Route 66 celebrates 100 years of journeys and adventure in 2026, and this famous U.S. Highway with a catchy song has become symbolic of road tripping and roadside stops. Along with the stories and the lore, dining while driving The Mother Road can also be an epicurean adventure.

From Chicago to Santa Monica, many Route 66 eateries are destinations in their own right, with diners, drive-ins, and sit-down establishments serving local, beloved specialties. Here are 10 restaurants on (or a short detour from) Route 66 you don't want to miss.

Lou Mitchell’s, Chicago, Illinois
Opened three years before Route 66, Lou Mitchell’s is near the route’s official starting point. Known for house specialties such as fluffy jumbo omelets and super deluxe sandwiches, this breakfast and lunch spot has earned high marks for quality service in the Michelin Guide. A children’s menu is also available.

In 1958, this vintage family diner restaurant began its longstanding tradition of offering donut holes to customers.

Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill & Museum, Springfield, Illinois
Find the world’s largest Route 66 shield while feasting on firecracker shrimp, pork tenderloin, high-performance pizza, and other American classics in this one-of-a-kind roadstop full of nostalgia, memorabilia, and live entertainment. Originally built as a Stuckey’s gas station in 1971, Route 66 Motorheads also houses a museum celebrating the culture and spirit of America’s Main Street.

Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, St. Louis, Missouri
You might think of concrete as a building material, but this word also describes a thick, creamy malt or shake served upside down. You can find this icy offering and other frosty treats at Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, a St. Louis Route 66 eatery founded by Ted Drewes Sr., a tennis champion and St. Louis native. From after Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve, Ted Drewes makes up for the cold slowdown by selling real pine and fir trees.

Old Riverton Store, Riverton, Kansas
This country grocery store and deli on Kansas' stretch of Route 66 celebrated its centenary in 2025. Started by Leo and Lora Williams, with ownership changing hands over time, the Old Riverton Store’s decor hasn’t changed much. But visitors still stop in to shop and grab a simple sandwich, a wrapped slice of pie, or prepackaged snacks. Shoppers can find Route 66 souvenirs and Americana tchotchkes.

Ike’s Chili, Tulsa, Oklahoma
A classic Route 66 eatery, Ike’s Chili claims to be Tulsa’s oldest restaurant — founded in 1908 — and one of its most prominent patrons was satirist Will Rogers, who enjoyed the house chili. Today, this four-generation, family-run business serves chili in many ways, from regular chili to Frito chili pie, chili mac, or a “three way” style (spaghetti, chili, and beans). The menu also includes burgers, sandwiches, and wraps.

Cafe Kacao, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
This family-run Guatemalan cafe is known for its brunch service, house-made pastries, and Latin American specialties. Sitting close to the Route 66 corridor, Cafe Kacao offers vibrant, hearty dishes like mango pancakes, Cuban omelets, and burritos. Check out the impressive outdoor mural of Latin American flowers and birds, including Guatemala’s Quetzal bird, and other Guatemalan symbols.

Big Texan Steak Ranch, Amarillo, Texas
This kitschy steakhouse has an important claim to fame: It’s the home of the legendary 72-ounce steak challenge. With strict rules to abide by, contestants must complete the entire meal (shrimp cocktail, baked potato, salad, a roll with butter, and a giant hunk of meat) in an hour, and it's free. Steak aside, the Big Texan Steak Ranch has been around since 1960, moving from Route 66 to its current nearby location in the early '70s, and it sports a towering cowboy sign out front.

In addition to serving handcrafted beer from their brewery, the menu has featured Southern classics such as fried pickles, chicken-fried steak, and smoked brisket sandwiches. Hearty breakfasts, too.

66 Diner, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Opened since 1987, the fittingly named 66 Diner takes customers back in time to the 1950s, with a retro atmosphere complete with a working soda fountain, jukebox, and servers dressed in period attire.

Based at what was once a Phillips service station, this diner serves classic road food like burgers and shakes. That's in addition to New Mexico-themed specials like the green chile chicken bacon mac and cheese and the Pile Up, a heaping pile of pan-fried potatoes with chopped bacon or sausage, green chiles, eggs, cheese, and green chile sauce. The diner also has a gluten-free menu.

Delgadillo's Snow Cap, Seligman, Arizona
This kitschy drive-in opened in 1953 by Juan Delgadillo, who built it from collected scrap lumber and with a shoestring budget. With a menu of burgers, hot dogs, fries, and shakes, Delgadillo's Snow Cap remains a vintage Route 66 eatery with visual nostalgia and fun signage incorporating classic cars, neon signs, and eclectic decorations. There’s a lovely outdoor area, and the overall venue makes for a cool photo op. Note: The venue closes during winter and reopens in early spring.

Chez Jay, Santa Monica, California
Just off the end of Route 66 near the Santa Monica Pier, Chez Jay has been a celebrity hangout and dive bar since opening in 1959. Throughout its storied history, this old-school restaurant has served Hollywood greats such as Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando, Steve McQueen, and Clint Eastwood. The menu features lunch and dinner, things like butter steak and sand dabs, plus a more modern outdoor lounge, The Backyard at Chez Jay.