Lou Mitchell’s – The Original Route 66 Icon
Since 1923, Lou Mitchell’s has been welcoming hungry travelers and still does so today in 2025, founded by William Mitchell and later run by his son Lou, the family-owned diner quickly became a beloved establishment for both locals and road-trippers. Located just steps from Route 66’s official starting point in downtown Chicago, this legendary spot earned its reputation through more than just location.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the diner remains a surviving piece of Americana, and the interior has not changed much since its construction, with the wood tables, black and white flooring, and neon signs all original! The eatery has a tradition of handing either Milk Duds (which used to be made in Chicago) or donut holes to customers when they step inside, a nod to the family’s Greek hospitality.
The place doesn’t just survive on nostalgia. Some historic restaurants celebrated restaurants can turn into more of a novelty, but Lou Michell’s still delivers on the food, with the establishment boasting 4.5 stars out of 5 on Trip Advisor, and 4.6 on Google Maps reviews.
Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In – The Quirky Desert Survivor
Juan Delgadillo is famous for opening Delgadillo’s Snow Cap in 1953, having worked for the railroad, Delgadillo built the diner out of the lumber he salvaged from the yard, creating a kitschy, yet charming, roadside landmark. Located in Seligman, Arizona, this place became something special through one man’s offbeat sense of humor.
Delgadillo’s offbeat sense of humor was legendary and lives on in the diner’s cheeky signs such as “Cheeseburger with Cheese” and “Sorry, We’re Open.” Today, Delgadillo’s children continue their father’s legacy of serving pranks and burgers.
What makes this spot remarkable isn’t just the clever wordplay on the signs. The town of Seligman itself holds special significance. The town of Seligman in Arizona bills itself as “the birthplace of historic Route 66” – not because it’s where the highway first originated, but because it was the first town to rally for its preservation after the route was decommissioned, when Interstate 40 bypassed Seligman in 1978, Juan Delgadillo and his brother Angel succeeded in having the stretch of highway between Seligman and Kingman designated as Historic Route 66, thus saving the town from invisibility.
Palace Diner – The Trolley Car Treasure in Maine
Located in downtown Biddeford, Maine, just off South Street, the Palace Diner has been around since 1927, when it was shipped to Maine from Massachusetts, with the Palace actually being one of the only two remaining Pollard cars in the U.S, the Pollard Company being one of the original manufacturers and distributors of diner railcars.
Diner menus are often as long as your arm and as thick as a book, but not at the tiny Palace Diner in Biddeford, with the no-fuss 15-seat diner, set within a trolley car, only having seven dishes on its breakfast menu – and it offers just four sandwiches at lunch. The car was built by the Pollard Company in 1927, and it’s one of just two surviving Pollard diners in the country.
This isn’t about having fewer options – it’s about perfection through simplicity. The Palace was originally frequented by local mill workers who often worked round-the-clock, and it serves similar breakfast and sandwich platters today, including the famous “Lumberjack Breakfast.”
The Tam O’Shanter – California’s Century-Old Family Tradition
Over in California, the Tam O’Shanter became the first sandwich spot to employ ‘tray boys’ to provide curb service, established in 1922, the diner is still run by the same family today as it was over 100 years ago. This Los Angeles institution pioneered curbside service long before it became commonplace across America.
The restaurant’s claim to fame extends beyond just being an early adopter of drive-up service. The Tam O’Shanter became the first sandwich spot to employ ‘tray boys’ to provide curb service, established in 1922, the diner is still run by the same family today as it was 96 years ago.
What’s remarkable about The Tam O’Shanter is how it bridges different eras of American dining culture. While many diners from this period have vanished or changed hands multiple times, this family operation has maintained its character for over a century.
Mickey’s Diner – The Art Deco Railroad Legend
Mickey’s Diner – an old-school, railroad dining car-inspired spot in downtown St. Paul that opened in 1939 – is among the oldest in the country, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This Art Deco railroad car diner in St. Paul, Minnesota, has been operating 24/7 since 1939, with its stainless steel exterior and red neon signs made it a beacon for hungry travelers.
The diner’s reputation wasn’t built overnight. The legendary hash browns and homemade pies kept families coming back whenever they passed through the Twin Cities. Its round-the-clock operation made it a lifeline for truckers, night workers, and anyone needing comfort food at any hour.
