Americans love food and driving and these passions come together in roadside restaurants. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that roadside restaurants have a central place in American culture: They feature in such iconic films as “American Graffiti” and “Thelma and Louise” and road movies are themselves a major film genre.
After a year of restrictions on travel and dining out, many Americans must be hungry for adventure and hungry for the restaurant experience, whether it’s the chrome exterior and vinyl interior of a basic truckstop café or a classic diner. (Here is the best diner in every state)
To whet your appetite 24/7 Tempo has compiled a list of 26 of America’s best roadside eateries.
They span the country, from Maine to California to Hawaii. Many of the places on our list are known for classic American fare, such as pizza and BBQ. Not surprisingly, burgers are a staple. Some are famous for local specialties, such as lobster and chowder fries. Whatever your preference, roadside restaurants often offer generous portions for reasonable prices.
Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-in
> Location: Seligman, Arizona
> Don’t miss: Jalapeño burger
Source: Photo by Samuel Y. via Yelp
Yaks on the 5
> Location: Dunsmuir, California
> Don’t miss: Bacon Overload burger
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Source: Photo by Shannon Y. via Yelp
Goody’s Family Restaurant
> Location: Victorville, California
> Don’t miss: Waffle supreme combo
Source: Courtesy of Chanell P. via Yelp
Peggy Sue’s 50’s Diner
> Location: Yermo, California
> Don’t miss: Peggy Sue’s special combination pizza
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Source: Photo by Michelle T. via Yelp
West Shore Seafood
> Location: Morris, Connecticut
> Don’t miss: Chowder fries
Source: Photo by Wooster Hollow Cafe via Yelp
Wooster Hollow Café
> Location: Ridgefield, Connecticut
> Don’t miss: Chicken enchilada omelet
Source: Photo by Patty T. via Yelp
Helen’s Famous Sausage House
> Location: Smyrna, Delaware
> Don’t miss: Fried bologna and egg sandwich
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Source: Photo by Rolly T. via Yelp
Chicken in a Barrel BBQ
> Location: Kapaa, Hawaii
> Don’t miss: Chicken in a Barrel plate
Source: Photo by Jamie B. via Yelp
Blue Springs Café
> Location: Highland, Indiana
> Don’t miss: Fried walleye dinner
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Source: Courtesy of Alison I. via Yelp
Palace Diner
> Location: Biddeford, Maine
> Don’t miss: Buttermilk flapjacks
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Source: nycshooter / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
Red’s Eats
> Location: Wiscasset, Maine
> Don’t miss: Red’s “Lobster Roll of Fame”
Source: Photo by Rebekah L. via Yelp
B.T.’s Smokehouse
> Location: Sturbridge, Massachusetts
> Don’t miss: Three-meat platter
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Source: Photo by Greg B. via Yelp
Mason Jar Café
> Location: Benton Harbor, Michigan
> Don’t miss: Mascarpone-stuffed cinnamon-challah French toast
Source: Photo by Michelle L. via Yelp
Peg’s Countryside Café
> Location: Hamel, Minnesota
> Don’t miss: Country-style eggs Benedict
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Source: Photo by Chrissy B. via Yelp
Wagner’s Drive-In
> Location: Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
> Don’t miss: Fried chicken dinner
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Source: Photo by Crazy K's via Yelp
Crazy K’s Food & Fuel
> Location: Buckatunna, Mississippi
> Don’t miss: Hand-cut ribeye sandwich
Source: Photo by Angela S. via Yelp
Open Range Grill
> Location: Ogallala, Nebraska
> Don’t miss: Range burger
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Source: Courtesy of Erika F. via Yelp
Lexie’s Joint
> Location: Portsmouth, New Hampshire
> Don’t miss: Lexie’s Big Mouth burger
Source: Photo by Christopher K. via Yelp
21. Steve’s Burgers
> Location: Garfield, New Jersey
> Don’t miss: “Y-D-K-J” burger
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Source: Courtesy of Ala O. via Yelp
Buckeye Express Diner
> Location: Belleville, Ohio
> Don’t miss: Locomotive Buckeye Pounder burger
Source: Courtesy of Leena S. via Yelp
Wellsboro Diner
> Location: Wellsboro, Pennsylvania
> Don’t miss: Hot roast beef sandwich
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Source: Photo by Scotty H. via Yelp
Anthony’s Seafood
> Location: Middletown, Rhode Island
> Don’t miss: Portuguese fish chowder
Source: Photo by Hilary K. via Yelp
Murdo Drive-In
> Location: Murdo, South Dakota
> Don’t miss: Local grass-fed burger
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Source: Courtesy of Raiza F. via Yelp
Coyote Bluff Café
> Location: Amarillo, Texas
> Don’t miss: Burger from Hell
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Source: Photo by Erik P. via Yelp
Cruiser Café
> Location: Eatonville, Washington
> Don’t miss: Big “E” burger
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Source: Photo by Hillbilly Hot Dogs via Yelp
Hillbilly Hot Dogs
> Location: Lesage, West Virginia
> Don’t miss: Chuck’s Junk Yard Dog
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