There’s a famous fast-food sandwich that everyone in Illinois needs to try, and it can be found at our first drive-thru restaurant. Known as the first in the nation, this revolutionary joint is as vintage as they come. Check it out.

Maid-Rite sandwich shop has been a Midwest tradition for nearly 100 years. While the original building was built in Springfield in 1920, when it included the nation's first drive-thru, the restaurant was not franchised until 1926.
Google/Erich Davis
Today, there are also locations in Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Ohio.
Not much has changed in the past 100 years at this iconic fast-food joint. Prices may have gone up a bit but the items have stayed the same. The story goes that in 1926, a delivery man tasted the ground beef sandwich that Fred Angell was serving and declared that it was "made right."
Google/Anwar Azeem
From there, the Maid-Rite burger was born. It has always been a simple, loose meat sandwich with the option of ketchup, mustard, onion, and pickles. These addicting sandwiches may be the reason Americans demanded drive-thrus in the first place.
Google/Peter S
You can also get this meaty sandwich with cheese.

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If you love this ground up meat on bread, you'll love it even more on top of a bed of cheese-covered french fries. Nothing beats this classic drive-thru food.
TripAdvisor/dehtravel
This chain of unique drive-thrus is also known for its homemade root beer, which you can also get as a float. Guests also enjoy other sodas, milk, and shakes.
Facebook/Maid-Rite
The original Maid-Rite is open six days each week. Stop by Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. as well as Saturday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Facebook/Maid-Rite

Maid-Rite is located at 118 N Pasfield St., Springfield, IL 62702, and you can learn more about it on its website or Facebook page.

For more like this, check out these nine drive-in restaurants in Illinois that will make you feel nostalgic.

If you’ve ever been to American’s first drive-thru, we’d love to hear from you. Please share your experiences and photos with us below in the comments.

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