Weezy's Rt. 66 Bar & Grill

Originally opening in 1938 as "Tourist Haven," Weezy's Rt. 66 Bar & Grill is a love letter to the history and influence of Rt. 66. This local hotspot is decorated with Black and white checkered floors, red vinyl booths, and chrome tables and chairs. The walls are adorned with old photos and signs giving each visitor a glimpse into the past. The rustic charm of the restaurant is only outmatched by its menu.

Weezy’s Route 66 is a bar and grill located on 108 South Old Route 66 in Hamel. This local hotspot is decorated with Black and white checkered floors, red vinyl booths, and chrome tables and chairs. The walls are adorned with old photos and signs giving each visitor a glimpse into the past. The rustic charm of the restaurant is only outmatched by its menu. Weezy’s is known for its charbroiled burgers, homemade pies, hearty breakfasts, and their biscuits and gravy made with fresh sausage from locally produced hogs.1

Before becoming Weezy’s Route 66 in 2009, the restaurant was named “Tourist Haven”, “Earnie’s Roadhouse”, and “Scotty’s Route 66 Bar and Grill”.

The U.S. Route 66 and Illinois 140 intersection is located in the middle of Hamel. George Cassens’ purchased all four corners of the intersection placing different business on each corner. The original intersection had a gas station, automobile showroom, office building, and a small white building called the Village Inn.2 Soon the Village Inn was replaced with the Tourist Haven. The Tourist Haven first opened its doors in the 1938. The yellow-and-brown tweed brick building was said to have, “FRESH FRIED CHICKEN prepared the good old fashion way while you wait.”3 In 1965, Route 66 ceased running though the town, moved to the alignment of present I-55. However, Weezy’s has not lost the spirit of Route 66. Inside Weezy’s today you can still see the old Tourist Haven sign hung on the wall for display. Weezy’s is home to Route 66 memories where current travelers embarking on the long 2,451 mile journey stop to grab a bite to eat and learn about the rich history of Madison County.

Researched and Written by Nichol Allen

Uploaded on behalf of the Madison County Historical Society by Kiley Fuchs

1 Teri Maddox, “Route 66 Leads Straight to Weezy’s,” News Democrat, May 7, 2011.

2 Quinta Scott, Along Route 66 (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2000), 50.

3 Edwardsville Intelligencer, July 23, 1938, 5; William Kaszynski, Route 66: Images of America’s Main Street (Jefferson: McFarland & Company, Inc.), 2013, 24.