Family-owned on Route 66 in Vinita since 1927.
Clanton's Cafe has served travelers and neighbors at 319 East Illinois Avenue in Vinita, Oklahoma since 1927, one year after Route 66 was established. Grant "Sweet Tater" Clanton opened the Busy Bee Cafe that year; in 1947 Cleve and Ma Clanton moved the restaurant to its present spot on the Mother Road, where four generations of the family have run it since. The kitchen still hand-peels potatoes, makes pies from scratch and follows recipes handed down through the family. Chicken fried steak, calf fries, chicken and dressing, homestyle pot roast and hand-cut fries anchor the menu, with breakfast served until 11 a.m. The cafe was featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and has been written about by Gourmet, Southern Living and Garden & Gun. Hours are Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Clanton's sits at 319 East Illinois Avenue, the stretch of Route 66 running through downtown Vinita in Craig County, about 25 minutes north of Grand Lake. Route 66 was established in 1926 and the cafe opened in 1927, so its centennial follows a year behind the highway's.
Grant "Sweet Tater" Clanton opened the Busy Bee Cafe in Vinita in 1927. The cafe later took the family name, and in 1947 Cleve and Ma Clanton moved it to its present Route 66 location. Four generations of the family have operated it since.
The kitchen is best known for chicken fried steak and calf fries, alongside long-running plate dinners.
Guy Fieri and the Food Network crew filmed at Clanton's for Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, cooking in the kitchen and visiting with the Clanton family and local customers. The chicken fried steak and calf fries were featured.
319 East Illinois Avenue, Vinita, OK 74301
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Clanton's Cafe is at 319 East Illinois Avenue in Vinita, Oklahoma 74301, on Historic Route 66 in Craig County, roughly 25 minutes from Grand Lake.
Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cafe is closed Sunday. Hours are from the restaurant's official website.
The cafe opened in 1927, one year after Route 66 was established, and has been run by four generations of the Clanton family.
Chicken fried steak and calf fries are its best-known dishes, along with chicken and dressing, homestyle pot roast and scratch-made pies.
Yes. Guy Fieri filmed at Clanton's for Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, featuring the chicken fried steak and calf fries.
Yes, breakfast is served until 11 a.m. on the days the cafe is open, including chicken fried steak and eggs, omelets, pancakes and biscuits and gravy.
Calf fries are a regional Oklahoma specialty served breaded and fried; they appear on Clanton's starter menu and as a dinner plate.
Yes, parking is available at the East Illinois Avenue location in downtown Vinita.
It is about 25 miles northwest of Grand Lake's north shore, an easy stop for anyone traveling I-44 or Route 66 through Vinita.
Call (918) 256-9053.
