Kevin Connolly of BBC News Magazine decides to take the 72-ounce challenge at the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. As I prepared for my own attempt to consume 72oz (that's 4.5lb or just over two kilos) of beef in less than an hour - together with a prawn cocktail, a roll, salad and … Continue reading Taking the Big Texan challenge
Category: Food
POPS — one year later
One year ago today, POPS on Route 66 in Arcadia, Okla., opened its doors for the first time. The convenience store/restaurant was the brainchild of Cheseapeake Energy CEO Aubrey McClendon and architect Rand Elliott, complete with a 66-foot-tall soda bottle festooned with multicolored LED lights and hundreds of brands of cold soda on sale. POPS … Continue reading POPS — one year later
Road bandits
The Bloomington (Ill.) Pantagraph published a story about the Cattle Bandits, a country-rock band that's opening a show for country star John Anderson at the McLean County Fair tomorrow night. The Cattle Bandits' soon-to-be-released CD, "Homegrown," contains a few Route 66 references. That's the case as the style runs from the country of "Beaches of … Continue reading Road bandits
Squishing a grape business
Lord knows there is no small number of states that have bizarre or archaic alcoholic beverage laws. But Oklahoma's are ridiculous: J.L. Gilbert has the awkward job of explaining to people who book their wedding at his winery that they cannot buy cases of wine from him to consume at their event. Sparks Vineyard & … Continue reading Squishing a grape business
McCain stops by Route 66 landmark
Yes, it's an election year. The Washington Post reported that one of the campaign stops Tuesday for Republican presidential nominee John McCain in St. Louis was at a Route 66 institution -- Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. Dozens of custard buyers were milling about when McCain’s entourage -- several SUVs escorted by St. Louis county police … Continue reading McCain stops by Route 66 landmark
Threatening weather dampens bridge birthday party
Attendance at Trailnet's annual birthday party for St. Louis' Old Chain of Rocks Bridge (it turned 79) a week ago Sunday was down from the usual because of the threat of stormy weather, reported the Granite City (Ill.) Press-Record. It also rained during part of the events that morning, and flooding from a swollen Mississippi … Continue reading Threatening weather dampens bridge birthday party
Frozen custard in Tucumcari? I’m there
I found this fascinating little tidbit in the Quay County Sun about the CornerStone Deli, a fairly new restaurant on Route 66 in Tucumcari, N.M. It's in an old Pizza Hut building, and is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week. But this part of the story got my interest up: … Continue reading Frozen custard in Tucumcari? I’m there
“Culinary zen”
Kevin Sheedy of the Wichita (Kan.) Eagle and his wife, inspired by a recent Food Network episode of "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," went from Wichita to Stroud, Okla. Two Route 66 restaurants -- Cafe on the Route in Baxter Springs, Kan., and the Rock Cafe in Stroud -- were the highlights of their trip. On … Continue reading “Culinary zen”
The maker of Round Barn Root Beer
KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City did a feature about Huebert Brewing Co., which makes Round Barn Root Beer for POPS on Route 66 in Arcadia, Okla. The root beer is the top-seller at the business. The root beer is named after the historic Round Barn in Arcadia. (Hat tip: Rich Imrie.)
How to fry an egg on a sidewalk
The little western Arizona town of Oatman is scheduled to hold its annual Sidewalk Egg Fry on July 4. The Mohave Daily News notes that the event is always on July 4, no matter on what day it falls. Fred Eck of the local chamber provided some tips to those who may be competing: “Get … Continue reading How to fry an egg on a sidewalk