The Daily Ping

I used to work at the YDD in LaGrange Park in the early 80s (the one that is a dry cleaners now). I could write an entire novella about that place. By that time I don’t think it was a cohesive chain but just a bunch of privately-owned restaurants all using the same name.

The main boss was pretty strict, but there’s something to be said for “running a tight ship.”

Towards the latter part of my “career” there, the owner(s) started getting into other sorts of other foods like fried chicken and donuts. A few years later it was sold to a family, and a few years after that it became the dry cleaners. (Re: a previous post, I had no idea that family started selling tools, etc., in the restaurant — that’s pretty wild.)

I think what I liked most about the place was that they had good broiled hamburgers in the style of Burger King. And that’s coming from a guy who had to climb up and clean out the broiler ventilation at night.

I think the Bensenville one may have been the very last Yankee Doodle.

Yankee Doodle Dandy Restaurants was owned by the Proyce family in Elmhurst, corporate office were also in Elmhurst behind the present Ford dealership. I used to date their youngest daughter Linda but her mother didn’t approve of me. At one time, there was approx 37 stores in Illinois and Indiana. The owner first name was Chris and he sold the chain in the 1970’s and they moved to a large home in Oak Brook where they retired.

there was a store in the Austin neighborhood where I grew up off Lake and Central (a block south of the L platform) that closed in late 1976-early 1977. I remember the Harlem-Cermak location ,and it was the only one I actually visited. I remember the commercials too, and was really into them because they sold chicken and burgers. Those were the days.

I thought I was goin’ nuts…. ’til I found this page. I too have been looking for signs of a “Yankee Doodle Dandy” and thought I was dreaming up these memories. You guys, at least, make me feel better (even though it seems they’ve all gone to the wayside. I remwember one on Addison and another down on Chicago Ave. in Chicago.

cool i used to work at ydd in 1974 in barrington IL

For those of you who knew the one in Bensenville, please help me settle an argument I am having with my sister and several others. The YDD, to my recollection, was located in the parking lot, northwest corner, of the old Green Street Market. This would at the corner of Lincoln and York, on the south side of Lincoln. They say it is in the location of the Apollo Burgers joint across Lincoln on York, on the north side. Someone please help me settle this discussion… either way. Thank you!

I grew up in Wheaton and we used to go to the YDD at Main St. and Cole Ave. It wasn’t far from Wheaton North High School and the students used to go there for lunch. After it closed, it became another restaurant that was owned by, I think, a Greek family and they had really great Greek salads (extra feta, please). I haven’t been to that part of Wheaton since Shep was a pup and have no idea what it is now. Wow, I had no idea YDD was such a big chain. I only remember the ones in Wheaton and Glen Ellyn. Anyone from Wheaton remember the Cock Robin?

YDD of Bensenville was located north of Lincoln street, the location of Apollo burger. I enjoyed going there for lunch. Have not been to apollo burger to eat.

Who is Richard? I’m the former Linda Proyce and I never dated a Richard. I did date someone named Rick. Is that you? And yes, my father and his brother did own the chain, and later opened Bailey’s. My father passed away 11 years ago, but my uncle and cousin are doing a great job in Westmont.

I lived in Libertyville, Ill. There was a Yankee Doodle Dandy on Milwaukee Ave.
I was a red, white and blue fast food place. The point where patriotism meets hamburgers, fries and and shakes. There was one inn Waukegan, Ill. also. We would go there when we had the munchies.

My favorite was the “red, white and blue” ice cream they served. They had scoops of ice cream available if I remember correctly. I frequented the one one on Harlem and Cermak in Berwyn. I loved sitting at the bench and looking out the big picture window onto Harlem and Cermak. I was very little – maybe 5 or 6, but I can still remember what it looked like.

