Springfield, IL (WAND) – Long before the golden arches, a converted train caboose was making history as the birthplace of the American drive-thru.
The original Maid-Rite on Pasfield Street has been satisfying hungry customers since 1924 in a converted train caboose and its famous drive-thru window.
“The original way — mustard, chopped onion, chopped pickles, scoop of ground beef … 1-2-3-4 this is what the Maid-Rite is. You made that in all of 15 seconds — I do 15 in a minute,” said Owner Sam Quasi.
Quasi has served people from all parts who want to know more about the Mother Road.
“We get a lot of Europeans come in. I explain this is the first in [the] nation drive-thru window, this was a caboose, and when [it comes] to drinks we make root beer, no alcohol. I know they don’t have root beer in Europe,” Quasi said.
Maid-Rite is a must-stop when visiting.
“They put it in a bun, [and] it gets a little moist. I like pickle, mustard, pepper, they are just great,” said Ken Carlyle, a Maid Rite fan.
Visitors cannot forget to get a souvenir shirt and a stamp for their Route 66 passport.
Only the prices have changed since 1924, when the Washington Senators won the World Series, and the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade took place.
As for the drive-thru window, Quasi keeps it operational.
“It has been used a lot … I use Vaseline to keep [it] faster, and the door hinge so it doesn’t fall on workers,” Quasi said.
And 2026 is set to be special for the historic business.
“This is the 100th anniversary for Route 66 [and it’s] gonna be big too.”
Classic cars will be filling the lot, eager to keep their hands on a Maid Rite sandwich.
