Most of us are familiar with Route 66 at least in name, it being one of the US's most famous historic highways. Personally, I think it is the ultimate road trip destination - after all, is there any road that's more iconic? As well as simply being an amazing slice of US history, Route 66 is peppered with fantastic places to eat, with the food they serve being almost as famous as the road itself. So, this post aims to show you some of the best things to eat while driving Route 66 - enjoy!

1) A 72 oz steak

Let's start with one of the most famous things, shall we? The 72 oz steak that's served at the Big Texan Steak Ranch is an eating challenge known across the country and even beyond, thanks to appearances on TV programmes like Man vs Food. Provided you can eat this absolute whopper of a meal, your steak will be served to you absolutely free of charge!

Regardless of whether you actually believe you can eat the steak or not, I think this challenge is one that's definitely worth trying - after all, it'll be a great story to tell when you get home. If, however, you'd rather not push your stomach to its limits, never fear, as the Texan-themed menu is packed with more manageable - and no less delicious - meals.

2) A cozy dog

If you've spent any time in the US before, chances are you'll have come across a cozy dog. If not, let me bring you up to speed. A cozy dog is a popular snack, consisting of a corn dog deep-fried in delicious batter, and served on a stick. While you can find them across the country, one Route 66 restaurant claims to be the inventor of this high-calorie
treat.

You'll find the Cozy Dog Drive-In at 2935 South Sixth Street in Springfield, Illinois. Apparently, the cozy dog was invented during the second world war by restaurant owner Ed Waldmire - and to this day the eatery claims to cook the dogs in its own special-recipe batter. So, eating these should be a really unique experience.

What makes coming here more fun, though, is the fact that it's decorated in swathes of Route 66 memorabilia. Yes, it might be a bit cheesy for some, but personally I think the old signs and mementoes are all part of the brilliant atmosphere here.

3) Puffy sopapillas

Last on my list is puffy sopapillas - which is another name for fried bread. If you want to eat this classic, make sure you pay a visit to Joe & Aggie's Cafe in Holbrook, Arizona. Spotting the eatery is easy, since it has a pink front that dates back to 1946.

Of course, chances are you'll want to eat a little more than fried bread during your stop. Fortunately, the menu at Joe & Aggie's is absolutely packed with gorgeous food, combining traditional American and Mexican favourites. As well as puffy sopapillas, you can try tacos, burritos, burgers and enchiladas, to name but a few.

I'd also recommend sampling the homemade red and green chilli, which is one of the cafe's specialties and made using an old family recipe. Another must-try - provided you have room, of course! - are their apple burritos. These are tortillas stuffed with apple pie filling, before being deep-fried and topped with ice cream - delicious!