Mt. Prospect on main, 1960s we would save our 50 cent allowance for 2 weeks and that would buy a flame broiled dandy, fries and a coke, Better than the McDonalds by Randhurst,

I’ve never been to nor seen a YDD and am sorry I won’t ever get the chance. If it weren’t for YDD I wouldn’t be here. I mean that very literally. That’s where my mom and dad met. I can’t remember which they worked at but it was most likely Waukeegan or Elgin. That was little more than thirty years ago. My dad died last June and among his belongings, we found an entire box of YDD matchbooks. We couldn’t believe he’d held on to them that long (and kept that many!). Anyway, I guess I didn’t have anything important to say other than it’s been fun reading through you’re comments. Oh yeah, and I tried that link up top of names you might remember but no luck. I’m thinking my dad might have been on it, he was quite a character. For any former coworkers or regulars, his name was Dan.

Here’s how the jingle went:

“Have a Yankee Doodle Dandy day, Yankee Doodle Dandy. Come on down where the
good times are. Yankee Doodle Dandy. Yankee Doodle Dandy.”

Mom used to pick my sister and I up from Leigh School in Norridge and take us to Yankee Doodle Dandy on Harlem Avenue just south of Irving Park for lunch every Thursday in the early to mid 70’s. Great memories of the roast beef sandwiches. There’s a bank there now, and there’s still an Arby’s directly across the street.

I remember eating the Double Dandy with cheese at the Arlington Heights location. Oh and what ever became of the Cock Robin with their one in a million malts?

“Oh and what ever became of the Cock Robin with their one in a million malts?”

That’s a whole other Ping, Gvil, but I think I’ll write it soon.

In addition I wanted to add that the sheer number of comments on this Ping (quality ones, too!) makes me very very happy.

I did a search just the other day and found out that there is one (ONE!) Cock Robin left, in Brookfield. I don’t remember much, other than we used to go to the Arlington Heights location on NW Highway on the way home from hockey at either the Arlington Spectrum or Barrington Ice House. I do remember 2 things, the egg buns for the burgers and the square ice cream scoops. I am out in Rockford now (from Mt. Prospect), and next time I am anywhere close, I am taking my family to CR! I just hope it comes close to my memories. I also remember going to the MP YDD, but don’t remember much about that either, just going there.

You might want to save the gas, Mike; that Cock Robin closed this year. It was indeed the last.

They were still using the square scoops, although they were using Petersen’s Ice Cream. (Not a slam against Petersen’s – I love ’em.)

Son of a ….

Sure miss them too!! The one in Maywood which was located on 8th and Roosevelt Road sponsored my softball team for several years. The owner/manager of that location Mr. Micheals was actually one of the four people who owned the entire chain. They had great Dandy burgers, and their Roast Beef sandwich was much better than Arbys anyday !!

In regards to the Cock Robin in Brookfield, yes its closed, and theres a For Sale sign in the window, and Petersons Ice Cream which was the last owner of it, is also closed and for sale on Chicago Ave. just east of Harlem in Oak Park.

“… Petersons Ice Cream which was the last owner of it, is also closed and for sale on Chicago Ave. just east of Harlem in Oak Park.”

Not precisely correct, George. The restaurant is indeed closed but the narrow, wee ice cream shop is still open… which is good!

There was one on the north side of Roosevelt Rd in Lombard. In the early 70’s there was actually a bus that went from Glenbard East High School to Yankee Doodle during lunch. You could ride one way or both ways. I don’t remember the fry bag itself but remember it was the first place I was aware of where you filled your own little containers for catsup instead of opening up a million little packages. It made the fries even better.

Nothing quite like a cock robin double cheeseburger! I guess the trip last year was worth it, ’cause it “ain’t there no more”. I remember Elmhurst on North avenue, Villa Park on St Charles, and Naperville by North Central College. There is a beautiful memorial to the Prince Castle / Cock robin empire on that location.

Yankee Doodle had an Elmhurst location and one in Bensenville, too. I wish I could find pictures of Sandy’s in Elmhurst. It was on Spring Road near York High school and is now the Silverado. Anybody????

