I stumbled onto this video today, posted by Casey Smalley. The description of the video: Here you can place an order for a 18 oz. bottle of my family's barbecue sauce that my grandpa, Ed Smalley, made popular through his days running the Okie Steakhouse, the world famous Rock Cafe [my emphasis -- Ed.] along … Continue reading A taste of the past?
Category: Restaurants
The roots of Taco Bell
I didn't know this, but the beginnings of the Glen Bell and his now-ubiquitous Taco Bell restaurant chain began at a corner eatery on Route 66 in San Bernardino, Calif. According to OC Weekly: This taco comes from the above restaurant, which is the exact location where Bell's Hamburgers and Hot Dogs opened in 1952: on … Continue reading The roots of Taco Bell
Original Big Boy restaurant was on Route 66
This slipped through my radar, but the original Bob's Big Boy restaurant was established on Route 66 in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles. Dan Kimpel of the Eagle Rock Patch dug up details about the eatery, which now boasts more than 100 restaurants in America and is best-known by its portly, smiling mascot. … Continue reading Original Big Boy restaurant was on Route 66
Launching Pad Drive-In put up for sale
The Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant of Wilmington, Ill., made famous by its 28-foot-tall astronaut Gemini Giant mascot that stands next to Route 66, has been put up for sale and appears to be closed at least temporarily. Longtime Route 66 advocate John Weiss, a Wilmington resident, took note of the restaurant's closing a few days … Continue reading Launching Pad Drive-In put up for sale
Stagecoach stop
I've been hearing good things in the past year or so about the new owners of the Stagecoach Motel on the east end of Seligman, Ariz., near the historic alignment of Route 66. In addition to the motel, it contains a pizza place. But this video shows more charm and detail than any advertising can … Continue reading Stagecoach stop
Cafe on the Route owners opening restaurant in Joplin
Richard and Amy Sanell, owners of the much-acclaimed Cafe on the Route on Route 66 in Baxter Springs, Kan., soon will open another restaurant in the historic Gryphon Building in nearby Joplin, Mo., reported the Joplin Globe. The Gryphon, completed in 1915, sits at 10th and Main streets in Joplin, a few blocks south of … Continue reading Cafe on the Route owners opening restaurant in Joplin
“Man vs. Food” hits Amarillo
Adam Richman, host of the "Man vs. Food" program on the Travel Channel, talks about his experiences at the Coyote Bluff Cafe on old Route 66 in Amarillo, Texas, in this video blog. Richman tried the green chile stew (common in neighboring New Mexico) and sampled the Burger From Hell, which contains jalapeno, habanero and … Continue reading “Man vs. Food” hits Amarillo
Streetcar Diner’s new home
I received this e-mail today from Route 66 preservationist John Weiss: The Streetcar Diner that was behind the Riviera has been moved onto its new space on the grounds of the two-cell jail in downtown Gardner. Before the move it was stripped down, sanded and primed by members of the Illinois Route 66 Preservation Committee. The major … Continue reading Streetcar Diner’s new home
San Bern restaurant once served the stars
Here's a long-closed restaurant that even the oldest Route 66 enthusiasts would be hard-pressed to remember. Mother Massetti's Inn at 1396 W. Fifth St. (aka Route 66) in San Bernardino, Calif., became a way for an Italian immigrant widow to support herself and her family. The Italian eatery became a hangout for many Hollywood stars … Continue reading San Bern restaurant once served the stars
The year in review at one little corner of the Mother Road
The good folks at the Historic Seligman Sundries coffee bar in Seligman, Ariz., put together a compilation of highlights from the past year.