My final stop on Route 66 was Mel’s Drive-In in Santa Monica, California. Situated on the corner where the Mother Road officially ends, the diner proudly celebrates its location with “ROUTE 66 ENDS HERE” murals and signs. Perfect for one last photo op before grabbing a celebratory milkshake. Even though I’d finished the drive the day before, I saved this visit for the next day, my very last stop before returning my rental car and flying home.
Mel’s Drive-In occupies the former Penguin Coffee Shop, a Googie-style landmark built in 1959. In its heyday, the spot served burgers and shakes before becoming a dental office in the ’90s. In 2018, Mel’s moved in and restored the mid-century charm, preserving the bold roofline, terrazzo floors, and even the original penguin sign out front.
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Mel’s itself began in San Francisco in 1947 and later gained Hollywood fame through American Graffiti. But the Santa Monica location leans into its Route 66 heritage, with murals and signs outside proudly declaring, “Route 66 Ends Here,” making it a fitting final stop on the Mother Road. Inside, neon lights, a jukebox, a roadside-attraction-themed fish tank, and cozy booths set the stage for all the classic diner fare you’d expect.
I settled into a jukebox-lined booth by the window so I could admire the Route 66 End sign while browsing the menu. Offerings range from breakfast plates and patty melts to chicken and waffles and thick, indulgent shakes. I went with the short rib grilled cheese, packed with tender meat and gooey Swiss and cheddar, served with fries I carefully dipped, one by one, into ketchup.
And, of course, I couldn’t resist The Penguin Milkshake, a chocolate-and-marshmallow blend honoring the original Penguin Coffee Shop. Some people toast with champagne at the end of an adventure: I prefer to celebrate by sipping a milkshake through a straw.
Photos of Mel’s Drive-In in Santa Monica, California
