The historic Eat-Rite Diner, which closed a few months ago, recently landed a new operator who said he will convert the tiny Route 66 restaurant into "a brunch focused diner concept." The news first broke on Facebook, when St. Louis-area chef Tim Eagan announced his signing of the lease: https://www.facebook.com/tim.eagan/posts/10225267710309715 In a comment thread with … Continue reading Eat-Rite Diner in St. Louis has a new operator, may reopen it by May
Category: Restaurants
“60 Minutes” airs its interview with famed sportswriter Dave Kindred at Palms Grill Cafe
CBS-TV's long-running "60 Minutes" news program aired its 13-minute feature about famed sportswriter Dave Kindred, where he was interviewed in the soon-to-reopen Palms Grill Cafe in his hometown of Atlanta, Illinois. The Route 66 restaurant's exterior makes only a brief appearance, though much of the interview was conducted inside. Though it contains little Route 66 … Continue reading “60 Minutes” airs its interview with famed sportswriter Dave Kindred at Palms Grill Cafe
Albuquerque Police substation in Nob Hill once was a Valentine diner
A longtime Nob Hill substation for the Albuquerque Police Department along Route 66 once had a far different purpose -- it was a Valentine diner, also along Route 66. The substation has stood there for 24 years at Girard Boulevard and Central Avenue (aka Route 66). KRQE-TV has the rest of the story: While it … Continue reading Albuquerque Police substation in Nob Hill once was a Valentine diner
London Calling closes double-decker bus at Route 66 Food Truck Park in Springfield
The London Calling restaurant has closed its British double-decker bus at Route 66 Food Truck Park in Springfield, Missouri, so its owners can concentrate their energies on other ventures elsewhere in the city. London Calling, which started at another location along Route 66 in Springfield about seven years ago, purchased a 1962 Bristol double-decker bus … Continue reading London Calling closes double-decker bus at Route 66 Food Truck Park in Springfield
Former church on Chicago’s Route 66 becomes a performing arts center
The former Church of the Epiphany and its campus along Route 66 in Chicago have been converted into a performing arts center that includes a cafe and courtyard after a multimillion-dollar renovation. According to a detailed report by Block Club Chicago, the 19th-century church at 201 S. Ashland Ave. has become the Epiphany Center for … Continue reading Former church on Chicago’s Route 66 becomes a performing arts center
Soon-to-reopen Palms Grill Cafe hosts upcoming “60 Minutes” interview
The Palms Grill Cafe in downtown Atlanta, Illinois, which is scheduled to reopen next month, hosted an interview for an upcoming 12-minute segment on CBS-TV's long-running and popular "60 Minutes" news show. The Bloomington Pantagraph broke the story about acclaimed Illinois sportswriter and Atlanta native Dave Kindred talking about his new book, "Leave Out the … Continue reading Soon-to-reopen Palms Grill Cafe hosts upcoming “60 Minutes” interview
Owner of Steak ‘n Shake restaurants in Springfield, Missouri, sells them to a franchisee
Gary Leonard sold to another franchisee his six Steak 'n Shake restaurants in the Springfield, Missouri, region, including the historic one on Route 66. The Springfield News-Leader reports Leonard is retiring after 48 years in the business. The new owners are Mike and Lisa Stennett, who hold franchises in Missouri and Arkansas. The story contains … Continue reading Owner of Steak ‘n Shake restaurants in Springfield, Missouri, sells them to a franchisee
Chat ‘n Chew near Route 66 in Normal catered to black customers in Jim Crow era
The Route 66 Bloomington-Normal, Illinois page on Facebook recently posted an interesting, if obscure, historical item for Black History Month -- the Chat 'n Chew restaurant and grocery in Normal. Here's the post, with Terri Ryburn of Ryburn Place (formerly Sprague Super Service station) in Normal supplying the photo: https://www.facebook.com/Route66BN/posts/153881979883693 A 2017 article, titled "Jim … Continue reading Chat ‘n Chew near Route 66 in Normal catered to black customers in Jim Crow era
New chef at The Turquoise Room in Winslow’s La Posada also draws praise
A recent article in an Arizona newspaper answers a question -- who became the new chef at The Turquoise Room restaurant in La Posada of Winslow, Arizona, after John Sharpe retired in October? The short answer: Jesus Nunez, a native of Mexico who was Sharpe's right-hand man for more than three decades. According to the … Continue reading New chef at The Turquoise Room in Winslow’s La Posada also draws praise
Cookin’ From Scratch restaurant in Doolittle to close next month
The Cookin' From Scratch restaurant along Route 66 in Doolittle, Missouri, will close for good on March 16 due to an ownership change at the complex. According to Phelps County Focus, Tony and Melissa Sherrer of Ozark Oil Co. LLC wrote in a Feb. 12 letter to vendors that Cookin’ From Scratch’s last day would … Continue reading Cookin’ From Scratch restaurant in Doolittle to close next month