Nowhere on Route 66
Words by Dave Cathey
Afton might seem like nowhere, but folks who’ve cruised Route 66 through the Ottawa County town agree: Nowhere is the place to be.
The rebirth of roadside businesses along the Mother Road is among its oldest traditions. Sandy and Rodney Musset fortified it when they turned an old filling station into Nowhere on Route 66 in 2014. With blood, sweat, tears, bandana-covered ceiling tiles, and American ephemera, they’ve turned their dream into a high-priority stop for Route 66ers seeking burgers or barbecue.
The Mother Road offers many slices of Americana glazed in neon along its path. When it comes to roadside dining, the kitschiest kitchens parked alongside her are often slathered with enough nostalgia to hide what is no more than middling fare from the diner back home. No way, no how at Nowhere.
Its wood-smoked, dry-rubbed house specialty honors the culinary tradition that’s perhaps dazzled the collective Oklahoma palate the longest. The state’s earliest feeding frenzies were triggered by barbecue, and Oklahoma BBQ culture has steadily grown despite the oppressing presence of BBQ-culture behemoths to the north and south, Kansas and Texas. Nowhere fortifies Oklahoma BBQ’s reputation with its pit-smoked sliced tri-tip, pulled pork, ribs by the rack, hot links, bologna, and prime rib.
But don’t get it twisted: Nowhere isn’t your run-of-the-mill barbecue joint. Among other unique items, the menu offers both the Oklahoma Twister, pulled pork served over seasoned spiral-cut wedge fries with queso and ranch dressing, and Hog Heaven, the answer to meat lovers’ prayerfully bowed heads manifested as stacked smoked bologna, pulled pork, and bacon on toast.
While Oklahoma’s love affair with barbecue joints predates statehood, its passion for burgers is unsurpassed—and Nowhere serves them with equal parts TLC and historical reverence. The proprietary blend of Oklahoma-grown beef is hand-formed into eight specialties. Among them is an onion burger, a patty smashed into onions caramelized to the edge of char.
Whether bound for destinations beyond Oklahoma and the Cherokee Nation or returning to the Sooner State, Nowhere’s burgers and barbecue are an ideal introduction or triumphant reunion to classic Oklahoma fare.
Nowhere on Route 66, 300 S. 1st St., Afton, (918) 919-4111, facebook.com/nowhereonroute66