Route 66Trip Guide

See it on the map

Earl's Family Restaurant

DirectionsOpenStreetMap

Earl's Family Restaurant is a restaurant in Gallup, NM, on Historic Highway 66, the old Route 66 through town, which runs alongside I-40. It has been serving since 1947, growing from a small hamburger place into a dining room with about 300 seats. Run by the Richards family, it is known for Navajo tacos and other frybread dishes, and for the Native American artists who sell handmade jewelry and crafts to diners.

What is Earl's Family Restaurant?

A large restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner from a comfort-food menu of American and New Mexican dishes: burgers, enchiladas, huevos rancheros, pancakes and more. It is known for Navajo tacos and other frybread plates, such as a burger wrapped in frybread. Its own bakery is known for big cinnamon buns, rolls and pies.

For decades, Native American artists have sold handmade jewelry and crafts here, some at tables near the entrance, others going from table to table in the dining room.

History of Earl's Family Restaurant

Earl's opened in 1947 as a modest burger spot with just four stools and two or so booths, and grew from there. An undated Route 66 postcard names members of the Richards family as its owners and managers.

Visiting Earl's Family Restaurant: tips

It sits right on the old Route 66 through Gallup, so a meal here costs no detour. Artists may stop by your table; a polite no is enough.

Updated · Written by Route 66 Trip Guide

Practical info

Address
1400 E Historic Hwy 66, Gallup, NM 87301
On site & nearby

Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix

On the map

Full map

Earl's Family Restaurant with the 6 closest stops. Tap a marker for details.

Tap a dot to see that stop here.

Stops near Earl's Family Restaurant

All of New Mexico
El Rancho Hotel & Motel in Gallup, NM

El Rancho Hotel & Motel

Gallup, New Mexico · 0.1 mi from Route 66

A rustic 1937 Route 66 hotel in Gallup built by a movie director's brother, where Hollywood stars once stayed.

Historic hotelPhoto credit

0.4 mi from Earl's Family Restaurant

Redwood Lodge in Gallup, NM

Redwood Lodge

Gallup, New Mexico · on Route 66

A 1931 Gallup tourist court that survives with little change from the years before World War II.

Retro roadsidePhoto credit

0.5 mi from Earl's Family Restaurant

Drake Hotel in Gallup, NM

Drake Hotel

Gallup, New Mexico · 0.1 mi from Route 66

A two-story blond brick hotel from 1919 on Gallup's Route 66, later known as the Turquoise Club.

Historic hotelPhoto credit

1.0 mi from Earl's Family Restaurant

White Cafe in Gallup, NM

White Cafe

Gallup, New Mexico · 0.1 mi from Route 66

A 1928 brick commercial building on Route 66 in downtown Gallup, listed as a historic place.

Historic buildingPhoto credit

1.1 mi from Earl's Family Restaurant

Palace Hotel in Gallup, NM

Palace Hotel

Gallup, New Mexico · on Route 66

A 1912 two-story hotel on Route 66 in Gallup, the town's only Richardsonian Romanesque building.

Historic hotelPhoto credit

1.3 mi from Earl's Family Restaurant

Rex Hotel in Gallup, NM

Rex Hotel

Gallup, New Mexico · 0.1 mi from Route 66

A 1910 stone hotel building on a corner of Gallup's Route 66 main street.

Historic hotelPhoto credit

1.3 mi from Earl's Family Restaurant

Own or run Earl's Family Restaurant? Send us a photo or a correction.

See it on the map