🍽️ St. Louis – Big Flavors, Route 66 Style

1. Eat Toasted Ravioli at Mama’s on the Hill

  • A local favorite in The Hill neighborhood. These crispy, meat-stuffed raviolis are a must-try St. Louis original.

2. Get a Gooey Butter Cake Slice

  • Try it from Park Avenue Coffee or Russell’s on Macklind. It’s sweet, rich, and basically breakfast and dessert in one.

3. Grab a Dog at Ted Drewes Frozen Custard

  • A Route 66 institution since the 1920s. The custard is thick and creamy—you will need a spoon. Bonus: They serve classic hot dogs too!

🛣️ Eureka – Roadside BBQ Stop

4. Super Smokers BBQ

  • Pulled pork, ribs, brisket—get a sampler plate and bask in the smoked-meat glory.

  • Perfect pit stop with picnic tables, sauces galore, and Route 66 vibes.

🐖 Cuba – BBQ, Pie & Murals

5. Missouri Hick Bar-B-Q

  • Rustic decor, enormous portions, and their smoked meats are legendary.

  • Try the burnt ends or the pulled pork sandwich with their house sauce.

6. Shelly’s Route 66 Café

  • A true diner experience—get the biscuits & gravy for breakfast and chat with locals.

  • Daily pies made in-house: apple, cherry, coconut cream—you name it.

🍔 Lebanon – Nostalgia and Diner Eats

7. Elm Street Eatery

  • Family-run, good prices, big flavors. Try their fried chicken, meatloaf, or any special of the day.

  • Pro tip: Order a slice of pie to go and eat it on a scenic pull-off along the road.

8. Dairy Isle

  • Classic burger stand with milkshakes, chili dogs, and onion rings. Pure Americana.

🥧 Springfield – Route 66’s Birthplace, Big on Flavor

9. Red’s Giant Hamburg

  • A recreation of the first-ever drive-thru restaurant on Route 66. Get a burger and fries and sit outside for the full vintage vibe.

10. Black Sheep Burgers & Shakes

  • For the modern foodie. Try gourmet burgers like the Don’t Go Bacon My Heart or adult milkshakes like the Boozy Bananas Foster.

11. Casper’s Diner

  • It’s quirky (inside a Quonset hut!) and they serve chili on everything—burgers, fries, spaghetti. An iconic stop.

🧇 Carthage – Homestyle Meets Route 66 Classic

12. Iggy’s Diner

  • Silver-sided diner with a vintage feel. Grab a country-fried steak breakfast or a classic Reuben with a side of seasoned fries.

  • Excellent place to meet locals and hear some road stories.

13. Lucky J Restaurant & Arena

  • A hidden gem with cowboy charm. Think chicken-fried steak, ribs, and homemade desserts—with a rodeo on the side if your timing’s right.

🍗 Joplin – Last Bite in Missouri

14. Big R’s BBQ

  • Local favorite with generous portions and perfectly smoked meats.

  • Known for their “fried chicken Friday,” but everything is worth the stop.

15. Eagle Drive-In

  • Fusion-style roadside eats: truffle fries, lamb burgers, mahi tacos, and gourmet toppings.

  • A modern twist on Route 66 roadside dining.

☕️ Bonus: Must-Try Missouri Foodie Experiences

  • Classic diners with Formica counters and bottomless coffee.

  • Mom-and-pop cafés with chalkboard menus.

  • Daily pies—seriously, Route 66 might as well be renamed Pie Highway.