Palms Grill Cafe pie-maker honored by state

Lumi Bekteshi, a pie-maker at the historic Palms Grill Cafe in downtown Atlanta, Ill., on Route 66, was honored by the Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism, according to a story by Lee News Service. Bekteshi won the award in Rosemont as part of a series of “Lincoln Awards,” inspired by the Oscar-nominated Steven Spielberg film. … Continue reading Palms Grill Cafe pie-maker honored by state

A closer look at the Elbow Inn

Take a look at a recent "Discover the Ozarks" spot by KRBK-TV in Springfield, Mo., about a Route 66 landmark -- the Elbow Inn Bar & BBQ in Devil's Elbow, Mo. https://youtu.be/SF1z_wdV2B4 One of my favorite stories about the Elbow Inn is this one, by Sandi Wheaton. Believe it or not, her story about the … Continue reading A closer look at the Elbow Inn

City of Albuquerque sues Route 66 Malt Shop

The City of Albuquerque has filed a multi-pronged lawsuit against the embattled Route 66 Malt Shop, according to several media outlets Friday. Not only is the city suing the restaurant for not paying a voter-approved minimum wage to a worker, but it seeks more damages and a restraining order against the eatery due to alleged … Continue reading City of Albuquerque sues Route 66 Malt Shop

Willem Bor’s latest Route 66 miniatures

Netherlands resident Willem Bor, who's built detailed replicas of Route 66 landmarks in miniature, delivered four more models in recent months. The miniatures were: The now-closed Diamonds Restaurant in Villa Ridge, Mo. Riviera Roadhouse in Gardner, Ill., which was destroyed by a fire in 2010. Gay Parita station in Paris Springs, Mo. Bor and his … Continue reading Willem Bor’s latest Route 66 miniatures

Grand Canyon Cafe will be in film about history of Chinese food

The historic Grand Canyon Cafe in Flagstaff, Ariz., will be one of the subjects of a documentary about the rise of Chinese food in the United States, reported the Arizona Daily Sun. A crew from WD Films, which is producing "The Search for General Tso," will visit the Route 66 restaurant to interview senior citizens … Continue reading Grand Canyon Cafe will be in film about history of Chinese food

Son of Route 66 Malt Shop owner allegedly threatens employee

The controversy involving the Route 66 Malt Shop has gotten uglier. The Albuquerque restaurant, which made headlines this week for refusing to pay a city-mandated minimum wage to employees, received more bad publicity when the owner's son reportedly threatened an employee with a baseball bat and machete at the employee's home. KRQE-TV has the story: … Continue reading Son of Route 66 Malt Shop owner allegedly threatens employee

Albuquerque restaurant refuses to pay minimum wage

The owner of the Route 66 Malt Shop in Albuquerque acknowledged to KOB-TV he's refusing to pay a new city minimum wage recently approved by voters. Here's the video from the station's report: The most pertinent points from the written part of the story: Owner Eric Szeman said he warned employees of layoffs when the … Continue reading Albuquerque restaurant refuses to pay minimum wage

TV program examines Route 66 renaissance of Atlanta, Ill.

WEIU-TV spends about 20 minutes of this 26-minute "Heartland Highways" program telling about the embrace of Route 66 tourism by the town of Atlanta, Ill. https://youtu.be/uzyFfgF6Gdw It makes an impression when the mayor says sales-tax revenues rose 43 percent from 2008 to 2012. And he attributes that entirely to tourism. And you also get a peek … Continue reading TV program examines Route 66 renaissance of Atlanta, Ill.

Part of historic sign near St. Louis removed

A huge and historic sign that advertised the Diamonds Restaurant and the Gardenway Motel in Villa Ridge, Mo., saw the Diamonds part of the sign removed in recent weeks, reported Norma Maret Bolin, author of the well-researched book "Route 66 St. Louis." Bolin said she discovered the partial removal of the sign on Feb. 10. … Continue reading Part of historic sign near St. Louis removed

PBS station pays a visit to the Turquoise Room in La Posada

KAET-TV, a PBS affiliate based in Phoenix, produces the "Check, Please! Arizona" program that places the spotlight on notable restaurants in the state. Recently, the program took a closer look at chef John Sharpe and his Turquoise Room, inside the historic La Posada Hotel on Route 66 in Winslow, Ariz. https://youtu.be/weHubtWKI40?t=17m44s I embedded the video … Continue reading PBS station pays a visit to the Turquoise Room in La Posada