Hit the Road with Flavor: Celebrate 100 Years of Route 66 Along the Beef Trail
The iconic Route 66 celebrates its 100th year in 2026 and Illinois invites you to celebrate by traveling the beef trail. Explore restaurants and beef cultural attractions along the route.
Join the Culinary Road Trip with Bandwango
Visit the Favorites in Illinois
Learn more about participating restaurants and cultural locations
Champaign County History Museum at the Cattle Bank
102 East University Avenue, Champaign, IL
Take a picture of the Cattle Bank, a historic bank building built in 1858 that houses the Champaign County History Museum.
Route 66 Polk-A-Dot Drive In
222 N Front St, Braidwood, IL 60408
Retro Route 66 gem serving juicy burgersand classic comfort in a fun, neon-bright diner vibe.
Lou Mitchell's
565 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60661
A classic Chicago diner welcoming travelers at the start of the Mother Road. Try the Olive Burger for a new experience.
Union Stockyards Gate
W Exchange Ave &, S Peoria St, Chicago, IL 60609
Just off Route 66, the historic 1879 Union Stock Yard Gate honors Chicago’s cattle and meatpacking past, marking the legacy of a nation fed.
The Berghoff
17 W Adams St, Chicago, IL 60603
For more than 125 years, this family owned restaurant with its German-inspired comfort foods has been a Chicago fixture. We love the beef pot roast.
LuLu's Hotdogs
1000 S Leavitt St, Chicago, IL 60612
A Chicago staple dishing out classic dogs, crispy fries, and no-nonsense flavor—an essential bite before rolling onto Route 66.
Illinois Beef Association
2501 N 8th St, Springfield, IL 62702
It's not open for tourists, but document your trip on Route 66 with a photo of the Illinois Beef Association located just off Route 66
Illinois State Fairgrounds Route 66 Experience
Gate 2, 801 E Sangamon Ave, Springfield, IL 62702
The Illinois State Fairgrounds Route 66 Experience is a must. Visitors can explore vintage billboards and the Legends Neon Park.
Cozy dog drive in
2935 S 6th St, Springfield, IL 62703
Home of the original corn dog and hearty beef burgers—a beloved, must-stop Illinois classic on Route 66.
Ariston Café
413 Old Rte 66 N, Litchfield, IL 62056
Route 66 icon serving classic comfort—juicy beef tips, hearty steaks, and timeless diner flavor loved by travelers for generations.
Weezy's Route 66 Bar and Gril
108 Old US Rte 66, Hamel, IL 62046
A friendly Route 66 stop serving stacked burgers, hearty beef plates, and classic comfort with small-town charm.
Sign up with Bandwango
- Discover beef hotspots in every Route 66 state
- Check in at participating restaurants and cultural attractions to earn points
- Win prizes for check ins
- Share your new finds with fellow foodie road trippers
Beef Trail Rewards
Participants may earn points by checking in at designated stops. No purchase is necessary to earn points or redeem rewards.
- 300 pts (3 stops) = Route 66 Beef Trail Sticker
- 400 pts (4 stops) = Route 66 Beef Trail Keychain
- 600 pts (6 stops) = Route 66 Beef Trail Cap
- 1,000 pts (10 stops) = Exclusive T-Shirt and one (1) free entry into the Grand Prize Drawing
Grand Prize Package ($500) Three grand prizes will be awarded.
- 52 QT Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler
- Premium grilling kit with cast iron skillet
- $100 beef gift card
- BBQ sauce and seasoning from Show-Me BBQ