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Dog n Suds Drive-ins (page 1)

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The Dog n Suds chain was established in 1953 in Champaign, IL. That location is gone. At its peak in the mid-1970s, there were 600 locations in 38 states and Canada. Most of them were built in the Midwest. The company went bankrupt in the 1990s. Today, there are only about 15 Dog n Suds locations operating independently. A few of these are new builds. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.

Dog n Suds Drive-in
Robinson, IL
This Dog n Suds Drive-in was built in 1953, making it the oldest location left. It was the second location in the chain. This "Rover" sign was the original version. The design looked enough like Disney's Pluto cartoon character that Dog n Suds was forced to redesign its signs. There were only ten of these signs made and this is the only one still used at an operating Dog n Suds. It is no longer lit at night. I only know of two other early Rover signs like this left. One is mounted on a trailer at Dog n Suds in Montague (see below). The other is in a private collection in Wilkinson, IN.

Dog n Suds Drive-in
Montague, MI
This Dog n Suds Drive-in opened in 1963 as the company's 316th location. This original building was remodeled in 2000. There are car hops and drive-thru service but no indoor seating. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.

Dog n Suds Drive-in
Norton Shores, MI
This Dog n Suds Drive-in was still operating in the 1970s. At some point, it became Kordecki's Kitchen. In 2007, the building was completely rebuilt and reopened as a Dog n Suds again. I believe the signs are replicas. The ice cream stand next door was also acquired and remodeled at the same time by the same owner. It is now known as the Twist n Shake. Does anyone know what the name of the ice cream stand was originally? For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3.

Dog n Suds Drive-in
Grayslake, IL
The Grayslake Dog n Suds opened in 1964. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.

Dog n Suds Drive-in
Richmond, IL

Dog n Suds Drive-in
Tomahawk, WI

Dog n Suds Drive-in
Charleston, IL
The Richmond Dog n Suds Drive-in opened in 1963. For more, see their website.

The Tomahawk Dog n Suds also opened in 1963. This sign is obviously a later replacement.

The Charleston Dog n Suds was apparently built around the same time. This photo is from 2006.

Dog n Suds
page 2		 Dog n Suds
page 3		 Main Eateries Page