Riviera Restaurant

We stopped by to visit this attraction the beginning of May 2023. We had a look and took some pictures. We were just leaving when a nice gentleman pulled up to say hi. Well it turns out that he was the mayor of Gardner. It also turns out that he obliged us with a private tour of the Riviera. He knew quite a bit about the beautiful little diner. It was a privilege to spend time with him. We felt like we would be welcome to be part of their nice little community. So we thank Mike for the time he took to make our visit memorable.
As for the Riviera itself. It's a nice place to stop by even if it's not open to go inside. I took my first pictures from outside, with the camera up against the glass. They came out pretty good. See if you can tell the difference. Even though you probably can reason that out by the position of the pictures.
A nice place to stop by. Plus you have the two cell jailhouse right next door. As well at the shop on Route 66. All three with in an easy walk of one another.

Adorable! Would love to have more information about the business displayed

The Route 66 Association of Illinois restored this diner and dedicated the building to the late Bob and Peggy Craft. The Crafts owned the Riviera Roadhouse in Gardner, a popular supper club and speakeasy frequented by Al Capone in the 1920s. After a suspicious fire destroyed the Riviera in 2010 this Streetcar Diner (housed on the premises of the Riviera) was moved to this location. The diner was inducted into the Route 66 Hall of Fame in 2001. You can't go inside, but you can peer through the windows and see the wooden benches and stools that line the chrome counter.

What a great little restored diner! A great glimpse back in time!

Riviera Restaurant

Old dinner history