Visit The Gemini Giant On Route 66 At The Launching Pad, A Newly Reopened Restaurant In Illinois
By Elizabeth Crozier|Published June 30, 2020
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Elizabeth Crozier
Author
An Illinois transplant who grew up and went to school in Indiana for 22 years, Elizabeth holds a BFA in creative writing and has enjoyed traveling across the country and parts of Europe. She has visited half of the states, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and regularly travels home to the Hoosier State to see friends and family. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeth’s articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals.
Come view the Gemini Giant. Situated outside of an iconic restaurant in northeast Illinois, this unique statue is a Route 66 roadside attraction that belongs on every Illinoisans’ bucket list. Whether to see this unique monument or to grab a tasty meal, it is worth a trip from any corner of the state to visit this place. Check it out:
Originally established in 1965, The Launching Pad recently underwent a two-year restoration and has reopened under new ownership. It is still the same incredible Route 66 diner it has always been but now includes a museum and gift shop.
The restaurant is best known for the roadside attraction that sits outside of it. Known as the Gemini Giant, it is one of the infamous "Muffler Man" statues that was built to represent Paul Bunyan.
This particular monument is one of the only remaining statues of its kind and it has a space theme. Rather than wearing plaid and holding an ax, the Gemini Giant holds a model spaceship and wears a green jumpsuit.
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The interior of The Launching Pad is old-fashioned and will remind you of a classic diner. Booth and counter seating is most abundant.
Menu items include burgers, hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, meatball subs, fresh pretzels with cheese, nachos, pulled pork sandwiches, chicken and turkey sandwiches, and so much more.
The Chicago-style eats are the most popular. Hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches are dressed with pickled sweet peppers and other classic toppings that are iconic to the region.
Locals don't have to travel all the way to the city to enjoy these classic meals. Situated on the south side of Chicagoland, the restaurant serves those who live south of the Illinois River.
For more details about The Launching Pad, check out its website or Facebook page. If you’ve ever seen the Gemini Giant, we’d love to hear from you. Please share your experiences and photos with us below in the comments.
