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The Absolute Best Diners On Route 66 That Are Worth Stopping For

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Stockphotoastur/Getty Images

From Mashed.com: If you’re in the U.S. and haven’t driven at least a few miles along Route 66, you haven’t really traveled. This historic roadway originated in the 1920s with the Federal highway system, and over the past century, it has cemented itself as a neon-lit American icon. Along the 2,400-mile stretch of asphalt — which starts in Chicago and winds its way through eight states before terminating in Los Angeles — you’ll find plenty of must-see stops, and some of the most rewarding are the route’s classic diners.

Countless restaurants call the Mother Road home (like the Springfield, Missouri Steak ‘N Shake that’s on the National Register of Historic Places), but we’re highlighting the ones you absolutely have to stop for, from the 100-year-old Ariston Cafe to the automobile-themed Cruiser’s. Some of these gems offer bold yet nostalgic ambience, while others claimed their spot on the map with unique culinary creations — but they all share good eats and plenty of Route 66 charm.

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How does a Guy Fieri visit change New Jersey’s diners? Exploring the ‘Triple D’ effect

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Marion Feldman, and her son, David Feldman, owners, stand in front of the dessert counter at Ritz Diner in Livingston on Monday, June 16, 2025. The establishment opened in 1984 and was recently featured for the second time on the television show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com

From NorthJersey.com: For nearly two decades and dozens of episodes, Guy Fieri has been traveling across the country to visit America’s best diners, drive-ins and dives.

At each restaurant the spiky-haired chef interviews owners, customers, chefs and staff and samples some of the eateries’ greatest dishes, from burgers to pancakes, pie and so much more.

Since the very beginning, “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” has left a lasting impact on dozens of the featured restaurants, referred to by some as the “Triple D” effect. This impact is evident around the United States and right here in North Jersey, including at a beloved old-school diner in Linden that served as Fieri’s first-ever stop.

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One of NJ’s oldest diners receives $50K historic preservation grant

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The Summit Diner is one of New Jersey’s oldest diners, with a railcar-style structure made by the Jerry O’Mahony Co. that dates to 1938. Provided by Summit Diner

From NJBiz: The Summit Diner – one of New Jersey’s oldest – is among dozens of historic restaurants across the U.S. that will each receive $50,000 grants to help renovate and grow their business.

American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation spearhead the initiative. Summit Diner is one of 50 historic and culturally significant eateries nationwide awarded funding through the “Backing Historic Small Restaurants” program, according to an Aug. 25 press release.

Additionally, American Express-owned restaurant management platform Resy will waive one year of service fees for each grantee to its ResyOS software, the announcement said.

Located in downtown Summit, the 96-year-old diner’s current railcar-style structure made by the Jerry O’Mahony Co. dates back to 1938.

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The Strange Beauty of New York’s Bodega Ramps

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Photos by Tom Wilson

From The New York Times: Tom Wilson caught sight of a lumpy, makeshift concrete ramp in front of a bodega called Ultimate State Deli in Brooklyn one afternoon. Wilson is a photographer who teaches earth science in New York City public schools. He had passed Ultimate’s ramp a million times without registering its existence.

But that afternoon, in the slanting sun, the ramp’s grooves and contours reminded him of a photograph he’d seen in a textbook of a glacier.

Spilling from a doorway to bridge the height gap to the sidewalk for hand trucks, strollers and wheelchairs, the roundish ramps can bring to mind glaciers …

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Historic Greyhound sign returns to downtown Redding

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The historic Greyhound sign has returned to downtown Redding. Thursday, August 28, 2025. (KRCR)

From KRCR: A piece of Redding’s history has been restored and reinstalled in downtown.

Workers from McHale Sign Company have installed a classic Greyhound bus sign at the RABA station. The greyhound serves as the cherry on top of a sign that’s been in Redding for more than 70 years. The sign, which originally adorned the depot at Pine and Butte Streets, was saved from demolition 12 years ago.

“Our company removed the signs back in, I believe, 2013 before the building was demolished and we’ve had them in storage ever since,” said Pat Corey, owner of McHale Signs.

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