Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Food & Drink

Road Trip Cheat Sheet: The Best Diners in America

By

It’s hard to believe summer’s end is almost here. With Labor Day around the corner next weekend, it’s time to cross those last “to-dos” off this season’s bucket list and start looking ahead to fall. And if you haven’t taken a good ole cross-country road trip yet this summer, there is still time to make it happen. And now that you have a list of our favorite roadside diners across America, you have one less thing to do in preparation for your journey.

Recommended Videos

New England
Casey’s Diner – Natick, MA
This 10-stool diner serves food seven days a week to hungry Natick natives and travelers alike in a 1922 Worcester Lunch Car. Run by the Casey family for four generations, this is the oldest operating diner in the area. Order one of their famous hot dogs “all-around” like the locals do. Image credit: Facebook

Related

Midwest
Wheel Inn – Sedalia, MO
This burger joint has been pumping out patties since the 1940s. The establishment had to move locations awhile back because of construction, but it’s still as charming as ever even without the drive-in element. “Home of the Original Guberburger,” you know what to order – their signature beef patty on a white bun topped with lettuce, tomato, mayo and peanut butter. Image credit: Silly America

Southeast
Penguin Drive-In – Charlotte, NC
Family-owned since 1954, Penguin Drive-In has been serving generations of families for years – it was even voted Charlotte’s most “iconic” restaurant. You should probably get the namesake Penguin Burger, topped with pimento cheese, their famous fried dill pickles, lettuce and mayo. Image credit: Visitnc.com

Southwest
Blue Bonnet Cafe – Marble Falls, TX
Ever heard of a pie happy hour? Well that’s what goes down at Blue Bonnet Cafe from 3-5pm Monday through Friday, where a slice and drink will set you back $3.50. Established in 1929, locals and travelers alike have been enjoying the restaurant’s delicious pies like chocolate meringue (the top seller) and cherry for generations. Image credit: The Everyday Adventurer

West
The Gold ‘N Silver Inn – Reno, NV
The neon sign says it all – always open, breakfast served 24 hours, cocktails, slot machines. Hell, they even like kids! If you’re staying in Reno or just passing through, you have to stop by this legendary diner for some serious American comfort food like pot roast and chicken fried steak. Image credit: Facebook

What did we miss? Let us know about your favorite roadside American eatery in the comments.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Amanda Gabriele
Amanda Gabriele
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Amanda Gabriele is a food and travel writer at The Manual and the former senior editor at Supercall. She can’t live without…
The Best Road Trip Snacks to Bring Along for the Ride
Best Road Trip Snacks

According to a study we made up for this post, 87% of Americans admit to taking a road trip as an excuse to eat ungodly amounts of gas station snacks. It’s true; Google it. Few things are as satisfying for travelers as ducking into a truck stop for a soda and coming out with $100 worth of pretzels, gummy worms, Hostess pastries, and Red Bull.

If your travels frequently take you to more off-the-beaten-path locations, it could be a hundred miles are more between gas stations. So, road trip snacks aren’t just an indulgence -- they’re essential to your survival. When preparing your snack pack, balance is key. At the very least, you’ll want some crunch (if for nothing else than to keep you awake), protein for energy, and something sweet to round it all out. You also want to avoid things that will melt or spoil quickly (unless you’ve got a great cooler, of course). Below, you’ll find some of the best road trip snacks to keep you full, fueled, and happy for the ride.
Wild Game Jerky
Buffalo Bob’s Game Jerky Gift Pack

Read more
The Best Ways to Rent an RV for Your Next Road Trip
campanda van rental

Take one look at the #vanlife hashtag on Instagram, and it’s clear many of us daydream of trading in our worldly possessions for a few months or a lifetime on the open road. But the reality of owning and maintaining a camper van or RV trailer isn’t always rosy. They can be expensive, gas-hungry, challenging to drive, and more prone to mechanical problems than the average car. The solution? Just drive someone else’s. Here are the best ways to do just that. And be sure to check out the best RV essential gear to pack before you hit the road.

Related Guides

Read more
Best Affordable Vacation Ideas: Get Outta Town, Not Outta Cash
rv hot spring mammoth lakes california

Right about now, you could probably use a break. And while travel is a bit different during the pandemic, you can still do it safely. And you can always travel cheaply if you do it smart. Smart traveling in 2021 means more than just watching the budget, of course: Wear a mask in closed crowded areas, practice social distancing, and stay healthy! Here are a few ideas for how to travel on the cheap and get the getaway you need more than ever.
Score an Affordable RV Rental

Renting an RV (that's recreational vehicle, FYI) is not as cheap as you might think when you go through a traditional broker. It can cost a few hundred bucks per day to rent a full-sized RV, and that's before you factor in gasoline. There are often fees for campgrounds that add even more to the price tag, and before long, you will have paid much more than a rental car and hotel combo would have cost. But RV vacations are great, what with all the resources you need right there at all times, and they can minimize social contact, which is critical right now.

Read more