Dave Bakke of the Springfield (Ill.) Journal-Register explains that in Springfield, you order “cozy dogs,” not corn dogs at the Cozy Dog Drive-In on Route 66 in south Springfield.
“We usually give them funny looks when they say (corn dog),” says the Cozy Dog’s Sue Waldmire.
The newspaper decided to do an update about the restaurant, namely because it seems to be getting a lot of international attention this summer. National Geographic was wanting photos of the Cozy Dog’s famed product last month. Craig “Meathead” Goldwyn of the Huffington Post prominently mentioned the Cozy Dog in a rundown of great hot-dog restaurants. And now the Food Network’s “Man v. Food” is set to film a segment there this weekend.
And the history of the Cozy Dog is interesting, if a bit fuzzy. Contrary to popular belief, the Cozy Dog does not claim to have invented the corn dog.
Most people credit Ed Waldmire, originator of the cozy dog, with selling the first hot dog on a stick, which, to be technical about it, may not be a “corn dog.”
“Ed had never told me he was the first,” says Sue. “He told me he thought there was a better way to do it.”
Sue and I agree that the Texas State Fair’s “corny dog” is usually credited as being the original, going on sale at the fair sometime between 1938 and 1942. But the Minnesota State Fair’s Pronto Pup also claims to be the first – it was invented, according to various Minnesotans, in 1941.
The guys at the Burgers for Brunch Web site put it this way: “Cozy Dog Drive-in, in Springfield, IL, claims to have been the first to serve corn dogs on sticks, in 1946. Also in 1946, Dave Barham opened the first location of Hot Dog on a Stick at Muscle Beach, California.” […]
Ed’s own memory, from a 1988 State Journal-Register story, is that he first tasted a corn dog in Muskogee, Okla., in 1941. “It was made in a contraption like a waffle iron,” he said. “They poured the batter in a trough, put in three wienies and baked it for 15 minutes.”
Fifteen minutes for one corn dog would be an intolerable for many. So it’s probably more accurate to say that Waldmire perfected the modern corn dog.
I feel sorry for that Adam Richman, host of the Food Show. No way chowing down all of that really, really unhealthy food can be good for you. Maybe now and then, and in smaller quantities. Trouble is, even going on diet as he says he is, the remains of that funky food is on deposit in his arteries, organs and tissue. That’s what comes back to haunt you. His show is the highest rated on the Food Network, which has gone over the hill and is totally unwatchable now. He also the Route 66 thing at the Big Texan, where he wolfed down the big 72 ounce steak in 20 minutes or so. Right now, ‘Food Porn’ as Anthony Bourdain calls it, claims some good ratings. Andrew Zimmern and Bourdain on the Travel Channel also get good ratings. Bourdain is also venturing out into radio, as he is actually rather witty. Anyway, good pub for the Cozy Dog, and Kirk Farah who’s radio show on WMAY in Springfield, IL is doing a local POV on the visit.