Historic Williams lodge being converted into a winery

The old Wagon Wheel Lodge east of Williams, Ariz., on Route 66 is being transformed into the Wagon Wheel Winery by its new owners, reported the Grand Canyon News. More details from the newspaper about the 10-acre property at 7545 E. Old Route 66: Ann and Louie Serna planted about 1,200 grapevines on the property … Continue reading Historic Williams lodge being converted into a winery

Longtime Barney’s Beanery owner dies

Irwin Held, 87, who owned the Route 66 landmark restaurant Barney's Beanery in West Hollywood, Calif., for nearly 30 years, died of a kidney ailment Monday in his Los Angeles home, reported the Los Angeles Times. To hear Held's daughter  Linda Shabot tell it, her father probably saved the restaurant from the wrecking ball when he … Continue reading Longtime Barney’s Beanery owner dies

“Man of Steel” can be found in Carterville

With the blockbuster Superman film "Man of Steel" opening this weekend, KOAM-TV took a closer look at the Supertam on 66 ice cream shop and museum on Route 66 in Carterville, Mo., that pays tribute to the comic-book character. If the video isn't properly embedding, just click on the link below. KOAM TV 7 Here's … Continue reading “Man of Steel” can be found in Carterville

Garavelli’s restaurant in St. Louis closing soon

Garavelli's Cafeteria Restaurant, a fixture on the Chippewa Street alignment of Route 66 in south St. Louis, will shut  its doors for good on June 28, according to an announcement on its Facebook page. It is with deep sadness that we announce the closing of Garavelli's Cafeteria. After many great years with all of you, … Continue reading Garavelli’s restaurant in St. Louis closing soon

Irv’s Burgers given an eviction notice

Irv's Burgers, a landmark on Route 66 in West Hollywood, Calif., for more than a half-century, was served a 30-day notice to vacate the premises by its landlord, according to Scott Piotrowski, an expert on Route 66 in Los Angeles County. It's not certain when Irv's last day of operation is. But Piotrowski said the … Continue reading Irv’s Burgers given an eviction notice

Bobcat Bite restaurant moving to downtown location

Bobcat Bite, a old Route 66 restaurant on the edge of Santa Fe, N.M., famous for its green chile cheeseburgers, is moving its operations to a downtown location by late July and will be renamed Santa Fe Bite, according the Albuquerque Journal. The newspaper said John and Bonnie Eckre's restaurant will be inside Garrett’s Desert … Continue reading Bobcat Bite restaurant moving to downtown location

Galena’s remarkable comeback story

It's not out of the woods yet, but the long-moribund Route 66 town of Galena, Kan., is looking more prosperous these days. The Joplin Globe newspaper, based in nearby Joplin, Mo., published a long story about the town's comeback. The whole thing is worth reading, but I'll highlight what has happened in Galena in recent … Continue reading Galena’s remarkable comeback story

Bono’s restaurant plans to reopen after moving building

In a story by the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin about Joe Bono greeting Route 66 tourists at his long-closed Bono's Italian restaurant in Fontana, Calif., was this little nugget: Looking over architect's drawings, Bono said the restaurant, whose front windows are just a few feet shy of the now-four-lane Foothill Boulevard, will be moved south … Continue reading Bono’s restaurant plans to reopen after moving building

Fire destroys downtown building in Carthage

A massive fire gutted the popular Sassy Spoon restaurant in downtown Carthage, Mo., on Saturday and extensively damaged a business next door. Firefighters were called to the scene earlier in the day and seemed to have the blaze under control. However, the fire flared up again. The upper floor, which contained apartments, collapsed, as did … Continue reading Fire destroys downtown building in Carthage

The story of the Palms Grill Cafe

GrahamSpencer, a communications firm with an office in Rockford, Ill., uploaded this video it produced about the Palms Grill Cafe in Atlanta, Ill. Route66 from GrahamSpencer on Vimeo. The film was made for the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway.