Seven Dwarfs Restaurant
Wheaton, IL Photo courtesy Don Gardner
The Seven Dwarfs Restaurant in Wheaton, IL has one of the more memorable restaurant signs around. The colorful marquee features a cartoon dwarf alongside the glowing lettering, making it nearly impossible to drive by without noticing it. It's been a DuPage County favorite for decades.
The storybook theme doesn't stop at the sign. Inside, the restaurant carries it through with fairytale-inspired murals, while the menu sticks to hearty diner favorites like breakfasts, burgers, homemade soups, Greek specialties, and Friday fish fries.
One interesting bit of trivia is that John Belushi worked here as a teenager before finding fame on Saturday Night Live. It's just one more piece of history tied to a restaurant that has become a longtime local institution.
Fortunately, both the restaurant and its unique roadside sign are still around. It's nice to see a place like this continue doing what it's been doing for generations.
UPDATE: Seven Dwarfs Restaurant remains open in Wheaton, and its colorful vintage roadside sign continues to welcome customers. 07-26
Eastpark Restaurant (Demolished)
Ravenna, OH Photo courtesy Mark Hackett
For good old-school fun, check out the Eastpark Restaurant in Ravenna, OH. And who could beat a 24-hour joint that offered great sit-down grub and a cocktail lounge? Places like this were always a welcome sight, whether you were starting your day or ending a late night.
The Eastpark served Ravenna for more than 70 years and became a favorite stop for breakfast, steaks, spaghetti, chicken dinners, and just about anything else that sounded good at any hour of the day. The large roadside marquee proudly advertised the restaurant, cocktail lounge, and the fact that it never closed.
The sign was every bit as inviting as the restaurant itself. It had the kind of classic roadside look that let travelers know a hot meal was waiting inside, no matter what time they happened to be passing through town.
Unfortunately, the restaurant eventually closed after decades in business. The building sat vacant for a time before it was demolished, and the old roadside sign disappeared along with it.
UPDATE: The original Eastpark Restaurant in Ravenna has been demolished, and its vintage roadside marquee has been removed. The East Park name later relocated to nearby Brimfield under separate operations. 07-26
Rosita's Restaurant (Rem.)
De Kalb, IL Photo courtesy Don Gardner
Hungry for Mexican food? Rosita's Restaurant in DeKalb, IL is a good place to stop, especially when you take a look at the great marquee out front. It's a classic roadside sign that has been welcoming hungry travelers along Lincoln Highway for decades.
Rosita's opened in 1972 after the Balli family moved to northern Illinois from Texas in search of new opportunities. More than 50 years later, the restaurant is still family owned, with the third generation continuing to serve many of the same recipes that helped make it a local favorite.
The menu features plenty of Mexican favorites, including steak tacos, enchiladas, fresh guacamole, and margaritas, but it's the sign that first caught my attention. It's another reminder of a time when restaurants used distinctive roadside marquees to let everyone know they were there.
UPDATE: Rosita's Restaurant remains open in DeKalb under third-generation family ownership. Looks like its classic roadside sign is gone. 07-26
Hollywood Restaurant (Gone)
Hamlet, IN Photo courtesy Emily Steele
Here's the Hollywood Restaurant and its huge marquee in Hamlet, IN. It looks like the cocktail lounge got just as much attention as the restaurant itself, with both featured prominently on the sign. It was definitely the kind of marquee that was hard to miss from the road.
The Hollywood combined a family restaurant with a cocktail lounge and served the Hamlet community for many years under the ownership of William and Alice Fifer. Besides everyday meals, it was also known for hosting community gatherings and holiday dinners, making it a familiar place for many local residents.
The oversized roadside sign was the real attraction. With its large lettering and bold design, it was built to catch the eye of passing motorists and let them know food and drinks were just ahead.
Unfortunately, the restaurant eventually closed and the landmark marquee disappeared along with it. Another classic roadside sign that would have been nice to see survive.
UPDATE: Hollywood Restaurant is permanently closed, and its large roadside marquee has been removed. 07-26
Oven Eatery (Demolished)
Youngstown, OH Photo courtesy Mark Hackett
Looking forward to a nice meal on a warm Sunday afternoon? Then head over to The Oven in Youngstown, OH. Well... only in your dreams, because this longtime neighborhood favorite is now gone. The old roadside sign did a nice job advertising dinners, carryout, and sandwiches, making it easy to spot from the street.
The Oven opened in 1960 as a family-owned restaurant and became a popular stop for pizza, spaghetti, lasagna, and its famous SPS sandwich—a sausage patty topped with provolone cheese and house sauce on a homemade roll. It was one of those neighborhood places where generations of families gathered for a meal.
The sign was a perfect fit for the restaurant. It wasn't flashy, but it had plenty of personality and let everyone know exactly what was waiting inside.
UPDATE: Unfortunately, The Oven eventually closed, and both the building and its roadside sign disappeared. Like so many neighborhood restaurants, it's now just a memory for those who were lucky enough to eat there. 07-26
Mark Twain Dinette
Hannibal, MO Photo courtesy Dirk Burhans
A frosty mug welcomes you to the Mark Twain Dinette in Hannibal, MO. The giant root beer mug can be seen from quite a distance, and once you spot it, it's hard not to pull in for a closer look. It's one of those classic roadside signs that's every bit as memorable as the restaurant itself. 06-07
The Mark Twain Dinette has been serving customers since 1942, originally as a small sandwich and root beer stand. In its early years, it operated as a drive-in with carhop service before growing into the restaurant that's there today.
The giant mug is the star of the show. Complete with animated neon bubbles that make it look like the mug is constantly filling up, it's become one of Missouri's best-known roadside signs. Inside, the homemade root beer is still served in frosted mugs alongside loose-meat sandwiches, pork tenderloins, onion rings, and other longtime favorites.
Fortunately, both the restaurant and its famous sign are still going strong. It's the kind of place that's well worth a stop, whether you're hungry or just appreciate a great piece of roadside Americana.
UPDATE: Below are a couple of recent shots of the Mark Twin Dinette. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for update. 07-08
UPDATE: Mark Twain Dinette remains open in downtown Hannibal, and its iconic animated root beer mug sign continues to welcome customers. 07-26
Mark Twain Dinette
Hannibal, MO Photos and info courtesy Richard Weiss
In Hannibal, MO is the Mark Twain Dinette with a sign leading one to believe it was once a root beer stand. Check out the root beer mug. 07-08
(Far left) A more recent shot of the mug
(Near left) Another of the marquees at the dinette
Eastpark Restaurant (Demolished)
Rosita's Restaurant (Rem.)
Oven Eatery (Demolished)
Mark Twain Dinette
Mark Twain Dinette
