When you’re on the road with kids, the focus is usually on getting from point A to point B, and you will do anything to minimize the pit stops in-between. So I understand the temptation of the fast food restaurants that line our interstates at seductively convenient intervals. Most kids learn to recognize fast food logos before their own names, so it’s unlikely that they will go unnoticed by your crew. Nevertheless, here’s the travel challenge I propose this month: on your next road trip, abandon fast food restaurants and seek out local flavor instead.

It isn’t so much that I’m against fast food, it’s just that I am for supporting local economies and getting more out of my travel experience than one can expect from some franchises.

Tips for Success
I won’t pretend that all small-town diners are created equal, and no one likes to pull off the highway without a clear plan of action. To keep your family happy and avoid disappointment and delays, employ the following tips.

• Think about what time of day you will be on the road, and if you know your journey will span a mealtime, pull out a map before you back out of the driveway. You might know your route like the back of your hand, but you may not have thought about the small towns at the end of all those exit ramps you never take. It’s hard to go even thirty miles on Oklahoma’s highways without running into at least one town large enough to support a diner, so pick out a couple prospects on your map.

• Once you have chosen a town, you could just wing it, but it’s better to have a specific restaurant in mind. Word-of-mouth is my favorite research tool, but when no one seems to have the inside scoop, I turn to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department’s website, TravelOK.com. You could also call the town’s convention and visitor’s bureau or their chamber of commerce to ask for recommendations. Phone numbers for both offices can usually be found with a simple Internet search. Two national travel websites, TripAdvisor.com and RoadFood.com are also helpful.

• Finally, don’t forget to prepare your pit crew for the detour. Pack snacks to fend off the cries that could cause you to cave in to temptation, and talk up the restaurant as if it is part of the trip, not just another bathroom break. Older kids can help read road signs so you don’t miss your exit. They might even get involved in helping you search for a place on the Internet.

I think the hardest thing about stepping up to this challenge is planning ahead and convincing yourself that you have the time to make a detour. But keep in mind that 30 minutes is usually all it takes to make the transition from a generic kids’ meal to genuinely happy travel memories.

Chelsey Simpson is an editor who lives in Edmond with her husband and her miniature schnauzer, Ellie.

Roadside Attractions
Here are some places I’ve had my eye on, listed according to the major highway they border.

Interstate 35
Kumback Lunch, 625 Delaware St., Perry
Kumback is the oldest café in Oklahoma and its walls are covered in tokens of its stroied past. The food won’t disappoint you either.

Original Fried Pies, at HWY 77, Davis
Fried pies might not be a particularly healthy meal choice, but at this restaurant they are more than just dessert. They carry savory meal pies and sweet pies made from scratch.

Interstate 44
The Rock Café, 114 W Main St, Stroud
This café is actually a Route 66 landmark whose owner was the inspiration behind the character Sally in Pixar’s movie, Cars.

J&W Grill, 501 W Choctaw Ave, Chickasha
Expect world-class burgers grilled at breakneck speeds right before your eyes. Arrive early though—they close up shop at 2pm.

Interstate 40
Lucille’s Roadhouse, 1301 Airport Road, Weatherford
Designed as a tribute to the original Lucille’s an iconic Route 66 gas station, this restaurant has two sections, with separate menus. The area known as The Grill is probably best for a quick family meal.

Photo: Kumback Lunch café, Perry, OK