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Launching Pad Drive-In
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
9 reviews for Launching Pad Drive-In
9 reviews in English
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Review from Dave S.
8/9/2006
As a short order restaurant, this place would have only received three stars as the food is decent for a short order place. You have your typical burgers and fried foods here.
This place is an Illinois Old Route 66 Institution. As you are heading into town from the north on IL53 you can't help but see this place as the front lawn has a huge statue of of a spaceman. I am a big Route 66 buff which is why I gave this one that extra star because of the nostalgia. -
Review from Mike M.
Aurora, IL
9/13/2010
I expect that the reviews for this place are based on nostalgia. I saw that giant statue of a spaceman and knew I had to stop. Those giant fiberglass Paul Bunyan statues are awesome. The place is a dirty burger joint. I got a double with bacon, the wife had a chili dog. The double burger was sad looking. The thin dried out patties were about as thick as a Mc Donalds burger. The meat didn't even make it to the edge of the bun. The Bacon was an odd orange color and looked like beef jerky and had no flavor. This was the worst burger I have ever eaten. And yes I have eaten at Burger King. My wife's chili dog looked like a mass of baked beans, but she told me it was ok, but would have liked cheese on it. The inside has that film of grease and could use a renovation. If the food wasn't terrible this would be a cool place in a small town.
My recommendation: Snap a picture and keep on drivng. -
Review from Theresa C.
Naperville, IL
1/24/2010 2 photos
Yep, I totally busted my diet on this. It's the typical standard counter service diner. The Gemini Giant outside dares you to not stop in. The restaurant itself is very vintage and decorated with Route 66 memorabilia. But it's very obvious that Coca Cola dominates the space here from the wallpaper to the ceiling fan.
I started with a hot fudge sundae. Yes, I know that's bad. But I prefer eating ice cream in winter. It was very good and fudgy. Beats the pants off regular fast food sundaes. Then looking at the menu, I couldn't pass up the cheeseburger. It had a good flavor but damn the patty was small. Those with a big appetite might be better off with ordering the double cheeseburger. This is definitely a great place to stop when traveling on Route 66.
Btw, they only accept cash and there's no ATM inside either. So leave the plastic behind.Listed in: Kickin' It on Route 66
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Review from Spencer S.
Lemont, IL
8/31/2007
Worth hitting if only to see the Route 66 giant spaceman statue they have out front.
Claims to be the original "home of the Whopper". Tastes exactly like the BK version, except with no sesame seeds.
Food is your standard fare for a hamburger fast food restaurant. -
Review from Brad B.
New Lenox, IL
6/25/2010
The Launching pad understands the key to the restaurant business - good food. I've been coming to the Launching pad for lunch on the weekend for 38 years and it's hardly changed a bit. There is a lot on the menu, maybe too much, but my absolute favorites are the Super Whopper with Cheese (not sure if it's even listed on the menu, but locals know to order it), and the Hoagie. Curly fries are good as are many of the other sides. You can get a good Slush there too if you feel like being a kid again, but watch out for the brain freeze!
I love the launching pad. -
Review from Dave N.
New Lenox, IL
7/24/2010
I used to go here and eat as a young kid, the place still looks the same just a little more run down, the food used to be really good, but not so much any more, it's cheap but just not real tasty, I was disappointed, but what the heck, nothing is forever, the cool part is the Rocket man who stands outside the place he's about fifteen feet tall and he's holding a rocket ship, it's a place to go just so you can say you've been there.
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Review from Alex M.
Los Angeles, CA
3/6/2011
It's shut down
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Review from Pat E.
5/30/2010
Best burger I had in my youth travel baseball days! This really is a Route 66 staple!
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Review from jason t.
Chicago, IL
7/23/2006 1 photo
home of the famous "gemini giant", a 30-foot tall fiberglass bunyan spaceman, the launching pad is a route 66 institution south of joliet. the hamburgers actually aren't so good, but the fried cauliflower was, and some of the stuff i saw other people eating looked better. the day we were there, dozens of local little leaguers were enjoying a post-game meal.
