Lou Mitchell's Restaurant & Bakery in Chicago

A popular stop for Route 66 travelers, at 565 West Jackson Boulevard ... Lou Mitchell's website

Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket

Since 1946, a consistent destination for travelers, at 645 Joliet Road in Willowbrook, Illinois. Read more at the Chicken Basket website.

Rich and Creamy

Located on 920 N. Broadway in Joliet
Read more about this popular restored ice cream stand

The Old Log Cabin

Classic circa-1926 dining at 18700 Old Route 66 in Pontiac, Illinois. Learn more at the Old Log Cabin website

Polk-A-Dot Drive-In

The Polk-A-Dot Drive-In, in business since 1956, at 222 N Front Street in Braidwood

The great atmosphere at this family-owned restaurant transforms visitors back to the 1950s. The Polk-A-Dot offers table side juke boxes, photo memorabilia of rock and roll stars, child and adult sized tables and booths. And a great menu! Popular with Route 66 travelers are the numerous photo opportunities, from Superman to the Blues Brothers to Elvis and Marilyn, and more!

Phone 815.458 .3377 or visit the Polk-A-Dot Drive-in on Facebook

Cozy Dog Drive In

Home of the original hot dog on a stick, dipped in batter and deep friend. Owned and operated by the Ed Waldmire family on famous Route 66 in Springfield, since 1949.

Located at 2935 So. Sixth Street, Springfield, IL 62703. Read more at the website of the Cozy Dog Drive In

The Ariston Cafe

The Ariston Cafe in Litchfield has been satisfying local patrons and international travelers on Route 66 since 1924. Today, this landmark dining experience continues to attract those who "remember where good food is served".

When you're cruisin' down Route 66 in Litchfield, and hunger strikes, take the time to check out one of the oldest American restaurants on the legendary highway. The Ariston Cafe opened its doors in 1924 and is one of the oldest continually-operated Route 66 restaurants still going today.

Located at 413 Old Route 66 N. Litchfield, IL 62056.
Read more at the website of the The Ariston Cafe

Stopping to Dine in Missouri

Dining in St. Louis

St. Louis hotel listings, maps and reviews by travelers at TripAdvisor

St. Louis restaurant listings and reviews by travelers

Ted Drewes Frozen Custard

Located at 6726 Chippewa in St. Louis, Ted Drewes Frozen Custard has been selling frozen custard for over 80 years. They are also famous for their Christmas trees, for over 50 years.

With the motto, “Our Business Is Service”, Ted has inspired four generations of family members and employees to work hard, and succeed. A not-to--be-missed attraction in St. Louis! And just down the street is the Donut Drive-In at 6525 Chippewa Street.

Ted Drewes Frozen Custard Website

Beyond St. Louis

Restaurants and dining options in Cuba, Missouri

Rolla, Missouri restaurants with traveler reviews

Weir on 66 restaurant at 102 W. Washington Street in Cuba, Missouri, with its well known mural Visit the Weir on 66 Facebook page

The Original Steak 'n Shake

The original Steak 'n Shake was built in 1962 in Springfield, Missouri, and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012. It is located at 1158 E. St. Louis Street in Springfield.

Eisler Brothers Store

A popular stop on Route 66 is the Eisler Brothers Old Riverton Store, built in 1925. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003, today it offers deli sandwiches, plants, flowers and a gift shop.

It also serves as headquarters of the Kansas Historic Route 66 Association. Located at 7109 SE Highway 66. See more information at the Eisler Brothers Website

Dairy King, Commerce, Oklahoma

A former circa 1925 Marathon Service Station

The Hi-Way Cafe and "Big Bill" in Vinita, Oklahoma

The newest "Muffler Man" on Route 66 was installed at the family-owned Hi-Way Cafe in Vinita, Oklahoma, in June of 2023. He towers about 24 feet in height; at his feet is a large suitcase.

