Restaurants
Illinois
- Elephant & Castle, Chicago.
- Garrett’s Popcorn Shop, Chicago.
- Giordano’s, 223 W. Jackson, Chicago.
- Lou Mitchell’s, Chicago. Great for breakfast, and ladies get a small box of Milk Duds.
- Miller’s Pub, Chicago.
- Monday’s Restaurant, 19 E. Jackson, Chicago.
- Potbelly Sandwich Works, several Route 66 locations in Chicago.
- Henry’s Drive-In, Cicero. Home of the giant hot dog and fries on the sign.
- Snuffy’s 24-Hour Grill, LaGrange.
- White Castle, locations in Berwyn and Countryside. A Midwest classic.
- Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket, Willowbrook. Famous for fried chicken.
- White Fence Farm, Lemont. Also famous for fried chicken.
- The Olde Keg, Joliet.
- Polk-a-Dot Drive-In, Braidwood. 1950s style drive-in.
- Launching Pad Drive-In, Wilmington. See the giant spaceman.
- Old Route 66 Family Restaurant, Dwight.
- Pete’s Restaurant & Pancake House, Dwight.
- Pour Richard’s, Odell.
- Wishing Well, Odell.
- Old Log Cabin Inn, Pontiac.
- Baby Bull’s, Pontiac.
- Filling Station, Lexington.
- Avanti’s Italian Restaurant, Normal.
- CJ’s Restaurant, Bloomington.
- Lucca Grill, Bloomington.
- Steak n Shake, started on 66 in Bloomington and is in other Midwestern cities.
- Country Aire, Atlanta.
- Guzzardo’s Italian Villa, Lincoln.
- Coney Island, 219 S. Fifth St. (moved), Springfield, (217) 522-2050
- Saputo’s, Springfield.
- Cozy Dog Drive-In, Springfield. Started by the originator of the corndog.
- Filling Station Bar & Grill, Springfield (in Route 66 Hotel).
- Whirla-Whip, Girard.
- Art’s Restaurant, Farmersville.
- Reno’s Italian Pizza, Carlinville.
- Ariston Cafe, Litchfield. Historic, and an excellent sit-down menu.
- Decamp Junction, Staunton.
- Scotty’s Route 66 Bar and Grill, Hamel. A popular roadhouse restaurant.
- Luna Cafe, Mitchell. Have free chicken wings twice a week with your Stag beer.
- Itty Bitty Restaurant, Mitchell.
- Lisa’s Diner, Granite City.
Missouri
- Eat-Rite Diner, St. Louis.
- Hodak’s, St. Louis. Famous for fried chicken.
- Garavelli’s, St. Louis.
- Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, St. Louis. Best ice cream on Earth.
- Carl’s Drive-In, St. Louis.
- Bobby’s Creole, Maplewood.
- Nachomama’s, Rock Hill.
- Train Wreck Saloon, Rock Hill.
- Spencer’s Grill, Kirkwood.
- Super Smokers BBQ, Eureka.
- Lewis Cafe, St. Clair.
- Circle Inn Malt Shop, Bourbon.
- Missouri Hick Bar-B-Q, Cuba.
- Johnnie’s Bar, St. James.
- A Slice of Pie, Rolla.
- Maid-Rite, Rolla. The only one on Route 66.
- Zeno’s Steakhouse, Rolla.
- Elbow Inn Bar & BBQ Pit, Devils Elbow. Barbecue cooked in a 1930s smoker.
- Sweetwater BBQ, St. Robert.
- Bell Restaurant, Lebanon.
- Andy’s 417 Restaurant, Lebanon.
- Starlite Lanes, Lebanon.
- Wrink’s Market, Lebanon.
- Dowd’s Catfish House, Lebanon and Joplin.
- Tiny’s Smoke House, Marshfield.
- Avanzare Italian Dining, Springfield.
- George’s Steak House, Springfield.
- Steak ‘n’ Shake, at St. Louis and National, Springfield. A historic property.
- Coyote’s Adobe Cafe, Springfield (on Glenstone).
- Sultan of Smoke, Joplin.
- Jim Bob’s Steak and Ribs, Joplin.
- Granny Shaffer’s Restaurant, Joplin.
- Woody’s Wood-Fired Pizza, Joplin.
Kansas
- Eisler Bros. General Store, Riverton. Fresh-made sandwiches and souvenirs.
