Route 66 business spotlight- Fairlane Diner in Sherman, Illinois-

Meet Reggie Sadiku—a Macedonia native turned Central Illinois staple, and the proud owner of Fairlane Diner in Sherman, Illinois, right along historic Route 66. Reggie took over the diner in 2020, bringing fresh energy, a full remodel, and a renewed focus on quality and community. Since getting to know Reggie, I’ve come to admire his tireless work ethic, commitment to customer service, and the pride he takes in being part of the local fabric.

Here’s a short Q&A that gives a glimpse into what makes Fairlane Diner a must-stop for locals and road trippers alike.

1. The Horseshoe Sandwich may be a Springfield original, but I had my first one right here at Fairlane after asking the young lady at the counter what local favorite I shouldn’t miss. She delivered—and it was fantastic. For folks new to this Central Illinois specialty, can you tell us what makes the Horseshoe so unique? And what other Fairlane favorites keep locals and travelers coming back?

-At Fairlane Diner, the Horseshoe Sandwich is our crown jewel. A Central Illinois original, the horseshoe starts with thick Texas toast, topped with your choice of meat, a generous pile of fries, and then smothered in rich, creamy cheese sauce. It’s comfort food at its finest—and one of our best sellers. The most popular version is the hamburger horseshoe, but we also offer crispy chicken, buffalo chicken, BBQ chicken, and even hot dog, Chicago dog, and chili dog horseshoes.

Beyond the horseshoe, other favorites include grilled chicken, pork tenderloin (crispy or grilled), Philly cheesesteaks, gyros, corned beef, turkey, ham, turkey burgers, pork burgers, veggie burgers, and yes—even a veggie horseshoe.

Our smashed burgers are another fan favorite, available in single, double, or triple stack options.

Sides include fries, tater tots, or waffle fries, with an option to upgrade to an appetizer.

2. What’s the mix like between your local regulars and Route 66 travelers rolling through? Does that balance shift when tourism heats up—or cools down?

-Most of our regular business comes from locals in Sherman and nearby towns like Williamsville, just four miles away. We also see plenty of guests from Athens, which is about ten minutes out, as well as from the north side of Springfield.

We get a steady stream of folks passing through—whether they’re traveling to Memorial or St. John’s Hospital, or heading to the state offices in downtown Springfield.

And of course, we welcome Route 66 travelers, too! Some are from across the U.S., and others come from all over the world. One of the most memorable encounters was meeting a group from the Netherlands who were biking the entire Route 66. We’ve also had visitors from France, Germany, Japan, Belgium, and many other countries.

It’s been a real joy running a place that’s a local favorite, while also getting to meet people from across the globe. Every day brings someone new through the door!

3. Running a diner on one of the most legendary highways in the country has to come with some magic. What do you enjoy most about your role in the diner, and what are you most proud of?

-The support from the Sherman community has been incredible. I’ve made it a point to stay involved in local events and activities, because being part of this town means a lot to me.

Though I’m originally from Macedonia, the people here have welcomed me as if I was born and raised in Central Illinois—and I’m truly grateful for that.

When I took over the diner in 2020, it needed some real attention—both inside and out. Over the years, I’ve worked hard to improve customer service, bring things up to date, and give the place a fresh start. After two years, we completed a full remodel and expanded from 30 seats to 88. It’s been a big transformation, and I’m proud of how far we’ve come—with the support of this great community every step of the way.