The last of the Harvey Houses closed more than 40 years ago, and they barely register a blip in the current public consciousness. But author Stephen Fried makes a compelling case in "Appetite for America" (Bantam, 544 pages, $27) that Fred Harvey and his restaurants and resorts made an impact on tourism, dining and the hospitality … Continue reading Book review: “Appetite for America”
Category: Restaurants
A talk with the Donut Man
A reporter from the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin sat down to chat with Jim Nakano, owner of the famed Donut Man stand on Route 66 in Glendora, Calif. In a region that really likes its doughnuts, the Donut Man stands out -- especially because of its strawberry doughnut. It's a split pastry piled generously with … Continue reading A talk with the Donut Man
Farewell to a friend
Tony Paglia paid a visit to the Snow Cap Drive-In on Route 66 in Seligman, Ariz., the day after its longtime owner, Juan Delgadillo, died on June 2, 2004. Here's a video Paglia made in tribute: This is what he says about the video: We visited the Snow Cap the day after its proprietor, Juan … Continue reading Farewell to a friend
Illinois Route 66 Association announces its Hall of Fame inductees
The Illinois Route 66 Association announced its Class of 2010 for its Route 66 Hall of Fame. Here is the complete list, courtesy of the association: 817 Hillsboro (known as Halley's) in Edwardsville The building at 817 Hillsboro in Edwardsville was built in 1914 and started as a cash & carry mom-and-pop market called Barns … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Association announces its Hall of Fame inductees
Roadkill Cafe sponsors motorcycle racers
The Roadkill Cafe, a restaurant in Seligman, Ariz., that's popular with Route 66 travelers, is sponsoring Road Kill Racers, a sidecar motorcycle racing team, according to a news release at Roadracingworld.com. This sponsorship deal is an effort to promote the tourist industry in which racing is very much part of the travels required by all … Continue reading Roadkill Cafe sponsors motorcycle racers
Antique Greyhound buses to meet in Adrian
A group of 1950s Greyhound Scenicruiser buses will meet later this week at the "Hounds of the Mother Road Reunion" in Adrian, Texas. A small convoy of these buses met at a motel on 11th Street (aka Route 66) in Tulsa on Tuesday night. The event in the Texas Panhandle is set for Thursday and … Continue reading Antique Greyhound buses to meet in Adrian
Barbecue restaurant honored by magazine
Missouri Hick Bar-B-Q in Cuba, Mo., was named the best barbecue restaurant in southwest southeast Missouri by Rural Missouri magazine, according to the Viva Cuba blog. From the blog: The restaurant at 913 East Washington, which is also Route 66, offers BBQ, smoked meats, a 5-6 pound loaded baked potato, five homemade BBQ sauces, and … Continue reading Barbecue restaurant honored by magazine
A burger place to watch (and taste)
This part of a profile from the Arizona Daily Sun about the Mama Burger restaurant on Route 66 in Flagstaff, Ariz., got my attention: "I think it reminds them of a burger either they would make at home for themselves or someone dear to them would make for them," said Bernadette Chavez, who owns Mama … Continue reading A burger place to watch (and taste)
Notes from the road
The neon sign of the historic Tower Theater in Oklahoma City will be relighted during a ceremony Friday evening. The theater, at 425 NW 23rd St. in Oklahoma City, will see its restored neon blazing away again at 6:30 p.m. that day after decades in the dark. Here's more about the theater, according to records … Continue reading Notes from the road
Fire destroys St. Louis riverboat
The Lt. Robert E. Lee riverboat, a fixture as a floating restaurant on the St. Louis riverfront for decades, was destroyed by fire Sunday afternoon, reported the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. First-arriving fire crews found the vessel engulfed in flames. They were delayed by two inoperable hydrants nearby. The blaze sent up a plume of gray-black … Continue reading Fire destroys St. Louis riverboat