- 4 Women on the Route, Galena (mostly closed during winter).
- Van’s Steak House, Baxter Springs.
- Cafe on the Route, Baxter Springs.
Oklahoma
- Waylan’s Ku-Ku, Miami. Last survivor from a 1960s Midwestern chain.
- Clanton’s Cafe, Vinita. Excellent breakfast stop.
- Hi-Way Cafe, west Vinita. 918-256-5465.
- Main Street Diner, Chelsea.
- Top Hat Dairy Bar, Foyil.
- Hammett House, Claremore.
- Cotton Eyed Joe’s Barbecue, Claremore.
- Molly’s Landing, Catoosa.
- Hank’s Hamburgers, Tulsa.
- Tally’s Good Food Cafe, Tulsa.
- Wilson’s BBQ, Tulsa (on East 11th location).
- Halim & Mimi’s, Tulsa.
- El Rancho Grande, Tulsa.
- Blue Dome Cafe, Tulsa. Stick-to-your-ribs food with a twist.
- Corner Cafe, Tulsa.
- Ollie’s Station, Tulsa. Watch toy trains run overhead while you’re eating.
- Jamil’s, Tulsa. Lebanese appetizers with every entree, and amazingly cheap.
- Happy Burger, Sapulpa.
- Russ’ Ribs, Bristow.
- Anchor Inn, Bristow.
- Dan’s Bar-B-Q Pit, Davenport.
- Gar Wooly’s, Davenport.
- POPS, Arcadia.
- 2 Brothers Pizza, Arcadia.
- The County Line BBQ, Oklahoma City. The ribs and sausage are excellent.
- Classen Grill, Oklahoma City.
- Cheever’s Cafe, Oklahoma City.
- Saigon Baguette, Oklahoma City (in the historic Milk Bottle Building)
- Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, Oklahoma City. Not on 66, but an exceptional historical restaurant.
- Jimmy’s Egg, Oklahoma City.
- Ann’s Chicken Fry House, Oklahoma City. Deep-fried olives and peaches.
- Harbor House Restaurant, Oklahoma City.
- Jim’s Restaurant, Bethany.
- Mae’s Home Cooking, Yukon.
- All-American Pizza, Yukon.
- Sid’s, El Reno.
- Johnnie’s Grill, El Reno.
- Robert’s Grill, El Reno.
- Lucille’s Roadhouse, Airport Road, Weatherford.
- Jerry’s, Weatherford.
- Heapin’ Helpin’s Bar-B-Q, Weatherford.
- Branding Iron Restaurant, Clinton.
- Wong’s, Clinton.
- Jiggs Smoke House, Clinton. Known for jerky as well as barbecue.
- Billy’s, Elk City.
- Country Dove, Elk City.
- Lupe’s, Elk City.
Texas
- Western Restaurant, Shamrock.
- Irish Inn Restaurant, Shamrock.
- Red River Steakhouse, McLean.
- Big Texan Steak Ranch, Amarillo. Get your free 72-ounce steak here!
- Blue Gator Bar & Grill, Amarillo.
- Golden Light Cafe, Amarillo. Cowboys get the burger, fries and Dr Pepper.
- Randy’s at the Paramount, Amarillo.
- Hickory Inn Cafe, Vega.
- Boot Hill Saloon and Grill, Vega (see Rory from “Popularity Contest”).
- Midpoint Cafe, Adrian. Famous for ugly-crust pies.
New Mexico
- Del’s Restaurant, Tucumcari. It’s a steakhouse, but its Mexico food is good, too.
- La Cita, Tucumcari.
- Rubee’s Diner, Tucumcari.
- Kix on 66, Tucumcari.
- Joseph’s, Santa Rosa. Excellent Mexican food.
- Comet II Drive-In, Santa Rosa.
- Southwestern Silver Moon Cafe, Santa Rosa.
- Landmark Grill, Las Vegas.
- Bobcat Bite, Santa Fe. Famous for green chile burger.
- Harry’s Roadhouse, Santa Fe.
- Santacafe, Santa Fe.
- Coyote Cafe, Santa Fe. The standard-bearer for Southwestern cuisine.
- Plaza Cafe, Santa Fe.
- Flying Tortilla, Santa Fe.
- Cafe Pasqual’s, Santa Fe.
- Tomasita’s, Santa Fe.
