John Watson of the Cleburne (Texas) Times-Review has an article about the formerly "world's largest McDonald's restaurant" that squats over Interstate 44 near Vinita, Okla. It's not on the classic alignment on Route 66, but a lot of roadies check it out anyway because it's so quirky. This is the massive arch-shaped building that's actually … Continue reading Drive-under dining
Category: People
A chat with Melissa McClelland
Singer-songwriter Melissa McClelland is set to release her third album, "Victoria Day," on Six Shooter Records and is playing concerts with her musician husband, Luke Doucet, in England and her native Canada in the coming weeks. But after that, she's heading to the Mother Road (with her mother, natch). It's not McClelland's first time on … Continue reading A chat with Melissa McClelland
Frozen yogurt served by Marky Mark
The Pasadena Star-News reported on the opening of a new Blizzberry frozen-yogurt stand on Route 66 in Glendora, Calif. Blizzberry is a regional but rapidly expanding chain in Southern California. Route 66 News is always happy to plug good desserts along the Mother Road, such as Ted Drewes frozen custard to the Midpoint Cafe's ugly-crust … Continue reading Frozen yogurt served by Marky Mark
A driven entrepreneur
The San Bernardino County Sun has quite a feature about Albert Okura, owner of the Juan Pollo restaurant chain and owner/savior of the Route 66 hamlet of Amboy, Calif., and Roy's. This excerpt shows how driven he is: Today there are three dozen Juan Pollo restaurants throughout Southern California. Okura fully intends to conquer all … Continue reading A driven entrepreneur
A take on Tulsa’s Mother Road
Urban Tulsa, the alternative weekly in town, has a report today about the still-being-planned Route 66 interpretive center in town. Many of the quotes are from Michael Wallis, author of the best-selling "Route 66: The Mother Road." Wallis' thoughts about the Route 66 center: "I saw this site as the key to really push Tulsa … Continue reading A take on Tulsa’s Mother Road
The story of the KuKu
KALB-TV in Alexandria, Va., goes waaaaay off its beaten path to tell about Gene Waylan and the last survivor of the old KuKu Burger chain, located on Route 66 in Miami, Okla. In the early 60’s, there were lots of Kuku Burger joints around the Midwest. Gene took over and settled in. He liked his … Continue reading The story of the KuKu
Riding with Tricky Dick
Ed Nixon, the youngest brother of the late President Richard Nixon, has just published a book, "The Nixons: A Family Portrait." Ed Nixon is plugging the book, and a report in the Everett (Wash.) Herald has an interesting aside during an interview with him: Of all his memories, none were told with more delight than … Continue reading Riding with Tricky Dick
New murals at the Blue Swallow
Bill Kinder, co-owner of the Blue Swallow Motel on Route 66 in Tucumcari, N.M., showed us new murals that recently were painted by a traveling artist. These murals are painted inside the garages that are next to the rooms. The murals really bring vibrant color in an unexpected place.
Salute to a King
Today is what would have been the 90th birthday of singer and jazz pianist Nat King Cole, whose version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66" became a big hit in 1946 and helped inspire generations to explore the Mother Road. A number of news outlets have published tributes to the man, including the Los Angeles Times, … Continue reading Salute to a King
Space cowboy
The Examiner.com has posted an article about the Thomas P. Stafford Air & Space Museum on Route 66 in Weatherford, Okla. The museum pays tribute to Weatherford native Stafford, who logged six NASA missions and more than 500 hours in space, including the first manned flight to the moon. The museum is a complete air … Continue reading Space cowboy