Mmmm...craving a cozy dog

Once in a while I think back on an eatery I've visited and wish I had their special dish sitting in front of me. Out of the blue today, I thought about my pleasant visit a few years ago to a small restaurant for a cozy dog. What's a cozy dog? It's a corn dog, but not just any corn dog. It comes from the Cozy Dog Drive In. It's a historic restaurant located on the old Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois.

The recipe was developed by a baker friend of Ed Waldmire, Jr. He started making his hot dogs on a stick for his friends in the Air Force in the mid-1940's and they were a hit. Once discharged, he introduced the treat to his hometown at the Springfield Beach House and then the Illinois State Fair.

Cozy dogs are still being made today at their current location at 2935 South Sixth Street in Springfield. If you're passing through the state's capital, be sure to stop in and enjoy a cozy dog. It's crisp and yummy, although not diet friendly. Prices are reasonable with a cozy dog priced at just $1.85. A basket of 4 cozy dogs with fries is $8.95. Find out more about this charming, nostalgic piece of history at http://www.cozydogdrivein.com/.