The old Cock Robin is Wheaton is still open, but more of a Deli and ice cream shop, and they still have the old Cock Robin sign up, high in the air. Does great business. I went to York High in Elmhurst in the early 70’s and ate at the old Sandys many times. I think it closed around 1971-72. I also remember the old Yankee Doodle in Elmhurst. Great burgers. Much better than McD’s or Burger King. Any body seen a “Dog N Suds” (arf N barf) lately?

My ma used to take me to yankee doodle in her 65,bonneville as a treat{bribe}to go to catechism{spellcheck}boy it was worth it i miss those off brand burger joints sure beats the king and the clown

Isn’t there a cock robin in franklin park next to gene and judes? There was also a yankee doodle dandy on irving park rd in schiller park back in the 70″s

There was a YDD in Waukegan, just east of the corner of Belvidere Road and Lewis Ave, it is now Gators Wing Shack. My best friends worked at the YDD for like a week, I remember back when we were in high school so that was some time between 88 – 92. All I can really remember about them were the colors, I think they were red, white, and blue.
Leslie
@ @ @

We used to goto YDD on 63rd in Chicago.What a great memory of that place.Great burgers and service.Friendly.We had a Mcdonalds not far but ate there instead.I would like to see a resurge.

There was a Yankee Doodle in Des Plaines at Oakton and Wolf Rds.. The Dandy burger was the best fast food burger to date. It blew away the whopper in my opinion. We used to go there when we were young all the time because it was within walking distance from our house. Those were the days. It’s too bad that franchise couldn’t still be around.

There was a Yankee Doodle Dandy in Elgin. Today it is a Currency Exchange, Mortgage Broker and Insurance sales. That is sad.

I remember the cock robin and the yankee doodle in elmhurst. Grew up there till we moved to Pennsylvania in 1975. Have great memories of both. Its a shame I moved when i was ten. Went to Lincoln elementary. Loved both those places

I lived near the Yankee Doodle Dandy on La Grange road in La Grange Park in the mid ’70’s. Went to Forest Park Elementary at that time too. Ate at that place probably way too many times! (^8~
I remember that YDD was having some real quality control problems then – they could never seem to get the settings on the automatic burger cooker right – burgers were oozing blood that soaked through the bun.

Cheers!
Joe

I worked at the park ridge location on nw highway my junior and senior year at taft high school. 1978-79.
that place was blast to work at. the owners had no clue what we employees were up to. many a high time was had. I would like to take this opportunity to thank YDD for suppling our senior prom picnic with food and utensils, unbeknownst to them. best time was trying to tp the tree in front of the restaurant and being stopped by park ridge police. hated broiler night.

I went to the Dandy restaurant in Libertyville and 2 of my sister’s worked there. It was great!! I wish it were still around to knock Arby’s prices down a bit.

There was a Yankee Doodle in Schiller Park on Irving Park Rd. and there was a Cock Robin in Franklin Park off River Road next to Gene and Judes Hot Dogs.

I grew up right across Harlem Ave. from the Bridgeview location. I loved their burgers, and in the winter, we would walk over there to get their hot apple pies and hot chocolate. The build was indeed relocated further down 89th Street, and turned to face the shopping center (which at that time was anchored by Zayre). I believe it is still a multi-use building for the Bridgeview Park District.

On a side note, the shopping center has one my all-time favorite pizza places – Italian Villa pizza. I will drive from my home in Bolingbrook for their food. Yum!

I grew up almost directly behind the LaGrange Park location. Anyone coming from the East would cut through our yard to get there (you could tell by the wrapper trail).
It was owned by two brothers, as far back as I recall… perhaps even before I was born (1969). Very nice welcoming guys who made the place part of the community. It was bought by a Greek family in the 80’s sometime. And I worked there for a couple of months for them when I was 16.

I don’t know if it was original equipment or installed by the second owners but it was a flame broiler conveyor for the burgers.

