5 places to eat along Historic Route 66 that nobody talks about

When you are on a road trip the food options are sometimes somewhat difficult. And of course everyone has their opinions of where you MUST stop to eat along Historic Route 66. There are also places that nobody seems to mention.

It’s not exactly easy. Because especially if you are a healthy eater, or specifically a non-meat eater, it could pose a problem. We had both said prior to our journey on Route 66 that we didn’t want to be relegated to junk food or “bad food choices.” And we expected that there could be times when the choices would be limited.

Fast food chains and greasy spoons are not usually in our wheelhouse. And that is not to offend anyone or their respective eating habits or food choices, but the fact is that there are VERY few places along Route 66 – meaning in places away from the larger, more densely populated, cities – that have anything in the healthy or clean eating category.

Combine that with the fact that places open late and close early, if they are open at all on any particular day, and you are on a scavenger hunt for food as much as you are for neon, muffler men, and abandoned gas stations.

What diner doesn’t open until 11 a.m.? How are you serving travelers if you are not open? Those are questions we kept asking ourselves.

But for the real question of “Where is there a good place to eat?” here are 5 places to eat along Route 66 that nobody seems to mention:

Ferrara Bakery is located at 2210 W. Taylor Street in Chicago, Illinois.

The address is listed as W. Taylor Street but it is right there along Route 66, directly across from another landmark that people seem to mention, and a mural that everyone posts.

The place has been in existence since 1908 in the Little Italy section of Chicago. There is a great variety of Italian delights and some good coffee. It is a perfect stop to get a mid-morning treat.

College Street Café is located at 1622 W. College Street (which IS Route 66) in Springfield, Missouri.

It is an old-fashioned traditional diner and the locals are regulars. It’s been around for a very long time and while the name has changed a few times, the mystique of old Route 66 is still there.

I ordered French toast and it was the first time I had had French toast that was not only dipped in egg, but dipped in malted pancake batter as well. It was great! Listening to the conversation was a nice touch to catch the vibe.

Mesquite Canyon Steakhouse is located at 6511 US-83 in Shamrock, Texas (about a 1 ½ miles from Western Motel and U Drop Inn on Route 66).

This place does not have a website (it has a Facebook page) because it really doesn’t need one. It’s a family-owned, family-friendly place frequented by the locals and they know their stuff.

The food was GREAT. Melissa had a steak and she said it was by far her favorite meal of the trip. Well…you’re in Texas…beef SHOULD be great, right? But this place was special. Definitely family-friendly and very easy to see that it was frequented by the locals. A number of family-filled tables. The service was great and the desserts were a real treat. I would agree with Melissa that, overall, this was the best meal of our trip. And, unfortunately, it’s not on anyone’s list of suggested places. Don’t miss this one!

Carlson Coffee Company is located at 711 East Route 66 in Tucumcari, New Mexico.

We just happened to fall upon Carlson Coffee Company in Tucumcari and had a wonderful breakfast. It’s a cute coffee shop setting. You might miss it because the signage makes it seem like there is a tattoo shop in the building. But it’s definitely a nice relaxing setting for a freshly prepared meal or baked treat. Everything is freshly made by the owners.

The coffee is FREE as long as you sitting there and drinking it. And why not? It’s comfy and a great way to start the next leg of your journey.

This place is not mentioned anywhere and it damn well should be. The places that ARE talked about are not WORTH mentioning.

This place is HISTORIC! It opened in Los Angeles back in 1939 and was frequented by people such as Frank Sinatra, Humphrey Bogart, James Dean, Elvis Presley, Ava Gardner, and John Wayne. The interior includes the original bar and an original red trolley car that dates back to 1904.

And the food was plentiful and GOOD! It’s a Chinese cuisine and you can order individual meals or get a few dishes and share. The ambiance and the food were both a great experience.