The Circle Inn Malt Shop, Route 66 Diner

One of my favorite things about visiting my parents is stopping at The Circle Inn while we're in town!

The Circle Inn is nestled in the tiny town of Bourbon, Missouri just off historic Route 66. This is an authentic vintage diner, owned and operated by a local family for generations. It's a well-hidden gem and you might miss it if you didn't see the sign popping up over the top of nearby buildings.



Originally, the building had a drive-thru but the family has expanded the building just a bit over the years to include a game room with a pool table, which I'm sure is usually hopping on a Friday or Saturday night.


The inside is classic Americana and not the strategically planned kind of that you find in kitschy chains. It's authentic and hand-curated by the owners with the grungy vibe of a really delicious greasy spoon joint. The walls are decorated in old license plates, some that customers bring to add to the walls- along with beautiful paintings of local Bourbon historic sites and buildings.




The air has a smoky haze- partially from patrons having a smoke with dessert but mostly from the deep-fried dishes. 



We were lucky enough to pop in on a Friday, which is All You Can Eat catfish night! I love catfish but I desperately craved one of their gooey cheese burgers so Pj and I split our entrees, each enjoying a bit of both.


Before our main courses arrived, we enjoyed sharing appetizers with my parents. These are deep fried cauliflower and pickle slices, which were crisp on the outside, tender inside and piping hot. If you're cruising through Bourbon, Missouri, stop at this authentic Route 66 diner for a deep fried bite of wonderful! Check the Circle Inn facebook page for current hours, location and menu.

Outfit

top- Target

pants- thrifted

flats- Walmart

50s cat eye sunglasses- St Louis Spring Fling