Westside Lilo's Cafe In Arizona Is A Hidden Gem Along Historic Route 66 That's Always Worth A Detour
By Courtnie Erickson|Published April 12, 2024
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Courtnie Erickson
Author
From Southern Utah to the Panhandle in Idaho, Courtnie Erickson has lived in what she believes are the best (and the most beautiful!) areas in the country. She graduated with a journalism degree from Utah State University and has more than 15 years of professional writing experience. You’ll likely see her with a Dr. Pepper in her hand and a pair of running shoes on her feet. Courtnie is a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState.
Seligman, Arizona, is a small town with approximately 700 residents. It is located in northwestern Arizona, right on the border of Yavapai County. While at first glance, this unassuming town may not seem bucket-list-worthy, it is nestled along historic U.S. Route 66 and is home to an incredible hidden gem: Westside Lilo’s Café. This unique small business is not only home to some of the most delicious meals in this part of Arizona, but it’s also a fabulous stop for must-have souvenirs. It’s the perfect definition of a hidden gem.
Interested to learn about other unique American small businesses? Our 2024 Small Business Spotlight series highlights the often-overlooked work of small business owners across the country, from Maine to Southern California.
Westside Lilo’s Café is the type of place where you’ll feel like you are visiting lifelong friends. This restaurant began when Lilo purchased a building that had sat vacant for years. With the help of her husband Pat and daughters Nancy and Brenda, the restaurant opened its doors in 1996.
The restaurant was a dream of Lilo who had previously worked at a local restaurant. She wanted to share some of her favorite German recipes and provide a delicious meal for locals and travelers alike.
Not only were German recipes shared at this diner, but so was German décor. Lilo decorated the restaurant with items brought over from Germany including a beautiful garden hutch, which continues to sit in the center of the restaurant today.
And, due to the unique location of the restaurant, Route 66 memorabilia and décor were thrown into the mix, creating an eclectic diner that every guest swooned over.
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Today, the restaurant continues to be a place where everyone feels welcome. "It’s all about creating an atmosphere that feels like home,” Brenda Bryant, current owner and operator of Westside Lilo’s Café, and Lilo’s daughter, says. "The family understands the importance of creating a memorable diner experience, along with great food to keep them coming back.”
And good food you will certainly find at this place to eat along Historic Route 66. Westside Lilo's Café specializes in home-cooked meals where every dish uses quality ingredients and every detail is considered.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served at this Arizona diner and no matter when you stop in, be prepared for a delicious meal. Breakfast is quite popular and served all day. You’ll find favorites such as biscuits and gravy, steak and eggs, and Belgian waffles.
For lunch, try one of the tasty salads, sandwiches, and burgers. Come hungry because the portions are large and you won’t want to leave a single bite on your plate.
Dinner entrees include options such as grilled chicken, ribeye, fish, and pork chops.
And while the meals are certainly impressive, the desserts are what you will think about for days to come. With options such as homestyle pies and cakes, your taste buds will thank you for stopping in.
Just don't forget about the jumbo cinnamon roll, which is a must-have treat at Westside Lilo's Café. It’s so good that you’ll likely want more than one to save for another day.
Bryant says there are many things she loves about being the owner of Westside Lilo’s café such as cooking for her customers, hearing kudos for the delicious food, visiting with the many customers that have become like family … and seeing people leave with a slice of the famous carrot cake or a giant cinnamon roll. It all warms her heart.
To show just how much Bryant and her team appreciate locals supporting the restaurant, they do all they can to help the community. The diner regularly provides donations to local schools and sports teams. They support various events hosted by the local chamber of commerce as well.
Westside Lilo’s Café may be tucked away in a small town but it makes a big impression on the community and travelers alike.
“Stop by and say hello,” Bryant says. “Enjoy a great experience in our little family-owned diner.”
Many thanks to Westside Lilo’s Café owner Brenda Bryant for sharing the story of this Arizona diner. Learn more and support this Seligman, Arizona, restaurant by visiting the Westside Lilo’s Café website and the Westside Lilo’s Café Facebook page.
Of course, this small-town diner is only one of the many amazing businesses in Arizona that’s doing great things in the state. If you have another business you’d like to see profiled on Only In Arizona, please nominate them for a chance to be featured. And be sure to follow Only In Arizona on Facebook and Instagram to stay in the know on the state’s events, restaurants, local businesses, and hidden gems.
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