Muffler Man Holding a Hot Dog in Atlanta, Illinois

When you think of the word “Muffler Man” what do you think? Is it a guy who fixes your car? Or is it a person made from car mufflers? If you’re like me, you think differently, and think of something like this Muffler Man holding a hot dog in Atlanta, Illinois.

Paul Bunyon Muffler Man Holding a Hot Dog in Atlanta, Illinois - Route 66 Roadside attraction

A muffler man roadside attraction is a giant fiberglass man often found on Route 66. He stands so tall at 18 to 25 feet that I can easily fit underneath his legs. His arms are bent in front of him: left palm down, right palm up making it easy for him to hold a muffler…or an ax, a flag, a rocket, a hot dog. Popularized in the 60s and 70s and made by International Fiberglass these roadside attractions were built to be just that: ways to attract customers off the road and into businesses.

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book - Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip! By Valerie Bromann

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book

Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip!

Enjoy fun games and challenges to pass the time on your next road trip and have a keepsake to look back on for years to come with this entertaining must-have for your next vacation.

In 1966 a muffler man was erected in Cicero, Illinois at a hot dog and burger restaurant named Bunyon’s hot dog stand. Due to that this giant hot dog muffler man (a modified Paul Bunyan statue) is known locally as “The Bunyon Giant.”

In 2002 the Cicero restaurant closed but the legacy of the hot-dog wielding giant mufflerman lives on. “Tall Paul” was restored and relocated to Route 66 park in Atlanta, Illinois where the Illinois roadside attraction still stands proud today across the street from Palms Grill Cafe with a view of the town’s smiley face water tower.

This man holding hot dog isn’t the only Illinois muffler man on Route 66. Be sure to also check out the Gemini Giant in Wilmington, Illinois and the Lauterbach Tire Muffler Man in Springfield, Illinois.

Paul Bunyon Muffler Man Holding a Hot Dog in Atlanta, Illinois - Route 66 Roadside attraction
Paul Bunyon Muffler Man Holding a Hot Dog in Atlanta, Illinois - Route 66 Roadside attraction
Paul Bunyon Muffler Man Holding a Hot Dog in Atlanta, Illinois - Route 66 Roadside attraction
Paul Bunyon Muffler Man Holding a Hot Dog in Atlanta, Illinois - Route 66 Roadside attraction
Paul Bunyon Muffler Man Holding a Hot Dog in Atlanta, Illinois - Route 66 Roadside attraction
Paul Bunyon Muffler Man Holding a Hot Dog in Atlanta, Illinois - Route 66 Roadside attraction
Paul Bunyon Muffler Man Holding a Hot Dog in Atlanta, Illinois - Route 66 Roadside attraction
Paul Bunyon Muffler Man Holding a Hot Dog in Atlanta, Illinois - Route 66 Roadside attraction
Paul Bunyon Muffler Man Holding a Hot Dog in Atlanta, Illinois - Route 66 Roadside attraction
Paul Bunyon Muffler Man Holding a Hot Dog in Atlanta, Illinois - Route 66 Roadside attraction
Paul Bunyon Muffler Man Holding a Hot Dog in Atlanta, Illinois - Route 66 Roadside attraction
Paul Bunyon Muffler Man Holding a Hot Dog in Atlanta, Illinois - Route 66 Roadside attraction
Paul Bunyon Muffler Man Holding a Hot Dog in Atlanta, Illinois - Route 66 Roadside attraction
Paul Bunyon Muffler Man Holding a Hot Dog in Atlanta, Illinois - Route 66 Roadside attraction

Paul Bunyon Muffler Man in 2007

 Muffler Man Holding a Hot Dog in Atlanta, Illinois. A Paul Bunyan Statue on Route 66.
Muffler Man Holding a Hot Dog in Atlanta, Illinois
 Muffler Man Holding a Hot Dog in Atlanta, Illinois. A Paul Bunyan Statue on Route 66.
 Muffler Man Holding a Hot Dog in Atlanta, Illinois. A Paul Bunyan Statue on Route 66.

Atlanta Muffler Man holding a Hot Dog

Location: 103 SW Arch St, Atlanta, IL 61723 (see more Atlanta attractions here)
Cost: Free to see.
Hours: Always visible.


Pin this Illinois roadside attraction:

Photos of The Bunyon Giant - a 19-foot fiberglass Muffler Man holding a hot dog, a Paul Bunyan statue and Route 66 roadside attraction in Atlanta, Illinois. Visit this weird roadside attraction on an Illinois road trip and add it to your travel bucket list for your Route 66 adventure this summer.  #RoadTrips #RoadTripStop #Route66 #Route66RoadTrip #IllinoisRoute66 #Illinois #IllinoisRoadTrip #IllinoisRoadsideAttractions #RoadsideAttractions #RoadsideAttraction #RoadsideAmerica #RoadTrip
Photos of The Bunyon Giant - a 19-foot fiberglass Muffler Man holding a hot dog, a Paul Bunyan statue and Route 66 roadside attraction in Atlanta, Illinois. Visit this weird roadside attraction on an Illinois road trip and add it to your travel bucket list for your Route 66 adventure this summer.  #RoadTrips #RoadTripStop #Route66 #Route66RoadTrip #IllinoisRoute66 #Illinois #IllinoisRoadTrip #IllinoisRoadsideAttractions #RoadsideAttractions #RoadsideAttraction #RoadsideAmerica #RoadTrip

Valerie Bromann

Founder & ROad Trip Expert

Valerie Bromann is a a website manager, content creator, and writer from Chicago, Illinois (currently living in Dallas, Texas). As an avid road tripper who has visited hundreds of roadside attractions, Val always pull over for a world’s largest thing. Founder of Silly America and author of The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book, she visits, photographs, and writes about all the weird tourist destinations she visits and offers road trip planning advice and inspiration based on her own travels so you can hit the road for yourself.

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Last modified: January 4, 2022
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The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book - Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip! By Valerie Bromann

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book

Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip!

BY Valerie Bromann

Enjoy fun games and challenges to pass the time on your next road trip and have a keepsake to look back on for years to come with this entertaining must-have for your next vacation.

The road trip you’ve been dreaming of starts here! Journal about your stops and get to know your fellow passengers with activities and exercises designed to pass the time and bring you closer together. Instead of “Are we there yet?” you’ll find yourself asking, “We’re there already?”. Complete with prompts you can turn to while driving between locations, this journal will one day be a memento of your life-changing trip.