The Lake City Diner in downtown Santa Rosa, N.M., abruptly closed in late May less than a year after it reopened, reported the current print edition of the Guadalupe County Communicator. And the building will be converted into a residence for the owners instead of being put up for sale to another possible restaurateur, according … Continue reading Lake City Diner in Santa Rosa closes
Category: Restaurants
Route 66 News, catch-up edition
I've been out of town for about 10 days traveling Route 66 and more. Here are the stories from the Mother Road that broke while I was away ... --- The biggest news was the announcement that the historic Aztec Hotel in Monrovia, Calif., would undergo extensive renovations with its new owners, reported the Monrovia … Continue reading Route 66 News, catch-up edition
Founder of Mazzio’s pizza chain dies
Ken Selby, who started what turned into the Mazzio's pizza chain in 1961 on Route 66 in Tulsa, died of lung cancer Saturday at age 73, according to several Tulsa media sources, including the Tulsa World. Selby opened his first pizza restaurant at 11th Street (aka Route 66) near Harvard Avenue in Tulsa. It soon … Continue reading Founder of Mazzio’s pizza chain dies
Monroe’s Diner reopens as a Cajun restaurant
The old Monroe's Diner building, a landmark on Route 66 in Pacific, Mo., that was shuttered for years, recently reopened as the Down South Cafe. Monroe's is known for its stone facade, attached to a Quonset hut structure (photo here). It was built in the 1940s, and closed a few years ago. Its location is … Continue reading Monroe’s Diner reopens as a Cajun restaurant
A history of Ann’s Chicken Fry House
Here's a video interview of Al Burchett, longtime owner of Ann's Chicken Fry House in Oklahoma City. https://youtu.be/hGe3o0msb_w Al talks a lot about the restaurant's 40-year history, including its Route 66 connection. As he explains, he's one of the first in the region to use the Mother Road as a selling point.
Historic Steak ‘n Shake nominated to National Register
The Steak 'n Shake restaurant at 1158 E. St. Louis St. in Springfield, Mo., has been nominated to the National Register of Historic Places, according to KOLR / KOZL. Owner Gary Leonard has been part of the restaurant nearly as long as it existed: "I came down here with the family in 1973 and started working … Continue reading Historic Steak ‘n Shake nominated to National Register
A visit to the Mitla Cafe
Taco Maven and a few of her pals spent Cinco de Mayo last weekend dining at the historic Mitla Cafe in San Bernardino, Calif., located right off Route 66. https://vimeo.com/41674695 The Mitla has receive a lot of attention lately, thanks to the recently published book "Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America." The Mitla was … Continue reading A visit to the Mitla Cafe
Super smoked
Here's a television commercial about Super Smokers BBQ, located along Route 66 in Eureka, Mo. https://youtu.be/RJq_d9R-OBc I'm glad to see Super Smokers still going in some fashion in the St. Louis area. Some years ago, Super Smokers boasted several restaurants -- including a booth at the stadium where the St. Louis Rams played -- in … Continue reading Super smoked
Revisiting the Red Cedar Inn
Last weekend, the owners of the Red Cedar Inn in Pacific, Mo., held an open house for the closed Route 66 landmark for potential buyers. Route 66 Realtors, which is listing the property, posted a slideshow from the event. It might take some folks down memory lane: https://youtu.be/II4EUk-9CLc The restaurant opened in 1934 at 1047 East … Continue reading Revisiting the Red Cedar Inn
Mount Olive restaurant adds a big challenge to its menu
The historic Crossroads Diner, on a newer alignment of Route 66 in Mount Olive, Ill., is offering the Crossroads Burger challenge to prospective competitive eaters, starting today. The Crossroads Burger challenge consists of a 60-ounce burger and fries. If you eat everything in an hour, you get it all for free and win a T-shirt. If … Continue reading Mount Olive restaurant adds a big challenge to its menu