Mr. D'z Route 66 Diner in Kingman, Arizona: A Classic Stop on the Mother Road

Welcome to Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner

If there is one stop in Kingman, Arizona that captures the spirit of Route 66 better than any other, it’s Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner. Parked squarely on Andy Devine Avenue — Kingman’s stretch of the original Mother Road — this bubble-gum pink and turquoise landmark has been serving up homemade root beer, all-day breakfasts, and hearty diner classics to road-trippers from around the world for more than three decades. With its chrome stools, wrap-around booths, walls plastered with Route 66 memorabilia, and a vintage jukebox spinning 1950s and 60s hits, Mr. D’z doesn’t just celebrate Route 66 culture — it embodies it.

Where is Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner?

Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner is located at 105 E Andy Devine Avenue, Kingman, Arizona 86401, directly on the historic Route 66 alignment that runs through downtown Kingman. The location couldn’t be better for road-trippers: it sits across the street from the Arizona Route 66 Museum at the Powerhouse, next to Locomotive Park, and just two blocks from the Mohave Museum of History and Arts. It is open daily from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

The History of Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner

From Immigrant Enterprise to Route 66 Icon

The building that houses Mr. D’z has a history stretching nearly as far back as Route 66 itself. The story begins with Oscar Osterman, a Swedish immigrant who arrived in America in the early 20th century and eventually made his way to the Arizona desert. By the late 1930s, Osterman and his brothers had established a network of businesses along Route 66 in northwestern Arizona, including gas stations in Peach Springs and a Shell Oil franchise operation in Kingman.

In January 1940, an advertisement in the Kingman Miner announced that ‘Kingman Café No. 2 has moved into the new café building of the Kimo Shell Service.’ The combined gas station and café — named Kimo for KIngman and MOhave County — operated under the management of Clara Osterman, a former Harvey Girl and experienced restaurateur. The Kimo Café and Shell station became a fixture on Front Street, which was realigned as the main Route 66 corridor through Kingman in 1937 and is known today as Andy Devine Avenue.

For decades the building served travelers in its dual role as fuel stop and lunch counter. Then in 1992, Roy Dunton — owner of Dunton Motors Dream Machines next door — purchased the property with his son Scott, gutted the old structure, and transformed it into the diner that stands today. The ‘D’z’ in the name honors Roy Dunton himself. The remodel brought in the iconic pink-and-teal color scheme, black-and-white checkered tile floors, retro booths, and the abundance of Route 66 and 1950s décor that greets visitors today.

In the late 1990s, the diner was leased to Armando and Michelle Jimenez, Las Vegas restaurant owners who further developed its identity as a Route 66 destination. The homemade root beer — brewed on-site and served in ice-cold mugs — became the diner’s signature calling card, drawing travelers off the interstate and cementing Mr. D’z as one of the most beloved stops on the entire Mother Road.

The Oprah Moment — National Fame on Route 66

In 2006, Mr. D’z got its biggest moment in the national spotlight when Oprah Winfrey and her best friend Gayle King stopped in during their televised cross-country road trip, ‘Oprah and Gayle’s Big Adventure.’ The segment featured the diner’s signature homemade root beer prominently, and the resulting publicity introduced Mr. D’z to millions of viewers who had never heard of Kingman, Arizona. The diner has since appeared in Arizona Highways magazine, travel guides, and countless Route 66 documentaries, solidifying its status as a must-visit landmark on the Mother Road.

What to Eat at Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner

Homemade Root Beer

The undisputed star of the menu is the housemade root beer, brewed fresh on-site and served ice cold in a frosted mug or as a float topped with creamy vanilla ice cream. It’s the kind of root beer you remember long after the road trip is over — rich, slightly sweet, with just the right amount of carbonation. Many visitors make the stop at Mr. D’z specifically for the root beer, and it never disappoints.

Classic Diner Fare

Beyond the famous root beer, Mr. D’z serves up a full menu of American diner classics. Breakfast is served all day, featuring eggs cooked to order, fluffy pancakes, and hearty omelets. The lunch and dinner menu offers burgers, patty melts, chicken-fried steak, chili, sandwiches, and salads. Sides include french fries, sweet potato fries, coleslaw, and onion rings — all the comfort food staples you’d hope to find in a classic roadside diner.

