Mel's Drive-In restaurants, which includes a location at the actual western terminus of Route 66 in Santa Monica, marked its 75th birthday on Dec. 14 at its eight locations in the San Francisco and Los Angeles regions. On its birthday, the regional chain offered 75% off classic food items, including the Mel burger, country eggs, … Continue reading Mel’s Drive-In restaurant marks its 75th anniversary
Category: Restaurants
New sign for Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield is a throwback to its earlier days
On Friday, Ace Sign Co. installed a new sign at the Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield, Illinois, that is a throwback to the Route 66 landmark's earlier days. The restaurant posted this photo of the sign, stating it wasn't yet completely functional but should be next week: About a week before the installation, Ace Sign … Continue reading New sign for Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield is a throwback to its earlier days
Classen Grill will reopen amid extensive renovations of Donnay Building in OKC
The popular Classen Grill eventually will reopen as the historic Donnay Building in Oklahoma City undergoes extensive and long-needed renovations. Steve Lackmeyer's recent article in The Oklahoman newspaper provides a lot of details about what is happening to the Donnay, which for a short time was endangered by a proposed Braum's ice cream parlor development. … Continue reading Classen Grill will reopen amid extensive renovations of Donnay Building in OKC
Eat-Rite Diner in St. Louis reopens as Fleur STL brunch spot
The historic Eat-Rite Diner near downtown St. Louis recently reopened as Fleur STL, a brunch restaurant. Local chef Tim Eagan, who acquired the building not long after it closed in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, announced it would be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. His Facebook post showed a sample … Continue reading Eat-Rite Diner in St. Louis reopens as Fleur STL brunch spot
City of Clinton receives two proposals for Glancy Motel property
The Clinton (Oklahoma) Economic Development Authority this week received two proposals for the Glancy Motel and Pop Hicks properties, prompting it to urge the City Council to not accept bids for the properties' demolition as previously planned. Details of the proposals were reported in the Clinton Daily News (subscription required). Local residents Corky Heard and … Continue reading City of Clinton receives two proposals for Glancy Motel property
Book review: “Eating Up Route 66”
Fill your gas tank and bring your appetite. T. Lindsay Baker's new book, "Eating Up Route 66" (Amazon link), takes readers on a culinary and historic adventure down the Mother Road. It's safe to say the 448-page volume -- subtitled "Foodways on America's Mother Road" -- instantly is a definitive work about Route 66 restaurants. … Continue reading Book review: “Eating Up Route 66”
Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita breaks world record for most stickers on a car
The Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita, Oklahoma, on Saturday set a Guinness world record for applying 66,066 stickers on a car. That broke the old record of 41,500. The bid was part of Mobil 1's "Keep Route 66 Kickin'" campaign. According to a story by a Tulsa TV station KJRH, the Route 66 restaurant chose a … Continue reading Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita breaks world record for most stickers on a car
Howlin’ Ray’s restaurant holds soft opening with building’s preserved Adohr Milk Farms sign
The Howlin' Ray's hot chicken restaurant in Pasadena, California, held a soft opening last week with the restored Adohr Milk Farms sign on the historic building. About two years ago, Howlin’ Ray’s hot was doing a face-lift on a building at 800 Arroyo Parkway (aka Route 66) when it uncovered an original Adohr Milk Farms … Continue reading Howlin’ Ray’s restaurant holds soft opening with building’s preserved Adohr Milk Farms sign
Freddie’s BBQ and Steakhouse in Sapulpa to close on Dec. 31 after 60 years
Freddie’s BBQ and Steakhouse of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, one of several old-school Lebanese steakhouses that dotted the region, will close permanently on Dec. 31 after its longtime owner died earlier this year. The New Sapulpa Road (aka Route 66) restaurant on Sapulpa's north side made the announcement in a Facebook post on Sunday. It attributed the … Continue reading Freddie’s BBQ and Steakhouse in Sapulpa to close on Dec. 31 after 60 years
Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita to host another Mobil 1 world-record attempt
The Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita, Oklahoma, on Nov. 5-12 will attempt another Guinness world record with the most stickers placed on a car. The Route 66 restaurant on Friday posted on Facebook that it needs some help with the attempt: We are now looking for volunteers for two very important roles. We need:1) People to … Continue reading Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita to host another Mobil 1 world-record attempt