Funny, I’ve probably eaten a thousand of those things, and I am sure they tasted like any other fast food burger. But perhaps everything tastes better, and seems more special, as a kid.

Oppolo — the Yankee Doodle Bensonville location has just closed their doors with-in the past month. They were on the wrong side of York Rd – in the BUY OUT area for Ohare.

My Brother and I owned the store on 63rd. & Austin in Chicago.

My Brother and I owned the store at 63rd & Austin in Chicago.

I owned the Wheaton YDD until 1983 and would love to hear from anyone regarding their YDD memories. I will also be happy to answer any questions concerning YDD having spent
many years in various capacities. Give me a shout!

I worked at a Yankee Doodle Dandy Restaurant in North Chicago, IL in 1971 to 1972 in my Sophmore year in High School. I thought we had the best roast beef sandwiches around and it was real roast beef. Also I loved the taste of our Dandy burgers, because we used Russian dressing on the sandwiches rather than Kethup, mustard or mayo. It tasted good. It was my first real job and I have alot of fond memories from there. My son in-law and I were talking about fast food restaurants and that is why I looked Yankee Doodle Dandy up.

Mike Cavanaugh here again, former owner of the Wheaton YDD.
You may contact me at MCavanaugh22@msn.com for any info you may wish. I’d like to hear from you regarding a common thread we might have. Memories…Let’s hear them!

I workrd @ YDD Bensenville for 1.5 years around 1976. killed myself to work at just a nickel or two above minimum wage. but there were usually six girls to the one working guy ratio so I was in heaven. Managers always hid in the back. food was a step above other fast food and we always made it your way. Great first Job.

I worked at “Doodle’s” in Mt. Prospect across from the train station for a while in 1976-1977. It was hard work but for a teenager- who cares? It was like a workout for me, mopping that floor at closing time. Except during the winter- the salt and water was a pain! And cleaning out the grease trap- ugh! I liked cleaning the screens above the grills though. It was fun putting on the caustic lye and watching it just demolish the grease! The place was owned by “Dot”- Dorothy- she was a single mom with about 5-6 kids, very dedicated, my hat goes off to her. Her kids were very good at sports. Lots of memories of that place. Too bad it went out of business :-). I’d like to go there and have a Doodle Burger again. … 😛

Boy I forgot Dot’s last name at first but now I suddenly remember it. I won’t post it here for privacy reasons. Email me if you want it. I don’t know where she may be right now though… haven’t seen her in years.
-Mike

There used to be a YDD in Elgin, where I was raised. I remember the parents used to take us there after Saturday Mass, back in the day.

I went to Highland Upper Grade Center in Libertyville from 1976 to 1980, there was a Yankee Doodle Dandy 2 blocks away. If our parents signed a consent letter, we were allowed to walk there anf have lunch on Fridays. I recall their burgers being thin , wide, flat and big with tons of very finely shrdded lettuce on top. Their specialty was a Dandy Burger. They were like burger king, grilled not fried.

I definitely remember these restaurants when I was a kid, but I don’t think my family ever ate there. I definitely remember driving by the one on LaGrange Road, the one on 25th Avenue in Franklin Park and the one in Bensenville. I also remember seeing a lot of their commercials when I was growing up; several of them featured little kids enjoying their food but not being able to come up with the name (“Yankee Dandy Doodle”, “Doodle”, etc.). While there doesn’t seem to be much online, I have a pretty extensive collection of WLS and Super CFL surveys and I’m pretty sure a couple of them have ads for Yankee Doodle Dandy.

MUNSTER LOCATION STILL HAS YDD ENTER / EXIT SIGNS VERY VISIBLE TO SEE where the YDD original building is

There used to be a YDD next to the car wash (still there I think) at Armitage & Addison Rd. in Addison. My sister Laura worked there in the early 70’s. Used to collect bottles, turn them in for cash and ride our bikes up to YDD for some good eats.

