The Ariston Cafe may be the classiest place along Route 66. Here at this restaurant in a small Southern Illinois town, you'll find crisp white tablecloths and fresh flowers at every table, a menu featuring a delicious Greek salad, and a dessert cart holding homemade pie. This is a place where your kids should put their napkins in their laps.
Founded in 1924 by Greek immigrant Pete Adam, the Ariston is believed to be the oldest restaurant on Route 66. These days the majority of the Ariston's diners are locals; owners Nick (Pete's son) and Demi Adam say many people in town dine twice a day at their cafe. But the Adams still get motorists who are following the route.
"We see a good number of Americans," Demi says. "But we see thousands and thousands of Europeans. They're taking four to six weeks to drive Route 66. Some are on their honeymoon, and many do it more than once."
When we stopped in for lunch, I flipped through several albums displaying photos and postcards the Adams collected from European friends. There were pictures of people traveling on tandem bikes, others driving in Dukes of Hazard cars, and many in vintage Corvettes.
"Why do Europeans drive Route 66?" I asked Demi.
"What I hear most often is, 'It was my dream.'"
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