A restaurant in Missouri grows its own vegetables in a 9,000-square-foot kitchen garden, right behind a building that welcomed Route 66 travelers in 1929. That garden is bigger than a lot of backyards, and it feeds the menu.
The building itself wears white stucco walls and a terra-cotta tile roof. It started as part of a highway hotel when the famous road was brand new, and rumor links it to Babe Ruth and Al Capone.
I’d love to say I can resist a place with that kind of backstory, but I can’t. Maybe it’s just me, but food tastes better when the building has stories to tell.
I don’t know why old roadside spots pull at me so hard, but this one has me hooked. Who wouldn’t want a seat at a table with nearly a century of history?
Your Lunch Comes With A Side Of 1929 Road Trip History
Back when U.S. Route 66 was shiny and new, travelers needed a place to sleep and eat.
Big Chief Roadhouse sits inside a building that opened around 1928 or 1929 to serve exactly those drivers.
It began as part of the Big Chief Highway Hotel, a full stop for road-weary families. The property once included tourist cabins, and some sources count 62 units, each with its own garage.
That’s a lot of garages for a time when cars were still a big deal. Sadly, those cabins came down in the 1970s, but the main building stayed standing.
The Big Chief was known for fancy dining for its era, which feels a little wild today. Rumors even say Babe Ruth and Al Capone were drawn to the spot, which makes for great table talk.
Like many Route 66 stops, the business struggled after traffic moved to what is now Interstate 44. In 1946 it became Mike Aceto’s Cafe 66, and it later carried the name Big Chief Dakota Grill.
The current restaurant reopened in the mid-1990s after the building handled other business for years. So your burger arrives in a room that has outlasted cabins, name changes, and a rerouted highway.
Not bad for a lunch stop.
Those Stucco Walls Earned A Spot On A National List
White stucco, red tile, and wooden rafter ends poking out under the roof. The look is pure Spanish Mission Revival, a style that turned heads on Route 66 in the late 1920s.
Those exposed rafter ends are a small detail worth noticing. They give the building a handmade, sun-baked feel that stands out in the green hills of eastern Missouri.
Here’s a fun bit of trivia for your drive. The building once had a tall false bell tower, but it was removed in 1959.
A fake bell tower sounds like pure roadside showmanship, and honestly, I kind of miss it without ever seeing it. Old builders knew a tall feature helped drivers spot a stop from far away.
In 2003, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. That honor recognizes places with real historical value, and it helps keep their stories from fading.
When you pull in, take a minute to look up before heading inside. The roofline, the tile, and the plain white walls tell you this place was built for a different kind of traveler.
Your phone camera will thank you, and so will any history buff riding shotgun.
Nine Thousand Square Feet Of Garden Means Dinner Grows Out Back
Nine thousand square feet. That’s the size of the kitchen garden at Big Chief Roadhouse, and it’s bigger than many family homes put together twice.
The garden supplies seasonal ingredients for many dishes on the menu. So what lands on your plate can change a bit depending on what’s growing that month.
I love this idea because it ties a very old building to a very fresh way of cooking. A 1929 hotel building with its own vegetable patch feels like a smart mix of past and present.
Seasonal cooking also gives you a good excuse to come back. A summer visit and a fall visit might offer different flavors, which keeps things interesting for repeat diners.
Here’s a practical tip if you care about fresh produce. Ask your server what’s coming from the garden when you visit, since the answer can shift with the weather and the calendar.
It’s also a neat lesson for kids who think vegetables come from a plastic bag. Seeing that a restaurant grows its own food might make that side salad a little easier to sell at the table.
Might, anyway. No promises on the broccoli.
Comfort Food Here Comes From Scratch, And It Shows On The Menu
Country Fried Steak. Chicken Pot Pie.
Smoked Pork Steak. If those three words made your stomach growl, you’re in the right article.
The kitchen at Big Chief Roadhouse cooks from scratch, mixing classic comfort food with a few modern twists. It’s the kind of menu that fits a building born to feed hungry road trippers.
Then there’s the Toasted Lasagna, which sounds like a St. Louis idea wearing a fun disguise. The region loves toasted ravioli, so turning lasagna into a toasted dish feels right at home in Missouri.
Burgers and sandwiches fill out the lineup too. You’ll find options like a Turkey Club and a Pulled Pork sandwich, plus burgers for anyone who wants a no-fuss classic.
Pizzas show up on the menu as well, which is handy for picky eaters. Salads round things out, including the Big Chief Salad, a Caesar Salad, and a Smoked Salmon Salad.
My advice is simple. Bring a friend who likes to share, because picking just one main dish here feels like a tough test.
Order two different plates, split them down the middle, and nobody has to suffer from menu regret on the drive home.
