A road trip along historic Route 66 is all about finding the nostalgic, the all-American and the downright quirky. From diners to larger-than-life roadside attractions, there’s plenty to see when you cruise down Route 66.
And if you happen to find yourself exploring Route 66 in Oklahoma, you’ll want to make a beeline for the giant neon soda bottle sculpture that sits outside Pops Restaurant, a fun stop on this historic highway. Pops’ claim to fame is its collection of more than 650 sodas, and with flavors ranging from peanut butter and jelly to chocolate and bacon, how can you resist pulling over for a taste?
Opened in 2007, Pops happens to be one of the highway’s newer attractions — but don’t let this stop’s age trick you into thinking you won’t find Route 66’s quintessential charm here. With its mid-century modern architecture and 66-foot soda bottle sculpture, you’d never know Pops wasn’t a Route 66 original.
But back to the main attraction: the sodas. When it comes to the selection at Pops, it’s safe to say if you can think it, you’ll be able to drink it. Fruity flavors like peach, huckleberry and guava all find love at Pops, as do various incarnations of cherry, strawberry, raspberry, grape and watermelon. Sweet, sour, creamy or crazy, the flavor combos here run the gamut.
Of course, it’s hard to resist some of Pops’ more questionable flavors. Bottles dedicated to flavors like red velvet cupcake, s’mores, jalapeno and even ranch dressing are all on sale if you’re feeling adventurous. And if you can’t decide, you can always pick your own six-pack to take with you.
As a Route 66 pit stop, Pops also features a gas station and diner that fittingly dishes out burgers, fries and milkshakes. Check out the store’s full soda list and learn more on the Pops website.
(Main image: David Hepworth)
