These photos show why Illinois Route 66 preservationists John and Lenore Weiss won a prestigious Steinbeck Award a few years ago during the annual Route 66 awards dinner. This is a "before" shot of the long-neglected Art's Motel and Restaurant sign on Route 66 in Farmersville, Ill. This is a shot after the Illinois Route … Continue reading Now, THIS is restoration
Category: Restaurants
Rose Bowl back in the pink
As predicted here a few weeks ago,the Rose Bowl in Tulsa has been repainted back to some semblance of its original pink color, eschewing the red, white, blue and purple colors that it sported briefly before it closed, reports KOTV. Chris Whinery of Whinery Mortgage is the owner of the Rose Bowl, which was built … Continue reading Rose Bowl back in the pink
Vega restaurant set to open in June
Rory Schepisi, the runner-up on the CMT reality show "Popularity Contest," told me today that her Boot Hill Saloon & Grill on Route 66 in Vega, Texas, will tentatively open on June 3 for a private party and on June 4 to the public. Schepisi said the only thing needed are private-club permits, and she … Continue reading Vega restaurant set to open in June
Arcadia angst
I've read this story several times from the San Gabriel Valley (Calif.) Tribune, and I think I now have a grasp on it. It deals with a historic Route 66 restaurant called Rod's Grill, a car dealership and the residents of Arcadia, Calif. Rusnak Mercedes-Benz wanted the city to seize property on which Rod's Grill … Continue reading Arcadia angst
Launching Pad has a new owner
In December, we were the first to report that the Launching Pad Drive-In on Route 66 in Wilmington, Ill., was for sale. This restaurant is a Mother Road icon because of a 28-foot-tall fiberglass statue Gemini Giant, the only one of its kind. Today, the Naperville Sun reports that Morey Szczecin of Channahon is the … Continue reading Launching Pad has a new owner
Mother Road notebook
A few brief news items from Route 66: Reviews of Grand Canyon Skywalk have become so bad, its operators have hired a lawyer to send letters that threaten legal action against critics, reports East Valley Living. A prominent First Amendment attorney has scoffed at Skywalk's alleged intimidation efforts. Money quote from a nearby landowner: "We … Continue reading Mother Road notebook
Catching the VW bug
It's a complicated story -- which the Orange County Register can tell more completely -- but it's about Dave Torstenson's fascination with vintage Volkwagen minibuses, the generous VW community, and an improbable quest to drive a ramshackle 1972 minibus from Tulsa to Los Angeles while being filmed by a documentary crew. Route 66 connections? There … Continue reading Catching the VW bug
Grants restaurant opens; another changes hands
Both stories about Grants, N.M., eateries are from the Cibola County Beacon. The Grants Cafe, a dining fixture along Route 66 since the 1940s, has changed ownership. Steve and Lillian Vigil have retired after 30 years. Mike and Linda Bistline have moved from California to take over. The Beacon reports: According to the Bistline couple, … Continue reading Grants restaurant opens; another changes hands
Mother Road news and notes
A lot has been going on lately. I'll try to summarize the goings-on as best as I can: A tentative opening date of May 20 has been set for the Boothill Saloon and Grill in Vega, Texas. That's the new restaurant owned by Rory Schepisi, a runner-up in CMT's "Popularity Contest" reality show. She's also … Continue reading Mother Road news and notes
Town House in Albuquerque is closing
The Town House Lounge and Restaurant at 3911 Central Ave. in Albuquerque is closing May 5 after 49 years on Route 66, reports the Albuquerque Tribune. The Town House, which one of the city's oldest steakhouses, also is known for its big steer on its roof. Here's a photo. It's owned by George K. Argyles, … Continue reading Town House in Albuquerque is closing