If you eat at a single, non first-of-its-name chain restaurant on Route 66, you’re doing it wrong. If you’re getting your kicks, you’re going to want to make sure you’re well lubed – and burger grease is easy to find on route.
CHICAGO START: Lou Mitchell’s – Free milk duds for ladies and children. Their coffee is genuinely excellent. Get there early or prepare to wait.
ILLINOIS: Cozy Dog Drive In, Springfield – Invented the corn dog on a stick in 1946. The sign alone is worth the stop. Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket, Willowbrook – Off-the-bone fried chicken. The neon sign is *chef’s kiss*.
MISSOURI: Crown Candy Kitchen, St. Louis – BLTs the size of your head and milkshakes you need two hands to lift. Ted Drewes, St. Louis – the original ‘turn it upside down and it won’t spill’ ice cream treat, and arguably the best. The Original Steak & Shake – we said no chains, but when it’s the original, we’ve gotta make an exception.
OKLAHOMA: Clanton’s Cafe, Vinita – Chicken fried steak and “calf fries.” If you don’t know what calf fries are, maybe don’t ask. Rock Cafe, Stroud – Inspired the diner in Cars. Also featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Get the chicken fried steak. Pop’s Soda Ranch – So many sodas, so little time. Also burgers and a giant light up pop-bottle out front. Sid’s Diner – Onion burgers are part of the heritage of this Route 66 town. Sid’s still serves em’.
TEXAS: Big Texan Steak Ranch, Amarillo – 72-oz steak is free if you finish it in an hour. Record holder ate THREE in 20 minutes. There’s also a gift shop shaped like a boot. Prefer to stick to burgers for your Texas meat? Coyote Bluff Cafe – just down the road from the Big Texan is an excellent choice for a classic Route 66 meat patty. They’re also known for their Texas Chili.
NEW MEXICO: Russell’s Route 66 Diner, Glen Rio – not just a classic diner, but a complete grocery store, a classic car museum, chapel, and some of best showers on route too. 66 Diner, Albuquerque – Chrome tables, jukeboxes, and banana splits with 8 scoops. Pure ’50s vibes. Laguna Burger Pit Stop, Albuquerque- it’s a gas station (with seating!) with one of the best green chile burgers around. An easy peasy, delightfully messy meal.
ARIZONA: The Brown Mug, Winslow – it’s a dive, but its got heart and is always jam packed with locals. Their Navajo Taco and Soapaillas will keep you greased up for the road. Pine Country Cafe, Williams – it’s a bit of a sleeper, but the pies here are something to write home about. Delgadillo’s Snow Cap, Seligman – The owner used to mess with customers (fake ketchup bottles, mustard that squirts water). His kids still run it. Order literally anything.
CALIFORNIA: The Wagon Wheel, Needles – A long-standing, historic, and authentic Route 66 stop serving hearty, classic American comfort food. Fair Oaks Pharmacy, South Pasadena – Working soda fountain since 1915. Get an old-fashioned phosphate and feel like you time-traveled.
*claim dependent on grandparent’s date of birth
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