About halfway from St. Louis to Chicago on Route 66, lies the small town of Atlanta, Illinois, home to the historic Palms Grill Cafe. As we were driving, we found the cafe in our Route 66 Dining & Lodging Guide, and it was said to be “a very special must stop” place, inexpensive, and known for its “atmosphere.” It was mid-morning, so we decided to stop for breakfast.
When we stopped, we could feel the “atmosphere” already…. parking behind an old Plymouth, watching the guys across the street in a garage stop their work just to have a look-see at us tourists…. the town was really quiet. 
Growing up in a small town, visiting our local cafe regularly with my dad and my grandma, I figured the locals must have already been and gone early that morning, as we walked in and we were the only ones in the cafe. A guest book lay by the beautiful old cash register, filled with pages and pages of people who’d come and gone. Old-time 40′s music played overhead, notes from a big-band era ringing in our ears.
The decor in this place made us feel like we’d taken an actual step back in time….
old square metal tables all set to go for guests’ dining pleasure…. an old refrigerator set against the wall…. the checkered floor…. metal stools the boys decided we had to sit on to enjoy our breakfast. 
An old soda machine stood in an alcove, a rotary telephone on a stand beside it…. don’t think for a second I didn’t notice the actual cord plugged into the old rotary phone that sat back next to the restrooms. Yes, this place did indeed have “atmosphere.”
So, how was the food, you ask? Or was I so busy enjoying the atmosphere that I forgot about the food? Their menu was chock full of delicious options, good down-home food. 
I personally decided on the biscuits and gravy (which I think was around $3.96) and bacon on the side, along with a nice big Dr. Pepper. Every bite was delicious. I’m not usually very picky about food…. but my biscuits and gravy have to be just right. I have to say these were pretty special.
The service was wonderful. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner (breakfast being served all day long). Opening in 1934, it seems that this cafe was a major hub for the small town of Atlanta, hosting dances, BINGO games, and more. It was also the Greyhound bus station. Their website says that patrons who wanted to catch the bus had only to flip a switch, and the light on the bottom of the Palms sign would light up, signaling the bus to stop and pick them up. I have to admit, I’d love to see their sign at night, all lit up. While taking a bit of the walking tour through Atlanta, we listened to Paul Adams’ story from back in the day…. he joined the Army, and when asked where he caught the bus, it was the Palms Grill Cafe.
If you’re looking for good food, amazing “atmosphere,” history, and a place to rest, the Palms Grill Cafe is just the stop for you on old Route 66.
Step Back in Time at the Palms Grill Cafe in Atlanta, IL {Route 66}
Ten Reasons Why Everyone Should Drive Route 66
Dan and I can now honestly say that we’ve traveled Historic Route 66 at least one time in our lives from end to end…. even our boys, ages 9 and 4, have the memories of an incredible road trip together. Route 66 is a destination that noone should miss out on. It’s the Mother Road, a road less traveled now, but lacking absolutely nothing in history, amazing stories, and a legacy worth preserving.
I’m going to be doing a lot more writing about Route 66 now and in the future…. in fact, I’d like to become an advocate for this road. It’s not a road we should just throw away for highways and byways. You know…. after everything we’ve had the opportunity to see and do, I can safely say that if you’re just speeding along on the highway (and this could pertain to life, as well), you have no idea what you’re missing out on. The movie Cars, even though a children’s movie, definitely has new meaning for me now.
So, I give you…. ten reasons why everyone should drive Route 66 at least once in their lifetime:
10. Literally, hundreds to thousands of places to get the kids out, to explore with your family, to leave your mark. There were so many places to stop and get out, and stop a lot we did. It was great; it wasn’t like a normal road trip where you’re driving for hours on end. There were things to see and do all along the way, and it made the trip seem timeless. Everywhere you looked, there were places to leave your mark, whether signing a bunch of Cadillacs stuck end up in the Texas dirt or even leaving a rock sculpture in the desert along the side of the road.
9. Awesome souvenirs. From Route 66 magnets to stickers to postcards to t-shirts to pure maple syrup to volcanic rock…. you name it, Route 66 has it.
8. Beautiful architecture and colorful murals. When it comes to architecture, Route 66 has some of the most beautiful older buildings and bridges, just to name a couple that were quite impressive, the State Capitol and the Macoupin County Courthouse in Illinois. Many small towns also have old-time murals painted on the sides of buildings, on business signs, and more.
7. Nostalgia and History. If you’re into history and feel that you could have lived in that 1920-1940′s era…. Route 66 gives you the ability to step back in time. It’s a chance to take a deep breath and just be in the moment.
6. A chance to drive the backroads, to take a trip off the beaten path. Contrary to what most people think, the Mother Road doesn’t just wind along the side of the highway. Sure, it does in some spots…. but for the most part, we found ourselves way off the beaten path, whether on a paved or gravel or even a brick road, winding through the mountains, through farmland and ranches, through small towns we didn’t even know existed. There is so much to see that, sadly, most people will miss because they don’t realize it’s there.
5. The people you’ll meet, the guest books you’ll sign. Our first day out, we ran into a couple from France. We signed guest books at different stops along the way, and it was always interesting to see names written from all over the U.S., from Germany, Australia, Austria, and many, many more. Even when we stopped for a hotel in Litchfield, IL, we heard tell of a man that’d been through 2 weeks before us; he was walking the Mother Road on stilts. It’s amazing that this famous highway unites so many travelers from around the world. Not only that, but the people you meet who work in businesses along the way…. oh, the stories they can tell. If you’re driving through Chandler, OK, be sure to stop and see Jerry McClanahan, a Route 66 expert and artist (we used his awesome books to navigate the entire trip).
4. Family Time. It may be like National Lampoon’s whenever we go somewhere, but I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be than in the car with the family, spending time together, discovering new places. Route 66 has a way of bringing family together.
3. A chance to feed the burros. Winding down a mountain road, you may just come upon a pack of burros that’ll eat all your trailmix and maybe even take a nip at you.
2. Amazing food! I can’t even say enough about the food on Route 66. You definitely don’t want to miss the Mid-Point Cafe in Texas (if you blink, you’ll miss the town)…. and of course, the Palms Grill Cafe in Atlanta, Illinois. If you’re a foodie, Route 66 is a destination highway…. it’s full of delicious, scrumptious foods, from juicy burgers to homemade pies to steak and potatoes to frozen custard. The food is reason enough to travel the Mother Road.
1. Finally, amazing photo opps from end to end. Where else can your family get a picture sitting on a giant jackrabbit or standing beside the signs that mark the beginning and end of Route 66? The photo opps are too many to count…. you won’t be disappointed.
In the coming weeks and months, I’ll be filling my Route 66 section to the brim…. be sure to stay tuned. This road has given me so much inspiration; it’s an amazing ride that I can’t wait to share with you.
(Disclosure: This post is not sponsored in any way. All photos were taken by us.)
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