Wish the old owners never sold it. I miss the old cheeseburgers and food. New owner needs to be in a psych ward.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
waldend248
The woman who owns this place is a CERTIFIED nut case
Robert Hunerberg
Been many years ago while I was at the Joliet Ammunition Plant! Get your kicks on Rt 66!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nicholas Lonas
Just went to take
Atmosphere: 5
Jacob Chalkey
This lady must think the world is going to end or what but just open the dam place
David Calvo
It's closed, it looks permanent
Katie La Rocca
I wish the owner didn't loose her mind and turn this place into trash!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Christy M
Wanted to get passport stamped and take a photo of the giant, but there was a wrecked car in front of the giant and lots of odd stuff written on everything. There seemed to be a very angry woman running the place and there was a really stange and unpleasant atmosphere. Will not return to Wilmington based on this experience.
Atmosphere: 1
Christy J
Wanted to get passport stamped and take a photo of the giant, but there was a wrecked car in front of the giant and lots of odd stuff written on everything. There seemed to be a very angry woman running the place and there was a really stange and unpleasant atmosphere. Will not return to Wilmington based on this experience.
4states
It seems like the owner is rude to everyone these days. We visited and she was just angry, then we talked to other people who had the same experience. The whole reason for visiting is to take pictures of the Gemini Giant, but there's a wrecked car in front of it. Maybe the owner is trying to make this one of those places where everyone gets insulted, or maybe she's just permanently angry. Either way it's not a place we'd visit or recommend to others. There are too many other great places on Route 66 with owners and staff who appreciate your business.
The owner is absolutely awful. She needs help. She refused to move her car for LOTS OF TOURISTS earlier because "she wants justice to be served"She makes our town look worse than it is. Our whole town pitched in with donations so the historic Gemini Giant and launching pad could still stand tall and proud just for her to take advantage of us, close it down, and block off the landmark for everyone.I'm SO glad I've never been there while she's been the owner. Never will I ever step foot around there and "support" her
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Shawn Thompson
Disappointing as the establishment is temporarily closed. We were starting our trip down Rt 66 and this was supposed to be the first spot to get our passport stamp book stamped. Bummer. Still got pics with the Gemini Giant and the outside of the Launching Pad but it was Giant let down that it was closed. We had planned on picking up a Gemini Giant bobble head to be out 66 mascot.
Ryan D.
The drive from Chicago to Springfield is a pretty boring one. There is not much to see while driving down I-55. On the way home we decided to see a few roadside attractions along the way to break up the monotony. The Gemini Giant is a thirty foot statue standing outside of The Launching Pad restaurant. Seeing this green-clad giant holding a rocket is something worth going out of your way to see. We stopped there, took a few pictures, and stretched our legs. There is a gas station across the street if you need to fuel up. The Launching Pad restaurant did not look to be open when we stopped. Definitely recommenedd if you are looking for something interesting to see in central Illinois.
Mike P
If this place ever reopens with the same owners, as a local, I ask you to stop supporting it. It was enough of an eyesore when this past summer the owner decided to park her car in front of the tourist attraction Gemini Giant. It went away for a while but then she did it again. Now she has taken to accusing her business partner of crimes by writing on the windows. She posts absolutely crazy ranting nonstop on Truth Social, accusing many people who worked with her of just awful things that she should be sued over. She keeps using racist language. She needs a serious mental health intervention but it looks like she thinks everybody is only out to get her. Enough is enough. This place needs to be sold to somebody who can handle the stress of running a small business. She took an iconic international Route 66 destination, and with about $500K in government relief funds managed to run the place into the ground in around a year, year and a half. The reputation is in the toilet and she's making our entire town look bad.
L Grabb
You can stop in here to eat, read about Route 66 and get your Route 66 passport stamped. We received a magnet when we got our passport stamped. There was a notebook full of information on the different towns along the route. They had a little gift shop area where you could buy souvenirs. We didn't try any of their food since we were not hungry.
Wish the old owners never sold it. I miss the old cheeseburgers and food. New owner needs to be in a psych ward.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
The woman who owns this place is a CERTIFIED nut case
Been many years ago while I was at the Joliet Ammunition Plant! Get your kicks on Rt 66!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Just went to take
Atmosphere: 5
This lady must think the world is going to end or what but just open the dam place
It's closed, it looks permanent
I wish the owner didn't loose her mind and turn this place into trash!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Wanted to get passport stamped and take a photo of the giant, but there was a wrecked car in front of the giant and lots of odd stuff written on everything. There seemed to be a very angry woman running the place and there was a really stange and unpleasant atmosphere. Will not return to Wilmington based on this experience.
Atmosphere: 1
Wanted to get passport stamped and take a photo of the giant, but there was a wrecked car in front of the giant and lots of odd stuff written on everything. There seemed to be a very angry woman running the place and there was a really stange and unpleasant atmosphere. Will not return to Wilmington based on this experience.
It seems like the owner is rude to everyone these days. We visited and she was just angry, then we talked to other people who had the same experience. The whole reason for visiting is to take pictures of the Gemini Giant, but there's a wrecked car in front of it. Maybe the owner is trying to make this one of those places where everyone gets insulted, or maybe she's just permanently angry. Either way it's not a place we'd visit or recommend to others. There are too many other great places on Route 66 with owners and staff who appreciate your business.
Restaurantji Recommends
The owner is absolutely awful. She needs help. She refused to move her car for LOTS OF TOURISTS earlier because "she wants justice to be served"She makes our town look worse than it is. Our whole town pitched in with donations so the historic Gemini Giant and launching pad could still stand tall and proud just for her to take advantage of us, close it down, and block off the landmark for everyone.I'm SO glad I've never been there while she's been the owner. Never will I ever step foot around there and "support" her
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Disappointing as the establishment is temporarily closed. We were starting our trip down Rt 66 and this was supposed to be the first spot to get our passport stamp book stamped. Bummer. Still got pics with the Gemini Giant and the outside of the Launching Pad but it was Giant let down that it was closed. We had planned on picking up a Gemini Giant bobble head to be out 66 mascot.
The drive from Chicago to Springfield is a pretty boring one. There is not much to see while driving down I-55. On the way home we decided to see a few roadside attractions along the way to break up the monotony. The Gemini Giant is a thirty foot statue standing outside of The Launching Pad restaurant. Seeing this green-clad giant holding a rocket is something worth going out of your way to see. We stopped there, took a few pictures, and stretched our legs. There is a gas station across the street if you need to fuel up. The Launching Pad restaurant did not look to be open when we stopped. Definitely recommenedd if you are looking for something interesting to see in central Illinois.
If this place ever reopens with the same owners, as a local, I ask you to stop supporting it. It was enough of an eyesore when this past summer the owner decided to park her car in front of the tourist attraction Gemini Giant. It went away for a while but then she did it again. Now she has taken to accusing her business partner of crimes by writing on the windows. She posts absolutely crazy ranting nonstop on Truth Social, accusing many people who worked with her of just awful things that she should be sued over. She keeps using racist language. She needs a serious mental health intervention but it looks like she thinks everybody is only out to get her. Enough is enough. This place needs to be sold to somebody who can handle the stress of running a small business. She took an iconic international Route 66 destination, and with about $500K in government relief funds managed to run the place into the ground in around a year, year and a half. The reputation is in the toilet and she's making our entire town look bad.
You can stop in here to eat, read about Route 66 and get your Route 66 passport stamped. We received a magnet when we got our passport stamped. There was a notebook full of information on the different towns along the route. They had a little gift shop area where you could buy souvenirs. We didn't try any of their food since we were not hungry.