From mom-and-pop diners to historic soda fountains, Route 66 still feeds travelers the way it did nearly a century ago. This legendary highway isn’t just about the miles, it’s also about the meals.
You don’t have to be a history buff or own a red convertible to appreciate the Mother Road. You just need an appetite. Whether you’re starting in Chicago or ending at the Pacific, this road trip delivers more than Americana. It dishes up classic comfort food that’s stood the test of time. Think chicken-fried steak on chipped Formica, milkshakes in frosted glasses and pies that would make your grandma proud.
Illinois
Route 66 officially begins in downtown Chicago, where Lou Mitchell’s has been welcoming road trippers since before the route was even numbered. Their hearty breakfasts and complimentary donut holes are the edible equivalent of a warm sendoff.
As the Mother Road snakes southwest, travelers hit small-town gems like the Polk-a-Dot Drive In in Braidwood. With statues of Elvis and Marilyn watching over your chili cheese fries, it’s retro kitsch in the best way.
In the town of Atlanta, the Country-Aire Restaurant serves comfort food that feels like grandma’s kitchen. You’ll know you’re in the right spot when you see Lumi the Pie Lady, a 19-foot-tall fiberglass statue inspired by Lumi Bekteshi, an Illinois State Fair Grand Champion pie baker.
In Springfield, the quonset hut charm of Charlie Parker’s Diner pairs well with plate-sized pancakes and horseshoe sandwiches. This regional specialty is made of Texas toast, meat, fries and cheese sauce that will keep you full for miles.
One of the oldest restaurants on Route 66, the Ariston Cafe in Litchfield, has welcomed travelers since 1924. Known for its white tablecloths and comforting mix of American and Mediterranean classics, like fried chicken and gyros, it serves up a century of history with every bite.
If you need a break from fried food and fountain sodas, Cleveland-Heath in downtown Edwardsville is a refreshing change of pace. This modern, locally loved spot serves creative dishes made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. From miso-cured salmon to house-made cheddar biscuits, it’s a flavorful reminder that Route 66 can serve up more than just nostalgia.
Missouri
Crossing into Missouri on Route 66, you’ll quickly discover Ted Drewes’s Chippewa Street location, right along the Mother Road. Serving its famously thick frozen custard since 1929, the signature concrete is so dense it’s handed over upside down. Try the Cardinal Sin, with tart cherries and hot fudge over vanilla custard, for the full experience.
In Wildwood, Big Chief Roadhouse sits in a restored 1929 motor lodge and still captures the spirit of early road travel. With burgers and St. Louis specialties like smothered pork steak, it’s a cozy stop that blends history with hearty meals.
Kansas
Route 66 barely brushes the southeastern tip of Kansas, but it squeezes a whole lot of charm into just 13 miles. In Baxter Springs, make time for the Monarch Pharmacy & Soda Fountain, where the past is served with a scoop. Slide onto a swivel stool and order a hand-spun shake or cherry phosphate in one of the most nostalgic spots on the Kansas stretch of the Mother Road.
Oklahoma
Although Route 66 stretches more than 400 miles across Oklahoma, one of its tastiest stretches starts in Vinita. Clanton’s Cafe, family-run since 1927, is the oldest family-owned restaurant on the Mother Road. Known for its chicken-fried steak, calf fries and rotating selection of pies, it’s a place where comfort food meets living history.
Also in Vinita, the Hi-Way Cafe looks unassuming from the outside. But inside, award-winning pancakes and daily specials make it clear why it’s been named one of the best hole-in-the-wall restaurants in the state.
In Stroud, the Rock Café was built in 1939 from hand-laid stones quarried during Route 66 construction. Owner Dawn Welch inspired the character Sally Carrera in Pixar’s “Cars,” and her cafe has earned national recognition from Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives to Gourmet Magazine. Try the chicken fried steak, the buffalo burger or the German-style spaetzle noodles.
Along Route 66 in Tulsa, Tally’s Good Food Café is famous for cinnamon rolls and hand-breaded chicken-fried steak. Two miles down Route 66, the Mother Road Market offers something entirely different: a buzzing food hall with dozens of local vendors, a Route 66-themed mini-golf course and plenty of space to stretch your legs.
Texas
Everything’s bigger in Texas, including the steaks. In Amarillo, the Big Texan Steak Ranch is famous for its 72-ounce steak challenge, livestreamed daily for anyone brave enough to watch. Even if you skip the challenge, the Western-themed decor and larger-than-life vibe make this Route 66 stop unforgettable.
Also in Amarillo, the GoldenLight Café & Cantina has been serving burgers, beer and live music since 1946. It’s the oldest restaurant in the city and still a favorite with locals and road trippers alike. In addition to a wide range of juicy burgers, the cafe is known for several Route 66-inspired specialties. Try the Flagstaff Pie, a platter of Fritos smothered with chili, cheese and onions, or the Half Way to Albuquerque, a giant chili burrito with just the right amount of heat.
