Wagon Wheel Restaurant is a hidden gem on Route 66 in California. This kitschy diner serves up generous portions of all-American comfort food inside a restaurant with an Old West atmosphere. The locals love it, and so do the tourists who are lucky enough to stumble upon it!
Wagon Wheel is a kitschy, all-American restaurant that has been serving up hearty portions of classic home style food since 1978.
Situated on an original stretch of Route 66 in Needles, California, this restaurant really delivers on the nostalgic diner vibes that all roadtrippers seek on the Mother Road.
Dining here is an experience. From the building’s outlandish exterior to its western-themed decor and endless Route 66 relics covering the walls, this is a place that will absolutely make you feel like you have stepped back in time.
The moment you walk in you’ll know you’re in a special place. An alien wearing a cowboy hat will greet you, and Pappy, an old wooden prospector will invite you to sit on the bench with him while you wait to be seated.
Eventually, a waitress will lead you into a dimly lit dining area with cozy brown leather booths. The dark space is a welcome relief from the harsh and bright desert sun outside.
Everything about the interior space is full of old world charm. This charming space with its private and comfortable booths give you a sense that it’s okay to take your time enjoying the experience of being here.
Unlike other diners you’ll come across on Route 66, this eatery is not just a tourist trap, it’s an establishment that even the locals like to frequent — usually a good sign that the food must be somewhat decent.
Spoiler alert, I can confirm that the food here is actually well worth stopping in for. So if you’re looking for a diner with classic down-home cooking while you’re in Needles, look no further than this place!
The menu is quite extensive so you’re bound to find something you like. Thankfully breakfast, lunch, and dinner is served all day which means if you feel like having breakfast at dinner time, go for it! Want a pot roast dinner to start your day? Go ahead!
On the breakfast menu you’ll find waffles, pancakes, french toast, omlettes, pork chops, sirloin steak skillet, cowboy burritos, chicken fried steak, and other hearty breakfast options.
For lunch you can choose from a selection of burgers, sandwiches, soups, fajitas, and enchilladas. Lunches are served with your choice of fries or homemade potato salad.
Dinner options include classic homestyle dishes like pot roast, old-fashioned meatloaf, liver and onions, top sirloin steak, salads and more. Dinners are served with mashed potato, veggies, and a cheese biscuit.
We ordered the chicken fried steak from the breakfast menu which came with two large fried eggs and country gravy. It was a decent sized pounded steak handbreaded in a tasty crumbed coating that was grilled to perfection. It was really good! One of the better chicken fried steaks we’ve ever had for sure.
We also ordered the Monte Christo, a deep-fried, triple decker sandwich with turkey, ham, and swiss cheese. It was dusted with powdered sugar and served with strawberry jam. I substituted the fries for onion rings.
This sweet and savory sandwich was absolutely delicious and something I really enjoyed. The onion rings were not house made, but still really good nonetheless. I ate every single one of them!
Both meals were large enough to share but since we skipped lunch, we easily gobbled up our massive meals. I would go as far to say both of our meals were near perfect and that we would love to return to try some of their other dishes next time we’re in the area.
Our server was friendly and attentative. And on top of that, the prices were very reasonable. Quite a rare thing in California these days.
Overall, Wagon Wheel Restaurant is a delightful and fun place to enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Most of the food is made from scratch and is surpringly good for a tiny and remote town in the desert.
Whether you’re on a California Route 66 road trip, or just driving between Las Vegas and Lake Havasu, consider this place a must-stop!
Be sure to have a look around Wagon Wheel Restaurant’s gift shop before you leave.
Before you leave, be sure to have a look around Wagon Wheel’s gift shop to see if there’s any Route 66 souvenirs you want to take home. The gift shop is full of quirky and fun items including books, games, figurines, candy, coffee mugs, and more!
After all, it is obligatory to purchase some kind of memento while roadtripping. We did not buy anything since I had bought two cute Route 66 mugs already from the Needles KOA Campground we were staying at. But it was still fun to look around.
Where is Wagon Wheel Restaurant?
Wagon Wheel Restaurant’s address is 2420 Needles Highway, Needles, California, 92363. They are open every day of the week from 6.30am to 10pm. There is a parking lot that can fit small RVs and trailers.
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