Krekel's Burgers and Custard
Springfield, IL
Photos courtesy Chibbqking

Krekel's Burgers and Custard has been satisfying hungry travelers in Central Illinois for generations. Known for its fresh grilled burgers, handmade milkshakes, and signature soft-serve custard, it's the kind of place that still feels like a classic roadside stop. See this website for more information about Krekel's as well as many other local favorites. 05-09

The Krekel's story began in Decatur in 1949, and the Springfield-area location has become a favorite for both locals and Route 66 travelers. The retro-style building, walk-up service window, and vintage pole sign all add to the experience, making it easy to imagine families stopping here for burgers and custard on a summer road trip. Their famous "Burgers by the Sack since 1949" slogan is still proudly displayed on the sign out front.

It's always great finding places like this that have stayed true to what made them popular in the first place. Sometimes all you need is a good burger, a thick shake, and an old roadside sign to make a place worth remembering.

UPDATE: Krekel's Burgers and Custard remains open. The retro building, walk-up window, and vintage pole sign continue welcoming hungry customers. 06-26

Henry's Hamburgers
Benton Harbor, MI
Photos and info Chibbqking

Henry's Hamburgers is one of those rare places that has outlived the chain that gave it its name. If you've driven through Benton Harbor over the years, chances are you've spotted the vintage roadside sign welcoming hungry travelers along M-139.

Henry's began in Chicago in 1954 as a fast-food offshoot of Bresler's Ice Cream and quickly expanded to more than 200 locations across the country. The Benton Harbor restaurant opened in April 1959 and built a loyal following by offering good food at affordable prices. While the Henry's chain disappeared during the 1970s, this location continued on under independent ownership and eventually moved across the street into its current building. A drive-thru was added in 1988, allowing the restaurant to keep up with changing times while preserving its identity.

Today, the Benton Harbor restaurant is the last remaining Henry's Hamburgers in the country. The familiar roadside marquee still stands out front, making it an easy stop for both locals and travelers looking to experience a surviving piece of fast-food history.

It's always great to find places like this that have managed to survive long after the rest of the chain faded away. Knowing you're eating at the last Henry's makes the visit feel a little more special.

UPDATE: Henry's Hamburgers remains open in Benton Harbor. Although the restaurant now operates from a newer building across the street from the original location, its classic roadside sign continues welcoming customers. 07-09

Powers Hamburgers
Fort Wayne, IN
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

Powers Hamburgers  is one of those Fort Wayne places that feels like it has always been there. Sitting along Harrison Street, this tiny burger spot has been serving up sliders, coney dogs, chili, and fries for generations. The building may be small, but the sign out front has plenty of old-school charm and gives the place the kind of look that makes you slow down for a second glance. 12-08

The Fort Wayne location opened in 1940, following the Powers family’s earlier hamburger business in Michigan. With its porcelain enamel panels, compact footprint, and vintage roadside sign, the place still carries the feel of a classic mid-century burger stand. It is not trying to be fancy, and that is a big part of the appeal.

For years, Powers has been known for its sliders loaded with onions, the kind of simple food that tends to build a loyal following. With Parkview Field opening nearby in 2009 for the team now known as the Fort Wayne TinCaps, this old burger joint found itself in a pretty good spot for downtown crowds looking for something quick before or after a game.

The restaurant has had a few changes over the years, including new ownership and a temporary closure after a kitchen fire, but the important parts survived. The little building, the sign, and the classic slider counter experience all remain part of the story.

UPDATE: Powers Hamburgers remains open in Fort Wayne. The vintage sign survives, and the restaurant has been renovated while keeping its classic look and longtime slider tradition intact. 06-26

(Left) A view of Powers from across the street