I remember when Doug Mohns of the Black Hawks (LW) was up there signing autographs…of course I got one!

I worked at the YankeeDoodle in Elmhurst Illinois it was my high school job that was part of the work program at York High School in Elmhurst!

I worked at Yankee Doodle Dandy in Franklin Park across from
the Franklin Park Bank during my summer between school years
It was a nice place to work as a teen-ager. Sometimes the boss would give me a hamburger or drink free.

I worked at the one in Maywood during high school. It was the place to hang out too, so why not work there. We called it Yanks, and they had the best Dandy Burgers. My first real job there, but the owner was a bozo. Lots of happy memories. The “All the Way” sauce, and the steamer to heat the roast beef sandwiches. It’s been gone for years.

I seem to remember their ad slogan or catch phrase played on radio and may have also been played on a commercial for the restaurant. It asked the question “What kind of a day is it going to be today?, A Yankee Doodle Dandy Day!” Does that ring a bell with anyone?

Oh the days of stopping at YYD on the way home from South jr High. If you grew up in Arlington Heights then you would remember.

I did the artwork for their drinking cups in the late 60s/early 70s. If you want a picture of the three of them (art proofs done for Sweetheart Cup) send me a email address to send them to you. I will send .jpg so you can use them without a problem.

Make refrence to this email in case I forget.

Their hamburgers were called the “Dandy Burger.”

I worked at the ad agency in Chicago that produced the YDD TV and radio commercials. I’ll ask around to see if anybody has any of them.

i remember a ydd just south of 59th st.on kedzie ave on the southwest side of chicago.it was on the east side of the street.we use to get the roast beef sandwich.ithink it was on the same order as an arbys beef.arbys uses a processed beef.it is ground up and reformed.that is why it always tastes the same.just down the street was j@t gyros always hot and fresh meat off the spit.anyone remember south seas pet shop?the only thing still there from the late seventies, that i can think of is pepes on 63rd street.everything now has turned into a taco joint.also, the colony movie house still stands. unused for many years.did anyone ever go to the now gone marquette show on 63rd and kedzie.seen many 70s dracula flicks.

i remember a YDD just south of 59th street on kedzie in the late 70s .that was the southwest gage park area chicago.i think YDD was on the order of an arbys style roast beef.it is ground reformed beef. that’s why it always tastes the same.just down the street was J@T GYROS always fresh hot meat off the spit.then the place became t j michaels until the late 90s.it was torn down then a baskin or a@w went out of business. the area is now gang infested.

There was a YDD in Brookfield, WI. It was in a strip mall near the JCPenney catalog warehouse. Was it on Bluemound? I was only 7 when we moved so I don’t remember.
We moved away in 1976, so I don’t know when that one closed. I always wanted to go to the McDonald’s across the street, but my parents insisted on going to the YDD – I’m glad they did. The shakes were awesome!

Oh my gosh! What a trip down memory lane! I used to ride my bike up Church Rd. to the YDD in Bensenville back in the very early ’70’s. It was always a “must do” when my cousins would come and sleep over from the southside. I loved that back then we could take off on our bikes and be gone all day without our moms being terrified for our safety. There was a house that sold drip candles and incense around there too. We called it the “hippie house”. Anybody else remember that? I went to Blackhawk Jr. High in 7th grade but moved to Arizona after that. And yes, the shakes were awesome.

I worked at the Wheaton YDD when I was a sophmore in high school. It was my first job. Mike Cavanaugh was the manager and I remember my friend Beth and I applying for a job there like it was yesterday. We were only fifteen and had to get a workers permit. The blue uniforms, making up the dandy burgers, aah memories! Since I also attended wheaton north high school and we had open lunch, many, many lunches were at YDD with classmates. I remembered loving the chicken sandwich and craving it often. Sad there are no more left! I also frequented the one in Glen Ellyn and Barrington on our familys way up to fox lake.

