Foothill Boulevard cuts through San Bernardino and Pomona counties heading west to Glendora. A good portion of that journey is Historic Route 66, the legendary Mother Road that is marking its centennial this year.
Before freeways, Route 66 was an efficient way to cross the country and was dotted with tempting roadside attractions. Some still exist.
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We’re visiting eateries with history and character along Route 66 from the High Desert to the beach. Previous stops include Emma Jean’s Holland Burger Cafe in Victorville and Mitla Cafe in San Bernardino.
This week, we will wrap up San Bernardino County in Rancho Cucamonga, where three notable restaurants – the Sycamore Inn, Vince’s Spaghetti and the Magic Lamp Inn – are clustered within a few hundred yards of each other.
The Drive: Mitla Cafe is on Route 66 at 602 N. Mt. Vernon Ave. Mount Vernon intersects with Fifth Street, which turns into Foothill Boulevard. Heading west, you’ll pass the Wigwam Motel at 2728 E. Foothill Blvd., which dates from 1949 and is a prime example of programmatic architecture, novelty buildings that flourished along highways in the 20th century.
About 17 miles west is the Cucamonga Service Station, 9670 Foothill Blvd. The lemon yellow building dates from 1915 and has been restored to its 1930s look, providing a sense of what it was like to gas up 90 years ago.
Along the way, several businesses display the Route 66 shield, as well as occasional location markers.
Sycamore Inn Prime Steakhouse on Historic Route 66 on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Rancho Cucamonga. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Our destinations: As we arrive, we’ll reach an overpass honoring “America’s mainstreet” and the Route 66 Trailhead Park, which borders the Sycamore Inn.
The restaurant, at 8318 Foothill Blvd., traces its history back to1848, according to its giant, illuminated sign. It was a tavern that served as a rest stop for Butterfield Overland Mail, a stagecoach line that ran from San Francisco to St. Louis.
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Its modern history began in 1939, when Danish immigrants acquired the property and turned it into a restaurant, according to its website. Diners are said to include Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Short, who became known as the “Black Dahlia” after her gruesome, unsolved murder in 1947.
Meals are a splurge here, with prime rib ranging from $32 for 6 ounces to $60 for a 22-ounce bone-in cut. Other popular items include cold water lobster tail, crab cakes, sides such as creamed spinach and desserts such as chocolate soufflé.
Sycamore Inn has a full bar and is currently serving summer tiki drinks.
Information: thesycamoreinn.com
Vince’s Spaghetti, founded in 1945, has been part of the history of dining along Route 66 since 1984 in Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Vince’s Spaghetti has been serving fine Italian food for over 80 years, and on Route 66 since 1984, on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Rancho Cucamonga. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Guests enjoy a meal at Vince’s Spaghetti, founded in Ontario in 1945. Vince’s Spaghetti has been part of the history of dining along Historic Route 66 since 1984, on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Guests wait in the wine barrel booth at left, with others in the lobby at Vince’s Spaghetti, founded in 1945, has been part of the history of dining along Route 66 since 1984 in Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Vince’s Spaghetti, founded in 1945, has been part of the history of dining along Route 66 since 1984, on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Rancho Cucamonga. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
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Vince’s Spaghetti, founded in 1945, has been part of the history of dining along Route 66 since 1984 in Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
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Across the street, Vince’s Spaghetti has been ladling pasta since 1984. It’s part of a mini-chain of restaurants founded in Ontario in 1945 by Sicilian immigrants Frank and Rose Cuccia. There’s a third eatery in Temecula, and all three remain in the family.
The Rancho Cucamonga restaurant has a smallish parking lot but a large foyer accented by a wine barrel alcove. A bar sells beer, wine and Route 66-emblazoned merchandise.
There is frequently a wait for the dining room, which has wooden, barrel-like booths.
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Signature dishes include spaghetti, mostaccioli and “Mostasagna.” Vince’s is also known for its French dip, meatball sandwiches and subs.
A plate of pasta with meat sauce costs $14.25 a la carte, or $8.65 for a half order. Dinner, including minestrone soup, salad and garlic or cheese bread runs around $23.65. Desserts include spumoni.
Information: vincesspaghettiroute66.com
Magic Lamp Inn on Route 66 since1955 on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Rancho Cucamonga. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Magic Lamp Inn on Route 66 since1955 on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Rancho Cucamonga. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Magic Lamp Inn on Route 66 since1955 on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Rancho Cucamonga. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Magic Lamp Inn on Route 66 since1955 on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Rancho Cucamonga. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
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Magic Lamp Inn on Route 66 since1955 on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Rancho Cucamonga. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
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Vince’s Spaghetti adjoins the Magic Lamp Inn, a fine-dining establishment with an “Arabian Nights” theme, famed for its neon sign shaped like Aladdin’s lamp.
The restaurant was founded in 1955 by John Clearman, known for his North Woods Inns, which resembled Alaskan hunting lodges with snow-topped roofs that are actually stucco. Three remain open in San Gabriel, Covina and La Mirada.
The restaurant changed hands several times, closing in 2023. It was acquired by a real estate investor and reopened in late 2024 with a refreshed interior. Later, a patio bar was added in the back.
In keeping with the Aladdin theme, the interior is grandiose with brick archways, chandeliers, diamond buttoned booths and linen tablecloths. There’s a dress code posted at the entrance, including no shorts, hoodies or graphic T-shirts.
The menu focuses on steak and seafood, with prices ranging from $28 for pasta primavera to $74 for a 24-ounce porterhouse steak. Sides include creamed corn, grilled asparagus and lobster mac & cheese, $12 to $28.
Desserts are a specialty, with choices ranging from affogato to Ricotta & Pistachio Cake.
Before it closed, the Magic Lamp was, like Mitla Cafe, a designated Route 66 roadside attraction, but the sign is no longer posted on the side of the building.
Information: magiclamprestaurant.com
Our next stop: In two weeks, we’ll continue on Foothill Boulevard to eastern Los Angeles County and more restaurants with decades of history.
Dining and Cooking