Here’s a video by the Springfield News-Leader about Louie’s Drive-In (formerly Vaughn’s Drive-In), which has served West Division Street in Springfield, Mo., since 1966:
And this is the restaurant’s specialty:
One of the drive-in’s specialties is the Hillbilly Sandwich, a deep-fried beef tenderloin topped with the secret sauce. “That sandwich was floating around different places,” said Booth, who introduced it. “We decided to get it, try it, and it worked pretty good.”
The restaurant isn’t technically on Route 66, but it sounds like something many Route 66 enthusiasts would enjoy. It’s at 2415 W. Division St., which is less than two miles from the closest Route 66 alignment in town.
Louie’s AKA Vaughn’s is like Taylor’s Drive In or Casper’s Chili, both in downtown Springfield — they are so beloved by the locals that we won’t usually share their location with outsiders!! Try also Wilson’s Chuckwagon on West Kearney (aka Route 66), just west of Kansas Expressway. It is a new place but very much in the same vein as the other three … good food, decent prices, family atmosphere — always a good experience!!! I would also mention Momma Mary’s Navajo Tacos on the West Bypass in Springfield, just north of where the City Route and Truck Route 66 meet. It may be the east-most place you can get authentic Navajo tacos.