Roadside Establishments

Route 66 booster Michael Wallis writes how,"Route 66 means a time before America became generic," and he celebrates the "big-boned waitresses who served up burgers, plate lunches, and homemade pie" along 66. Like Wallis, other mother road boosters see the custard stands, coffee shops, barbecue stalls, highway cafes, truck stops along Route 66 as what makes the road both unique and personal. (cite)Travelers from the 1950s might not be so quick to agree with this praise. Quality varied widely from stop to stop. The original Route 66 travel guide offered advice on where to find good places to eat. Finding a good meal was often an adventure in itself.

Image: Ted Drewes Neon Sign, St. Louis, Missouri