Get your eats on Route 66!

The Hairy Bikers – love them or hate them they certainly know how to plan a good road trip that involves good food! Many people think that America is all burgers, pizzas, fast food chains etc. and while there is a good measure of these there are so many hidden food gems to visit I thought it best to check out their latest series on the ol’ TV covering Route 66 from Chicago to LA !
One of the best parts of the show for me was how it highlights “going your own way” and straying from the prescribed route reaps dividends – now we’re not all going to be able to go and spend the day with an Amish or Native American family on our trip but it does show you don’t have to stick to the tourist traps either.
The entire Kansas stretch of Route 66 is only around 13 miles and many all but miss it out so was good to see them stop at Old Riverton Store, the routes oldest continuous selling store (although I’m sure others claim similar) which has been on my to to visit list for a long time.

As well as the food and bikes I always enjoy the history these shows bring out, often a couple of nuggets which are new to me and that you won’t always get to learn yourself on a trip. A great example being the race riots of Tulsa.
Texas into New Mexico was probably my favourite episode – unsurprisingly as that’s two of my favourite states to visit! Just as I have they found going Amarillo to Albuquerque and travelling through Santa Fé, that there is more to America than just endless chain restaurants and big-name brands. As with many Route 66 towns these were big railroad towns in the day and are packed with history.
Their route covered the expected places pretty much although with some notable diversions not uncommon – Las Vegas, Monument Valley and 4 points for example. All places that while are diversion from the route never stray far from its ethos.
So places to add to the list to visit, some top food both cooked and found, history and bikes … it’s a great six hours of TV that I would recommend watching.