Mark Greeley: Monkeying Around | Pops

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Monkeying Around | Pops | Route 66 Arcadia, OK

When you hear the words roadside diner and Route 66 certain images of cars and diners come to mind. However, the latter greasy spoons and dives that have seen better days. Which is the exact opposite of Pops on Route 66 in Arcadia, OK and a breath of fresh air for diner lovers looking to take a detour down memory lane. Located 30-miles northeast of Oklahoma City Pops is all about the number behind the famous route; it’s situated 6 miles from I-35 on Route 66, its address is 660 and it features the world’s largest soda bottle that stands 66-feet tall.

THE SODA

If you came across Pops on Google and didn’t know any better you’d think it were the type of place where old man “Pops” would show up every once and a while and makes off color jokes to unsuspecting customers. Again, not the case. The name Pops derives from the fact that they sell over 400 varieties of soda. Thousands of soda bottles adorn the establishment and Pops gives customers cardboard six pack sleeves to pick what they want to go or to drink in the diner.

THE FOOD

Pop’s diner serves what you’d come to expect from a diner: burgers, hot dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches. But just like everything else associated with this establishment – they over deliver. Our party had the Arcadia Burger, spicy chicken sandwich, Pops’ Bacon Egg Lettuce and Tomato (B.E.L.T.), chili cheese fries and onion rings. Everything was excellent and the highlight of any burger or sandwich was the soft potato bun.

While many traditionalists look to preserve historic establishments on Route 66 fear newer establishments “popping” up but if Pops is any indication of what’s to come with the Mother Road, then bring it on. Pops marries the best traditions of roadside Americana with an architecture award winning building and excellent food.