Springfield, Illinois - Cozy Dog Drive In - Birthplace of Hot Dog on a Stick

Cozy Dog is the real, original, almighty home of the hot-dog-on-a-stick. The Cozy Dog (not the corndog) was invented by Buzz Waldmire. He was unfortunately ripped off, and his invention was renamed the "corndog" and was mass marketed all over the states.

If you go in there today and ask for a "corndog" you're likely to just be stared at or told "we don't sell corndogs here." This awesome eatery is still owned by the Waldmire family, but due to some bad court decisions, it might not be that way forever (it's a touchy subject). Two of my really good friends work there now, so I am there at least a couple of days a week.

Cozy Dog Drive In is located on the historic Route 66. The walls of the store tell the history of Cozy Dog and includes pictures of the rebuilding when they were forced to move down the street. There is artwork by one of the sons of the late Buzz Waldmire, Bob Waldmire. Bob has made postcard/poster maps of the entire Route 66 and some of the main locations. There is also some Buzz memorabilia, such as family photos and his book collection. Bob is planning on writing a book about his father. [Jenn, 06/16/2002]