Sit back, relax and enjoy these nostalgic dining destinations located at the end of The First Hundred Miles of the Mother Road. Packed full of vintage ambiance, Route 66 ephemera and a variety of menus – ranging from classic diner fare to farm-to-table favorites – these dining destinations and more await you in this historic small town. Whether you dine in or choose carryout, you’ll enjoy some of the best classic and modern eats Route 66 has to offer.
Old Log Cabin
18700 Old U.S. Route 66
815-842-2908
Have a delicious home-cooked meal and enjoy a slice of made-from-scratch pie at Pontiac’s Old Log Cabin. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and also featuring a full-service bar, the quintessential Route 66 dining establishment has welcomed guests from around the globe with a savory, homestyle menu and friendly throwback atmosphere.
ACRESinn Market-Café and Restaurant
107 W. Madison St.
If you are looking for fresh, honest ingredients like just-baked bread and house-made pickles, then head to the eclectic Acres Inn, a micro market and delectable restaurant. You’ll find menu items made with carefully sourced ingredients and local produce. A commitment to quality ingredients and creative offerings shines throughout the menu, from an extensive sandwich selection and Tex-Mex favorites to boozy milkshakes made with regional spirits.
David’s Food & Spirits
624 W. Howard St.
815-842-0326, Facebook at tinyurl.com/23uhx74v
The repurposed historic former dry goods store serves up delicious American fare Tuesday through Saturday. David’s Food & Spirits specializes in steaks and chops, and offers a wide array of beef, pork and chicken dishes. You’ll also find seafood options and more on the daily specials list. Fan favorites include cod, salmon, crab cakes, shrimp and “the best seafood fettuccine around.”
Edinger’s Filling Station
423 W. Madison St.
facebook.com/edingersfillingstation
Once a small service garage on Route 66, Edinger’s now fills up hungry visitors instead of vehicles. The popular breakfast-lunch-brunch place, which starts hopping at 6:30 a.m., features build-your-own omelets and fan-favorite biscuits and gravy. Lunch is offered until 2 p.m. on weekdays. Don’t miss a chance to visit the immaculately themed Route 66 dining stop.
PK UnKorked Wine Shop & Tasting Room
826 N. Ladd St.
End your trip along The First Hundred Miles with a decadent glass of wine at Pontiac’s own PK UnKorked. Home to more than 100 varietals of vino, this chic tasting room and shop provide the perfect place to enjoy a glass, flight or bottle with your road-trip companions. In the store, you’ll find novelty wine items, decor and kitchen accessories – along with the occasional free live musical performance. Be sure to grab a bottle of Route 66 Special Label, a great Mother Road souvenir.
Looking for more fun in Pontiac?
Arrive early to tour the city’s legendary Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum, which houses an expansive archive of Route 66 artifacts and ephemera, along with a collection of historical photos. History buffs and Americana enthusiasts won’t want to miss this collection of thousands of pieces of historic memorabilia celebrating the golden age of the open road.
At the museum, you’ll find nostalgic relics from days gone by, like vintage license plates, a VW bus connected to Disney’s hit film “Cars,” and a spectacular, two-story mural of a Route 66 shield, perfect for photo ops. The museum is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.
