Fried Chicken Po' Boy at Merichka's

Okay, here's one that I don't think is right on Route 66, but close to it.  And, here the fried chicken comes in a po' boy.

MERICHKA'S 604 Theodore Street, Crest Hill, Illinois.

In Crest Hill, near Joliet and a very popular local site.  They have been in business since 1933 and are known for their po' boys which also are made with chicken.  They are family-owned-and-operated and take great pride in using Chicago USDA and quality hand-cut meats, from the famed chicken to the freshly hand ground hamburger.

Merichka's is incredibly authentic and has an interior of the quintessential supper club, boasting dark rich paneling, red-checkered tablecloths and a generously-sized bar where you can order a libation or two before your meal.

Menu items include great steak and chops, as well as an extensive seafood selection.  And, then there is the fan-favorite Garlic Butterine that can be added to just about every item on the menu, enhancing the flavor of nearly any classic dish.

A 6 ounce Poor boy steak costs $13.95 and 6 ounce poor boy chicken $12.55.

Stop in and try some exciting fried chicken at this icon of Old Route 66.  They also have a neat old sign.

--RoadChicken

About That First Hundred Miles of Route 66 in Illinois

From same source as last three posts.

The First Hundred Miles is a comprehensive tourism brand, linking the communities between Chicago and Pontiac in Illinois.  At TheFirstHundredMiles.com, you'll find feature articles dedicated to noteworthy attractions, lists of fan favorite restaurants, inspiring photo galleries and comprehensive business listings.  

You'll also find convenient maps and pre-built road-trip iteneraries, directing you to popular boutique shops, sprawling nature preserves and delicious dining destinations.

**********************

MY OBSERVATIONS

Downtown Chicago, the beginning point of Route 66 in Illinois has its attractions, including the Sears Tower (I don't call it by the other name), Union Station and, of course, Lou Mitchell's.  However, from there it goes through a rather dangerous area and suburban sprawl has really wiped out most of the rest of it until you get to Joliet.

--RoadHundred

Roadside Attractions on Illinois Route 66's First Hundred Miles

From the February 12, 2022, Northwest (McHenry County, Illinois) Herald "Discover roadside attractions along old Route 66" by Ryan Searl.

JOLIET AREA HISTORICAL MUSEUM AND ROUTE 66 WELCOME CENTER

204 N. Ottawa Street, Joliet.

Life-size statues of the Blues Brothers -- "Joliet" Jake and Elwood Blues -- are photo-ready at the Joliet Historical Museum's interpretive Route 66 Welcome Center kiosk.

While there, you can climb into the white, drop-top convertible in the drive-in display, a photo-worthy exhibit complete with classic carhop and Route 66 signage.

Don't forget to visit the gift shop and load up on a great selection of Route 66 memorabilia.

--RoadDog

Along66, March 2023: How About That Illinois Route 66!!

I take these from the Route 66 News site.  I just pick the entries of most interest to me.  But, this site has new content every day and covers the whole road.  It also includes pictures, video and more information.  I strongly recommend it for any of you who are into the Mother Road.

MARCH 2

A new Route 66-themed mural will be unveiled at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, Illinois.  It has ten panels and stretches 40 feet long.  It will be displayed on the left side of the entrance.

And, as I have said before, along with neon and museums, you can never have too many murals.

MARCH 3

The American Giants Museum is planned for Atlanta, Illinois.  It will be an effort of Mr. Muffler man, Joe Baker.  The museum will be almost directly across from Atlanta's muffler man, the Bunyan Giant.

Now, if we could just get that smiley face off the water tower, things will be fine in Atlanta.

--RoadDog

Along66, Feb. 3023: Using the Negro Green Book and 100th Anniversary of the Rialto Square Theatre

FEBRUARY 10

The Illinois Holocaust Museum is hosting a Negro Green Book exhibition.

It is located in Skokie.

Of real interest is an interactive driving tour from the 1940s and 1950s.  On one you use the Green Book and you can also make the same drive where you don't have to use the Green Book.  In other words, you are White, not Black on the second one.

It was too bad that Blacks had to even use the Green Book, but that was the way it was back then.

FEBRUARY 12

The Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, Illinois, will soon have a 40-foot long mural featuring tself and Route 66.  Both the theatre and Route 66 are celebrating their centennials in 2026.

The mural was made with an $85,000 grant.

--RoadDog

'Gigantar' Cruised Thru Central Illinois Route 66 Towns

From the January 16, 2023, Bloomington, Illinois, Pantagraph by Allison  Petty.

