A few days ago, the Springfield News-Leader published a long, soul-searching piece titled "Selling 66" that asks the question: Has Springfield, Missouri, done a good job promoting Route 66? If you have to ask, you know the answer. Springfield has realized its error and is trying new things to bring tourists, including the future Birthplace of … Continue reading Did Springfield, Missouri, miss the boat in promoting Route 66?
Category: Restaurants
Will the Route 66 festival transform Kingman?
The Kingman Daily Miner newspaper posted an interesting article this week about Route 66's growing economic influence and whether the upcoming International Route 66 Festival will transform the host town of Kingman, Arizona. The article borrows heavily from the influential Route 66 Economic Impact Study and anecdotal evidence on how Route 66 affects other towns, … Continue reading Will the Route 66 festival transform Kingman?
Cowboy sign returns to Big Texan after one-month hiatus
The 90-foot-tall landmark cowboy sign at the Big Texan Steak Ranch returned Friday after being removed for about a month when a wind storm damaged it, reported the Amarillo Globe-News. The newspaper reported about the saga of Bull, the name of the cowboy figure on the sign: Strong winds in late June damaged the sign to the … Continue reading Cowboy sign returns to Big Texan after one-month hiatus
Joe Rogers Chili Parlor reopening under a new name
Joe Rogers' The Chili Den Parlor, a landmark in Springfield, Illinois, since 1945 that unexpectedly closed in April, will reopen next month under the same family ownership, but a different name, reported the State Journal-Register. Marianne Rogers, daughter of founder Joe Rogers, told the newspaper contractual issues with previous owners forbids her from using the … Continue reading Joe Rogers Chili Parlor reopening under a new name
Albuquerque’s most popular filming locations
KRQE-TV in Albuquerque produced this fascinating story about the city's most popular filming locations for movies, television series and commercials. Not surprisingly, several exist on Central Avenue, aka Route 66 -- Lindy's Coffee Shop and Loyola's Family Restaurant. The station reported: So why are Lindy’s and Loyola’s attractive for filmmakers? “They’re still period, they still … Continue reading Albuquerque’s most popular filming locations
Reality show being produced at El Pinto Restaurant in Albuquerque
A reality television show will be produced featuring the twin brothers who own El Pinto Restaurant and Salsa Co., which is located on an original alignment of Route 66 on the north side of Albuquerque, New Mexico. According to the news release, Media Meld Studios and Smart Skirts Entertainment will produce the show about the … Continue reading Reality show being produced at El Pinto Restaurant in Albuquerque
Bob Kraft, former co-owner of the Riviera, dies
Bob Kraft, a co-owner of the regrettably gone Riviera Roadhouse bar and restaurant along Route 66 in Gardner, Illinois, died last week at age 90 in a nursing home, according to an obituary in The Daily Journal of Kankakee, Illinois. Kraft and his wife, Peggy, who died in May 2013, owned and operated the Riviera … Continue reading Bob Kraft, former co-owner of the Riviera, dies
Summer in St. Louis
A friend on Facebook posted this a few days ago, and it certainly will make former residents of the Gateway City homesick. If nothing else, maybe it'll encourage a few Route 66 travelers to hang around the city for a few days. Here is St. Louis from Grain Inc. on Vimeo. The exceptional video was … Continue reading Summer in St. Louis
Williams trades Denny’s for a Route 66-themed restaurant
This is a switch I can get behind -- the landlord of a Denny's in Williams, Arizona, let the franchise go, remodeled the building, and opened a Kicks on Route 66 Bar and Grill in its place, reported the Williams News. Brad and Sally Olson opened the revamped restaurant about two weeks ago, reported the … Continue reading Williams trades Denny’s for a Route 66-themed restaurant
A visit to the Palms Grill Cafe
KC Keefer, on his Genuine Route 66 Life video series, interviews Angel French at the historic Palms Grill Cafe on Route 66 in downtown Atlanta, Illinois. https://youtu.be/BGNHcdCKaik The Palms Grill, built in 1934, was restored in 2009 and quickly became a must-stop for travelers -- especially for folks who like a small-town atmosphere and pie. … Continue reading A visit to the Palms Grill Cafe