The Cozy Dog Drive-In along Route 66 in Springfield, Ill., has advanced to the finals in the Central Division in the Seven Wonders of Illinois contest sponsored by the Illinois Department of Commerce. The Cozy Dog is going up against fellow finalist Allerton Park of Monticello. Strong lobbying by the Route 66 community helped the … Continue reading Cozy Dog makes finals
Category: Restaurants
Joliet to launch Route 66 campaign
After seemingly much indifference to the Mother Road for years, the city of Joliet, Ill., is embracing Route 66 tourism in a big way when it launches its Joliet Kicks on Route 66 campaign on June 2. According to the Herald-News: The Joliet Area Historical Museum will have a bunch of interactive displays, including watching … Continue reading Joliet to launch Route 66 campaign
Randy’s of Wildorado is moving
A reader tipped me off that the fine-dining restaurant on Route 66 in Wildorado, Texas, is moving to nearby downtown Amarillo. Sure enough, Randy's Web site says the restaurant closed its Wildorado location on Feb. 17 and is moving into the historic Paramount Building at 817 S. Polk, about two blocks south of Route 66. … Continue reading Randy’s of Wildorado is moving
Cyber-driving
This Associated Press article touts a bunch of Web sites for people who want to take a virtual road trip down Route 66 and other historic highways if they can't do the real thing. Many of these sites have already been linked here, but a few interesting finds turned up: StateEnds.com has a group of … Continue reading Cyber-driving
Historic Barstow cafe torn down
Debra Hodkin, who runs the Barstow Route 66 Mother Road Museum in Barstow, Calif., gave the Route 66 yahoogroup some bad news yesterday: Greystone Cafe at 31317 E. Main in Barstow, CA, is being torn down. This is a section of Route 66 where the road runs parallel with the freeway near the Marine Base. … Continue reading Historic Barstow cafe torn down
Restoration of Needles hotel begins
The long-closed El Garces Hotel in Needles, Calif., built in 1908 and one of the last surviving railroad Harvey Houses, recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for its rehabilitation, reported the Mohave Daily News. According to the article: Plans call for El Garces to include a state of California Needles Visitor Center, an inter-modal transit center, … Continue reading Restoration of Needles hotel begins
Atlanta’s Downey Building update
The good folks of Atlanta, Ill., have been working to renovate the historic Downey Building in downtown, which is part of old Route 66. The Bloomington Pantagraph reports that a circa-1938 Palms Grill Cafe will be part of the complex and a local history museum. Around 6:30 p.m. April 24, the replica Palms Grill Café … Continue reading Atlanta’s Downey Building update
Route 66 Malt Shop isn’t closing
Diane Avila, owner of the Route 66 Malt Shop at 1720 Central Ave. in Albuquerque, misinterpreted a legal document she received and thought she was being evicted by a landlord that is redeveloping the area. However, the restaurant is closing only temporarily as the building it occupies is renovated, reports the Albuquerque Tribune. Chris Calott … Continue reading Route 66 Malt Shop isn’t closing
Don’t be a cheapskate here
The Austin Chronicle took a trip up to the Route 66 town of Groom, Texas, to eat at the Blessed Mary's Restaurant. The restaurant isn't all that different compared to others in that part of the country. You can order coffee, cheeseburgers or enchiladas -- typical diner fare. The restaurant is unique in that you … Continue reading Don’t be a cheapskate here
So strange, it’s cool
It's Hungarian rappers with an Elvis impersonator, singing a new song, "Route 66," on the Mother Road in Newberry Springs, Calif. I have no idea what they're rapping/singing, but it's funky and sounds good. So strange, it's cool. The rap group is Ganxsta Zolee & Kartel, with guest star Nagy Edmond singing in the jumpsuit. … Continue reading So strange, it’s cool