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Dog n Suds Drive-ins (page 1)

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The Dog n Suds chain was established in 1953 in Champaign, IL. Some sources say that that location didn't actually open until 1954. That location is gone. At its peak in the mid-1970s, there were 600 locations in 38 states and Canada. Most of them were built in the Midwest. The company went bankrupt in the 1990s. Today, there are only about 13 Dog n Suds locations operating independently. A few of these are new builds. For more, see this website.

In terms of the signs, the early "Rover" signs (see below) did not have bulb arrows surrounding the signs. Some of the early post-Rover signs did not have these arrows either. There may have only been five of these Pluto-like Rover signs made which were all produced in 1954 by Superior Neon Signs of Oklahoma City. I have also read that there were ten of them made. There are believed to be only three left (shown immediately below). Two others have been reworked. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.

Dog n Suds Drive-in
Robinson, IL
This Dog n Suds Drive-in was built in 1953, making it the oldest location left. It was the second location in the chain. This "Rover" sign was the original version. The design looked enough like Disney's Pluto cartoon character that Dog n Suds was forced to redesign its signs. This is the only Rover sign still installed at an operating Dog n Suds. It is no longer lit at night. [map]

private collection
Albuquerque, NM
Carpet Gallery
Poplar Bluff, MO
The Dog n Suds sign in Albuquerque is part of a private collection. I don't know where this sign was installed originally.

The Carpet Gallery has a collection of neon signs. The owner bought this Rover sign from the Dog n Suds in Lafayette, IN and had it restored in 2016. The sign is believed to have come from the Clinton, IN location which is gone now. There is also a post-Rover, Dog N Suds sign at this location installed outside. That one was originally installed at the Cherokee Pass, MO location which is gone now. [map]

Dog n Suds Drive-in
Paragould, AR
This Dog n Suds Drive-in is an old location with the original canopy and sign. The canopy has been boxed up and no longer has the red plastic "Root Beer" lettering. The Char-Co Burger part of this pole sign was evidently not unique. There are others in Alsip, IL (see next page) and Columbus (below). [map]

Dog n Suds Drive-in
Grayslake, IL
This Dog n Suds opened in 1964. [map]

Dog n Suds Drive-in
Richmond, IL
This Dog n Suds Drive-in opened in 1963. [map]

Dog n Suds Drive-in
Ingleside, IL
This Dog n Suds was built in 1967. [map]

former Dog n Suds Drive-in
Loves Park, IL
This Dog n Suds opened in 1968. At some point, the restaurant closed. The building housed a car lot and video store from 1997-2006. In 2006, it returned to operation as a Dog n Suds. By 2012, the business was closed again. The sign has been removed. In 2014, the building and canopy were repurposed for Molly's Deli. [map]

Dog n Suds Drive-in [gone]
Charleston, IL
This Dog n Suds was apparently built in the early 1960s. This photo is from 2006. By 2013, the canopy and building were gone. A new auto parts store was built on the property.

Dog n Suds Drive-in
Lafayette, IN
This Dog n Suds Drive-in opened in 1956. However, this canopy looks new. [map]

Dog n Suds Drive-in
West Lafayette, IN
This Dog n Suds Drive-in was built in 2005. This sign is also new. The dog faces right and the arrow uses neon instead of bulbs. For more, see this website. [map]

Dog n Suds
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