Vintage signs and memorabilia plaster the walls. The interior is a black and white checkerboard, accented with pops of teal. Servers wear retro uniforms. And an entire menu is devoted to milkshakes. This description only fits one place in New Mexico and possibly even in the nation: the Route 66 Diner in Albuquerque.
If you’re in the Land of Enchantment, you have to stop by this retro eatery - it’s too gloriously kitschy to pass up. Plus, any place that offers a milkshake menu is a place you need to visit.
The building that houses the restaurant has been around since the height of Route 66’s popularity. Back in 1946, it contained a Phillip’s gas station called Sam’s Sixty Six Service. However, in 1987, it was converted into the diner you see today.
Stepping inside is like walking back through time to the 1950s, when jukeboxes like the one that plays here were commonplace, Marilyn Monroe and Elvis were still with us, and driving Route 66 was an epic adventure that many dreamed of undertaking.
The Route 66 Diner is an explosion of memorabilia.
The PEZ collection is likely to be the most extensive you’ve ever seen, running the entire length of the counter.
Speaking of which, it’s refreshing to find somewhere that still offers old school, counter service.
The diner also dishes up comfort food and plenty of it.
If slabs of chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes don’t fill you up, one of the milkshakes definitely will.
Take the Pink Cadillac shake for a test drive. It features strawberry ice cream and Oreos.
Other popular options include the minty Grasshopper and the Black Forest shake. Thankfully, you can order a half-sized milkshake because these drinks are huge.
The chili cheese fries are another popular menu item…
…That’s only surpassed by the Pile Up, a mound of fried potatoes with bacon, chopped green chile, cheddar, eggs, and red or green.
It’s worth stopping here just for the desserts. You can’t go wrong with the apple pie, and the banana split lives up to its name.
It's so gargantuan that you need to split it with a group. There has to be a whole tub of ice cream buried under there!
Before you leave, grab a selfie in front of the wall of signs!
Have you visited this classic Duke City joint?
The Route 66 Diner is located at 1405 Central Avenue NE in Albuquerque. For more information, visit the restaurant’s website here.
Diner fans should also check out our past article: "These 13 Awesome Diners In New Mexico Will Make You Feel Right At Home."
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