A giant guitar made its way through  several Illinois communities  on its way to the  under-construction  Illinois Rock & Roll Museum in Joliet.

It is aptly named "Gigantar" and created by artist Shannon MacDonald and is 24 feet high and weighs 1,600 pounds according to Ron Romero, founder and  executive director of the  Joliet Museum which is slated to open later this year.

This gargantuan instrument has been making its way from where it was made in New Jersey and along the way made stops in Illinois Route 66 communities, including  Lincoln, Atlanta,  Bloomington, Normal, Lexington and Pontiac.

A celebratory "Gigantar" lighting ceremony is planned for  5 pm, Friday, January 20, at the museum located at 9 Cass Street, in Joliet.  Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick is among the musicians expected to be there.

I'm sure looking forward to this museum as it brings together two of my big loves, music and Route 66.

--RoadGantar

Along66, August 2022: Joliet Ups Its Route 66 Effort

AUGUST 4

Joliet clarifies what it will do with the nearly half million dollars it is getting for Route 66.

Joliet, Illinois, says it will beef up its Route 66 attractions for the Mother Road's upcoming centennial in 1926.  The city council loaned $484,500 to the Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Center.

Among specifics:

**  A revamped Route 66 Welcome Center

**  New exhibit at the Joliet Area Historical Museum

**  Mural on the Rialto Square Theatre

**  Two new Route 66 sculptures

--RoadDog

Blues Brothers All Over Joliet This Weekend-- Part 3

On Saturday, fans will get the gospel side of things when a gospel music service will be followed by music from Mondo Cortez & the Chicago Blues Angels and then Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials.

Local gospel groups Will Terry & Sounds of Joy, Chrysann Moore and the Lewis University Gospel Choir will perform after an ecumenical church service.  A free open-to-the-public screening of the "Blues Brothers" will conclude the festivities Saturday night.

Said Jim Belushi, "This movie brought great joy.  It's great music.  It's mischievous and fun."

"And, it's a mission from God to deliver spititual awakening, bringing everyone to the light with joy of the music that was born and bred in gospel."

The Blues Brothers Band headlines Friday night with Dan Aykroyd reprising his role as Elwood Blues and Jim Belushi channeling his late brother John as "Joliet" Jake.

"We're gonna do a full 90-minute Blues Brothers show -- me and Danny kicking it with a 10-piece band, three horns, two guitars, a B-3 organ, three backup singers, harmonica players," Belushi said.  "Danny plays harmonies, I play harmonica.  ...And the great news is Curtis Salgado is playing before us."

A Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight.  --RoadJake

Blues Brothers All Over Joliet This Weekend (Well, at the Prison Anyway)-- Part 2

The whole Blues Brothers Con is being hosted by the Joliet Area Historical Museum.

Today, you can hear the sounds of Toronzo Cannon and Curtis Salgado.  (I am listening to Curtis Salgado right now on You Tube.  How'd I ever miss him?  Some great blues and reminds me of St. Paul & the Broken Bones.  And, he has a definite connection to the movie "Blues Brothers" as the film's character "Curtis," played by Cab Calloway, is named after him.  

Other convention attractions will be a vintage car show featuring the Chicago Bluesmobile, Mount Prospect's Pre-Bluesmobile, vintage Chicago police cars and Illinois State vehicles from the film era (1980), Blues Brothers merchandise, live country and western music from Bob's Country Bunker Beer Garden (hopefully with a chicken wire cage and please remember they have both kinds of music: country and western.)

Also, food at the Maxwell Street Market pop-up.  And art demonstrations and repurposed artwork from the damaged areas of the Joliet Prison.

Plus, today, the Blues Brothers band will play a 90 minute set, starring Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belshi as well as original band members Thomas "Bones" Malone and Steve Cropper

--RoadBlues

Blues Brothers All Over Joliet This Weekend-- Part 1: 'They're Baaaack and On a Mission from ?'

From the August 18, 2022, Chicago Tribune "Jum Belushi fully prepped for return as 'Joliet' Jake" by Darcel Rockett.

The inaugural Blues Brothers Con is just a few hours away now.  Are you ready to "Shake a Tailfeather," get that old-time religion or find out why there is chicken wire on the stage at Bob's Country Bunker?

If so, you need to be in Joliet, just a bit off good old Route 66.  In a world where comic books, TV shows and movies get their conventions, the 1980s movie "Blues Brothers" finally gets its own.