Save Room For Poutine Up Front And Cookie Pie At The Finish
Ozark Poutine has appeared on the restaurant’s menu. The name alone blends Canadian comfort food with the hills of southern Missouri, and I’m all for that kind of mashup.
Other appetizers keep the fun going. Soft Pretzels and Queso make an easy crowd-pleaser, while Fried Green Beans offer another starter to share.
Starters are a smart move if your group can’t agree on anything. Order a few, pass them around, and let everyone graze while they study the rest of the menu.
Now, about dessert. Big Chief Roadhouse offers a Cookie Pie, and the name tells you nearly everything you need to know.
Is it a cookie or a pie? Does it matter?
Either way, it sounds like the perfect thing to split with the whole table after a hearty meal.
Here’s my one strategy tip for this section. Go light on the appetizers if you plan to finish with dessert, or just accept that a to-go box is part of the plan.
There’s no shame in leaving with leftovers from a place this old. Consider it a souvenir you can eat.
Weekend Mornings Bring Breakfast To The Old Highway Stop
Saturdays and Sundays get a bonus at this Route 66 stop. The restaurant currently opens at 11 a.m. on weekends, making it an option for lunch.
Early meals feel especially fitting in a building made for travelers. Back in the day, road trippers would have needed a hearty start before heading down the highway.
A weekend breakfast is also a great plan for families. Kids tend to be at their best in the morning, and a casual, kid-friendly spot makes the outing easier on everyone.
Think about pairing breakfast with a day of exploring nearby. The area around Wildwood has plenty of green space, so you can eat first and then stretch your legs outside.
One practical note before you go. Hours can change with seasons and holidays, so check the restaurant’s current schedule before setting your alarm.
Nothing ruins a sleepy Sunday faster than showing up at the wrong time. A quick look ahead of time saves you from that sad moment of staring at a locked door while your stomach complains.
Plan smart, and Big Chief Roadhouse can be the best part of your weekend morning.
A Phone Booth Leads To A Secret Room Upstairs
Most phone booths disappeared years ago. At Big Chief Roadhouse, one still has a very important job, because it’s the way into a hidden speakeasy on the second level.
Yes, you read that right. You step into a phone booth, and it opens up to a secret room upstairs.
That’s the kind of detail that turns a nice dinner into a story you’ll tell for weeks. It also fits the building’s colorful past, especially with those Al Capone rumors floating around.
The speakeasy idea comes from the 1920s, the same era when this building first opened. Secret rooms back then had to stay hidden, so a sneaky entrance feels like a wink to history.
Plan for this part to be grown-ups only. It’s the perfect after-dinner adventure for a date night or a group of adult friends who love a little mystery.
If you bring out-of-town guests, don’t spoil the surprise ahead of time. Just walk them toward the phone booth and enjoy the confused looks on their faces.
Trust me, the reveal is half the fun, and it’s a lot cheaper than a magic show.
Bring The Dog, Grab A Patio Seat, And Stay For The Music
Good news for pet owners. The covered outdoor patio at Big Chief Roadhouse is dog-friendly, so your four-legged buddy doesn’t have to sulk in the car.
A covered patio is also handy when Missouri weather gets moody. You can still enjoy fresh air without worrying much about a sudden sprinkle or harsh afternoon sun.
The overall mood here is casual and relaxed. Nobody expects fancy clothes, which makes it easy to stop by after a hike or a long drive.
Families should feel right at home too. The restaurant is kid-friendly, and the laid-back setting means a little wiggling at the table won’t cause a scene.
Live music and entertainment add another layer to the experience. A night with tunes in a 1929 building just feels right, like the walls are humming along.
A quick tip for dog owners: bring a water bowl and a leash that keeps your pup close. Crowded patios work best when everyone, furry or not, has a little personal space.
Your dog gets a day out, you get a great meal, and the whole crew heads home happy.
Finding This Route 66 Survivor Is Easier Than You Think
Plug 17352 Manchester Road, Wildwood, MO 63038 into your map app, and you’re set. That stretch of road follows a piece of old Route 66 west of St. Louis.
Big Chief Roadhouse holds a special title along this famous highway. It’s one of the last remaining full-service restaurants on Missouri Route 66, which makes every meal feel like a tiny piece of road trip history.
Planning a big get-together? The restaurant has a banquet and party room, so birthdays and family reunions can happen inside a National Register building.
Catering is available too, which means the food can travel to your event. That’s a fun twist for a building that was made for people who were always on the move.
Short on time? Curbside takeout, takeaway, and no-contact delivery are also options, so you can enjoy the menu at home on a busy night.
Still, I’d recommend at least one sit-down visit. Food is great anywhere, but eating under that terra-cotta roof adds flavor you can’t pack in a box.
Route 66 fans and hungry locals alike will find this Missouri classic worth a spot on the calendar.