My parents used to own the clothing store Just Girls in Park Ridge that was in-between Fannie Mae and Globe Gifts. My brother and I went to the Yankee Doodle that was just up the street freqently….Dandy Burgers were the best there was also the Pie House across the street….that was awesome as well.

My first job I ever had was at Yankee Doodle Dandy in Des Plaines, IL across from Maine West High School. I was 16 and worked there from 1973 to 1974. They certainly did have the best burgers and later after I left from working there they added the fried chicken dinners that my mom and I would get every Friday for dinner during my senior year in high school. I have so many fond memories of that place. What a shame they all had to close. There is another really good restaurant there called Brandy’s now which has been there for many years, but I still wish it was YDD.

Yeah, there was one in Lincoln Park where I grew up, on Schubert and Clark, across from the CTA bus barns, there is now a Golden something or other restaurant there, has been since early ’80s

Here’s a commercial advertising kids birthday parties at Yankee Doodle Dandy’s.
http://www.fuzzymemories.tv/#videoclip-3709

A dollar a kid back in 1976! Sweet deal!

I worked at the YDD in Waukegan 1973-1974. It was my first job too! Started out putting burgers on the flame broiling grill. Moved up to making sandwiches. The roast beef were the best. Any alumni from the Waukegan store care to chat about the past. Email HighWireRanch@hotmail.com

The YDD that was in Bridgeview on Harlem was moved right around the corner on Hartford, just EAST of Harlem. (Yes, they moved the whole building) It was the Bridgeview park district building and may still be, not sure. I don’t remember what year it was but I am guessing early 80’s, as a kid I played at the park right over there and I actually went there everyday to watch them work on moving the building.

The one in Waukegan had the biggest and best fish fillets ever! The sign was white and blue with stars all over it as were the wrappers. They also had a condiment bar before any other restaurant, and their pickles were awesome. It was on Grand Avenue (in the 1970s).

Bensenville, IL. LOVED the Dandy burgers! Nothing like them anywhere. 🙂 MISS THEM!!!!! Still can taste them!

Does anyone have any pictures of the Yankee Doodle Dandy that once stood at 89th and Harlem Ave. in Bridgeview? Would love to see them.

I now live in Colorado, and strangely, I just ate a green olive and it reminded me of the Yankee Doodle Hamburger Sauce! Could it have been a sauce made of mayonaisse and green olives? I remember it had a certain tang to it that we all loved!!!

Please let me know!
Thanks!

Well I worked here. I met my husband here and this was part of my teen years. It was not a franchise but a private owned restaurant owned by the STAMOS family. They never wanted to franchise it out. I worked there in 1978 and started dating the asst manager who I am now married to and have been for 30 years. Yankee’s had THE best food. Everything was made fresh. Their fried chicken couldn’t be beat, best burgers, roast beef and even the hot dogs. I was heartbroken when they sold out the Berwyn location to McDonalds. AND as for the special sauce, it was oddly enough called “all the way sauce” lol and was just a mix of ketchup and mustard so you wouldn’t have to squirt both on!!

Brings back good memories! I worked at the Elmhurst ydd for six months I think it was 1970. I worked under a Mr Lawson and a lady that only had one hand (and she was tough), but never liked Mr Lawson.

Mr Proyce was the owner and always did spot visits. He cared about his business alot. He would talk with the part time help for their opinions. If I’m not mistaken, his daughter Linda worked with us for a little bit.

I love the dandy burger and still make it today, even my kids loved it when I made them…

The “secret sauce” was a good thousand island dressing thinned out a little with whole milk and that’s it, I remember making buckets of that stuff!

A Dandy was burger, cheese, pickles, tomatoe, lettuce, slather secret sauce on bun and you have a cheese dandy! Mmmmmm

What good memories. My dad had the store in Libertyville. The steak sandwich was my favorite and the fried chicken was a close second. After making tons of chicken in the day, I still can’t get the recipe right. Learned a lot. In fact, that is where my work ethic was developed. After all these years, my dad would have been happy to see how many people enjoyed YDD.

