Food Critic Eats 66 Plates Across Route 66's 100th Birthday

A food critic is ditching white tablecloths for roadside stands, and the journey looks delicious.

Food critic Jason "J" Lee is marking Route 66's 100th birthday with an epic culinary adventure. He's driving 2,448 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles across eight states in eight days, sampling 66 different plates along America's most iconic highway.

The series, called "66 Plates" and produced by Great Big Story, launches September 11th. Lee is trading his usual fine dining reviews for diner booths, drive-thrus, and mom-and-pop joints that have kept the Mother Road alive for a century.

Route 66 opened in 1926 as one of America's first highways, connecting small-town America from Illinois to California. While the interstate system replaced it decades ago, the historic route still draws travelers seeking authentic American experiences.

Lee's mission goes beyond just eating. He's meeting the people who run these roadside spots, uncovering hidden gems that locals swear by, and documenting the characters who make Route 66 more than just a road.

The Ripple Effect

This journey celebrates small businesses that form the backbone of American road culture. These aren't corporate chains with marketing budgets. They're family recipes passed down through generations, served in buildings that have stood for decades.

The series also highlights how food connects communities. Every diner, taco stand, and pie shop Lee visits represents someone's dream, someone's livelihood, and often someone's family legacy preserved one plate at a time.

By showcasing these spots to Great Big Story's 6.29 million subscribers, the series could bring fresh attention and customers to businesses that depend on travelers willing to exit the interstate.

The timing couldn't be better for road trip inspiration as Americans continue rediscovering domestic travel.

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