The striking Art Deco design represents the pinnacle of diner architecture from the late 1930s. The gleaming stainless steel exterior and distinctive red neon didn’t just attract customers – they created an icon that still draws visitors who want to experience authentic American diner culture.
White Mana Diner – The World’s Fair Wonder
Hailed as the “diner of the future” at the World’s Fair in 1939 where it was exhibited as a prototype, the White Mana Diner has been in business since 1946, with architecture inspired by dining railcars, this establishment is much more of a burger joint than a breakfast spot.
What makes White Mana special is its incredible value and popularity. With a simple menu of burgers (a single hamburger is just $1.12!), hot sandwiches, chicken fingers, fries and chili, this is an especially popular lunchtime joint with lines often stretching around the building.
This Jersey City landmark represents the democratization of dining – good food at prices anyone could afford. The fact that it started as a World’s Fair exhibit adds to its mystique. Visitors aren’t just grabbing a burger; they’re experiencing a piece of American innovation history.
Mitla Cafe – The Taco Bell Pioneer
Founded by Lucia Montaño Rodriguez in 1937, the Mitla Cafe is run today by her grandson and great-grandson, with the café serving Mexican comfort food like chile rellenos as well as tacos dorados, the original inspiration for the tacos at Taco Bell.
The diner, founded in 1937 by Mexican immigrant Doña Lucia Rodriguez, has remained in the same family for generations, with Doña Lucia’s grandson, Mike Montaño, who took over the diner in 2013, sharing his memories of his grandmother in an interview with CBS News: “I remember it almost as an extension of my grandmother’s kitchen, or my grandmother.”
The San Bernardino location holds a special place in fast food history. While Taco Bell went on to become a global franchise, Mitla Cafe stayed true to its roots. The authenticity shows in every dish – these aren’t mass-produced recipes but family traditions passed down through generations.
Casey’s Diner – From Horse-Drawn Wagon to American Institution
Believed to be one of America’s oldest diners still in operation, Casey’s 10-stool dining car has been serving customers since 1922 – though it started life as a horse-drawn wagon, with a long wooden bar, classic diner stools, retro floor tiles, and a bun steamer that pre-dates the restaurant.
People come to experience a slice of history, and to try Casey’s famous steamed hot dogs; get yours ‘all around,’ with relish, onions, and mustard. The steamed hot dogs aren’t just a specialty – they’re a tradition that connects visitors to the very earliest days of American street food.
Located in Massachusetts, Casey’s represents the evolution of American dining culture from mobile food carts to permanent establishments. The fact that some of the equipment predates the restaurant itself tells the story of a business that grew organically with its community.
Rock Cafe – Rising from the Ashes
The “Rock Cafe” was built in 1939 with stones used in the construction of Route 66, after a disastrous fire, it was rebuilt in its original spirit in 2008, and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
This Stroud, Oklahoma establishment embodies resilience. The original building materials came from the very highway that made it famous – stones left over from Route 66 construction. When fire destroyed the building, the community rallied to rebuild it exactly as it was.
The Rock Cafe’s story mirrors that of Route 66 itself – decline, near-extinction, and then revival through the dedication of people who understood its cultural importance. Today’s visitors experience both the history and the passionate commitment to preservation that keeps these roadside treasures alive.
El Camino Dining Room – New Mexico’s Television Star
El Camino Dining Room, a diner from 1950 that has stood the test of time on the pre-1937 alignment of Route 66, founded by Clyde Tyler as a motel and dining room, El Camino has been serving up savory New Mexican dishes for over 70 years.
You might recognize the sign out front from AMC’s “Better Call Saul,” and the diner’s interior was featured in several scenes as the place where attorney Kim Wexler would meet her legal clients. The television exposure brought new visitors, yet the restaurant maintains its authentic character.
The restaurant has a uniquely New Mexican charm: white adobe walls, vigas and an abundance of vintage signage, with the Chavez family proudly owning and operating El Camino, and the heart-shaped neon sign with the names “Gilbert” and “Mandy” paying homage to the restaurant’s management team, Gilbert and Mandy Chavez.
