick, delicious bite during their journey from Chicago to California.
As the highway brought in guests from all over the nation and world, the Cozy Dog became a mid-century icon, symbolizing both the quirky charm and efficient dining experience that Route 66 eateries were known for.
The legacy of the Cozy Diner is inseparable from the Waldmire family, especially Bob Waldmire, Ed’s son.
Bob was an artist, environmentalist, and traveling spirit whose work immortalized Route 66 in hand-drawn maps, postcards, murals, and travel literature. Though he chose a different path than his father’s food business, Bob carried the torch of Route 66 preservation, often living and working out of his converted 1972 Volkswagen Microbus or vintage school bus. He became one of the most iconic figures on Route 66, known for his quirky lifestyle, ecological consciousness, and love for the Mother Road.
Though he passed away in 2009, Bob Waldmire remains a folk hero of Route 66, and many of his artworks are still sold and displayed at the Cozy Dog Drive In.
What It’s Like Today
Today, the Cozy Dog Drive In still thrives at 2935 South Sixth Street, Springfield, IL, offering the same hand-dipped Cozy Dogs that made it famous. The diner has retained its classic charm—complete with a retro interior, Route 66 memorabilia, and an old-school menu that hasn’t changed much since the mid-20th century.
The Cozy Dog Diner on Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois. Circa 2018. Credit: Ben Anderson – www.Route66TravelInfo.com
Order Counter Inside the Cozy Dog Diner, on Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois. Credit: Ben Anderson – www.Route66TravelInfo.com
Condiments Area Inside the Cozy Dog Diner, on Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois. Credit: Ben Anderson – www.Route66TravelInfo.com
Visitors today can enjoy:
Hand-dipped Cozy Dogs, still made from the original Waldmire recipe.
A variety of burgers, fries, and milkshakes in a vintage setting.
Walls filled with Route 66 artifacts, photos, and Bob Waldmire’s original artwork.
A gift shop with postcards, shirts, and Route 66 souvenirs—many featuring Bob’s designs.
The diner is a must-stop location for Route 66 travelers and road trip enthusiasts. It feels like stepping into a living museum of mid-century American road culture.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
The Cozy Dog Drive In is not just a Springfield landmark—it’s an enduring symbol of the golden age of American travel. It’s a place where the Waldmire family’s creativity and passion for Route 66 live on.
With Springfield already rich in Abraham Lincoln history, the Cozy Dog adds another cultural layer—one that honors the blue-collar ingenuity and independent spirit that made Route 66 more than just a road, but a destination.
Whether you’re following the ribbon of Route 66 or making a quick stop in central Illinois, The Cozy Diner offers a flavorful and nostalgic slice of Americana—served hot, hand-dipped, and with a side of history.
Ben Anderson is a retired "baby boomer". After spending 37 years in education and as a small business owner, I'm now spending all of my time with family and grand kids and with my wife, Fran, seeing as much of the USA that I can one road trip at a time.
