Burgers On The Byway
Burgers On The Byway
Historically Delish
Burgers and road trips -– don’t get more American than that! The Mother Road is lined with mouthwatering burger joints, each putting their own spin on a timeless classic. However, you choose to top them -- lettuce, tomato, onions pickles, or all of the above -- check out each of these delicious diners and try their version of a Route 66 classic.
Burger stops are listed east to west on Historic Route 66. Opening hours vary –-check operating hours beforehand.
A customer favorite at Country Cafe’ in Saint Robert is the Bacon Cheeseburger – a quarter-pound burger with all the fixings served on a bun with fries or tots. They also make a hamburger steak meal! Open early for breakfast with lunch options available too. Next enjoy Z Bar & Grill in Saint Robert, a modern bar and grill with contemporary vibes. Bring your appetite – these burgers are all half-pounders! The Bourbon Burger is a half-pound beef patty basted in their signature bourbon sauce and served with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickle. Another favorite is the Bella Bacon Swiss, a seasoned ground beef patty with portabella mushrooms, bacon, grilled onions, Swiss cheese, and special Route 66 sauce.
Traveling late? Stop by the late-night classic Waffle House in Saint Robert! A couple favorites are the patty melt and Texas Bacon Cheese Steak Melt, which features slices of smoky bacon combined with flavorful steak, grilled onions, and cheese on Texas toast. Their patty melt is another go-to.
Ready for a blast from the past? The Route 66 Diner in Saint Robert is a nostalgic, classic diner complete with mid-century vibes – a black-and-white checkerboard floor, jukebox, and some vintage images for decorations with chrome all around transport diners to a bygone era. Vintage foodies love the menu selections with some classic dessert options like shakes, malts, and sodas. Check out the Blue Moon Burger, a ground beef patty topped with melted cream cheese and blue cheese crumbles, then covered in Monterey jack cheese. The Big Bopper and Garlic Mushroom Burger are also customer favorites. For a meatless option, they als serve veggie burgers. Your final stop in Saint Robert, all burgers at Flo’s on Route 66 are made daily from fresh ground beef, hand pressed, specially seasoned, and cooked to order. Customer favorites are the Bacon Cheeseburger and the Jalapeno Burger.
Hop up the road to Hoppers Pub, a great Waynesville destination for burgers on the Mother Road. Not only do they serve great burgers in a Route 66 vibe, but they also have 66 beers on tap. You can have your burger on a bun or in a bowl! Choose your meat (burger, chicken, or veggie), then customize with your preferred toppings. Or try one of their signature burgers: the Bourbon Baby, the Bang Bang, the BBQ Blu, or other favorites! For gluten conscious, you can even have your burger in a lettuce wrap!
For a great food truck option, stop by Mardiyama Hibachi Express in Waynesville for a great burger. Not only do they have great hibachi options, but they also cook burgers made fresh daily using ground steak, Burgers can be ordered with cheese in a single or double patty and come with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, and a special Asian sauce.
Come hungry – the burgers at Westside Cafe’ in Waynesville aren’t wimpy! All regular menu burgers are made with half-pound patties. A customer favorite is the Tiger Burger, made with a seasoned half-pound burger, hickory-smoked bacon, pepper jack cheese, an onion ring, their special 66 sauce, and jalapenos. Mushroom Swiss is another customer favorite with fresh-sliced mushrooms, creamy Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, and Cajun-blended onion. Finally, stop at Nellie’s Gravel Bar for their great spin on a burger. The ChiliMac Burger is a favorite made with quarter-pound burger smothered in chili with mac and cheeses bites, served on a bun. A great burger to warm you on a chilly day!
Burgers Just off the Byway
Here are some additional locations to get a great burger just a small cruise away from the Mother Road. Check out these options in the cities of Crocker, Dixon, and Richland.
The Burger Hut in Crocker is a cute eatery converted from an old 1960’s gas station for some classic roadside fare. Choose to eat their fresh, charbroiled hamburger or grab a cheeseburger with four different cheeses to choose from all served on a toasted bun. Add the customer’s favorite – an order of crinkle fries or some fried mushrooms on the side. If you still have room and want something sweet check out the funnel fries or milkshakes! And 28 Shots, near Dixon, features burgers made from fresh hand patted ground beef, have one half pound patties, and are served on a potato bun. Make any burger a double, dress it however you like, or you can have it open-faced. Customer favorites are the single or double cheeseburger! Dress it with your preferred toppings and add some bacon for the tastiest burger. The S&M (Swiss & Mushroom) is another favorite. You can even get your burgers served open faced!
A stop by Homeplate Bar & Grill,in Dixon serves up patties that are one third pound and hand made from fresh ground chuck. A customer favorite is the Homerun Burger, which comes with jalapenos, hot pepper cheese, Homeplate Grill Dip and served on grilled Texas toast. For a bigger appetite be sure to try their Mac McGwire Burger, a classic double cheeseburger with house made 1000 island dressing, lettuce and pickle on a bun. Quarter pound burgers are also available for the smaller appetite!
Jackie’s Snackette's can be found in Dixon and their smashburgers are made from fresh, hand patted meat daily and topped with locally grown and sourced lettuce and tomato (and other toppings). Make it a cheeseburger and if extra hungry, add an extra patty! They say the onion chips are the best accompaniment for these burgers, but some say it is the specialty milkshakes! If you want a lesser carb option you can get it tortilla wrapped, or they also make a Cheeseburger Salad with homemade ranch dressing for those wanting something on the lighter side.
Over in Richland at The Burger Stand all burgers are fresh, never frozen, hand patted quarter pounders. Their specialty, the Mr. Neal Burger, is a bacon cheeseburger with double bacon and cheese topped with jalapenos and a fried egg. Want to stick with tradition? Be sure to try the Big T, a cheeseburger with coleslaw which has been on the menu since the 1970’s or grab their bestselling classic cheeseburger. With two locations to choose from; Crocker & Richland: Wagon Wheel is famous for their western themed menu with nine different burgers. The most wanted on the list is the Cowgirl or Cowboy fresh beef, quarter pound burgers. The Cowgirl comes with grilled onions, chopped bacon, Swiss cheese and BBQ sauce served on Texas Toast. The Cowboy burger comes with an onion ring and pulled pork. If the weather’s a little chilly, the chili cheeseburger will warm you right up!
For other great dining ideas visit our Dining page!