Longtime readers may remember George Motz and his 2005 documentary, "Hamburger America," where he searched for the eight best hamburger joints in the United States. Motz now has a book by the same title, except he's expanded his "best-of" list to 100 restaurants. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that the Bobcat Bite and its … Continue reading Book of top 100 hamburgers includes Route 66 restaurants
Category: Restaurants
End of an era approaches
Thanks to some regular readers, we were the first to report the impending closure of the Riviera Road House in Gardner, Ill. Today, the Joliet Herald News has some more details about the Riviera's colorful history and why co-owners Bob and Peggy Kraft are shutting it down after Jan. 2.
Barney’s Beanery in Burbank reviewed
LA.com posted a fairly comprehensive and mostly positive review of the Barney's Beanery restaurant in Burbank, Calif. Barney's also has locations in Pasadena, Santa Monica and the original in West Hollywood, and has been a Route 66 fixture since 1927. A couple of things the article reports that are worth mentioning: Barney's menu is a … Continue reading Barney’s Beanery in Burbank reviewed
Riviera set to close after New Year’s Day
A Route 66 icon, The Riviera Restaurant, in Gardner, Ill., is set to close after many years. Here's an e-mail from Route 66 advocate Lenore Weiss: The health and ages of Bob & Peggy Kraft, our most gracious host and hostess of the Riviera for over 36 years, are forcing them to close the doors. Unfortunately … Continue reading Riviera set to close after New Year’s Day
Travel Channel host takes a bite out of Amarillo
KAMR-TV of Amarillo reports that Adam Richman, host of the Travel Channel's "Man v. Food," was in Amarillo recently for a taping of a tour of the city's most notable restaurants. Richman's chow-down schedule included \such Route 66 stalwarts as the Golden Light Cafe and the Big Texan Steak Ranch, the latter at which he … Continue reading Travel Channel host takes a bite out of Amarillo
Green Lantern Cafe co-owner dies
I'm not familiar with this apparently long-gone restaurant on Route 66, but I'm posting it for those who may have recalled it. Nevert Scorse, co-owner of the Green Lantern Cafe on Route 66 in Holbrook, Ariz., died on Nov. 23 at age 93, reported the Holbrook Tribune-News. She and her husband, Gilbert Henry Scorse, ran … Continue reading Green Lantern Cafe co-owner dies
Ghost in the machine
The Williams (Ariz.) News reports that something tripped the surveillance video at Twisters '50s Soda Fountain and Route 66 Place during the wee hours of Oct. 16, when the business was closed. It wasn't a burglar or a short in the camera system itself, as there was something visible on the film, a floating white … Continue reading Ghost in the machine
Trainspotting at La Posada
Railroad buff Karl Zimmermann of the Los Angeles Times has written an excellent story about La Posada in Winslow, Ariz., along with the attached Turquoise Room restaurant. The article makes you want to jump in the car and stay for a weekend there.
Missouri association starts a blog
The Route 66 Association of Missouri has started a blog. Webmaster Carolyn Hasenfratz said she created the site to get important or fast-breaking news on the Internet more quickly. And the blog began auspiciously, with a photo of restored neon sign of the Donut Drive-In in St. Louis. Apparently the sign had been dark for … Continue reading Missouri association starts a blog
Architecture firm honored for Route 66 espresso stand
AIA Seattle formed a team to recognize up-and-coming and innovative architectural firms in the region. Twelve were selected, and one has a link to Route 66, according to the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce. And one of the 12 was: Chadbourne + Doss Architects used two cargo containers to create a delightful espresso stand called … Continue reading Architecture firm honored for Route 66 espresso stand