Roxy Hamburgers (Demolished)
St Joseph, MI Photo and info courtesy Chibbqking
Roxy Hamburgers was one of those classic roadside burger joints that made it easy to step back in time. Located along the Blue Star Highway in St. Joseph, it welcomed customers with a colorful neon sign and a dining room filled with 1950s and '60s memorabilia, from vintage model cars to movie star photos and a working jukebox. According to Chibbqking, Roxy's Hamburgers is an old school drive-in type of eatery with lots of 50's era memorabilia. 07-09
Opened in 1966, Roxy's became a local favorite for more than 50 years. Its signature Roxy Burger, topped with lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, and chopped green olives, developed a loyal following that extended well beyond the St. Joseph area. The retro atmosphere was every bit as memorable as the food, making it a popular stop for both locals and travelers.
It's always great to find places like this because they capture the spirit of the roadside dining era so well. Between the neon sign, classic décor, and old-school burgers, Roxy's was the kind of place that made you want to linger a little longer.
UPDATE: Roxy Hamburgers closed in 2017 after more than five decades in business. The original building is gone, and the site has been redeveloped. The fate of the restaurant's vintage neon sign could not be independently verified. 06-26
Mr. J's Dawg 'N Burger
Chicago, IL Photo and info courtesy Chibbqking
Mr. J's Dawg 'N Burger has been satisfying late-night appetites in downtown Chicago for decades. Whether you're craving a Chicago-style hot dog, a charbroiled burger, or a gyro after a night on the town, this longtime neighborhood favorite has been serving up comfort food since the late 1970s.
Located just off State Street, Mr. J's has earned a loyal following by keeping things simple. The menu features all the Chicago classics, from Italian beef and hot dogs to burgers and fries, all served from a no-frills counter in a setting that feels refreshingly unchanged. The vintage sign out front has become a familiar sight for both locals and visitors looking for a quick bite before heading home.
It's always fun finding places like this that aren't trying to be trendy. Sometimes a good burger, a neon sign, and late-night hours are all you need to build a neighborhood institution.
UPDATE: Mr. J's Dawg 'N Burger remains open in downtown Chicago. Its familiar roadside sign continues welcoming hungry customers into the early morning hours. 07-09
Plymouth Super Center
Plymouth, MI Photos and info courtesy Richard Weiss
Plymouth Super Center is proof that some roadside businesses refuse to be ordinary. Sure, you can fill up your tank, get your oil changed, or run your car through the wash, but that's only the beginning. This place was built to be a true one-stop shop, offering all kinds of services you wouldn't normally expect to find at a gas station.
Inside, customers could rent post office boxes, ship packages through DHL and other carriers, drop off dry cleaning, and take care of a few other errands before getting back on the road. It's the kind of independently owned place that gives you a reason to stop, even if you don't need gas.
One of my favorite features was the little grille inside. Instead of grabbing a snack from a convenience store, you could sit down for a burger while dining beneath a giant cheeseburger hanging overhead. It's exactly the kind of quirky roadside detail that makes places like this memorable.
The Plymouth Super Center is still open today and continues operating as a multi-service facility, although parts of the interior have changed over the years. A Biggby Coffee was added around 2010, and I couldn't verify whether the giant cheeseburger or the original grille are still there.
UPDATE: Plymouth Super Center remains open in Plymouth, Michigan, continuing to offer a variety of automotive and business services. The original grille and giant cheeseburger décor could not be verified. 06-26
The exterior of the Plymouth Super Center Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
The interior grille area of the Plymouth Center Center with its hanging burger off the ceiling Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
White House No. 1 (Gone)
Logansport, IN Photos and info courtesy Richard Weiss
White House No. 1 was one of those little diners that made every road trip a little more memorable. The place wasn't fancy, but that's exactly what made it special. Inside, the tiny restaurant was usually packed, with just a handful of counter stools and a few booths where locals gathered for breakfast and burgers.
One of the highlights of my visit was watching longtime grill cook Lester Hettinger at work. While I waited for a seat, I noticed a newspaper article on the wall celebrating his 50 years behind the grill. The article was already about a decade old, meaning Lester had been cooking there for around 60 years by the time I stopped in. Seeing him work the grill with decades of experience was every bit as memorable as the food.
Lester was making a breakfast jumble that wasn't even listed on the menu, so I asked what it was and he made one for me, too. It was excellent. Of course, I couldn't leave without trying one of the diner's famous burgers, and it didn't disappoint. Before heading back out on the road, I picked up a T-shirt as a reminder of one of those great little places you never forget.
After serving Logansport for 73 years, White House No. 1 closed in 2014. Like so many independent diners, it earned a loyal following through good food, friendly service, and familiar faces behind the counter. Places like this are becoming harder to find, which makes memories like this all the more special.
UPDATE: White House No. 1 closed permanently in 2014 after more than seven decades in business. The historic diner has since been vacated, and its iconic sign has been removed. 06-26
Roxy Hamburgers (Demolished)
Plymouth Super Center
White House No. 1 (Gone)
Lester was making a breakfast jumble that wasn't even listed on the menu, so I asked what it was and he made one for me, too. It was excellent. Of course, I couldn't leave without trying one of the diner's famous burgers, and it didn't disappoint. Before heading back out on the road, I picked up a T-shirt as a reminder of one of those great little places you never forget.
