Dining in Albuquerque

The Examiner.com provides a decent overview of the wide diversity of cuisines seen in Albuquerque restaurants. The range is this -- New Mexican/Mexican, Native American, Asian, Barbecue, Brazilian and Just Plain Fun. The Route 66 Diner fills the latter. The article also says there is a "smattering" of Persian, French, and Greek. So if you … Continue reading Dining in Albuquerque

Last call coming at the Riviera

Chicago Sun-Times columnist and longtime roadie Dave Hoekstra paid a visit to The Riviera restaurant and roadhouse bar on Route 66 in Gardner, Ill., before it closes after New Year's Day. Longtime owners Bob and Peggy Kraft, both in their 80s, want to retire and haven't yet found a buyer for the property. Go read … Continue reading Last call coming at the Riviera

Book of top 100 hamburgers includes Route 66 restaurants

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

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.