Milkshakes and Desserts

The milkshakes at Mr. D’z are thick, generous, and made with real ice cream. The strawberry shake in particular has earned a loyal following among Route 66 regulars. For dessert, the diner also offers homemade pies and root beer floats that pair perfectly with the retro atmosphere.

Pizza

In a slightly unexpected twist for a 1950s-style diner, Mr. D’z also serves pizza — and it’s become a crowd favorite. It’s the kind of casual, satisfying comfort food that works perfectly after a long day on the highway.

The Atmosphere: A 1950s Time Capsule on Route 66

Stepping through the front door of Mr. D’z is like stepping directly into the golden age of American road travel. The interior is a carefully curated celebration of both 1950s pop culture and Route 66 nostalgia. Wrap-around booths upholstered in teal and bubble-gum pink anchor the dining room, while the black-and-white checkered tile floor and chrome-trimmed stools at the counter reinforce the retro diner aesthetic.

The walls are a visual feast — covered in vintage Route 66 memorabilia, classic car photographs, framed portraits of 1950s icons like Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe, and decades’ worth of road-trip snapshots sent in by visitors from around the world. A jukebox in the corner keeps the soundtrack appropriately authentic, spinning the hits of the 50s and 60s while diners work their way through burgers and root beer floats.

Outside, the diner is equally unmissable. The bold pink-and-teal exterior, the towering Mr. D’z sign, and the vintage vehicles parked out front — including a 1950s-era Chevrolet pickup — make the building one of the most photographed spots on Kingman’s stretch of Route 66. Even if you weren’t hungry, you’d be tempted to stop just for the photo.

Mr. D’z and the Broader Kingman Route 66 Experience

Mr. D’z sits at the heart of one of Route 66’s most underrated town experiences. Kingman, Arizona has done more than most towns to preserve and celebrate its Mother Road heritage, and Andy Devine Avenue — the Route 66 alignment through downtown — is lined with historic buildings, vintage signage, and authentic roadside character. A visit to Mr. D’z pairs naturally with a stop at the Arizona Route 66 Museum at the Powerhouse just across the street, which houses one of the best Route 66 exhibits in the state.

From Kingman, Route 66 adventurers can head west toward the dramatic mountain scenery of Sitgreaves Pass and the legendary old mining town of Oatman, where wild burros roam the streets and staged gunfights play out daily. Heading east along the original highway takes you past the beloved Hackberry General Store and through the remote canyon corridors toward Seligman — the self-proclaimed birthplace of Route 66 preservation.

Tips for Visiting Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner

Go hungry — the portions are generous and the root beer float demands its own stomach space.
Arrive early or late to avoid the midday rush, especially during summer and Route 66 festival weekends.
Parking can be tight directly in front — use the nearby Locomotive Park lot if needed.
Order the homemade root beer. It’s not optional. Get the float.
Bring a camera — the exterior, the vintage cars out front, and the interior décor all deserve documentation.
Combine your visit with the Arizona Route 66 Museum directly across the street — together they make for an excellent Kingman afternoon.
Check the Mr. D’z Facebook page or website before visiting for current hours, as they may vary around holidays and special events.

Getting to Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner

If you’re driving from the west via I-40, take Exit 48 (Andy Devine Ave / Historic Route 66) and head east into downtown Kingman. The diner is on your right at 105 E Andy Devine Avenue, recognizable immediately by its pink-and-teal exterior and roadside signage.

From the east on I-40, take Exit 53 (Stockton Hill Road) and head south, then turn west on Andy Devine Avenue. Mr. D’z will be on your left as you move through the historic downtown corridor.

Address: 105 E Andy Devine Avenue, Kingman, AZ 86401

Phone: (928) 718-0066

Hours: Open daily, 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Final Thoughts on Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner

Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner is one of those rare places where history, atmosphere, and genuinely good food converge on the same corner. It’s a diner that earns its legendary status not through nostalgia alone, but through decades of consistent hospitality and a homemade root beer that is, quite simply, one of the best things you’ll taste on a Route 66 road trip. Whether you’re a first-time traveler discovering the Mother Road or a seasoned enthusiast who has driven Arizona’s Route 66 a dozen times, Mr. D’z belongs on your itinerary every single time you pass through Kingman.