Minerva Candy Co. in Webb City reopens after long hiatus

The nearly century-old Minerva Candy Co. in downtown Webb City, Missouri, recently reopened after a years-long hiatus. Charles and Malinda Spencer, formerly of Lee's Summit, Missouri, reopened the store in April at 12 S. Main St. as Spencers' Sweet Call at Minerva, reported the Ozarks Alive website. Complete with blue and white tiles, warm woodwork … Continue reading Minerva Candy Co. in Webb City reopens after long hiatus

Mitla Cafe featured in Netflix’s “Ugly Delicious” episode

The historic Mitla Cafe in San Bernardino, California, plays a vital role in the "Tacos" episode of the Netflix-produced "Ugly Delicious" documentary food series. The show stars chef David Chang and co-host Peter Meehan "on a mouth-watering, cross-cultural hunt for the world's most satisfying grub." The "Tacos" episode embarks on usual destinations such as Mexico … Continue reading Mitla Cafe featured in Netflix’s “Ugly Delicious” episode

Giant cashew among the proposals for downtown Springfield

A developer proposed building of a giant cashew near downtown Springfield, Missouri. It's not a joke. The Springfield News-Leader reported Mat Burton of the Vecino Group recently made the pitch for the art installation at Idea Commons, an area between downtown, which carried an early alignment of 66, and Chestnut Expressway. Missouri State University, the … Continue reading Giant cashew among the proposals for downtown Springfield

Cozy Dog Drive-In offering its own sodas

The Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield, Illinois, is famous for its Cozy Dog, reputedly the forerunner of the modern-day corn dog. Now it is selling four flavors of soda in bottles featuring the Cozy Dog logo. It offers cola, diet cola, root beer and diet root beer. The restaurant announced the new offerings on its … Continue reading Cozy Dog Drive-In offering its own sodas

Route 66 figures prominently in Chinese-food documentary

At least two restaurants on Route 66 were featured in "The Search for General Tso," a 2014 documentary about the rise of Chinese cuisine in America. The Route 66 town of Springfield, Missouri, also figures prominently. A total of only 13 theaters screened the film upon its early 2015 release, so it barely made a … Continue reading Route 66 figures prominently in Chinese-food documentary

Fifty years of making fried onion burgers on Route 66

Marty Hall has spent decades working at not one, but two notable restaurants along Route 66 in El Reno, Oklahoma, that specialize in fried onion burgers. Hall has owned Sid's Diner since 1989. Before that, he began his restaurant career barely in his teens at Johnnie's Grill, also on Route 66 in El Reno. All … Continue reading Fifty years of making fried onion burgers on Route 66

R.I.P., Marian Clark

Marian Clark, best known for her series of popular Route 66 cookbooks, died Thursday of cancer. She was 83. Clark's passing occurred a day after her daughter, Rebecca Barnes, announced on Facebook she had been placed in hospice care. Clark also had suffered a stroke the previous year but rallied until her cancer diagnosis in … Continue reading R.I.P., Marian Clark

Was the hamburger invented in Tulsa?

Recently, the Tulsa World newspaper published a series of articles that sought to verify or debunk a slew of local urban legends that have persisted in that Oklahoma city for years. One of urban legends oft-told: The hamburger was invented in more than 120 years ago in the Tulsa area, and the family that started … Continue reading Was the hamburger invented in Tulsa?

Route 66 cookbook author Marian Clark in hospice care

UPDATE2: Marian Clark died Thursday morning. An obituary will be posted later when the arrangements information is available. The original post from Wednesday: Marian Clark, an Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame member who found and compiled recipes from many restaurants along the Mother Road into several books, is dying of cancer and has been … Continue reading Route 66 cookbook author Marian Clark in hospice care

Mitla Cafe in San Bernardino marks 80th year

The Milta Cafe, one of the oldest Mexican restaurants in the Los Angeles metro area, market its 80th birthday earlier this month. According to the San Bernardino County Sun, the San Bernardino restaurant marked the milestone with a banquet attended by 200 longtime patrons, family members and musician Poncho Sanchez. Commemorative pins, mugs and shot glasses … Continue reading Mitla Cafe in San Bernardino marks 80th year