Our members-only newsletter, The 66 News is distributed quarterly since its first issue in September, 1989.

From time to time, we’ll share a piece from the magazine here on the website so you can see for yourself the kind of content you can expect in this quality publication. This article is from a relatively recent issue, Summer, 2013. Enjoy!

Eating Our Way Across Route 66

by Marcia Gascho

As veterans of many long and short Route 66 trips, my husband Bruce and I have found a number of great places to eat along the way. We often find ourselves planning our itinerary and overnight stays based on where we want to eat lunch or dinner. We try to avoid the chain places and find local mom-and-pop or well-known spots. The major exception is breakfast. Many motels offer breakfasts and we take advantage of them At the Best Western in Shamrock, Texas, we enjoyed Texas-shaped waffles! When we stay in places like the Blue Swallow in Tucumcari, we usually eat at local restaurants for breakfast.

Eating Soon Du Bu with extra squid at Cafe’ Korea – St Robert, MO

On our most recent trip to Arizona, we stopped at many fine dining places. We are big fans of Korean food and have discovered Cafe Korea outside Ft Leonard Wood, Missouri. They have great food, a friendly staff and very reasonable prices. I requested extra squid in my Soon DuBu soup and it was delicious. We got an order of mandoo (dumplings) to go that we happily snacked on during the trip. The place is always crowded with civilians and military personnel from the Fort.

We are hoping 4 Women on the Route (new name of Cars on the Route) in Kansas will serve food again when it re-opens. In Oklahoma, we always enjoy selecting some sodas at POPS and having a meal there. It’s an interesting place! We tried out Lucilles this year in Weatherford. They have a cool diner section as well a a more traditional restaurant area. The front of the building recreates the look of Lucilles old gas station in Hydro.

Bruce meeting Big Vern at his restaurant in Shamrock, TX

It is fortunate that La Posada in Winslow, Arizona, was saved from the wrecking ball. If you want elegant dining in a beautiful historic, location, The Turquoise Room there can’t be beat. It’s expensive but worth it. We’ve stopped at the Snow Cap in Seligman many times. We got to meet the late Juan Delgadillo and were the victims of his many practical jokes: small Coke, trick mustard bottle, used straws and napkins, etc. Just walking inside to order a meal like Dead Chicken is an experience. The walls and ceiling are covered with business cards from all over the world. When trying to leave, you are confronted with a door with two doorknobs. Many bus tours stop by there.

In Illinois, no Route 66 trip is complete without a stop at the Cozy Dog Drive In and/or the Polka Dot. Both places have a great vintage feel to them. This year we finally had a chance to eat at the famous Ariston restaurant before heading home.

We love our annual trips on the Mother Road. It’s great to see old and new places and to anticipate the wonderful food along the way.

The following are some of our favorite places we’ve discovered over the years. We like to visit them again and again on our trips.

Illinois

Polk-a-Dot – Braidwood
Cozy Dog Drive-In – Springfield
Ariston – Litchfield (since closed)
Log Cabin – Pontiac
Palms Grill – Atlanta

Missouri

Ted Drewes – St Louis
Missouri Hicks BBQ – Cuba
Cafe Korea – St Robert

Kansas

Grill a 4 Women on the Route – Galena

Oklahoma

POPS – Arcadia
Lucilles – Weatherford

Texas

Big Verns – Shamrock
Big Texan – Amarillo
Midpoint Cafe – Adrian

New Mexico

Pow Wow – Tucumcari
Kix on 66 – Tucumcari
Route 66 Diner – Albuquerque
El Rancho Hotel – Gallup

Arizona

Turquoise Room La Posada – Winslow
Snow Cap – Seligman

Read our ever-growing collection of From The 66 News archives.