Mel-O-Creme
Donuts (Rem.)
Springfield, IL Photo courtesy Jason Carlton
Here are a few roadside shots of Mel-O-Creme Donuts in Springfield, IL. The old marquee has definitely seen better days, with the crown above the donut no longer lighting up, but it still has plenty of charm. Signs don't have to be perfect to catch your eye.
Mel-O-Cream has been a Springfield favorite since 1932, making it one of the area's longest-running donut shops. What started as a small neighborhood bakery eventually grew into a well-known regional brand while continuing to serve fresh donuts to generations of customers.
The Route 66 location has long been a popular stop for both locals and travelers. Between the vintage marquee and the promise of fresh donuts inside, it's easy to see why so many people pulled into the parking lot over the years.
The sign has all the ingredients of a classic roadside attraction. The giant donut, bright lettering, and crown on top were designed to grab the attention of passing motorists long before anyone relied on GPS or smartphone reviews. Sometimes a good sign was all the advertising a business needed.
Mel-O-Creme
Donuts
Springfield, IL Photo courtesy Jason Carlton
Even with a few burned-out neon tubes, the old marquee still had plenty of personality. In a way, the missing lights almost made it more memorable. Like so many old roadside signs, it had earned every bit of its weathered appearance.
As Mel-O-Cream expanded beyond its original bakery, it also became known for supplying donuts and bakery products well beyond Springfield. Even so, the neighborhood shops remained the public face of the business, welcoming everyone from early-morning commuters to Route 66 travelers looking for something sweet.
Mel-O-Creme
Donuts
Springfield, IL Photo courtesy Jason Carlton
Fortunately, this story has a happy ending. In 2025, the Route 66 location received a beautiful new sign inspired by the original, ensuring that Mel-O-Cream will continue catching the eyes of travelers for years to come.
UPDATE: Mel-O-Cream is still going strong today. The original worn marquee has been replaced with a striking new Route 66-themed sign, continuing the bakery's long tradition of welcoming customers along the Mother Road. 07-26
Huck Finn Donuts
Chicago, IL Photo courtesy Don Gardner
Looking for a Mark Twain-themed stop while you're in the mood for donuts? That may be a bit of a stretch, but Huck Finn Donuts has you covered in Chicago, IL. Just don't forget to ask for Tom.
Huck Finn has been serving Chicago since 1965 and has grown into a local favorite with several locations around the area. Although the name says "Donuts," it's really much more than a donut shop. The restaurants serve breakfast, burgers, comfort food, and fresh pastries around the clock, making them a popular stop any time of day or night.
Of course, the donuts are still the main attraction. The bakery is especially known for its giant Texas Size Donut, a glazed pastry that's about the size of a half-dozen regular donuts. It takes a pretty good appetite to finish one of those.
Whether you're stopping in for a cup of coffee, a late-night breakfast, or a box of donuts to take home, Huck Finn has been a Chicago tradition for generations. Sometimes a clever name and a good donut are all you need.
UPDATE: Huck Finn Donuts is still going strong today, with multiple Chicago-area locations continuing to serve fresh donuts, hearty breakfasts, and that famous Texas Size Donut. 07-26
Krispy Kreme (Rem.)
Akron, OH Photo and info courtesy Steve Felder
Seen here is the "Adonis" of donut signs. The Krispy Kreme in Akron, OH has a marquee that's unlike the standard signs found at most of the chain's locations. It's easy to see why this one became a favorite among roadside photographers.
Although Krispy Kreme got its start in North Carolina, the Akron shop has a special place in the company's history. It opened in 1939 as the chain's first location outside the South, and the current building has been serving fresh donuts since 1950. That makes it the oldest continuously operating Krispy Kreme store in the country.
The sign was every bit as memorable as the donuts. Rather than the familiar corporate look, it featured an eye-catching mid-century design with a unique shape, glowing neon, and a giant donut that practically demanded your attention. It was the kind of sign that made you hungry before you even reached the parking lot.
Over the years, countless motorists pulled in for a dozen hot glazed donuts after spotting that marquee. It's proof that a great roadside sign can become just as famous as the business it advertises.
UPDATE: Krispy Kreme is still serving donuts at its longtime Akron location. The original mid-century roadside marquee was replaced in 2013 with a modern version, but the bakery itself continues to operate today. 07-26
Donut Drive-In
St Louis, MO
Photo courtesy Don Gardner
This Donut Drive-In in St. Louis, MO has been tempting motorists along Route 66 for generations. Grab a bag of fresh donuts before heading toward the Gateway Arch—but keep an eye on the weather. Around here, the rain can show up in a hurry.
The little shop has been serving customers since the early 1950s and remains one of the best-known donut stops along the Mother Road. Despite the name, "Drive-In" originally referred to the convenience of parking your car and walking up to the counter, something that was still a novelty when the shop first opened.
Of course, the real star is the sign. The colorful neon marquee, complete with its arrow and animated falling donuts, is one of the finest surviving donut signs anywhere on Route 66. It has been stopping traffic—and convincing people they suddenly need a donut—for decades.
Like many old neon signs, this one had some rough years. The neon eventually went dark, but instead of disappearing, it was carefully restored in 2008 as the first project completed by Missouri Route 66's Neon Heritage Preservation Committee. A few years later, the building's original script lettering was also faithfully recreated, bringing back even more of its mid-century appearance.
UPDATE: Now gone is the Drive-in Donuts sign on old Route 66, just up the street from Ted Drew's. The donut shop is still open there. Many thanks to Dennis Dixson for update. 07-07
UPDATE: In 2008, the sign was brought back to life as the very first official restoration project by the Missouri Route 66 Association's Neon Heritage Preservation Committee (NHPC). The sign lives on. 12-08
It's always nice to see a classic roadside business that still looks the part. Between the tiny building, the glowing sign, and the smell of fresh donuts, this place is about as Route 66 as it gets.
Drive-in Donuts building
St Louis, MO Photo courtesy Don Gardner
UPDATE: Donut Drive-In is still serving fresh donuts today, and both its famous neon marquee and restored storefront signage continue to welcome travelers along Route 66. 07-26
Krispy Kreme (Gone)
Stow, OH Photo courtesy Steve Felder
For those familiar with northeast Ohio, this Krispy Kreme Doughnuts in Stow was probably an old friend. It was one of those places where the glowing sign and the smell of fresh donuts could make an unexpected stop seem like a pretty good idea.
Krispy Kreme got its start in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, before expanding across the country. The Stow shop was one of the chain's longtime northeast Ohio locations, serving generations of customers who stopped in for hot glazed donuts and coffee.
Like many Krispy Kreme shops, the building was simple and recognizable. You always knew what was waiting inside, and that's all the advertising it really needed. Sometimes the hardest part was driving past without pulling in.
For all the jokes about "lard-hole sellers," there's no denying that Krispy Kreme became a roadside tradition. Whether you picked up a dozen for the office or just grabbed one on the way home, it was a stop plenty of people looked forward to.
UPDATE: The Stow Krispy Kreme has since closed, and the building and its familiar signs are gone. Thankfully, the original Akron Krispy Kreme is still serving donuts just down the road. 07-26
Huck Finn Donuts
Krispy Kreme (Rem.)
Donut Drive-In
It's always nice to see a classic roadside business that still looks the part. Between the tiny building, the glowing sign, and the smell of fresh donuts, this place is about as Route 66 as it gets.
Krispy Kreme (Gone)
