Riviera Road House

The December 15, 2008, Herald News had an article by Kim Smith about the closing of the Riviera in Gardner, Illinois. I had known about it much earlier after reading about it in the Route 66 News, your place for up-to-date Route 66 information.

It will close Jan. 2nd after being owned and operated by Bob and Peggy Kraft for 36 years. Bob says he has lost count of how many times he's said "There is food here" after it comes down the dumbwaiter behind the bar from the upstairs kitchen. The bar and restaurant are located in the basement.

The place originally opened during Prohibition in 1928 with the legitimate restaurant upstairs and a secret bar downstairs. Legend has it that Al Capone and brother Ralph were regular visitors because of alcohol stills in Kankakee County. Tom Mix and Gene Kelly also were regulars.

James Girot was the original owner and once had a gas station. In the 1930s there was also a park and a zoo as well as campground.

The Krafts bought the place in 1972, after reading about it in the Chicago Tribune and were only the second owners in its history.

We'd been there on several occasions and have talked with both Bob and Peggy. Bob used to hold court behind the bar and could spin some great stories like why he is the luckiest man in the world. One time, I remember Peggy, after learning we were first-time visitors, went upstairs and got Bob to come down after he was done working for the night. Then, we had some of her great spaghetti. I also liked their home-made salad dressing.

More to Come. --RoadDog