I have already written about it in this blog, but here is some more on it.  It will take place at the Old Joliet Prison on August 19 and 20.   Of course, this place also served as the introduction of the movie where Joliet Jake (John Belushi) is walking the corridor and meets brother Dan Aykroyd in the Bluesmobile outside.

I must admit that "Blues Brothers" is my second all-time favorite film after "Animal House."

--RoadBrother

Looking for Craft Beer on Illinois Route 66-- Part 3: McGrain Brewing, Elder Brewing and Route 66 Old School Brewing

**  McGRAIN BREWING COMPANY, Joliet

50 East Jefferson Street,#106

In Joliet's historic downtown in the old train station turned brewpub with a breathtaking, turn-of-the-century facade.  Names of some of the brews reflect Joliet's history.  

13 craft beers on tap at any given time.  A full menu as well.

**  ELDER BREWING COMPANY, Joliet

218 Cass St,

Featuring over 14 on-tap selections as well as some canned beer.  Popcorn's always free and food available from nearby restaurants.

**  ROUTE 66 OLD SCHOOL BREWING, Wilmington

110 Bridge Street

Hey, we even like the name.  Run by a solver medal master brewer.  12-tap beers.

--RoadBrew

Along66, July 2022: The Blues Brothers at Joliet Prison August 19 and 20

JULY 6

Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi to perform next month at the Old Joliet Prison in Joliet, Illinois.  The proceeds will benefit the Joliet Area Historical Museum.

It will be a two-day event, August 19 and 20.

There will be a free screening of the movie "Blues Brothers" where, of course Jake was incarcerated before his release in the opening of the movie.  (My second all-time favorite movie after "Animal House.")

There will also be other entertainment and food.

Dan Aykroyd was an original Blues Brother.  Other Blues Brother experiences which will be offered are  Maxwell Street and Bob's Country Bunker, derived from the movie.  Also a religious service at the Triple Rock Baptist Church.

Also, a Bluesmobile car show.

Organizers would like attendees to dress up Blues Brothers fashion.

$60 for a two-day pass for adults, $20 for children.

The prison's historic walls were built in 1858 and it closed in 2004.

Sounds Like a Great Time.  --RoadBrother

2021 Endangered Illinois Sites-- Part 4: Scott Foresman, Havana, Joliet, Green Book

**  SCOTT FORESMAN HEADQUARTERS, Glenview.

Midcentury  modern design, built 1966 for the textbook publishing business.

**  HAVANA WATER TOWER,  Havana.  

Vuilt 1889.  It needs extensive work,top to bottom.

**  JOLIET STEEL MILL MAIN OFFICE, Joliet

139-year-old building has been very neglected

**  GREEN BOOK SITES

Already discussed.

How Many Green Book Sites Remain?  --RoadDog

Along66, June, 2022: The Will Rogers Museum and 'The World's Ugliest Court House'

JUNE 9

The Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma, is to undergo a $14 million expansion and renovation.  It opened in 1938 and this is the first time major work has been done on it since then.

There will be new exhibits including one featuring movie posetrs from the 1920s and 1930s, including some of Will Rogers' films.

They want to have it all done by 2026, the 100th anniversary of you-know-what.

It is about a mile off Route 66.

Like I Said Before, You Can Always Use More Museums and Neon.

**********************************

JUNE 14

"The World's Ugliest Court House" is on Route 66 in Joliet, Illinois, and has been placed on Landmarks Illinois' Endangered List.

The Will County Court House is located on the southbound lanes of an alignment of Route 66.

It was built in 1969 and is in danger of demolition since the county is not showing any interest in it these days.

The original 1887 court house was torn down when they built this one.

It sure is an ugly structure, though.

--RoadDog

Illinois' 25 Biggest Cities Today-- Part 2: Aurora, Springfield, Waukegan

Continuing with the 25 largest Illinois cities in 2022.'

12.  Bloomington    (77,725)

11.  Cicero    (81,471)

10.  Waukegan    (81,157)

9.  Champaign     (88,288)

8.  Elgin    (112,062)

7.  Peoria     (112,644)

6.  Springfield     (115,075)

5.  Joliet     (147,323)

4.  Rockford    (147,441)

3.  Naperville    (147,734)

2.  Aurora    (199,326)

1.  Chicago    (2,699,347)

--RoadNumbers

Illinois' Biggest Cities in 1870-- Part 1: Galena, Joliet, East St. Louis

From May 23, 2022, Stacker "Biggest cities in Illinois 150 years ago."

