Route 66 Roadhouse

Historic roadhouse on the site of a vintage Whiting Brothers gas station, famous for its indoor grills, Harley-Davidson crowd, and Easy Rider memorabilia.

The Route 66 Roadhouse Bar and Grill, located in the high-elevation pine forests of Bellemont, Arizona, stands on a site steeped in highway history. Long before it became a favorite gathering spot for motorcyclists and road-trippers, this stretch of the Mother Road was home to a classic Whiting Brothers service station and motel. Built just after World War II using salvaged wooden powder boxes from the nearby Navajo Army Depot, the original Whiting Brothers complex eventually decayed and was demolished after Interstate 40 bypassed the old alignment. In 1996, Felix Mansene and his wife, Lori, constructed the current log-cabin-style roadhouse on the property, preserving the location's deep connection to cross-country travel. The restaurant changed hands in December 2019, but it remains a crucial pit stop for those tracing the historic highway.

Inside the roadhouse, the decor is a dense archive of Route 66 memorabilia, but the true centerpiece hangs directly from the ceiling. Visitors will find the original, refurbished "No Vacancy" neon sign from the nearby Pine Breeze Inn, famously featured in the opening scenes of the 1969 counterculture film Easy Rider. The film's stars, Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper, were famously turned away by the motel's owner in the movie. While the Pine Breeze Inn itself has long been closed, the iconic sign found a permanent home here, welcoming the very bikers and travelers who were once shunned on screen. The walls are also lined with vintage license plates, historical photographs, and classic highway markers that tell the story of northern Arizona's motor court era.

Dining at the roadhouse centers around a highly interactive, hands-on culinary tradition. Guests order their steaks, burgers, or chicken raw and cook them to their own personal perfection on a large, open indoor grill. A fully stocked buffet bar provides all the necessary toppings, sauces, and fixings to complete the meal. Outside, the property shares space with the Grand Canyon Harley-Davidson dealership, marked by a vintage red caboose and a whimsical "muffler tree" crafted entirely from discarded tailpipes. Under ownership that transitioned in late 2019, the venue continues to serve as a lively, authentic monument to the freedom of the American highway, offering cold draft beers and hearty meals to those rolling through Coconino County.

Coffee & Craft — Roadside fuel stops curated by Basecamp West. The best coffee shops, craft breweries, diners, and eateries worth the detour on your next Western road trip.