Ike's Chili Hosts Fundraiser For The Will Rogers Memorial Museum

Ike's Chili has been serving up hot plates since 1908. Len Wade, Ike’s Chili owner, said people from all over still come to get their chili fix after almost a hundred and fifteen years in business.

"A lot of my customers tell me every day thank you for still being here,” Wade said.

Many iconic names have come to the mother road to try a bowl, but one sticks out among the rest.

"Will Rogers was one of our customers years and years ago,” Wade said.

The Will Rogers Memorial Museum will undergo renovations in the coming year, to include a new event center and entrance.

"We are trying to get more donations to redo the Will Rogers museum and turn it into the Will Rogers World Citizen Experience,” Bart Taylor, Will Rogers Museum worker said.

Wade wanted to support the remodel and started a fundraiser to help cover some of the costs.

"We don't expect to solve their financial difficulties, but every little bit helps,” Wade said.

Will Rogers is a huge part of their restaurant's history and Wade sees this as a way to keep the spirit of Will Rogers alive.

Taylor thinks the support of the restaurant perfectly represents what Rogers was about.

"I love that we can work together as a restaurant and a museum having the same message of connecting people and community building,” Taylor said.

Every purchase at Ike’s Chili donates ten percent to the museum.