The largest city in Illinois ranked as #5 largest in the U.S. in 1870.  Of the 100 largest cities in the country,  four were in Illinois.

#25  Monmouth:  4,662

#24.  Mattoon:   4,976

#23.  Kankakee:   5,189

#22.   Elgin:  5,441  (#451 nationwide)

#21.  La Salle:  5,452

#20.  East St. Louis:  5,644

#19.  Pekin:  5,696

#18.  Moline:  5,754

#17.  Cairo:  6,267

#16.  Galena:  7,019  (#298 nationwide)

#15.  Joliet:  7,236  (#284 nationwide)

#14.  Ottawa:  7,736

#13.  Freeport:  7,889

--RoadDog

Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66 to Hold Its 2nd Hall of Fame Induction

From April 22, 2022 WJOL 1340 AM.

The second annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, June 5 at the Rialto Square Theatre in downtown Joliet, Illinois.

Artists scheduled to attend are REO Speedwagon's Joe Cronin, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame last year.  He will be providing a special induction and performance  in tribute to Gary Loizzo of  the American Breed and Pumpkin  Studios.

Also scheduled to appear is Dennis DeYoung from Styx, Jim Peterik from the Ides of March and Survivor,  the New Colony Six and many more.

The Class of 2022 artists or bands are Styx, Chuck Berry, Sam Cooke, Dan Fogelberg and the New Colony Six.  The legendary John  Records Landecker joins the DJ category, WXRT FM in the radio category and Gary Loizzo in the  recording studio one.  Mercury Records , founded in Chicago in 1945, enters in the Record Label Category.

Sounds Like a Fun Time.  --RoadCago

Hey, Route 66ers!! Five of the Sixteen Remaining Teams in the Illinois State High School Football Playoffs are on the Mother Road

Five out of sixteen teams, not too bad at all.

Playing today. we have Wilmington, the Home of the Gemini Giant playing for the Class 2A Championship at 1 pm.

Then, we have two teams on 66 playing for the Class 4A Championship, Joliet Catholic in Joliet, home of the Rialto Square Theatre and Springfield's Sacred Heart-Griffin.  Of course, Springfield is the home of Cozy Dog.

*****************************

Tomorrow at 1 pm, we have East St. Louis and the nearby Cahokia Mounds.  They are Class 6A.

Then at 4, we have Chicago's St. Rita playing for Class 7A's Championship.  Home of famed  Lou Mitchell's.

When I have my Route 66 vs. Lincoln Highway, I do not include Chicago teams.

--RoadDog

Along 66, August 2021: Illinois Rock and Roll Museum's First Hall of Fame Class Induction Tuesday, August 31at Joliet's Rialto Square Theatre

AUGUST 18 Route 66 News Blog.

I am skipping ahead through the month of July and early August for this one because in my nooks this is a huge event and one that I would sure like to be at, but sadly, not.

This event was canceled last year because of you-know-what.

The Inaugural Class:

Buddy Guy

Chicago

Cheap Trick

REO Speedwagon

Muddy Waters

Buckinghams

Ides of March

RADIO STATIONS

WLS-AM

DEEJAYS

Dick Biondi

Larry Lujack

Confirmed onstage performers: REO Speedwagon, Ides of March,  Millennials and Jimmy Sohns of the Shadows of Knight.

This is the perfect public performance at the Rialto since the virus hit.

--RoadDog

Along 66, June 2021: Rockwood Motor Court and the Illinois Rock and Roll Museum

JUNE 13

Rockwood Motor Court in Springfield, Missouri sees an 895% increase in business from a year ago.  It is located at 2200 W. College Street (Route 66).  

It was reopened in January 2020 by Phyllis Ferguson.  It was built in 1929 and has six cabins with the trademark Ozark sandstone giraffe rock exteriors.

Of course, then came the you-know-what.  Hope the virus resurgence in Missouri is hurting her now.  I know it is keeping us out of that state.

JUNE 13

The Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet will hold its first induction class on August 31 at the Rialto Theatre.  The original one was cancelled back in 2020 because of you-know-what.

First inductees include: REO Speedwagon, Buddy Guy, Chicago, Mussy Waters, Buckinghams, Cheap Trick, WLS AM and deejays Dick Biondi and Larry Lujack.

Scheduled performers will be REO Speedwagon and Jim Sohns (of the Shadows of Knight).

The museum is in a 1920s three story building at 9 West Cass Street in downtown Joliet between the north and south bound lanes of Illinois Highway 53 (Route 66).

I sure wouldn't mind being there for that.

--RoadDog