White Grill
Nevada, MO
Photo courtesy Don Gardner

The White Grill has served hungry customers in Nevada, Missouri, since 1938. Its neon sign promises burgers, fries and milkshakes, while the narrow counter and open grill preserve the old-fashioned diner atmosphere.

Founded by Red McLaughlin, it is the last survivor of a small regional chain. Harry S. Truman reportedly stopped for a meal, though the restaurant’s curly-cut “Suzie-Q’s” have earned their own following. Quite a bit of history behind a simple burger order.

UPDATE: White Grill remains open nearly ninety years after its beginning. The familiar neon still lights downtown Nevada, inviting another generation to take a seat at the counter. 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 giant statues at Leo’s Gorilla Burgers made this Highway 5 stop near the Lake of the Ozarks hard to overlook. One gorilla even changed outfits, giving returning motorists something new to watch for. Apparently, selling burgers required a little showmanship.

The restaurant belonged to the Gorilla Villa motel complex, combining roadside lodging with an oversized animal welcoming committee. It was the kind of place where a quick lunch stop could turn into a photo opportunity before anyone reached the counter.

The business’s early history remains somewhat unclear, but the gorillas made a lasting impression. While other restaurants relied on arrows and bright lettering, Leo’s had a couple of enormous figures doing the advertising. Subtlety probably wasn’t part of the plan.

UPDATE: The Village of Gravois Mills purchased the property in 2011 and cleared it for a public park. The restaurant and motel are gone, and the gorillas’ whereabouts remain unknown. The site found another public use, though visitors lost one of the area’s more unusual roadside greetings. 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

Steak n' Shake
Springfield, MO
Photo courtesy Dirk Burhans

The neon at Steak n' Shake in Springfield offers a good reason to pull off Route 66, even before hunger enters the picture. This St. Louis Street location retains the classic look that many newer branches have traded away.

Opened in 1962, the restaurant combines porcelain-steel walls, large windows and familiar “Take Home a Sack” advertising. Inside, the stainless-steel counter, tile floor and visible cookline keep much of the earlier atmosphere intact. Watching a steakburger come off the grill is part of the entertainment.

The location also became known for preserving curb service, recalling when dinner could arrive at your parked car. Its surviving architecture and signs helped earn a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012. Quite a distinction for a neighborhood burger stop.

UPDATE: The historic restaurant remains open, serving steakburgers and shakes beneath its familiar neon. More than sixty years after opening, it continues giving Springfield locals and Route 66 travelers a taste of the chain’s earlier roadside character. 10-26

McDonald's Hamburgers
Muncie, IN
Photo courtesy Steve Felder

The McDonald’s in Muncie offers a familiar name with an uncommon sign: Speedee perched above a single golden arch. The restaurant’s appearance has changed, but that roadside advertisement recalls the chain’s earlier hamburger-stand days.

Opened in 1958 in a converted root beer stand, this was among Indiana’s early McDonald’s locations. The original building was replaced in 2001, but fortunately the sign escaped the same fate. A 2013 restoration returned some polish to its vintage appearance.

UPDATE: The restaurant remains open, with its restored 1958 Speedee sign still welcoming customers. It’s a worthwhile stop for anyone watching for the older details hidden among familiar fast-food names. 06-26

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

This Bronx White Castle opened on August 10, 1930, becoming the New York City area’s oldest continuously operating location. Generations have stopped here for the little square sliders that made the chain famous.

The original porcelain-enamel castle building has been replaced, though the newer restaurant retains the castle theme. Its appearance may have changed, but the location continued serving a neighborhood that grew around it. Nearly a century is quite a run for a hamburger stop.

UPDATE: The restaurant remains open, with modern architecture and signage replacing the earlier versions. Roadside visitors won’t find the original neon, but they can still stop for a sack of sliders. 06-26