Sam Sorrento's Pizzeria in downtown Lincoln, Illinois, is marking its 50th year this weekend with a ribbon-cutting at its new location just three doors down from the old site. The ribbon-cutting at 614 Broadway (aka Route 66) will take place at 4 p.m. Friday, June 7. It's part of Route 66 Weekend activities in conjunction … Continue reading Sorrento’s Pizzeria in Lincoln to mark 50th year this weekend
Category: Restaurants
Decades of Wheels Museum in Baxter Springs holds grand opening
The museum of the Decades of Wheels complex in downtown Baxter Springs, Kansas, held its grand opening Saturday that included a parade and tours of the complex's Little Brick Inn bed-and-breakfast. According to a story in the Pittsburg Morning Sun, that morning was scheduled to include a car parade and a ribbon-cutting by city officials … Continue reading Decades of Wheels Museum in Baxter Springs holds grand opening
The Mill to mark 90th anniversary during new festival
The Mill in Lincoln, Illinois, will mark its 90th anniversary with a variety of activities June 7-9 during the first annual Route 66 Weekend in that city. The Mill, which opened as a restaurant along Route 66 in 1929, is beginning its third year as a museum highlighting the Mother Road and local history. The … Continue reading The Mill to mark 90th anniversary during new festival
Springfield, Illinois, seeks better marketing plan for Route 66
Business, county and city officials are seeking a better plan to market Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, after acknowledging other cities on the route "increased their game.” A lengthy story in the Springfield State Journal-Register states the city is trying to reposition itself to Route 66 travelers at the highway's centennial looms in 2026. According … Continue reading Springfield, Illinois, seeks better marketing plan for Route 66
Muffler Man in Albuquerque to be restored
It must be a good year for Muffler Men along Route 66. A second will be restored in a matter of weeks, right after a souvenir shop in Tulsa erected a new one. The Muffler Man that stands high above Route 66 on the east side of Albuquerque will be restored in the next two … Continue reading Muffler Man in Albuquerque to be restored
A chat with White Fence Farm’s owner and manager
A reader recently tipped me off to this interview by the Village of Romeoville, Illinois, of Laura Hastert, owner and manager of the original White Fence Farm for nearly 20 years. The six-minute video provides background on the famous fried-chicken restaurant along Joliet Road (aka Route 66) near Chicago, including about Hastert herself. https://youtu.be/GAski2biV7A The … Continue reading A chat with White Fence Farm’s owner and manager
Mel’s Drive-In earns Santa Monica preservation award
The Mel's Drive-In restaurant that opened a year ago at the true western ending of Route 66 earned a historic preservation award from the Santa Monica Conservancy. The conservancy stated in a news release Sunday: The 1959 Armet and Davis-designed Penguin Coffee Shop was restored to its original use by Mel’s Drive-In owner Steven Weiss, … Continue reading Mel’s Drive-In earns Santa Monica preservation award
Meltdown Diner in Tulsa to close doors Saturday
The Meltdown Diner along Route 66 in southwest Tulsa will close its doors for good Saturday less than two years after opening. Owner Jim Hardcastle made the announcement Monday on the restaurant's Facebook page: Hardcastle sold a food truck he operated and used the proceeds to renovate a 1949 building at Southwest Boulevard (aka Route … Continue reading Meltdown Diner in Tulsa to close doors Saturday
Outlook appears grim for Steak ‘n Shake restaurant chain
If you enjoy Steak 'n Shake or never have been to the restaurant chain founded 85 years ago along Route 66, you may ought to visit one soon. It may not be around in the next few years. Indiana-based Steak 'n Shake, founded in 1934 by Gus Belt along U.S. 66 in Normal, Illinois, contains … Continue reading Outlook appears grim for Steak ‘n Shake restaurant chain
Original Dew Chilli parlor in Springfield to be auctioned
The original Dew Chilli location in Springfield, Illinois, will be auctioned online after the regional restaurant chain closed it last year. Aumann Auctions, which sold the Sonrise Donut neon signs in December, is overseeing the sale. Online bids are being accepted for the building, property and kitchen equipment through 7 p.m. Wednesday. Here's what the … Continue reading Original Dew Chilli parlor in Springfield to be auctioned