White Grill
Nevada, MO
Photo courtesy Don Gardner

The White Grill has been feeding hungry travelers in Nevada, Missouri, since 1938, and its glowing neon sign still does a great job of advertising burgers, fries, and thick milkshakes to passing motorists. It's one of those classic roadside diners that's hard to resist.

Founded by Red McLaughlin, the White Grill is the last surviving restaurant from what was once a small regional chain. Inside, the narrow lunch counter and open grill still capture the feel of an old-fashioned diner, while generations of locals—and even President Harry S. Truman—have stopped in for a meal over the years.

The restaurant is also famous as the birthplace of its signature "Suzie-Q's," thin, curly-cut fries that have been a customer favorite since the beginning.

UPDATE: The White Grill remains open nearly 90 years after it first welcomed customers, and its classic neon sign continues to light up downtown Nevada. 06-26

McDonald's (Rem.)
Holt Summit, MO
Photo courtesy Dirk Burhans

The McDonald's in Holts Summit was once home to one of the coolest vintage McDonald's signs anywhere. Perched atop a single golden arch was Speedee, the company's original mascot before Ronald McDonald came along. To me, it's hard to beat the look of these early signs. This particular one had originally stood at a McDonald's in nearby Jefferson City before being relocated here. 04-01

The sign dated back to 1959 and was saved by franchise owner Jim Baumgartner when the Jefferson City restaurant was updated. For years, it welcomed customers to the Holts Summit location and became a favorite among roadside enthusiasts and fans of classic fast-food architecture.

Unfortunately, that chapter came to an end in 2011 when a required corporate remodel forced the sign's removal. A modern McDonald's sign now stands in its place, and the fate of the original Speedee sign remains unknown.

UPDATE: The Holts Summit McDonald's remains open, but the vintage Speedee sign was removed in 2011 during a corporate remodel. Its current whereabouts have never been confirmed. 06-26

See others here at Roadside Peek's Southern California Food Chains.

Leo's Gorilla Burgers (Demolished)
Gravois Mills, MO
Photo courtesy Dirk Burhans

The Leo's Gorilla Burgers roadside attraction certainly wasn't subtle. If giant gorillas couldn't convince you to stop for a burger, nothing probably would. Standing along Highway 5 near the Lake of the Ozarks, the restaurant became a memorable stop thanks to its oversized gorilla statues, one of which was often dressed in different outfits. It's exactly the kind of quirky roadside attraction I always enjoy stumbling across.

The burger stand was part of the larger Gorilla Villa motel complex, creating one of the more unusual roadside businesses in Missouri. While the exact history of the restaurant is a little fuzzy, visitors still remember it as much for the gorillas out front as the food being served inside.

After years of decline, the property was purchased by the Village of Gravois Mills in 2011. The restaurant, motel, and famous gorilla statues were all removed to make way for a public park. Unfortunately, the fate of the statues has never been confirmed.

UPDATE: Leo's Gorilla Burgers and the adjoining Gorilla Villa have been demolished. The site is now a public park, and the whereabouts of the iconic gorilla statues remain unknown. 06-26

Harlo Grill
Menlo Park, IL
Photo courtesy Kelly Coalier

Hungry for a good beefburger? If you're in the Chicago area, the Harlo Grill has been serving them up since 1953. The restaurant is best known for its classic neon sign advertising "Beefburgers" and "Malts," a roadside landmark that has caught the attention of hungry motorists for generations.

The original diner became a local favorite for its thin-patty cheeseburgers, grilled onions, hand-mixed malts, and old-school atmosphere. It was even used as a filming location for the 2010 remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street. Although the original building closed in 2018 before being demolished for a new convenience store, the story didn't end there.

The owners relocated the restaurant just one block away and, thankfully, brought the vintage neon sign with them. It's always nice to see a business save an important piece of its history rather than sending it to the scrapyard.

UPDATE: Harlo Grill remains open at its new Melrose Park location, and its classic neon "Beefburgers" sign continues to light up North Avenue. 06-26

McDonald's Hamburgers
Muncie, IN
Photo courtesy Steve Felder

Over in Muncie is one of the coolest surviving pieces of McDonald's history. While the restaurant itself has long since lost its vintage appearance, the McDonald's single golden arch sign topped with Speedee makes this location well worth a stop. It's a great reminder of what the chain looked like before Ronald McDonald and the familiar double arches took over.

The restaurant opened in 1958 after a former root beer stand was converted into one of Indiana's earliest McDonald's locations. Although the original building was replaced in 2001, the iconic Speedee sign was preserved and carefully restored in 2013. Today, it remains one of only a handful of original single-arch McDonald's signs still standing in the country.

UPDATE: The Muncie McDonald's remains open, and its restored 1958 Speedee sign continues to welcome customers. The original restaurant building, however, is no longer standing. 06-26

Steak n' Shake
Springfield, MO
Photo courtesy Dirk Burhans

One of the true roadside gems along Route 66 in Springfield is this classic Steak n' Shake. While most locations have been remodeled beyond recognition, this one has managed to hold onto much of its mid-century character. The neon signs alone make it worth pulling over, especially after dark.

Opened in 1962, the restaurant remains one of the best-preserved examples of the chain's classic architecture. The porcelain steel exterior, large windows, vintage dining room, and familiar "Take Home a Sack" slogan all help transport visitors back to the golden age of roadside dining. In recognition of its historic significance, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.

This location has long been known for preserving the traditional Steak 'n Shake experience, including its classic counter seating and curb service, making it a favorite stop for both Route 66 travelers and longtime locals. Whether you're craving a steakburger or just stopping to admire the neon, it's one of Springfield's most enduring roadside landmarks.

White Castle (Rem.)
New York, NY
Photo courtesy Louis Di Fazio

White Castle is one of those fast-food icons that's instantly recognizable. If you've traveled around the East Coast, you've probably spotted one of these castle-shaped burger stands. Their famous little sliders have been satisfying late-night cravings for generations.

This Bronx location is especially noteworthy because it opened on August 10, 1930, making it the oldest continuously operating White Castle in the New York City area. It helped introduce the chain to New York during the company's early expansion and has remained a neighborhood landmark ever since. While the original porcelain-enamel castle building has been replaced over the years, the current restaurant still carries on the familiar castle theme.

It's always great to find places like this that have managed to survive while so many other classic roadside eateries have disappeared. The original neon signage may be gone, but it's nice knowing you can still stop here for a sack of sliders nearly a century after it first opened.

UPDATE: This historic White Castle remains open in the Bronx, although the original building and vintage signage have been replaced with modern versions. 06-26