Route 66: The 100-Year Ride visits Carl’s Drive-In
This small burger shop first opened in 1918 as a service station.
BRENTWOOD, Mo. (KY3) - This was a journey home for KY3’s Chad Plein for his assignment on Route 66: The 100-Year Ride.
Chad grew up five minutes from one of the most iconic greasy spoons on the Mother Road, Carl’s Drive In, in Brentwood, Missouri.
Built in 1918, it was a service station when Route 66 was born. After various owners took over this filling station was converted to a hotdog stand in 1943.
Now a burger joint, you have to get here early because there are only 16 stools to sit at; eight on each side of the counter. Also, don’t forget your cash, Carl’s Drive In does not take cards.
Burgers, onion rings, and their original-recipe Root Beer are a must-have for any newbie or longtime customer.
“Love it. Love it,” first time customer, Tyson Moonier said. “Five-million hometowns, this is a small-town feel.”
“Yeah, for sure,” added Tyson’s daughter, Shay. “Different than just the regular fast food.”
“Good food, good atmosphere,” longtime customer Joe Kaminski said. “I like the seats and the counter. Root beer is good, hamburgers are good. (The employees) move; It’s a well-oiled machine. Everybody works together. Everybody gets along. It’s just a fun place.”
Carl’s Drive In is at 9033 Manchester Road in Brentwood.
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