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 Kansas 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 Kansas
Learn more about participating restaurants and cultural locations
Rainbow Bridge
Rainbow Bridge, SE Beasley Rd, Baxter Springs, KS 66713
Don’t miss the Rainbow Bridge, the only remaining Marsh Arch Bridge on Route 66—listed on the National Register and still drivable today.
Van's Steakhouse
2447 Military Ave, Baxter Springs, KS 66713
Family-run for 45 years, home of “Lip-Smackin’ Good Vittles” and hailed for its chicken-fried steak. Voted best steakhouse in Kansas.
Route 66 Visitors' Center and Park
940 Military Ave, Baxter Springs, KS 66713
A 1930s gas station turned gift shop and info center, stop by and you might meet Dean “Crazy Legs” Walker, the real-life Tow Mater inspiration.
Red Ball Bar & Grill
539 W 5th St, Baxter Springs, KS 66713
A local favorite for homemade, cooked-to-order burgers and cold beer. Red Ball Burgers is where Route 66 flavor meets small-town charm.
Luigi's Pit Stop/ Drive Through Route 66 Shield
203 Front St, Galena, KS 66739
This charming roadside stop brings the 2006 film Cars to life with life-size characters and a giant Route 66 shield you can drive through.
Gearhead Curious
520 S Main St, Galena, KS 66739
Gearhead Curios, a restored 1939 Texaco station, is a year-round Route 66 icon with vintage pumps, neon signs and the most photographed restroom.
Cars on the Route
119 N Main St. Galena, KS 66739
This iconic stop is home of Tow-Tater, the inspiration of Tow-Mater from "Cars". Serving award-winning burgers and classic Rte 66 nostalgia.
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