When you’re on the road with kids, the focus is usually on getting  

from point A to point B, and you will do anything to minimize the pit  

stops in-between. So I understand the temptation of the fast food  

restaurants that line our interstates at seductively convenient  

intervals. Most kids learn to recognize fast food logos before their  

own names, so it’s unlikely that they will go unnoticed by your crew.



Nevertheless, here’s the travel challenge I propose this month: on  

your next road trip, abandon fast food restaurants and seek out local  

flavor instead.



It isn’t so much that I’m against fast food, it’s just that I am

for supporting local economies and getting more out of my travel  

experience than one can expect from some franchises.



Tips for Success

I won’t pretend that all small-town diners are created equal, and no  

one likes to pull off the highway without a clear plan of action. To  

keep your family happy and avoid disappointment and delays, employ  

the following tips.



• Think about what time of day you will be on the road, and if you  

know your journey will span a mealtime, pull out a map before you  

back out of the driveway. You might know your route like the back of  

your hand, but you may not have thought about the small towns at the  

end of all those exit ramps you never take. It’s hard to go even  

thirty miles on Oklahoma’s highways without running into at least one

town large enough to support a diner, so pick out a couple prospects  

on your map.



• Once you have chosen a town, you could just wing it, but it’s  

better to have a specific restaurant in mind. Word-of-mouth is my  

favorite research tool, but when no one seems to have the inside  

scoop, I turn to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department’s  

website, TravelOK.com. You could also call the town’s convention and

visitor’s bureau or their chamber of commerce to ask for  

recommendations. Phone numbers for both offices can usually be found  

with a simple Internet search. Two national travel websites,  

TripAdvisor.com and RoadFood.com are also helpful.



• Finally, don’t forget to prepare your pit crew for the detour.

Pack snacks to fend off the cries that could cause you to cave in to  

temptation, and talk up the restaurant as if it is part of the trip,  

not just another bathroom break. Older kids can help read road signs  

so you don’t miss your exit. They might even get involved in helping

you search for a place on the Internet.



I think the hardest thing about stepping up to this challenge is  

planning ahead and convincing yourself that you have the time to make  

a detour. But keep in mind that 30 minutes is usually all it takes to  

make the transition from a generic kids’ meal to genuinely happy  

travel memories.

Chelsey Simpson is an editor who lives in Edmond with her husband and  

her miniature schnauzer, Ellie



Roadside Attractions

Here are some places I’ve had my eye on, listed according to the  

major highway they border.



Interstate 35

Kumback Lunch, 625 Delaware St., Perry

Kumback is the oldest café in Oklahoma and its walls are covered in  

tokens of its stroied past. The food won’t disappoint you either.



Original Fried Pies, at HWY 77, Davis

Fried pies might not be a particularly healthy meal choice, but at  

this restaurant they are more than just dessert. They carry savory  

meal pies and sweet pies made from scratch.



Interstate 44

The Rock Café, 114 W Main St, Stroud

This café is actually a Route 66 landmark whose owner was the  

inspiration behind the character Sally in Pixar’s movie, Cars.



J&W Grill, 501 W Choctaw Ave, Chickasha

Expect world-class burgers grilled at breakneck speeds right before  

your eyes. Arrive early though—they close up shop at 2pm.



Interstate 40

Lucille’s Roadhouse, 1301 Airport Road, Weatherford

Designed as a tribute to the original Lucille’s an iconic Route 66  

gas station, this restaurant has two sections, with separate menus.  

The area known as The Grill is probably best for a quick family meal.