The 14 best restaurants to visit during a Route 66 road trip

Chicago, IL
This beloved and historic Chicago diner is even older than Route 66 is—it dates back to 1923. Known for offering diners complimentary doughnut holes during breakfast hours and making what are possibly the world’s greatest omelets, Lou Mitchell’s—which has been in the Route 66 Hall of Fame for 20 years—is the perfect place to kick off or end your Route 66 road trip.

Springfield, IL
Cozy Dog is home to the world’s first “hot dog on a stick” (aka corn dog), another sweet nod to history worth stopping for on this nostalgic adventure. And if you’re not a fan of hot dogs wrapped in fried batter, there are other menu items—think typical diner fare like burgers, fries and breakfast griddle goodies—worth indulging in.

Litchfield,IL
For an alternative to the fast food and diner menus that populate much of Route 66, head to Ariston, another stop on this list that’s technically even older than the iconic interstate (the original location opened just off Route 4, 66’s predecessor, in 1924, then moved to Route 66 in 1935). Regulars’ favorite dishes include the rib eye steak, catfish and pork chops.

Springfield, MO
Dating back to 1963, Leong’s began as Leong’s Tea House in what had once been a cornfield. The multigenerational family restaurant became renowned for what would become a hyperlocal favorite, Springfield-style cashew chicken, which had been closely replicated at Chinese restaurants all over town within a decade of Leong’s opening.

Vinita, OK
In the northeastern corner of Oklahoma is a small town called Vinita, which is home to an unassuming little roadside restaurant called the Hi-Way Cafe. Known for large plates filled with midwestern American classics like chicken fried steak and Western omelets, Hi-Way is an especially great stop if you’re traveling Route 66 in a camper or RV because there’s ample parking onsite for large vehicles.

Oklahoma City, OK
Once you hit Oklahoma City, you’re about halfway through your trip through Route 66—which means you’ve earned a celebration, and Cheever’s is the perfect place for that. Yet another historic stop on the list, Cheever’s is built on the site of a beloved three generation family flower shop with origins in the Great Depression era. Can’t miss dishes include the roasted chicken and pepper jack strudel and the masa vallo con huevos (shrimp risotto, masa cakes and poached eggs).

Amarillo, TX
This Amarillo outpost serves enormous platters of classic Mexican fare, making it a perfect place to pull off the route after hours of driving through the desert. While they’re perhaps best known for their eponymous dish, if you’re traveling during the colder months, it’s definitely worth trying the menudo, a soup made with red chili pepper broth, beef tripe, hominy, onions and cilantro.

Albuquerque, NM
Some hot dog establishments are so particular about how you dress your dog (ahem, Chicago’s no-ketchup stance), but at Clowndog, there are no rules. In fact, they implore you to go wild with what they describe as a “veritable freakshow of toppings” with more than 50 build-your-own add-ons to choose from. Want chopped green chile and sauerkraut? Coming right up. A fried egg and bean chili? No problem. How about chopped peanuts, sauteed spinach, and pineapple? Sure thing. They promise their parlor is a no-judgment zone.

BONUS: If that doesn’t have your mouth watering, the owners will pay tribute to America’s mouth-watering, deep-fried delicacy by attempting to break a world record on October 9 for the most corndogs consumed! Learn more at keep66kickin.com.

Albuquerque, NM
One of the things that makes New Mexico really special is how much of the state is truly unique in and of itself—the landscape, the architecture and the food are all uniquely New Mexican—and Cocina Azul is no exception. Go hungry and start with the chile con queso, followed by the brisket enchiladas (get both red and green chile sauce on top) or the green chile burger (New Mexico is known for green chiles), and finish with the flan.

Gallup, NM
Gallup is a small town with a big history (check out the Red Rock Park and Red Rock Museum), a combination that sets a magnificent stage for taking in all of the nostalgia and grandeur Route 66 has to offer. Stop in for the night at El Rancho, then grab a delicious breakfast before you continue your journey—go for the hearty huevos rancheros, which should fill you up enough to get you to your next stop.

Flagstaff, AZ
You’ll find classic brunch bites exquisitely prepared at this cozy cafe while you’re surrounded by the charm of Flagstaff, an historic mountain town in northern Arizona. Be sure to make time before or after your meal to take a walk around the surrounding downtown area, which is full of cute shops and photo ops that nod to Route 66’s storied local history, including the still-active train station that opened the same year as 66.

Seligman, AZ
Talk about a family business: with the help of his father and brothers, Juan Delgadillo built the Snow Cap—back in 1953—out of scrap lumber he’d collected while working for the railroad. Juan, along with his brother Angel, became known as cofounders of Route 66, and he worked at the burger-and-ice-cream joint, pulling well-meaning pranks on tourists while they ordered, every day until he died in 2004. Now a third generation of Delgadillos is manning the fryer, where you can still get a “cheeseburger with cheese” and a “dead chicken.”

BONUS: Also known for its milkshakes (we dare you to think of a tastier way to cool off in the desert) this landmark is attempting to set a milkshake world record on Sept. 10. Learn more at keep66kickin.com!

Peach Springs, AZ
While you’re sure to experience some deliciously unforgettable meals along Route 66, a meal at the Cavern Grotto will likely rank as the most memorable—or at least unusual—dining experience on your journey: having dinner here means finding yourself 21 stories below ground, in the depths of a 345 million year old cave adjacent to the Grand Canyon. Reservations are an absolute must as there are only four tables (16 seats total) available.

Victorville, CA
This California desert outpost is yet another stop with deep roots on Route 66. The restaurant opened in 1947 after being built by hand by the original owners, Bob and Kate Holland; in 1979 it was purchased by Richard Gentry, a truck driver who ate there every day for 30 years, and his wife, Emma Jean, who waited tables. Today, the cafe is run by Richard and Emma Jean’s son, Brian, who sustains the nostalgia of its mid-century origins in homage to his parents’ lifelong connection to the restaurant.