This Iconic Illinois Hot Dog Diner Is Part Of Route 66 History And Still Slinging Fry-Covered Dogs By The Bagful
By Linze Rice|Published June 30, 2023
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Linze Rice
Author
Ope! From the rural cornfields of DeKalb County, Linze is an Illinois native and true Midwestern gal who can make a mean bonfire and whip up a perfect marshmallow salad. Since 2014, her bylines and photography have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago/DNAinfo Chicago, Only in Your State, and more. She has interviewed Dolly Parton, written about beloved diners along historic Route 66, visited the last Rainforest Cafe in the Illinois, and reviewed luxurious English manor-inspired hotels. Whether it's writing about a local gem or world-renowned establishment, Linze brings a heartwarming and historical perspective to each story, using facts, wit, and personal experience to impress upon readers the importance of culture, food, travel, and all things local. Her favorite destinations in Illinois include Starved Rock State Park, Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, the charming small town of Sycamore, and historic Rosehill Cemetery. When she's not writing or photographing, Linze enjoys gardening, spending time with her husband and pets, cooking, baking, and grilling, and relaxing with trashy TV.
If there are two things to know about me, it’s that I love local history and hot dogs. So when I moved to a new town a few years ago and discovered an iconic hot dog stand on Rt. 66 in Cicero, Illinois, I immediately started planning a time to visit. Finding great food in Illinois is usually just a stone’s throw away (especially greasy spoon classics in the Chicago area), but this place really stands out.
Allow me to show you why!
Henry's Drive-In, 6031 Ogden Ave., is an institution along Historic Route 66, called Ogden Avenue locally.
Linze Rice
Its iconic green neon sign and hot dog statue point to the single-story brick walk-up, beckoning drivers to stop in for a quick bite. "It's a meal in itself," the sign says, making reference to the restaurant's special way of piling a heaping handful of fresh French fries on top of a fully-loaded Chicago dog.
Linze Rice
Chicago dogs consist of a hot dog on a poppyseed bun with chopped onion, pickle spear, tomato, sport peppers, celery salt, green relish, and mustard.
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Henry's is named after Bill Henry, who used to serve hot dogs out of a truck as a side gig before officially opening the roadside restaurant in 1950.
Linze Rice
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It later added the eye-catching sign to alert Rt. 66 passersby of their delicious meals, as was the style of many Rt. 66 businesses at the time. Today Henry's serves Chicago classics like hot dogs, burgers, Italian beef, tamales, Polish sausages, pizza puffs, and more.
Linze Rice
Once you park your car in the lot and take a step inside you'll immediately notice the many nods to its Rt. 66 history, including signs, old photos, and plenty of interesting memorabilia.
Once you see the Ogden Avenue sign, you know you're in the right place.
Linze Rice
Walk on up to the counter to place your order with the friendly staff. Take a peek at the storied walls while you wait, then grab a booth to sit down and enjoy your meal.
Linze Rice
I always go for a hot dog and pop, but I love substituting in a milkshake from time to time for a truly old-school lunch.
This place still slings tons of dogs each day by the paper bagful, and it's easy to see why. Coming here is always a special treat for me.
Linze Rice
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Once you unwrap your dog, you may have to search for a while to find it, as it will be smothered in an avalanche of hot, crispy fries, fresh out of the fryer. This is where the "meal in itself" comes from!
Linze Rice
Once you work your way down, you'll find your juicy all-beef dog and toppings. Each bite offers a snap, a crunch, and a stunning amount of flavor that just can't be found elsewhere — a legacy truly earned that will hopefully continue for decades to come.
Linze Rice
Yes, I put ketchup on the fries. Sue me!
So, would you slow down for a bite at this iconic hot dog stand on Rt. 66 in Cicero, Illinois? How do you take your hot dog? Have another greasy spoon stand in Illinois that you love? Tell us in the comments! In the meantime, start planning your trip by checking out the Henry’s Drive-In website and the Henry’s Drive-In Facebook page. Want to learn more about Route 66 in Illinois? Take this road trip to the most charming Route 66 towns and make sure to check out these bizarre Route 66 attractions along the way!
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