- El Comedor de Anayas, Moriarty.
- Duran’s Central Pharmacy, Albuquerque.
- Loyola’s Family Restaurant, Albuquerque.
- Kelly’s Brew Pub, Albuquerque.
- Scalo, Albuquerque.
- Monte Vista Fire Station, Albuquerque.
- Gruet Steakhouse, Albuquerque.
- Artichoke Cafe, Albuquerque.
- Lindy’s, Albuquerque.
- Standard Diner, Albuquerque.
- Route 66 Diner, Albuquerque. A 1950s diner.
- Sadie’s, Albuquerque.
- Route 66 Malt Shop, Albuquerque.
- The Frontier, Albuquerque.
- Mannie’s Family Restaurant, Albuquerque.
- Mr. Powdrell’s Original Barbecue, Albuquerque.
- Nick’s Crossroads Cafe, Albuquerque.
- Original Garcia’s Kitchen, Albuquerque.
- Range Cafe, Albuquerque and Bernalillo.
- Duran Central Pharmacy, Albuquerque.
- Dog House Drive-In, Albuquerque.
- El Camino Dining Room, Albuquerque.
- Western View Diner and Steak House, Albuquerque.
- Luna Mansion Restaurant, Los Lunas.
- El Cafecito, Grants.
- Grants Restaurant, aka Grants Cafe, Grants, (505) 285-6474.
- El Ranchero Cafe, Milan.
- Earl’s Family Restaurant, Gallup.
- El Sombrero, Gallup.
Arizona
- Joe & Aggie’s Cafe, Holbrook. Combination of Mexican and Navajo food.
- Mesa Italiana, Holbrook.
- Turquoise Room in La Posada, Winslow.
- Brown Mug Cafe, Winslow.
- Falcon Restaurant & Lounge, Winslow.
- T-Bows 2 Bar 3 Restaurant & Saloon, Winona.
- Alpine Pizza, Flagstaff.
- Beaver Street Brewery, Flagstaff.
- Flagstaff Brewing Company, Flagstaff.
- Macy’s, Flagstaff.
- Grand Canyon Cafe, Flagstaff.
- Cruisers Cafe 66, Williams.
- Twisters Soda Fountain, Williams.
- Rod’s Steakhouse, Williams. It’s been there since 1946.
- Rosa’s Cantina, Williams.
- Miss Kitty’s Steakhouse and Saloon, Williams.
- Buffalo Pointe Lodge & Cafe, Williams.
- Doc Holliday’s Steakhouse, Williams.
- Pancho McGillicuddy’s Mexican Cantina, Williams.
- Goldie’s Route 66 Diner, Williams.
- Bella Donna, Williams.
- Snow Cap Drive-In, Seligman. Owners pull pranks on customers and serve top-notch to boot.
- Westside Lilo’s Cafe, Seligman.
- Road Kill Cafe, Seligman.
- Copper Cart, Seligman.
- Historic Route 66 General Store, Seligman.
- Grand Canyon Caverns Restaurant, Peach Springs.
- Hotel Brunswick, Kingman.
- Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner, Kingman.
- Roadrunner Cafe, Kingman.
- Oatman Hotel, Oatman.
- Olive Oatman Restaurant and Saloon, Oatman.
- Topock Marina, Topock.
- Linda’s Deli, Topock.
- Silver Dollar Saloon, Golden Shores.
- Hooch’s River Grill, Golden Shores.
California
- Hungry Bear, Needles.
- Wagon Wheel, Needles.
- Munchy’s, Needles.
- Ludlow Cafe, Ludlow.
- Bagdad Cafe, Newberry Springs. Where “Bagdad Cafe” was filmed.
- Route 66 Pizza Palace, Barstow.
- Di Napoli’s Fire House, Barstow.
- Idle Spurs Steakhouse, Barstow.
- La Fonda, Victorville.
- Emma Jean’s Hollandburger Cafe, Victorville.
- Johnny Reb’s, Victorville.
- Summit Inn, Oak Hills.
- Juan Pollo Chicken, San Bernardino, Barstow and other L.A.-area locations.
- Mitla Cafe, San Bernardino.
- Cuca’s, Rialto.
- Brothers Pizza, Rialto.
- Red Hill Coffee Shop, Fontana.
- Sycamore Inn, Rancho Cucamonga.
- Magic Lamp Inn, Rancho Cucamonga.
