Which Route 66 diner in Chicago was nicknamed “the first stop on the Mother Road”?

Lou Mitchell’s in Chicago was nicknamed “the first stop on the Mother Road.”

The diner stands at 565 West Jackson Boulevard, near Union Station and the beginning of the Chicago-to-California highway journey. Its location made it a natural gathering place for travelers starting west on Route 66.

Lou Mitchell’s became known for serving commuters, tourists, and road-trippers, helping it become part of the route’s food and travel culture. The restaurant is associated with the eastern end of the historic highway, although Route 66’s exact urban alignment changed over time.

The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2006. In May 2002, Lou Mitchell’s also hosted the launch of a nationwide Route 66 restoration program, linking the restaurant’s local history with broader preservation efforts.