Whirl-A-Whip, a Route 66 and Girard Icon!

By Cindy Ladage

The Whirl-A-Whip located in Girard along Route 66; alias Route 4 opened in 1957 according to owner Brent Barnes.  The Lockwoods were the first owners.  He purchased this iconic outdoor eatery in 2013.  “I am only the fifth owner in all that time,” he said.  “We are open from March to October; we are an outdoor venue.”

He said that people have asked why they don’t enclose it, he said that that would take away the original Route 66 charm that brings people from all over the US and around the world to visit.  “We give visitors from out of the country postcards when they stop,” Brent said showing a book with a list of visitors from countries from as far away as Spain, Australia, the United Kingdom and more.  One of the cherished memories he had included a badge insignia from an Australian policeman that gave the badge to Brent when he stopped during a visit.

“I’ve  met a lot of interesting people,” Brent said about the visitors.

Being along Route 66 also offers views of cool vehicles as well.  “We see a lot of neat old cars go by too.”

Besides the far away visitors, locals from central Illinois frequent the Whirl-A-Whip from Jacksonville, Rochester, to Springfield and all around during the open times. “They travel here for a unique ice cream place,” Brent explained.

To Brent’s knowledge there are only two original Whirl-A-Whips still around, the one in Girard, and one in North Dakota.  The sign that hangs out by the highway is an original sign.  Brent said he has taken everything back original and that the ice cream is made with the original machine.  “The serial number is #29.  I have serial #1 out in the shed.  I’d like to get it running, but I would never use it.  You can’t buy the parts.  If you break the machine, we have to machine them ourselves or have them machined.”

It is almost easier to ask what Whirl-A-Whip doesn’t offer than what they do offer!  The menu is that inclusive!  Owner Brent Barnes said that the ice cream all begins as soft serve.  Using the very cool original soft serve ice cream machine, if not serving soft serve to create the multi-flavors, they pull soft serve into slots that Brent invented.  The soft serve slots are then the base for each of the flavors that they offer.  “Each is hand made to order,” Brent said.

They add in the desired flavor to create each fresh flavor using only locally delivered Prairie Farms ice cream.  While there are a wide variety of favorites, Brent said he thought the top favorites were Butter Pecan, Black Raspberry, Cookie Dough, and Cookies and Cream.  At Whirl-A-Whip, they also make homemade waffle cones.

Whirl-A-Whip is not just an ice cream shop, they also have sandwiches, fries, delectable onion rings, horseshoes and even salads. Known for their burgers and horseshoes, Philly steaks and tenderloins, Brent said they are also rather famous for a dish they invented called the Soft Taco.  “We use something like pizza dough then place a scoop of taco meet and cheese in the center and deep fry it.  Then we open it up and place lettuce inside,” he shared.

Keeping a Half Century old business up takes a lot of maintenance.  “I have put in new floors, plumbing etc.” Brent said.  He also pointed out some energy efficient heaters that he had just added.

Asked how he got into this line of business, Brent said it was love of the community and fear that they would lose the Whirl-A-Whip if someone did not step up and purchase it.  The prior owner didn’t have any family that wanted to keep the business going.  “It sat closed for four years,” Brent said.  “If no owner bought it, they probably would have torn it down.”

It is a labor of love to keep this Route 66 business going.  “I work 12 hours a day, six days a week.  I’m here every day and I think the community likes that.  I am a hands-on owner,” Brent said.  “It takes a staff of 10-12 to run the place.  I have a manager Mickala Hertz, she has been with me for several years.”

“We provide employment for locals and high school students,” Brent said.  Mickala will begin hiring after the first of the year for the March 11, 2022, opening.  Brent hopes to be able to offer a sign on bonus with the current hiring issues that everyone is suffering from currently.  While it sounds like it will be a long time until opening, with a two-week clean and prep period and hiring time it is just around the corner.

The Whilrl-A-Whip is more than just a place to stop and eat. It is a historical part of the Macoupin County community and a part of the fabric of Route 66. Start planning a visit when the days lengthen and warm up. Brent and his staff will be waiting! In the meantime, check them out at About us | Whirl-a-whip (whirlawhip.net) or stay up to date on their Facebook page.