YDD in Bensenville was my first job (1977). Loved, the Yankee Steak Sandwich and the roast beef (we used to sneak into the freezer and munch on the beef.) Memories are very busy Saturdays, making your own custom burger for your lunch break (but paying for it like the rest of the customers in front at the register), the swivel seats in the front window, the poster on the wall in back “The Customer is Always Right” with a picture of a lion on it, and the strawberry-cheesecake ice cream.
My favorite memory is going there for lunch the very day my family moved to Bensenville in 1969 and even though we lived right down the street, not being allowed to go there on my own until I was in high school.

I worked at the YDD on Central and LAKE. That was my frist job . I worked there until it closed. Would u beleave that Robert Townsend the actor work there too. We all went to Austin High school, If any of the old employees read this please email me. Looking for Beckey. Our boss was name Mr. Brown

Yankee Doodle Dandy instead of the “w” Shop in Waukegan

first job at ydd in arlinton hts. then moved up to mgt. and sent to ydd des plaines on oakton. work ed under terry stamos and his dad sorterios. remember mgr. named dave dyle in elgin and co worker cathy kimble. had mgr. co-worker babu patel.

There was one in Glen Ellyn in the mid 1970’s.I grew up in Villa Park & one summer day in 1975 @ the age of 11,my friend & I rode our bikes west on the Prairie Path to Glen Ellyn.We were so exhausted,we had to stop.To my surprise in that ever present McDonalds,BKing & Jack in the box world,we saw a Yankee Doodle Dandy.It was on Crescent,just one block west of Main st.past the movie theater.We walked in and ordered chicken sandwiches to eat there.We then continued west till we hit Warrenville,and turned around for home.We hit YDD on the way back as well.I recently drove to Glen Ellyn,to see that area completely renovated with generic stores and cement sidewalks.

…forgot to add it I believe it was where McChesney & Miller Grocery Mkt. is today on the corner of Crescent & Glenwood Ave.

Yes that was Rick, you drove a mustang, I think you lived on Walnut, you called your dad chris, distinquishing marks???. Your friend was Cindy. Now live in Florida

I definitely remember the restaurants, but I don’t think we ever ate there. I also remember another series of commercials in the mid 70s which featured several kids who couldn’t quite come up with the name of the restaurant (IIRC one called it “Yankee Dandy Doodle” and another younger kid just said “Doodle”).

I work at the one on Central and Lake until it closed. our manager name was Mr. Brown. would to hear from any one else who work there.

The Yankee Doodle Dandy in Franklin Park was at 3019 Rose across from the Franklin Park and the Rose Theater that was in a Quonset Hut. At one time it was turned into a Tobacco Depot, and then a Mexican Restaurant/Grocery Store. The real estate taxes remained unpaid for a period of time and the Cook County Land Bank ended up with ownership.

The Cock Robin next to Gene’s & Jude’s on River Road referenced by “John” is in River Grove, but we, in Franklin Park, would love to have Gene’s & Jude’s in our town.

That should have said “across from the Franklin Park Bank.”

Hi there. Funny, I was just talking about Yankee Doodle to my older brother. I grew up in Waukegan in the 70s & 80s – there was one on Lewis Ave (I think). My sitter used to take us there. I think they have kids a barber shop quartet paper type hat to wear (similar to Burger King). The chocolate shakes were a hit. Those were the days! Take care, Dano

I worked at the one in Waukegan….Dandy burgers, hotdogs, steak sandwiches, but the best was the roastbeef and cheddar….we used real cheddar cheese – yum! It also had real ice cream and we served cones, sundaes, shakes, etc….I moved out of the state in ’83 and didn’t know they were out of business…..

I worked at YD in Bensenville. It was 1967 my sophomore year at Fenton HS. I mastered the broiler. For fun I made special flavored shakes! Bill and Chris were managers then. Yeah!