Alan and Beth Hilburn own and operate the cafe. "Big Bill" is named after the late Bill Wood, Beth's father. The cafe offers a full menu of classic diner favorites, from all-day breakfasts to burgers, sandwiches, and chicken fried steak. Plus delicious homemade cakes, cobbler, and pies!

In March of 2023, thanks in part to grants from the National Park Service's Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program and the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Backing Historic Small Restaurants Grant Program, the Hi-Way Cafe was able to relight its restored iconic neon sign.

The Cafe is located at 437918 E Highway 60, about two miles west of Vinita. Learn more at the Hi-Way Cafe website and the Hi-Way Cafe on Facebook. Phone 918.256.5465

Clanton's Cafe in Vinita

Clanton’s has been a family tradition in Vinita since 1927. Generations of Clantons have prepared meals for their neighbors and Route 66 travelers. It is the oldest continually owned family restaurant on Route 66 in the state of Oklahoma. The cafe is located at 319 East Illinois Avenue. For more information, visit ...

Clanton's Cafe website and Clanton's Cafe on Facebook or phone 918.256.9053

Rock Cafe in Stroud, Oklahoma

The Rock Cafe in Stroud, Oklahoma was established in 1939, built with rock unearthed during the paving of Route 66. It has been added to the National Register of Historic Places.

In 2001, Pixar crews visited Stroud to research Route 66 for the animated film Cars, at a time when the town economy was still attempting to recover from the 1999 tornado. At the time, the Rock Café was undergoing historic restoration. The character of Radiator Springs hotelier Sally Carrera is heavily based on Rock Café proprietor Dawn Welch and her efforts to promote and rebuild the town.

A fire gutted the restaurant on May 20, 2008 but the grill and the original stone walls survived. The Rock Café was rebuilt by historic preservationist David Burke; Dawn Welch reopened the business on May 29, 2009.

The Cafe is located at 114 W. Main Street in Stroud, and remains an area icon. Highly recommended!

Visit the Rock Cafe on Facebook and phone 918.968.3990

All Restaurants in Amarillo, Texas

The Big Texan Steak Ranch

Modern-day travelers through the city probably know about "The Big Texan" steak house! It was originally on Route 66, but is located today not far away, on I-40 ... it's a place many tourists to Amarillo want to check out.

In 1960 Bob Lee opened the famous Big Texan Steak Ranch on Route 66 in Amarillo. The Big Texan moved to the east side of Amarillo on I-40 in the 1970s.

Shown below is "The Big Texan" as it appears today ... home of the free 72 oz steak (with caveats). For more information, visit the website of The Big Texan Steak Ranch

Midpoint Café & Gift Shop in Adrian

Earlier Years of the Cafe

The building that today houses the Midpoint Café was originally opened in the late 1940s as Zella's. It remained under that name until the late 1950s when new owners renamed it Jesse's Café. Over time it was renamed again as the Adrian Cafe, and finally to the "Midpoint Café and Gift Shop".

Fran Houser, the owner of the Midpoint Café restaurant, antique and souvenir shop from 1990 until 2012, was the basis for the character of Flo of "Flo's V8 Café" in the 2006 Pixar animated movie "Cars". Fran also owned "Sunflower Station", located just to the west of the Café, until she sold the property to new owners who have transformed it into "Dream Maker Station".

The Midpoint Café Today

The Café has become a "must see" destination for roadtrippers traveling on Route 66 in west Texas. Brenda Hammit is the owner of the Café; she started as a cook at the Café in 2013 and took over ownership in 2018.

It offers a full, varied menu for breakfast including egg platters, pancakes, hash browns, country bisquits & gravy and much more! Lunch offers many options, including burgers, BLTs, twisted grilled cheese sandwiches, hot dogs and other delicious items. Save room for dessert as it is widely known for its famous "ugly crust pies"!

The Café is also a popular stop for photo ops and selfies! The cafe, one of oldest eateries on Route 66, is located at 305 Historic Route 66 in Adrian, about 50 miles west of Amarillo.

It is closed during the winter months. For more information and opening dates/times, phone 806.536.6379 and visit the Cafe on Facebook.