Further west in Adrian, the Midpoint Café marks the exact halfway point between Chicago and Santa Monica. It’s best known for its Ugly Crust Pies, a term coined by former pastry chef Joann Harwell, who humorously acknowledged her pies’ imperfect appearance despite their delicious taste.
New Mexico
In Santa Rosa, Joseph’s Bar and Grill has been feeding travelers since 1956 with a menu that blends Route 66 classics and New Mexican staples. You’ll find everything from green chile cheeseburgers to enchiladas served in a cozy, rustic setting.
Albuquerque is packed with can’t-miss eats. 66 Diner delivers full-on 1950s nostalgia with blue-plate specials, malts and jukebox tunes. Across town, Frontier Restaurant is a local institution known for sweet rolls, green chile stew, and its crave-worthy huevos rancheros. And for a true roadside original, swing by the Dog House Drive In, a spot so iconic, it even made a cameo in “Breaking Bad.”
Arizona
Inside the historic La Posada Hotel in Winslow, the Turquoise Room offers a mouthwatering break from diner fare. Honoring its railroad roots, it crafts elegant Southwestern-inspired dishes made from seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. It’s a must for travelers who want an upscale meal steeped in travel history.
Galaxy Diner in Flagstaff is a 1950s throwback, glowing with neon, jukeboxes and vintage charm. Known for hearty portions, thick milkshakes and all-day breakfast, it’s a beloved local institution and a classic stop for hungry road trippers.
Set in a restored 1930s gas station, Cruiser’s Café 66 in Williams serves mesquite-smoked BBQ and burgers with a side of rock ’n’ roll. With outdoor seating, live music and wall-to-wall memorabilia, it’s a lively tribute to Route 66 in one of Arizona’s most photogenic towns.
Equal parts restaurant and roadside comedy act, Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-in in Seligman has been serving burgers and shakes with a side of dad jokes since 1953. Don’t miss the milkshakes at this iconic Route 66 stop, because they currently hold a world record after the team whipped up 266 flavors in just 75 minutes.
In Kingman, Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner is a retro gem decked out in turquoise and pink, a color scheme as bold as its root beer. Known for its juicy burgers, crispy onion rings and house-made soda, it’s a nostalgic 1950s-style stop that perfectly captures the Mother Road’s charm.
California
Begin your California Route 66 culinary journey at the Wagon Wheel Restaurant in Needles, a classic diner that’s been serving hearty favorites since the highway’s heyday. Popular picks include chicken-fried steak, meatloaf and burgers.
In Victorville, Emma Jean’s Holland Burger Cafe is the oldest continually operating restaurant in the Victor Valley. Open since 1947, it’s home to the famous Brian Burger, a beef patty layered with Swiss cheese and an Ortega chili, grilled between two slices of parmesan-crusted sourdough.
The Red Hen Cafe in Helendale is a comforting family-run spot that feels like your aunt’s kitchen. Order the biscuits and gravy or the cinnamon roll French toast, which is exactly what it sounds like and absolutely worth it.
In-N-Out Burger may be bigger than Route 66, but you’ll find one of these regional icons along Route 66 in San Bernardino. Order a Double-Double with cheese, add animal-style fries and enjoy a California burger classic wrapped in wax paper. Nearby, Lupe’s Bakery Panaderia creates traditional Mexican treats from sweet to savory. Their conchas are soft and sweet, but the pork and chicken tamales are the stars. Each is plump with filling and wrapped in tender masa.
In Claremont, Wolfe’s Market has served the community since 1917. Today, it’s a go-to for fresh deli fare or boxed meals to go. Try the guacamole club with turkey, bacon and avocado on schiacciata bread.
Stacks on Route 66 in Glendora is the place to stop when you need breakfast at any hour. The pancakes are the main attraction, but regulars also love the corned beef hash and the generous omelets.
At the end of the road, The Lobster in Santa Monica offers a fitting finale. Choose the whole steamed lobster or the lobster roll, and enjoy ocean views where the Mother Road meets the Pacific.
Flavors that fuel the Mother Road
A century after it was commissioned, Route 66 remains a living timeline of American comfort food. Whether served in a diner, drive-in or cafe that has stood the test of time or from a modern-day eatery, the flavors along the Mother Road continue to connect past and present, one bite at a time.
Sage Scott is a travel writer and photographer who was bitten by the travel bug as a preschooler when her family moved abroad for the first time. She recently checked a classic road trip off her bucket list by driving all 2,448 miles of Route 66, from Chicago to Santa Monica. Follow her adventures at Everyday Wanderer.
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