Fries get most of the attention, but a good onion ring tells you a lot about a drive-in. Illinois still has a handful of old-school spots where carhops bring trays to your window and the rings come out crispy and golden.
This list covers seven of them, from a famous Chicago-area classic to small-town stops on Route 66 and beyond. Save it for your next road trip, because some of these are well off the expressway and that is part of the fun.
1. Superdawg Drive-In, Wheeling, IL
Carhops and a tray hooked onto your car window still define a meal here, and that routine dates back to around 1948. Few places in Illinois have kept the drive-in format this intact for this long.
The onion rings and crispy onion chips are the reason it lands on this list. They come alongside the famous Superdawg, the Superburger, and thick Supermalts and Supershakes.
Grilled or raw onions on a burger are an easy add, and there is a Grilled Cheese for anyone skipping meat. The Supershrimp is a fun curveball if you want something different.
Hours run 11 AM to 9 PM every day. Weekend afternoons get busy, so a weekday lunch is the smoother bet, and parking is usually plentiful.
2. Janson’s Drive In, Chicago, IL
Late hours make this South Side stop easy to work into an evening. Janson’s stays open until 10 PM daily, which is later than most places on this list.
The onion rings are big and salty, the kind that pair well with a double cheeseburger or the Double Avocado Bacon Burger. The beef here leans flavorful without being overly greasy.
The menu goes further than you might expect. An Italian Beef and Sausage Combo, a Salmon Sandwich, and an Old School Deepfried Taco all share space with shakes like the S’Mores Shake.
Service is counter-style with no reservations, and outdoor seating is available. Families will find high chairs, a kids’ menu, and changing tables.
3. Buddys Drive-In, Beecher, IL
Sometimes the best onion rings are not on the side at all. At Buddys, they go right on top of the BBQ Western Burger with double patties and cheese, served on a cornmeal bun.
The drive-in has seen a revival under newer ownership, with updated interiors and a bigger staff to keep the line moving. It aims to bring back the feel the place had years ago.
Ice cream is a big draw, with treats like the Banana Split, plus Loaded Waffle Fries and Churros. A playground and outdoor seating make it a relaxed stop with kids.
Open daily from 10:45 AM to 8:30 PM, with a drive-thru for quick runs down Dixie Highway.
4. Route 66 Polk-A-Dot Drive In, Braidwood, IL
Route 66 travelers know the polka dots well. This 1950s-style roadside stop in Braidwood is as much a place to look at cars as it is a place to eat.
Onion rings show up next to bacon cheeseburgers, a bacon and grilled chicken sandwich, and the Pizza Burger Basket. Chili Cheese Fries are another favorite, and portions run generous for the price.
Save room for dessert, since sundaes and malts are part of the draw. A turtle sundae makes a fine finish.
Hours are 11 AM to 7 PM daily, so plan a lunch or early dinner stop. Saturday afternoons are the busiest time.
5. Miller’s Dog N Suds Drive In, Ingleside, IL
Since 1967, this Ingleside stand has been pouring draft root beer, and the homemade root beer is still the headliner. The onion rings make a strong case for second billing.
Pair them with a double cheeseburger, the Green Olive Burger, or the hefty Triple Texas Burger. Hot dog fans can go for the World Famous Coney Dog or a footlong Chicago Dog.
Ring portions lean on the smaller side, so ordering a second basket is not a bad plan. A Root Beer Float rounds things out.
Open daily from 11 AM to 9 PM, with outdoor seating and dogs welcome.
6. Jay’s Drive In, Oregon, IL
Mini tabletop jukeboxes are one of the fun details at Jay’s, a classic drive-in in the Rock River town of Oregon. Classic car shows add to the retro appeal.
Onion rings are a featured menu item here, alongside curly fries, chicken strips, cheese curds, and a pork tenderloin. Cheeseburgers come with quality toppings.
Food arrives at your table or out to your car at the drive-up spots. Homemade root beer and ice cream finish the job, and there is a playground for kids.
Check the schedule before you go. Jay’s is closed Monday through Wednesday, opens at noon Thursday and Friday, and at 11 AM on weekends.
7. Richmond Dog N Suds, Richmond, IL
Just south of the Wisconsin line on US-12, this Richmond drive-in is a handy stop for anyone heading north. Car service keeps the 1950s style going strong.
Onion rings share the menu with footlong Coney dogs, Chicago hot dogs, bratwurst, Italian beef, and corn dogs. House-made root beer floats are the signature sip.
Big appetites can take on the Colossal Sundae. The menu is broad enough to please a whole carload.
Hours run 11 AM to 8 PM most days and until 9 PM on Friday and Saturday. Weekend afternoons draw the biggest crowds.
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