OMG -- Dog N Suds was the best! You Joliet guys are killing me with this nostalgia. I grew up there back in the day.

As for the former-restaurant at the SW corner of Larkin and Jefferson (across from the KMart) I'm 99% sure it started as a Sambos and then went right to Blockbuster in the early 80s. Not sure what took over after Blockbuster went out as I moved away in the early 90s.

You guys were also talking about Archie's and Earl's Cafe too. Those were not at Larkin and Jefferson. Those were over on S Hammes and Jefferson, across from Al's Steakhouse if I'm remembering correctly. Looking at Bing Maps, it appears they razed the building and it's now a gas station.

Another Joliet favorite -- right there with Dog N Suds -- was Joe's Hot Dogs at Six Corners. Looks like Joe's is still kicking after all these years.

I also remember going down to the Weber's Dairy for ice cream. No pictures, just memories.

Fortunately, most of the places I remember going to are still around. If anyone is in the Joliet area, make sure you hit the Ace Drive In for a burger and root beer or Merichka's for a poor boy steak sandwich. You'll have garlic aftertaste for months! Those place are staples of my childhood that are still around today.

@Rick

I guess I Earl's must have moved after I left because I don't remember it ever being at Larkin and Jefferson -- but I'm missing a few decades too. I must have my history mixed up because I really thought both Archie's and Earl's were on Hammes first.

Ok -- so here's the crazy thing. I live in Colorado now and there is a White Fence Farm here in Lakewood. I still go there. It's the exact same thing as the one in Illinois. The Farm here is near an apartment my wife and I had years ago and I stumbled upon it completely by accident. I freaked out when i saw it because I thought it was a Joliet thing. My wife thought I was nuts. Not sure of the history between the two locations -- but the chicken and corn fritters and everything else (right down to the white and green carryout boxes) are exactly the same. The one here was just sold to new ownership but they don't plan to change anything. Funny you brought that up.

I miss Ace more than anything. I took my daughter there years ago when we were passing through and didn't have a chance to get there the last time I was in town. Double cheeseburger, fries and root beer -- there's nothing better.

Good memories!

That was my reaction too. Looks like the one here was opened in 1973. I read the history somewhere but can't find it. It could have been at the restaurant itself.