Category: Restaurants

First Dairy Queen designated a landmark

The building that housed the first Dairy Queen restaurant, located along old Route 66 in Joliet, Ill., has been designated a local landmark by the city council, reported The Herald-News. The two-story brick storefront at 501 N. Chicago St. (map and Google Street View image here) now houses a local church, but is little-changed otherwise. … Continue reading First Dairy Queen designated a landmark

So who had the first drive-thru restaurant?

This story from The Tribune-Democrat in Johnstown, Pa., delves into the history of drive-throughs, which has squirreled its way into American life from drugstores to liquor stores to restaurants to banks to even funeral homes. As for drive-through restaurants, it's claimed that Red Chaney at the famous Red's Giant Hamburg on Route 66 in Springfield, … Continue reading So who had the first drive-thru restaurant?

The ghost of the Painted Desert Inn

I didn't know this about the historic Painted Desert Inn, located in the Petrified Forest National Park. Apparently I have a new contender for the top ghost sites on Route 66 that I posted yesterday. According to National Parks Traveler: Almost 60 years ago, during the evening of April 9, 1953, the Painted Desert Inn … Continue reading The ghost of the Painted Desert Inn

Hit-and-run crash damages Tulsa restaurant

A hit-and-run motorist crashed into and damaged the Corner Cafe, 11th Street (aka Route 66) and Peoria Avenue in Tulsa, early Monday, reported the Tulsa World. The vehicle struck the western corner of the restaurant at 2:11 a.m. Even though it is a busy corner, restaurant owner Ali Khater said it was the first time such … Continue reading Hit-and-run crash damages Tulsa restaurant

Barney’s Beanery marks 90th year

Barney's Beanery, a West Hollywood restaurant based on Route 66, is marking its 9oth anniversary this month. And the Los Angeles Times today has one of the most attention-getting lead paragraphs I've read: It's a story so revolting and so legendary that it has achieved near mythical status. One night in the 1960s, during a … Continue reading Barney’s Beanery marks 90th year

A word from our sponsor

The Schlotzsky's Route 66 promotion ended a few weeks ago, but it looks like the restaurant chain has a new one. This is the first time I've seen this commercial. And it's pretty cool. The big prize is a 2011 Chevrolet Camaro. I spotted the Desert Hills Motel in Tulsa, featured rather prominently in the … Continue reading A word from our sponsor

Co-founder of Big Texan Steak Ranch dies

Mary Ann Lee, co-founder of the Big Texan Steak Ranch with her husband Bob Lee, died Friday in Amarillo at age 86, according to the Amarillo Globe-News. Lee and her husband started the Big Texan along Route 66 in Amarillo in 1963. The restaurant moved to Interstate 40 for survival's sake during the 1970s, although … Continue reading Co-founder of Big Texan Steak Ranch dies

Former owner of Catoosa restaurant dies

Carol Ham, the former co-owner of the Lil' Abner's Dairyette drive-in restaurant on Route 66 in Catoosa, Okla., died last week at age 66, reported the Tulsa World. Ham and her mother, Bea Yocham Smith, ran the restaurant from 1959 until health issues forced her to sell it. The restaurant finally closed in 2003, but the … Continue reading Former owner of Catoosa restaurant dies

TV producers looking for a colorful Route 66 cafe

A development team is seeking nominations for a colorful Route 66 diner that will be featured on a reality TV show on a "major cable network," according to a spokesman. Here's a news release about the project: “Diner” will follow the lives of the staff (and of course the locals) of a home-town diner. We’ll face … Continue reading TV producers looking for a colorful Route 66 cafe