*2026 is going to be a huge road trip season for the State of Oklahoma because one of its most famous highways is turning 100 years old! Historic US Route 66 has experienced a century of motorists throughout Oklahoma, along with its sister states, and we had the great pleasure to not only see many of the 66 communities in this great region, but hundreds of more miles throughout all of Oklahoma. Our trip was sponsored by the Iowa Pork Producers Association and the Oklahoma Pork Council. The views expressed in this blog post are of our own. Now, let’s gallivant!
Welch, Oklahoma is big ranch country and those endless pastures under those endless skies go on forever when you’re on these winding blacktops. I think this is what Waylon Jennings had in mind when he sang, “I’ll be standing in that Oklahoma sunshine….”
You can jump right on the Route 66 path in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Kansas, Missouri or Illinois and get to Oklahoma that way, and many will this year as folks will mark off this ultimate bucket list road trip. However, there will also be oodles of opportunities to take your own detours and see even more of this beautiful and delicious state. Here’s what we discovered while cruising OK in search for some of the most delicious pork inspired meals!
The carhop concept is still going strong all over Oklahoma! MWC is home to Tinker AFB and Chuck’s, but steak sandwiches aren’t all they serve. Breaded pork sandwiches are ready for the hungry motorists and nearby airmen as well.
Destinations-Chandler, Oklahoma (Directly on Route 66)
That breaded pork tender dinner from Destinations is ready to make your Route 66 gallivant even more memorable in this repurposed filling service station!
Take a Break
You’ll need a place to stay and why not in beautiful surroundings! Hosted by Joe in Sand Springs, OK on Airbnb is where you’ll find this site among others on their property. Inside this tent is a large and comfortable bed, so you can connect with nature as you experience Oklahoma.
The Panhandle’s college town! Stables made a behemoth pork special for our visit with some spicy chili Verde salsa and a side corn cob ribs to go with it. Now, that was some hearty eatin’!
Another breaded and fried pork masterpiece on Route 66 to put that juicy flavor into a great road trip in Kellyville. Nice and peppery and scorching hot out of the fryer!You know a restaurant is doing it right when you go back for breakfast on your way back through. Get after it, J’s Country Kitchen! Biscuits and gravy for the early morning wake up call….
It’s Your Lucky Road Trip
You like casinos? Then you just found another reason to plan a road trip Route 66 and throughout OK because this state is loaded with them! And the Iowa guy found the Ioway Casino near Chandler!
You gotta get BBQ when you’re in Oklahoma and Swadley’s came calling! A loaded baked potato with smoked sausage and a fully loaded salad salad bar? Sign me up!
Rachel’s breaded pork tenderloin sandwich is full of flavor and so you better stop in when you’re racing around the sand dunes at Little Sahara State Park!
Michoacanos-Chandler, Oklahoma (Directly on Route 66)
The Chili Verde pork tips are rich in flavor and cooked with just the right amount of heat. Tender and saucy with every bite!
Roadside 66
Oklahoma is a dreamscape for roadside attractions including murals everywhere like this one on Main Street Stroud!
Another German way to enjoy a schnitzel sandwich! Crispy pork schnitzel with melted Swiss cheese, bread & butter pickles and lingonberry aioli to put a lot of flavor in your Tulsa visit!
OK-Style Lake Time
Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees-One of the many scenic lakes you’ll experience while you explore Oklahoma.
Czech yourself in in the Czech capital of Oklahoma! Yukon is where you’ll find this Czech cafe and all these made from scratch goodies. KOLACHES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We chose this breaded pork tenderloin from the 50’s Diner as our favorite meal from our gallivant to Oklahoma and it was made even better by the incredible staff. Get to Broken Arrow and chow into this sandwich!
Bobbers is just off of Route 66 and they have a terrific fried bologna sandwich! These delights are all over OK and I prefer mine with cheese and a fried egg!
Another fantastic Mexican meal in the middle of an Oklahoma road trip! Lora’s is in small town Ringwood and they don’t skimp on the portions! I highly recommend the chorizo and eggs with a side of fried potatoes.
Rest Up
You can find this unbelievable scene in Eucha, Oklahoma on Airbnb! Three total beds inside and everything on the property you could want for a rural stay in the great outdoors.
And then the gravy train followed us to Eufaula for breakfast! Breaded pork loin topped with rich sausage gravy with tons of hash browns, scrambled eggs and the must-have homemade biscuit!
Main Street Skyscrapers
Directly on Main Street-Yukon, OK and Historic Route 66 is this masterpiece to history, agriculture, art and small town America.
Thick cut fried pork chop with thick cut fries at Leo’s! If you’re looking for a family restaurant and a scratch kitchen then you found it in Cleveland, OK!
Meet the Locals
Be sure to say hi to the most popular local in Beaver, Oklahoma when you’re in the panhandle!
Pork tenderloin with a side of fried squash!The next day I stopped in for lunch and ordered the classic Club sandwich which is another Oklahoma staple. I even stayed here at the Friendship Inn Motel…I must like this property!
Stop & Smell the Ditches
The wildflowers are plentiful all over rural Oklahoma and change throughout the season. Get explore the blacktops and gravel roads so you can see what middle America really looks and sounds like in this road trippers paradise.
There’s plenty of ways to get another schnitzel craving taken care of in Oklahoma and Lawton is one of those destinations where you can make this happen!
The Sunday afternoon crowd created a busy atmosphere at Libby’s and I met a local Iowan who runs this restaurant which must be why this breaded pork tenderloin landed on the menu!
This cheesy grilled pork loin is smothered with mushrooms, peppers and onions. You MUST get those pintos too and let me tell you how grateful I am that Oklahoma has these on so many menus throughout the state!
Mural Me Again, OK!
Another amazing mural with this one in historic downtown Okmulgee. Now, to head back here at night and see this entire district illuminated yearound.
Now, that’s a big’ol pork tendy! Grove is in one of Oklahoma’s beautiful lake communities. And you won’t go hungry!
I can genuinely tell you that Oklahoma is massively underrated when it comes to food and road tripping in general. The story of this country can be observed and told in so many ways while traveling through this state. Oklahoma is thick with with Americana and there is so much more I need to discover. Thank you to all the locals, restaurants, and soul of this state. We’ll gallivant again, Oklahoma….
Thank you, Oklahoma! I’ll see you on your tasty trails!
