This video about the Rock Cafe in Stroud, Okla., by Jack Frank's Tulsa Films is 10 years old, but a lot has happened since then. The Rock Cafe was nearly destroyed by fire a few years later (and rebuilt), and owner Dawn Welch's little girl, Alexis, is now college age. And the restaurant started to … Continue reading Go down memory lane to the Rock Cafe
Category: Restaurants
Suspected drunken driver crashes into Summit Inn
A suspected car thief who allegedly was drunk crashed a minivan into Route 66's iconic Summit Inn restaurant on the summit of Cajon Pass in Southern California, according to several media outlets. According to the Press-Enterprise, Jayson Ernest Johnson, 37, of Riverside, Calif., was arrested Thursday on suspicion of being drunk in public, stealing a vehicle, … Continue reading Suspected drunken driver crashes into Summit Inn
Tri-County Truck Stop will host ‘ghost hunt’
The long-closed Tri-County Truck Stop along Route 66 in Villa Ridge, Mo., will host a "ghost hunt" by the Paranormal Task Force on Saturday night. According to a report in the Washington Missourian, the interactive event begins at 6 p.m. and lasts until 4 a.m. The cost is $50. Tickets may be bought here. Tri-County Truck … Continue reading Tri-County Truck Stop will host ‘ghost hunt’
A chat with a Texola business owner
KC Keefer, as part of his ongoing "Genuine Route 66 Life" series, talks to Masel Zimmerman of the Tumbleweeds Grill and Country Store in the Route 66 ghost town of Texola, Okla. https://youtu.be/S6KJ-9yQReU About a year ago, Zimmerman took a 1930s building, Water Hole #2, and converted it into a personal art gallery, plus a … Continue reading A chat with a Texola business owner
Where are the surviving Green Book businesses?
A historian with the National Park Service is searching for surviving buildings once listed in the "Negro Motorist Green Book" travel directory from 1936 to 1964, and he's asking for roadies' help in finding them along Route 66. The Negro Motorist Green Book was an annual guidebook for black drivers during the Jim Crow era. … Continue reading Where are the surviving Green Book businesses?
A word from our sponsor …
Rib Crib, a barbecue chain based in Tulsa, has introduced new dishes inspired by Route 66. https://youtu.be/NC_rs-34BQU For a chain, Rib Crib's food is good. However, for really good barbecue in Tulsa, you'll find several options here, in the Oklahoma section.
A chat with the co-owner of Del’s Restaurant
As part of his "Genuine Route 66 Life" series, KC Keefer interviews Yvette Peacock, co-owner of Del's Restaurant in Tucumcari, N.M. The restaurant opened in 1956. https://youtu.be/6SBJc09POqY And although Del's naturally plays up the beef part of its menu, its Mexican dishes are praised far and wide. (Image of the Del's sign by "Caveman Chuck" … Continue reading A chat with the co-owner of Del’s Restaurant
Vic’s Pizza in Springfield closes
Vic's Pizza and Pub, a mainstay on old Route 66 on the north side of Springfield, Ill., since 1948, recently closed its doors, reported the Springfield State Journal-Register. The closing must have happened shortly after Valentine's Day. Its Facebook page shows normal postings through that date, then nothing. The newspaper reported: “Business was slow and … Continue reading Vic’s Pizza in Springfield closes
Garavelli’s, R.I.P.
Garavelli's Cafeteria in south St. Louis on the Chippewa Street alignment of old Route 66 closed last June. It ended nearly a century of a Garavelli's restaurants operating in St. Louis. Norma Maret Bolin, author of the well-researched "Route 66 St. Louis," sent me photos Thursday of the building being demolished, including the one above. … Continue reading Garavelli’s, R.I.P.
Fundraising goal reached for Route 66 roadside park
A Route 66-themed roadside park planned in Springfield, Mo., has more than reached its $15,000 fundraising goal with two days remaining, reported KOLR-TV in Springfield. Springfield-based CrowdIt.com, a crowd-funding online service, helped spur the campaign. Here's the station's report: The campaign included this very cool promotional video: Because the campaign raised extra money with two … Continue reading Fundraising goal reached for Route 66 roadside park