- Omaha Jack’s Grillhouse & Brewery, Rancho Cucumonga.
- Joey’s BBQ, Upland.
- Buffalo Inn, Upland.
- Flappy Jack’s, Glendora.
- The Hat, Glendora.
- Green Onion, Duarte.
- Matt Denny’s, Arcadia.
- Rod’s Grill, Arcadia.
- Lucky Baldwin’s, Pasadena.
- Bee’s Knees Bakery, Pasadena.
- Restaurant Sampi, Pasadena.
- The Raymond, Pasadena.
- Fair Oaks Pharmacy, South Pasadena. Old-time soda and ice-cream fountain.
- Senor Fish, South Pasadena.
- Mom’s Tamales, Lincoln Heights.
- Philippe The Original, Los Angeles.
- Taix French Restaurant, Los Angeles.
- Millie’s, Los Angeles.
- In-N-Out Burger, Hollywood.
- Formosa Cafe, Hollywood.
- Barney’s Beanery, West Hollywood, Los Angeles and Santa Monica.
- Irv’s Burgers, West Hollywood.
- Warszawa Restaurant, Santa Monica.
- Ocean Avenue Seafood, Santa Monica.
In Cuba, Missouri there is a Rt. 66 Cafe on the middle of tthe historic district on Rt. 66. It is in a small diner in a ceramic block building.
route 66 is so boring!!
We are planning to drive Rt 66 from Barstow this week to Rt 95 in California, then up to Las Vegas
Anyplace on the web that gives us a set of directions from Barstow onward?/
thanks
You can start here, Fred. This site has turn-by-turn directions.
http://www.historic66.com/california/
Metro Diner in Tulsa, OK, closed a couple of months ago. The University of Tulsa is expanding its campus, and Metro was in its path. The building is being razed at this time.
there is a new Restaraunt in Catoosa,Oklahoma .One block N of blue Whale.The name is
Gin’’s Apple Dumplin’
Excellent home style fixin’s from scratch.
918-266-4414
virginia mccrary
1/24/2007
How can you have a list of restaurants in California and leave off Barneys Beanery??
It’s on there, Jeff. Second from the bottom of the California listing.
Nostaglia and great food…a can’t lose proposition…..
Number 2 is wrong. To drive on route 66 is the most exciting experience you can have. You are always occupied there, you can never have nothing to do. It is like impossible!! Jamahama needs a life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Randy’s of Wildorado in Texas has closed and they are going to open a restaurant in downtown Amarillo.
Where does one buy original route 66 art?
As a So Cal resident, I was a little suprised to see Red Hill Coffee Shop listed in Fontana. I was not aware of another one available in that area, but am aware of the RHCS on Route 66 in Rancho Cucamonga which I believe was the original and has been around forever. But I didn’t see that one listed. Just thought you’d want to know.
How do we get to the boothill saloon and grill from Abilene Texas
We’re from Whittier, California and stayed in Williams AZ earlier this month, for their famous Grand Canyon Railway, which we loved. Thanks to the familiarity from the Cars movie, our three children really loved walking Historic Route 66 with us. We checked out their restaurants (Twisters was really yummy!) and shops.
Really we just planned to visit Williams because of the Railway and found a Marriott there, so it was a pleasant surprise to enjoy learning about the history of Route 66 and that town. We had a delightful experience and picked up quite a few Route 66 gifts.
I’m sad to announce that Scampi in Pasadena has closed its doors. It was pretty pricey for its location, and I’m sure that did it in. Which is too bad, because if ever there was a place for a $125 dinner for two, this was it.
Rod’s Grill in Arcadia and Irv’s Burgers in West Hollywood, too, should get mention. Both are landmarks recently spared the wrecking ball, partially in response to Route 66 activism.
you guys dont hav legends in glendora in california
I am planning a big Route 66 trip in 2008.
I can take up to 2 months to go from Chicago to LA.
Just wondering which two months I should do this in?
Any suggestions based on three things:
Best overall weather.
Best times for festivals, and events along the way.
Best times for blooming southwestern plants.
While traveling on RT66 through Kingman to California I came accross this restaurant in by the Kingman Air Park call Cowboy’s Cafe, I have to say it had the best food I have ever had, really did not expect much, but I RECOMEND it to anyone. A++ in my book
John, I’d say do it soon–maybe May at the latest — unless you like (a) hot weather and (b) tourists. True, the current price of gas may slow down this year’s tourist business, but the big sites such as the Grand Canyon and Petrified Forest get mobbed by June and its hot out there.
