As part of the "Route 66 Stories" series, Patrick Rhea tells about the lengthy history of Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket in Willowbrook, Ill. https://youtu.be/aXFVofQLp0Y The Chicken Basket's been in business for about 70 years, and remains prosperous.
Category: Restaurants
Cafe on the Route abruptly closes
Cafe on the Route, a Route 66 restaurant and bed-and-breakfast inn in Baxter Springs, Kan., that gained national fame for its appearance on the Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" show, closed in recent days. The restaurant, in a former bank building built in 1870 at 1101 Military Ave. (Route 66), announced on Christmas Eve … Continue reading Cafe on the Route abruptly closes
Memories at Jubelt’s Bakery
As part of the "Route 66 Stories" series, Jeanmarie Jubelt tells about the long and tangled history of Jubelt's bakery and restaurant in Litchfield, Ill. https://youtu.be/wtyC9jWWci8 Jubelt's has sat on Route 66 in Litchfield for more than 30 years. But its history dates to 1922 in nearby Mount Olive -- also a Route 66 town.
Irv’s Burgers reportedly threatened again
The co-owner of the historic Irv's Burgers stand in West Hollywood, Calif., says she again is being pressured to move, reported the West Hollywood Patch. The website reported: Sonia Hong, owner of 62-year-old Irv's Burgers, said associates of her new commercial neighbors went to the sidewalk eatery in late December bearing warnings of a rent increase, … Continue reading Irv’s Burgers reportedly threatened again
Road-testing three more Route 66 restaurants
In 2009, Guy Fieri's Food Network show "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" tracked down three more acclaimed restaurants on Route 66 -- Salsa Brava in Flagstaff, Ariz.; Standard Diner in Albuquerque; and Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket in Willowbrook, Ill. Here's the full segment, which hasn't appeared on this site before: https://youtu.be/XE_tsS4EOqY
Grand Canyon Cafe marks 70th year
The Grand Canyon Cafe in downtown Flagstaff, Ariz., celebrated its 70th year on Tuesday, according to a feature in the Arizona Daily Sun. Freddy and Tina Wong -- who have operated the restaurant for the past 30 years -- say their family has owned the Grand Canyon Cafe for all of its existence except for less … Continue reading Grand Canyon Cafe marks 70th year
Frank Pastore, former Big Texan speed-eating champion, dies
Frank Pastore, a former Cincinnati Reds pitcher who ate the fabled 72-ounce steak dinner at the Big Texan Steak Ranch in a record 9 1/2 minutes in 1987, died Monday from complications after suffering severe injuries in a motorcycle accident. Pastore's death was announced by KKLA radio, a Christian station in Glendale, Calif., that hosted … Continue reading Frank Pastore, former Big Texan speed-eating champion, dies
Big Texan adds dinosaur to its parking lot
The Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, is adding a 27-foot-tall dinosaur statue in front of the landmark restaurant, reported the Amarillo Globe-News and the Big Texan Brewery's Facebook and Twitter accounts. The dinosaur originally stood at a now-closed Planet Hollywood in Dallas. At the Big Texan, the big lizard will be decked out … Continue reading Big Texan adds dinosaur to its parking lot
Topock Resort project on schedule to open in April
The owner of the large Topock 66 Spa & Resort project in Topock, Ariz., says it remains on track to open in late March or early April, according to a report in the Havasu News-Herald. Chet Hitt says he's optimistic the $13.8 million project on the banks of the Colorado River will be operating by the … Continue reading Topock Resort project on schedule to open in April
Buffalo Inn’s future looks cloudy
A nostalgic article by David Allen of the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin reveals that the historic Buffalo Inn in Upland, Calif., faces an uncertain future due to bankruptcy and legal problems. The Buffalo Inn, at 1814 W. Foothill Blvd. (Route 66), opened in 1929, saw its name change several times due to ownership changes, then … Continue reading Buffalo Inn’s future looks cloudy