Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant & Bakery at 565 West Jackson Boulevard in downtown Chicago, built in 1949 just blocks from Route 66’s eastern terminus, is a landmark early stop on the Mother Road, celebrated for its original neon sign declaring “Lou Mitchell’s Serving the World’s Best Coffee,” its remarkably preserved interior of terrazzo floors, wood booths, and multi-sided counters, and its vivid blend of neon, glass, and aluminum that captures the optimistic style of Route 66’s golden age. Long popular with both locals and travelers, the often-crowded diner reflects the road’s historic role as a gathering place for people from across the country, while traditions like handing out fresh donut holes to waiting guests and complimentary Milk Duds to women and children add to its enduring charm. Family-run across generations since William Mitchell founded the business in 1923 and named it for his son Lou, the restaurant has remained in the family under Katherine Thanas since 1992 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.
