Wheels editor: Scott Helmchen • shelmchen@shawmedia.com
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Breaking news @ www.NWHerald.com
GET TO CRUISIN’ Gilberts restaurant a very cool hot rod hangout t seems every town in the area has a special restaurant car enthusiasts like to eat at while they attend a cruise night or weekend car show. For the town of Gilberts, that would be Cruisin’ Great Food and Spirits (www. ON CARS cruisingilberts. com) at the corner Fred of Route 72 and GalBlumenthal ligan Road about a mile and a quarter west of Randall Road. When owners Rob and Bob, both were dyedin-the-wool car lovers, bought the old “L” Station diner about 10 years ago, they decided the name and venue for their new digs would be automotive
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FIND FRED’S FULL SCHEDULE OF SUMMER CAR SHOWS AND CRUISE NIGHTS ON PAGE E10
Rick Johnson of Rock ‘n’ Roll Automotives in Carpentersville has his stunning 1956 Chevy BelAir street machine sitting in the number one parking spot at Cruisin’ Great Food and Spirit’s May 5 car show in Gilberts. Photo provided
in nature. About the only thing left of the old “L” Station is the parking lot. The changes can be seen as soon as you walk into the restaurant. Now there is a whole new format and menu. Car memorabilia lines the walls and bar area. Vanity license plates with a car theme donated from customers, stained glass windows featuring vintage tin, signage featuring every car and motorcycle ever made, posters of the mother road “Route 66” and James Dean, and old 45 rpm records with songs such as “409” and “Little Deuce Coupe” are everywhere. In short, Cruisin’ is a real trip for anyone who stops in. Oh yeah, and the food is great! See CRUISIN’, page E10
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Friday, May 24, 2013 Northwest Herald
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Wheels
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