Review of The Old Log Cabin Restaurant in Pontiac, Illinois

Travelers driving on historic Route 66 through Pontiac, Illinois would do well to check out the Old Log Cabin at the corner of Aurora St. and Route 66 in Pontiac. As its name implies, the Old Log Cabin is constructed entirely of logs. Adjacent to the Old Log Cabin is a long-abandoned gas station, now used for storage.

When Route 4 (later to be called Route 66) was repositioned through Pontiac, Illinois in 1926, Joe and Victor "Babe" Seloti built a lunchroom and gas station and named it the Log Cabin Inn. The Log Cabin was built of cedar telephone poles and seated 45 customers. The interior still has the original knotty pine walls. In a small window lined building behind the restaurant, Joe would lure customers to watch with the aroma of his secret recipe beef and pork barbecue cooked on a big spit. Meanwhile "Babe" would be next door filling gas tanks and fixing flats. (http://www.route66oldlogcabin.com/history.htm)

Today, the Old Log Cabin remains a restaurant, but has also added a bar and catering service. Old Route 66 signs, 1950s Coca Cola coolers, and metal dining tables and chairs add to the rustic and vintage historic charm. A wide-screen television is anchored to the wall behind the bar. Catty-corner to the bar is a counter. A young waitress holds up a chocolate cream pie just taken out of a cooler behind the counter. The pie made, as all their pies are, in the kitchen of the Old Log Cabin, is covered with generous dollops of whipped cream. The new vinyl tiles covering the floor seem a little incongruous for the vintage décor. But, décor aside, the tiles look new and clean, and that's always a plus for a restaurant.

Very reasonably priced breakfast, lunch, and dinner choices are one reason that locals and travelers return often to The Old Log Cabin. Diners also appreciate having Wi-Fi at the Old Log Cabin. Customers say The Old Log Cabin draws people from as far away as Chicago, 100 miles north on I-55, the interstate that runs parallel with Route 66.

Menu options for breakfast include sandwiches, breakfast skillets, and combos. Examples of prices for breakfast sandwiches are: an egg sandwich for only $1.99 to the most expensive sandwich on the menu, a sausage and egg sandwich for $3.29. Prices for a breakfast skillet begin at $6.39 to $6.59. A skillet includes fries, and eggs served with various meats, cheeses, and vegetables.

Breakfast combo selections include a smoked-sausage hash-brown casserole with toast or biscuit and pancakes, meat, eggs, and hash browns. Prices range from $3.39 to $5.99.

The lunch menu features burgers, hot sandwiches, and shrimp, chicken, or cod baskets. The cheapest items are a hamburger for $2.49 and a Premium Platter (choose 2 sides) for $2.49. The most expensive lunch menu items are the baskets of shrimp, chicken strips and cod at $5.99.

A Kid's Menu lists cheeseburgers, chicken strips, grilled cheese, hot dogs or macaroni and cheese for $3.49. French fries, applesauce, and a small drink are included in that price.

Dinners are served with your choice of potato, vegetable, salad, cup of soup, and roll and butter.

Just a few of the dinner options are Top Sirloin (smothered with grilled onions and mushrooms) for only $9.99, Cabin Fried Chicken from $5.59 for ¼ dark to $8.29 for ½ light chicken. Some of the other choices are Pork Chops (two center-cut boneless pork chops grilled to perfection) for $8.29, Roast Beef for $7.99, Rib Eye for 12.99, and Cod for $8.79.

Beverages run from $1.19 for coffee, tea, and soft drinks to $2.09 for milk shakes. Appetizers, sides, and salads too many to list-also appear on the menu.

If traveling on Route 66 or I-55 by Pontiac, Illinois, stop in, enjoy unbelievable prices, generous servings and rustic ambiance at The Old Log Cabin.

If interested in contacting the Old Log Cabin, call Brad or Deb Trainor, owners, at 815-842-2908 or email them at Oldcbn@maxwire.net. More information on the Old Log Cabin is available at www.route66oldlogcabin.com.