Sis (Elizabeth) Gabel got involved with the restaurant in 1952 when she went into partnership with her father, Louis Nichols. Alta Ferguson worked there, and in 1965, she and Nancy Higgins bought the restaurant and ran it until 1981. Under their watch there were new hours. Tuesday through Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. You could get your lunch packed while you were having breakfast.
There were about 10 to 12 people working at Sis’, many part timers, including Alta’s daughter, Debbie, who spent her summers there during high school and college.
During the 1960’s through 70’s Sis’ was where a lot of clubs – Illinois Retired Teachers, Rural Mail Carrier Auxiliary, Rural Home Club, etc. – held their meetings – dinner meetings.
But all good things come to an end. SIS’ DRIVE IN no longer stands on Rte. 47 south of the bridge. In about 1985, it was torn down and replaced with a BP gas station. However, the cook, Margaret Dell, saved the tables and chairs. Before she died, she told her daughter Linda, to give them to her good neighbor, Darrell Shanon. Darrell kept them in his basement for years before donating them to the Grundy County Historical Society Museum.