Now only existing as a nostalgic, tasty memory, the "Cock Robin" fast food eateries of the Chicago area once numbered 23 in all (one source indicates 25). The first of the "Prince Castle" restaurants (as they were originally called) opened its doors in 1929. By 1931, there were 5 of these fast food places in the Chicago area.
Founded in Naperville, Illinois by Walter Fredenhagen and Earl Prince, these ChiTown diners featured, among other things, a variety of soft ice cream flavors, signature "one-in-a-million" milk shakes, and their own, unique sandwich, the steak burger.
The various "Prince Castles" started slowly changing their names to "Cock Robin" starting in 1955. In time, all of them were called "Cock Robins" and had appropriate signs to announce the fact. It seems that nobody is still around who knows just why the name change occurred.
Seen in this youtube video are scenes from the Melrose Park, Illinois and Brookfield, Illinois "Cock Robin" restaurants. The former was filmed in April of 2004 while the latter was shot in July of that year.
Sadly, when I returned to the Melrose Park "Cock Robin" in July of 2004, I discovered that it had shut its doors for good, the land having been sold to the nearby hospital so that a parking lot could be made (did they sell paradise?) In 2007, the Brookfield "Cock Robin" closed its doors for good as well.
It is hoped that these short video segments will help the viewer revisit the iconic "Cock Robin" restaurant for just one more, memorable time. Let your imagination do the tasting and enjoy!