Profile of the owner of Barney’s Beanery

The Palisadian-Post weekly newspaper of Pacific Palisades, Calif., published a terrific article about David Houston, the owner of Barney's Beanery, a Route 66 institution in West Hollywood. The article also contains tidbits about Barney's history, including with original owner John "Barney" Anthony, who started the restaurant on Santa Monica Boulevard in 1927. The area was … Continue reading Profile of the owner of Barney’s Beanery

Alton Brown loses appetite for Route 66

Alton Brown a few months ago said he was going to a shoot a new Food Network series, "Feasting on Asphalt," about roadfood on Route 66. However, Jen at Very Big Blog reports that Brown is passing on the Mother Road for another old highway. ... He said when we saw him talk that he's … Continue reading Alton Brown loses appetite for Route 66

Super Smokers BBQ chain shuts down

Super Smokers BBQ, a widely acclaimed St. Louis-area barbecue chain that included a location on Route 66 in Eureka, Mo., shut down its restaurants Thursday night, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The current owner says the restaurants never quite recovered after the economic downturn from the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorism attacks. Super Smokers also … Continue reading Super Smokers BBQ chain shuts down

Third Barney’s Beanery opens next month

Barney's Beanery, an old roadhouse on Route 66 in West Hollywood, Calif., is opening its third location in Pasadena. It also will be on Route 66, on Colorado Boulevard. Barney's other location is in Santa Monica, also on 66. Burbank Weekly has the details: Barney’s Beanery Pasadena will be a near replica of the original … Continue reading Third Barney’s Beanery opens next month

Double whammy for the Elbow Inn

The Elbow Inn, the venerable old barbecue-and-bar in Devils Elbow, Mo., that's a favorite hangout of locals, Fort Leonard Wood soldiers, bikers and Route 66ers, suffered a double dose of bad luck during the holiday weekend. Not only did a burglar force open a door, reports the Waynesville Daily Guide, but the investigation revealed liquor-license … Continue reading Double whammy for the Elbow Inn

Oklahoma restaurants told to butt out

Oklahoma restaurants face a fast-approaching deadline of March 1 to either go smoke-free or install complex ventilation systems away from non-smokers. The Sapulpa Herald reports that several area Route 66 restaurants, including the former Rivett's Route 66 Cafe and Freddie's Barbecue and Steak House, will be affected. Ed "Tex" Slyman of Freddie's added a ventilated … Continue reading Oklahoma restaurants told to butt out

Hope they have an exercise plan

Eckleburg + Grumblecake of the Duke City Fix blog have vowed to dine at every one of Albuquerque's Central Avenue restaurants in 2006. From Tramway to Coors. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Our path may at times veer off of Central to include other restaurants in Old Town or on side streets we … Continue reading Hope they have an exercise plan

Avalon pulling up steaks

The once-notorious Avalon Steakhouse, just off Old Route 66 between Tulsa and Sapulpa, served its last meal in its current building Saturday night. Avalon is moving into a new building one block north later this month, according to the Tulsa World (subscription). It's a tame place now, with an excellence in steaks to which I … Continue reading Avalon pulling up steaks

Rivett’s Route 66 Cafe renamed Al’s Route 66

The Daily Oklahoman interviewed Allen and Susan Shamburg of Colorado, who bought Rivett's Route 66 Cafe in Sapulpa. They're renaming it Al's Route 66 and instilling other changes. The family plans to keep diner staples of cheeseburgers and fries but will start offering healthier sandwiches. To bring a classic feel, Shamburg next month is having … Continue reading Rivett’s Route 66 Cafe renamed Al’s Route 66

The Berghoff in Chicago is closing

The Berghoff, a 107-year-old German dining institution in downtown Chicago, will shut down for good Feb. 28. Route 66 enthusiast David Clark, aka The Windy City Warrior, says The Berghoff is on westbound Route 66, about two blocks from the Mother Road's start. Here are stories from Reuters, AP, Chicago Tribune and Crain's Chicago Business … Continue reading The Berghoff in Chicago is closing