ALSO…while it is a bit off the 66 path, anyone who takes this trip w/o spending a day to go up to Monument Valley and through the Navajo Nation is really missing something very, very special. John Ford and John Wayne knew what they were doing, but as great as those old movies were, the scenery has to be SEEN to be appreciated.
As for the festivals, you can of course check with Chambers of Commerce of the 66 towns, but for blooming desert plants, you have to get lucky. They can range from NOW (I’m writing this on March 31, 2008) through May depending on the local water conditions, but they are very fleeting…the desert wildflowers are spectacular but can bloom and vanish within a week or two at most.
GENERAL stuff for foodies—when in Williams, do not miss the Pine Tree Cafe, a simple, basic All-American menu with some Mexican accents right in the heart of Williams across the tracks from the Grand Canyon RR terminal. And save room for their amazingly huge and delicious home-made pies! WOW are they good.
Williams, of course, has a unique distinction for 66′ers–it is literally where the Mother Road DIED–because the town fought via lawsuit to make sure they wouldn’t die with it and to lobby to get THREE offramps, one at either end and one in the middle of town, to/from I-40. That fighting delayed the bypass of 66 by the Interstate at Williams by many months and made it the last stretch to be left behind by “progress.”
Two more notes about places on the list: The Beaver St. Brewery in Flagstaff is not only the home of some of the very best micro-brewed beer on the route but some REALLY good food, too. Try their all-American take on a classic cheese fondue with veggies as well as bread to dip as a starter. Yummy!
And for AMAZING food, The Turquoise Room at the La Posada in Winslow is superb. The link above is wrong, btw. Its http://www.TheTurquoiseRoom.net for the restaurant’s site–go read the menus and see if you can resist it. All meals are great but do not miss BREAKFAST where the classic “baked eggs” dishes, especially one called “The Corn Maiden’s Delight”, are the best way to start the day anywhere in the southwest. The La Posada Hotel is fun, too–we’ve stayed there often in the “Howard Hughes Room” which has a fireplace and is where Hughes stayed when stopping over back when he owned TWA and it used Winslow as a cross-continent refueling point. Other rooms feature famous former guests too, including lots of movie stars and, believe it or not, Albert Einstein!
Now here’s a funny thing. Just goes to show you how DUMB computers can be. I happened to be scanning through some of the places above, and specifically in Needles, California which I drive through from time to time. So I go to a link above which is a Google map page pointer at the restaurant…but the “sponsored links” on the page which are supposed to intuit what I’m looking for and put the sponsor’s message in front of me based on the query made a TEENSY mistake….and a funny one.
The town of “Needles” was named because the early settlers said the sun was as painful as needles…but GOOGLE is taking them a bit more literally than intended. ALL of the “sponsored links” were for various outfits offering discount purchases of NEEDLES AND SYRINGES for injecting medicine/insulin! Yeah, how about a burger…and a nice shot of dope? No, thanks! But funny, huh?
A note about the Buffalo Grill in Williams, AZ. They have the coolest swinging tables on their patio. They seat up to 4 and have cup holders for your drinks. There is a children’s menu and they grill your steak or burger right out on the patio for you. My son, who does not easily sit still, was fascinated. The staff was fun-loving and the food was good grill fare.
Hi, We are some Norwegians planning a trip along Route 66 next year by Motorcucle (HArley ofc.) And i wonder what a person should have as a budget for food pr. day?
I have no clue about the prices over there, but i recon we eat at diners along the way and no camp cooking. Anyone have an idea?
Al’s Route 66 Cafe closed in August 2008, but has reopened as Granny’s on Route 66. The chicken fried steak with fresh mashed potatoes, cream gravy, okra and a homemade roll will leave you wondering where they got your family recipe from.
Jamahama is seriously retarded! how could he/she say that, Route 66 is legendary!!!!! gosh, GO to the place first before saying anything negative like that
Hello, Next year theme at our school is destination…education route 66. I would like to decorate the school kitchen and cafeteria with diners or food along route 66. does any one have some good cheap ideas.
Pauline’s Buffett in Catoosa, OK has been razed: more room for the Cherokee Casino complex.