A nostalgic Route 66 stop, but the food didn't quite match the atmosphere…read more
Our Route 66 adventure eventually led us to Lucille's Roadhouse in Clinton. I'll admit, I may have built this place up a little too much in my mind. The Route 66 nostalgia is absolutely outstanding. From the vintage gas pumps outside to the classic diner décor inside, it's a fun place to visit if you're traveling the Mother Road.
The restaurant wasn't busy, so we were seated immediately. Our server, Arisa, was friendly, welcoming, and kept our drinks filled throughout the meal.
One funny moment--I thought this was one of the Oklahoma Passport stamp locations, but it turns out I had confused it with the original Lucille's in Weatherford. Since Weatherford was on our return trip, I eventually got my passport stamped there instead!
As many of you know, one of my personal quests is finding the ultimate Chicken Fried Steak, so that's what I ordered with corn and coleslaw. It certainly wasn't bad...it just wasn't memorable. The steak was tender enough, but the breading and gravy didn't have the flavor I was hoping for. It's not something I'd order again.
The coleslaw was an even bigger disappointment. The flavor was simply off, and after a couple of bites I pushed it aside.
I also tried the blue lemonade because it looked fun and refreshing. Unfortunately, it had almost no flavor. I'm normally a 95% water drinker, but every now and then I'll treat myself to lemonade or a soda. This one just wasn't worth finishing. Arisa happily exchanged it without hesitation, and I appreciated her taking care of it so quickly.
My wife definitely won lunch. She ordered the catfish with fries and mac & cheese. The catfish was crispy, flaky, and delicious. The fries were cooked just the way we like them, and even I'll admit the mac & cheese was better than most restaurant versions I've tried. She even shared a catfish fillet and more fries than I probably needed!
Overall, I'd give Lucille's Roadhouse 3 stars.
The food was a mixed bag, but the nostalgia, spotless restaurant, friendly service, and fun Route 66 atmosphere made it a worthwhile stop. I'd certainly come back--but next time I'd order something different.
My only real complaint beyond the meal was finding the restaurant. The GPS directions were surprisingly confusing, and getting there was far more difficult than it should have been.
If you're traveling Route 66, Lucille's is still worth a stop for the experience alone. Just know that, at least on this visit, the atmosphere outshined my lunch.
Chef T's Scorecard
* Food: 3/5
* Service: 5/5 (Thank you, Arisa!)
* Atmosphere: 5/5
* Value: 4/5
* Overall:
I do think this is one of those places that deserves a second chance. Next visit, I'd skip the Chicken Fried Steak and blue lemonade and give one of their burgers, barbecue, or another house specialty a try.