# Ariston Cafe: Route 66's Oldest Restaurant

> Route 66's oldest continuously operating restaurant serves customers since 1924.
- Title: Ariston Cafe: Route 66's Oldest Restaurant · Valleynewslive
- Summary: Route 66's oldest continuously operating restaurant serves customers since 1924. The Ariston Cafe, opened in 1924 by Greek immigrant Pete Adams, remains…
- Keywords: ariston cafe, route 66, peter adams, litchfield illinois, maxines group, route 66 tourism, news, local, Ariston, Cafe, Route, 66's
- Source: Valleynewslive — https://valleynewslive.com/2026/09/22/this-historic-cafe-is-route-66s-oldest-continuously-operating-restaurant
- Published: 2026-09-22T12:09:50.704+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ariston cafe, route 66, peter adams, litchfield illinois, maxines group, route 66 tourism, news, local
## Route 66's 100th Anniversary
Route 66 celebrated 100 years in 2026, linking Chicago to Los Angeles with hundreds of rural communities.
## Ariston Cafe's History
The Ariston Cafe on old Route 66 holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating restaurant on the historic highway, serving customers since 1924.
## Pete Adams' Story
Greek immigrant Pete Adams started the cafe as a candy store in Carlinville before moving it to Litchfield when Route 66 was built.
## Current Owners
Will Law, one of the current owners, said the business moved to where the action was when Route 66 was built through Litchfield.
## Generational Legacy
Adams' son Nick ran the restaurant for 50 or 60 years before Law and partners bought it and changed nothing.
## Global Tourists
The cafe attracts visitors from around the world, especially European travelers from March through October on Route 66 tours.
## Key takeaway

The Ariston Cafe, opened in 1924 by Greek immigrant Pete Adams, remains Route 66's oldest continuously operating restaurant.