Blue Miller of the well-researched Never Quite Lost blog recently wrote about Charley Diaz, longtime operator of the Charley's Automotive Service, aka Charley's Radiator Shop, in Grants, New Mexico. The long-closed complex of five buildings included a restaurant, Star Cafe, at 1308-1310 W. Santa Fe Ave. (aka Route 66). It was designated to the National … Continue reading The man behind the Charley’s Automobile Service building in Grants
Category: Restaurants
M’tucci’s gives details about plans for Kellys Brew Pub site in Albuquerque
M'tucci's Restaurants, a small regional chain in Albuquerque, recently gave details on its plans for the former Kellys Brew Pub property in the city's Route 66 corridor. According to Albuquerque Business First, the former Kellys will be rebranded M'tucci's Bar Roma, with a scheduled reopening of spring 2022. Because of the property's landmark status, the … Continue reading M’tucci’s gives details about plans for Kellys Brew Pub site in Albuquerque
Carl’s Coney Island in Tulsa recently marked its 50th year
Carl's Coney Island, a mainstay in the historic Crystal City Shopping Center along Route 66 in Tulsa, in October marked its 50th year and welcomed new owners. According to a Facebook post a few weeks ago, Carl's celebrated its half-century on Oct. 21. It served 50-cent Coney dogs that day. It also announced owners Mike … Continue reading Carl’s Coney Island in Tulsa recently marked its 50th year
Mitla Cafe in San Bernardino featured on “CBS Sunday Morning”
The fabled Mitla Cafe in San Bernardino, California, was featured this week during a four-minute segment on "CBS Sunday Morning." https://youtu.be/yI4GLpoTDj0 One little-known angle the network explored was the Route 66 restaurant became an organizational meeting place for desegregation efforts for public swimming pools in San Bernardino. As with Black people across the nation, many … Continue reading Mitla Cafe in San Bernardino featured on “CBS Sunday Morning”
Big mixed-use development announced north of Mother Road Market in Tulsa
Route 66 in Tulsa helped begat the Mother Road Market. The Mother Road Market helped begat the forthcoming North of Market development, a $60 million project that mixes retail, apartments, restaurants and a neighborhood gathering space. That's the essence behind the announcement and the groundbreaking Wednesday for the project at 2219 E. 11th St. (aka … Continue reading Big mixed-use development announced north of Mother Road Market in Tulsa
Tail O’ the Pup reopening in West Hollywood next year
The historic and iconic Tail O' the Pup stand, famous for its hot dog shape, will reopen in 2022 in West Hollywood, California, along its stretch of Route 66. LA Eater reported last week the stand, originally located at 311 La Cienega Blvd., will include a beer garden, as well: The 1933 Group announced plans this … Continue reading Tail O’ the Pup reopening in West Hollywood next year
Tom Willis, owner of 66 Diner in Albuquerque, dies at 71
Tom Willis, owner of the landmark 66 Diner in Albuquerque and charter member of the New Mexico Route 66 Association, died Wednesday. He was 71. Sue Montgomery, vice president of the association, stated by email that "from my understanding" Willis died of COVID-19 and "had some underlying conditions that didn't help." Willis would be the … Continue reading Tom Willis, owner of 66 Diner in Albuquerque, dies at 71
Howdy Burger is 31st sign to benefit from Tulsa’s Route 66 neon sign grant program
The Howdy Burger restaurant on the 11th Street alignment of Route 66 in Tulsa is the 31st sign to be created or renovated through the city's Route 66 neon sign grant program. The sign is an animated design, with its main character tossing a lasso. Howdy Burger is at 1516 E. 11th St. (aka Route … Continue reading Howdy Burger is 31st sign to benefit from Tulsa’s Route 66 neon sign grant program
Ed Debevic’s diner reopens at a new location in Chicago
Ed Debevic's restaurant, famous for its 1950s decor and theatrically surly waitstaff, has reopened in the Streeterville area of Chicago after its previous River North location was closed and demolished about six years ago. The old Ed Debevic's was north of Route 66 but provided such a unique experience that many Route 66 travelers included … Continue reading Ed Debevic’s diner reopens at a new location in Chicago
City of Tulsa issues request for proposals for new Route 66 interpretive center
The city of Tulsa on Monday issued a request for proposals for a mixed-use and Route 66 interpretive center near the Arkansas River after apparently giving up on previous efforts for similar projects. The request, first reported by KRMG radio in Tulsa, had been expected for a few weeks. The requests are due on Jan. … Continue reading City of Tulsa issues request for proposals for new Route 66 interpretive center