Road trips are synonymous with fast food drive throughs. When you’re spending hours a day in your car it’s only natural to want something quick, easy, and convenient that doesn’t involve finding a place to park. Burgers, fries, tacos, and chicken nuggets are all popular options for eating in the car. But, when it comes to a road trip on The Mother Road, there are plenty of other options for Route 66 dining that you won’t find anywhere else.
Yes, there are plenty of fast food drive throughs on Route 66. And some of them are unique to their location (like Waylan’s Ku-Ku Burger in Oklahoma). But there are also vintage diners, steakhouses, food trucks, eat-in restaurants, coffeehouses, and local bars that serve a variety of options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Looking for the best Route 66 dining options to add to your road trip itinerary? Use the filters below to search our dining directory by location, type, or keyword to fill your travel plan and your stomach. Whether you’re visiting just one of the eight states on The Mother Road (Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, or California) or driving the entire journey from Chicago to Los Angeles (or vice versa), there are plenty of places to stop for a good meal. And don’t forget to top it off with a classic milkshake, even if you take it to go!
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The Albright in Santa Monica, California
If you’re wrapping up your Route 66 adventure at the Pacific, you don’t have to go far to find fresh seafood with a view. Since 1977, The Albright in Santa Monica has been serving up classic seaside fare right on the Santa Monica Pier. The Albright holds the title as the longest-running restaurant on the Pier.
Route 66 RoadRunner in Seligman, Arizona
Housed in the renovated 1936 Olsen’s Chevrolet dealership and garage building, Route 66 RoadRunner in Seligman, Arizona is a cafe and gift shop. Relax inside this revamped building or outside under the covered patio. The cafe's menu features a variety of items for breakfast, lunch, or an early dinner.
Patriot Cafe in Sapulpa, Oklahoma
Patriot Cafe in Sapulpa, Oklahoma offers a taste of America to locals and Route 66 travelers. Dine on a menu of American comfort foods, including grilled and fried offerings and a variety of hamburgers, cooked to order for lunch and dinner.
Oldest Operating Del Taco in Barstow, California
The oldest operating Del Taco, still serving since 1964, sits in Barstow, California. Known as Del Taco #1, it’s the longest-running restaurant in the chain and still carries a local flavor all its own. Del Taco traces its roots to Ed Hackbarth, an Air Force veteran who first worked for Glen Bell (of Taco Bell fame) managing Bell’s Hamburgers in the 1950s.
Country-Aire Restaurant in Atlanta, Illinois
Country-Aire Restaurant in Atlanta, Illinois is a family-style restaurant located right off of Route 66. If you've worked up an appetite searching for some of the best muffler men on Route 66 in town, you have to stop in for delicious food and friendly service. Locally owned and operated, Country-Aire Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
HWY 66 Diner in Catoosa, Oklahoma
HWY 66 Diner in Catoosa, Oklahoma, is a 1950s-style Route 66 restaurant inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino serving classic comfort food and milkshakes.
Jerry’s Diner in Weatherford, Oklahoma
Jerry’s Diner in Weatherford, Oklahoma, is a longtime Route 66 restaurant known for classic diner food like biscuits and gravy and chicken-fried steak, served in a retro setting.
Owl Cafe in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Owl Cafe in Albuquerque, New Mexico is best recognized for its owl-shaped building. At the corner of Eubank and Lomas Boulevards you’ll find a striking orange-tinted southwestern stucco building with a giant owl head protruding from the ceiling. If you drive by at night, you’ll see the animal’s eyes glowing in neon lights.
La Cita Restaurant in Tucumcari, New Mexico
Hungry in Tucumcari? Look for the giant sombrero. La Cita Restaurant in Tucumcari, New Mexico serves tasty New Mexican favorites tucked away behind a sombrero-shaped entrance on Route 66. The La Cita Restaurant opened in 1940 on Route 66. Tucumcari was a popular stop for travelers on The Mother Road and became known for its slogan “Tucumcari Tonite.”
Must SeeClanton’s Cafe in Vinita, Oklahoma
Don’t pass up a chance to stop at Clanton’s Café in Vinita, Oklahoma, a true Route 66 institution that’s been serving up comfort food and hospitality since 1927. Whether you’re in the mood for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this classic diner is a must-visit along the Mother Road.
Lost Along the Mother Road
Not every stop along Route 66 has stood the test of time. Over the decades, some Route 66 attractions have faded from the map, leaving behind ghost towns, relics, and memories of what once was. These sites may be gone, but they are not forgotten, living on through photos, memories, and the travelers who still seek their traces.