Read more about the Midpoint Cafe & Gift Shop on Facebook

Del's Restaurant

Since 1956 ... At 1202 East Historic Route 66 in Tucumcari - Phone 575.461.1740

La Cita Mexican Food

Locted at 820 S. 1st Street in Tucumcari, New Mexico

Dining on Route 66 from Santa Fe to Gallup

Santa Fe restaurant reviews at TripAdvisor

Albuquerque restaurant listings & reviews

Gallup, New Mexico hotel listings and TripAdvisor reviews

Route 66 Diner in Albuquerque

The Route 66 Diner is a much-photographed, internationally known restaurant, a hit with locals and tourists alike!

The Diner is located at 1405 Central Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 ... Phone 505.247.1421

For more information visit the website of the Route 66 Diner and TripAdvisor Reviews of the Route 66 Diner

Hotel El Rancho in Gallup, New Mexico

"Charm of Yesterday ... Convenience of Tomorrow"
Read more about the hotel and its restaurant at the Hotel El Rancho Website

Dining in Holbrook, Arizona

Holbrook, Arizona Travel Guide

Holbrook, Arizona restaurant listings and reviews

Views of the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona
"Have You Slept in a Wigwam Lately?"

Delgadillo's Snow Cap

This historic dining establishment was originally constructed in 1953 by Juan Delgadillo and his wife Mary out of scrap lumber. To bring attention to the restaurant, Delgadillo cut the roof off of a 1936 Chevrolet hardtop, adorned the automobile with paint, horns and various automotive emblems and even an artificial Christmas tree in the rear of the car.

It remains today a "must see" attraction when traveling Route 66 through Seligman. The walls around the counter area are covered with business cards from all over the world. Visitors from Europe, Germany, Japan and other countries, as well as those from the U.S., seek the nostalgia of Historic Route 66 and the jokes that are famous at the Snow Cap.

The menu is extensive! Burgers, hot dogs, tacos, and sandwiches plus lots of ice cream and malts, and more. It is playfully known as home of the "Cheeseburger with Cheese" and "Dead Chicken".

Today, the Snow Cap is still a family owned and operated drive-in ... Juan and Mary's son John and daughter Cecilia along with other family members, continue the Snow Cap tradition so that their grandchildren and great grandchildren will be able to grow up knowing the legacy that comes with this long-standing family business.

For more information, visit Delgadillo's Snow Cap on Facebook or phone 928.422.3291

The drive-in is located at 22235 Old Highway 66, Seligman, AZ

The 1936 Chevrolet at Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive-In (photo below)

The Roadkill Cafe

Seligman, Arizona, at 22830 West Route 66 - Phone 928.422.3554

Mr. D'z Route 66 Diner in Kingman

Cool Springs

Oatman Hotel

The Oatman Hotel, full-service restaurant and saloon. A classic since 1902. For more information, visit the Oatman Hotel on Facebook

Emma Jean's Holland Burger Cafe

Emma Jean's Holland Burger Cafe is a Route 66 icon that has been serving up meals to locals and hungry travelers on the Mother Road since 1947. The building was built by Bob and Kate Holland from cinder blocks manufactured at the old Fiber Tile Plant. Emma Jean worked at the cafe as a waitress, and her husband bought the cafe and named it after her.

The cafe remains a family-owned institution, and because of its nostalgic Mid-Century ambiance, it has been featured in a number of movies and TV shows.

Emma Jean's is located at 17143 N D Street, Victorville, CA 92394 - Phone 760.243.9938

Read more at the Emma Jean's Website

San Bernardino

San Bernardino Travel Guide

San Bernardino Hotel Directory & traveler reviews at TripAdvisor

San Bernardino restaurant listings and reviews

San Bernardino attractions and things to do

Mels Drive-In

Several Mels restaurants are located in the Los Angeles area. This mural is located at Mels on 1670 Lincoln Boulevard, near the official ending point of Route 66. Mels Drive-In website