The Cibola County Beacon published an interesting feature about the Grants Cafe in Grants, N.M., which has been serving customers along Route 66 since 1949. And get this: The restaurant has had the same cook for more than 50 years, and the owner has been there more than 30. Alice Rose Johnson, a cook for … Continue reading A visit to the Grants Cafe
Category: Restaurants
1 millionth bottle of soda sold at POPS
POPS on Route 66 in Arcadia, Okla., sold its 1 millionth bottle of soda on Saturday afternoon, reported KOKH-TV in Oklahoma City. Marilyn McIntosh bought the landmark bottle -- Round Barn Root Beer, named after the historic Round Barn down the road -- as part of a birthday present for her grandson. She won 66 … Continue reading 1 millionth bottle of soda sold at POPS
Book review: “Route 66 in New Mexico”
Joe Sonderman is primarily known for two things -- as a radio announcer in the St. Louis area, and as a huge collector of Route 66 postcards. But while reading his latest book, "Route 66 in New Mexico" (soft cover, 128 pages, Arcadia Publishing, $21.99), it occurred to me that Sonderman may have met his … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66 in New Mexico”
Bono’s Orange may reopen
In a lengthy story about Southern California's fast-disappearing orange stands, the Los Angeles Times reports that the long-closed Bono's Historic Orange on Route 66 in Fontana, Calif., may be reopened to sell orange juice again. Joe Bono, who is in his 70s, can remember citrus groves stretching as far as he could see during his … Continue reading Bono’s Orange may reopen
A cake worth waiting for
Urban Tulsa, a weekly newspaper, published a good article about Ann's Bakery, a business that's been cherished by Tulsans for more than 70 years at its location on North Harvard Avenue, just off the Admiral Place alignment of Route 66. Ann's Bakery was nearly destroyed by a fire in early 2007, and it took more … Continue reading A cake worth waiting for
Best of the burgers in St. Louis
St. Louis Post-Dispatch writers Joe "Life Sherpa" Holleman and Evan S. "Beer Guy" Benn picked the four best hamburgers in the St. Louis area, and two of them are on Route 66. One burger shack with a Mother Road connection is Carl's Drive-In at 9033 Manchester Road in Brentwood, Mo.: Beer Guy says: This stripped-down … Continue reading Best of the burgers in St. Louis
Riviera may close over fire-safety spat
As feared, it appears the historic Riviera Roadhouse along Route 66 in Gardner, Ill., may have to close because of fire-safety problems. The Joliet Herald-News reports: The lights were on but no one was home Thursday night at the Riviera Restaurant and Supper Club. The business isn't operating right now because of a fight over … Continue reading Riviera may close over fire-safety spat
POPS closes in on 1 million bottles sold
POPS, the restaurant/convenience store on Route 66 in Arcadia, Okla., is fast approaching its 1 millionth bottle of soda sold since opening in 2007, reported The Oklahoman's BAM's Blog. Whoever buys the fateful bottle will earn prizes of 66 scoops of ice cream, free soda for a year, 66 free burgers and fries, and 2,400 … Continue reading POPS closes in on 1 million bottles sold
Fan of classic Carthage burger joint becomes its owner
Drew Evans frequently ate hamburgers at the Whisler's Drive-Up at 300 N. Garrison Ave. in Carthage, Mo., since he was child. Now, according to the Carthage Press, Evans recently took over ownership of the restaurant, which has occupied a spot on a Route 66 alignment since 1953. Whisler’s is an absolute Carthage landmark, he continued. … Continue reading Fan of classic Carthage burger joint becomes its owner
BBQ in Tucumcari
On a recent visit to Tucumcari, N.M., we noticed a battered pickup parked at the corner of Route 66 and Lake Street, with a sandwich-board sign on its bed advertising Watson's Bar-B-Que two blocks north. Tucumcari had long boasted good dining options, but barbecue was not one of them in the dozens of times in … Continue reading BBQ in Tucumcari