Few People Know This Illinois Drive-In Is Home To The World’s First Corn Dog
Few people know that the world’s first corn dog as we know it was invented by the owners of a drive-in in Springfield, Illinois. These deep-fried delights are quintessentially American and iconic to state fairs and junk food alleys across the nation.
Check out the history of this delicious dish. Scroll on for more details.
The Cozy Dog Drive-In has been in its current location since 1996, but it has been an iconic part of central Illinois since 1949, and its history goes back even further than that. It is known as the home of the modern day corn dog.
A Route 66 staple, the original "cozy dogs" were actually sold on Lake Springfield. The story goes that the inventor of the world's first corn dog found a sandwich called a "corn-dog" in Oklahoma that had cornbread baked around the hot dog.
Liking the food but thinking it took too long to make, he shared the idea with fellow student at Knox College.
This fellow student later developed a batter that would stick to the hot dog while it was being quickly deep-fried. They called the completed product "crusty curs" and sold them at the Amarillo U.S.O. until 1946. It was in this year that the dogs started being sold at the Lake Springfield Beach House.
In that same year, cozy dogs were introduced at the Illinois State Fair.
Cozy Dog's first drive-in opened in 1949. It moved to a new location right next door almost 50 years later where it still serves the same great food with the same great service. If you choose to come inside, you'll find a very vintage interior with road trip decor and retro seating.
When it comes to the food, you definitely have to try the world's first corn dog. Guests also enjoy burgers, chili dogs, grilled cheeses, chicken bites, tenderloins, BBQ sandwiches, onion rings, cheese sticks, and nachos.
The restaurant also serves breakfast until 11 a.m., for which items include eggs, hash browns, French toast, pancakes, toast, and breakfast sandwiches.
Many people come to this iconic drive-in the first time for the savory treats, but you'll be pulled back in again for the sweets. This place is known for its old-fashioned cake donuts. Try them in flavors like chocolate, vanilla, cherry, and cinnamon sugar.
History, good food, and local love come together for an unforgettable experience at this marvelous joint you absolutely must try before you die. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
If you’ve ever been to this drive-in that’s responsible for the world’s first corn dog, we’d love to hear from you. Please share your experience and photos with us below in the comments.
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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.
