The historic Eat-Rite Diner in St. Louis closed Tuesday for at least two weeks because of mechanical issues, and its aging owner said the shutdown may be even longer than that. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, which landed the scoop, talked to the restaurant's owner, L.B. Powers, who said the shutdown is because of an exhaust-fan … Continue reading UPDATED: Eat-Rite Diner closes; it may open
Category: Restaurants
El Vado Motel to reopen in December; De Anza in 2019
The long-simmering restoration of Albuquerque's historic El Vado Motel is slated to reach completion by December, when it reopens as a boutique motel with local-beer taproom, retail store, mixed-income housing and food pods. The city had hoped to have it open by the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta earlier this month. Meanwhile, restoration work on the … Continue reading El Vado Motel to reopen in December; De Anza in 2019
Miles of Possibility news conference to introduce Launching Pad Drive-In’s new owners
On Tuesday, Tully Garrett and Holly Barker officially bought the long-closed Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington, Illinois, and its iconic Gemini Giant fiberglass statue. On Friday, the couple will be introduced as the Route 66 restaurant's new owners during a news conference at 9:30 a.m. at the Route 66 Miles of Possibility event in Joliet, … Continue reading Miles of Possibility news conference to introduce Launching Pad Drive-In’s new owners
Jubelt’s in Litchfield to mark 95 years this weekend
Jubelt's Bakery and Restaurant along old Route 66 in Litchfield, Illinois, will mark its 95th year with giveaways and specials this weekend. According to The Journal-News: Jubelt’s will be giving away 95 prizes over three days and offering $.95 price specials on certain bakery and restaurant items. The weekend festivities also include a free pumpkin … Continue reading Jubelt’s in Litchfield to mark 95 years this weekend
City of Pacific closes deal to buy Red Cedar Inn
The city of Pacific, Missouri, recently completed its purchase of the closed Red Cedar Inn restaurant and will reopen it as visitors center, history museum and genealogy center sometime next year. The Washington Missourian reported the city paid $290,000 for the Route 66 landmark, which closed in 2007. The city had its eye on the … Continue reading City of Pacific closes deal to buy Red Cedar Inn
State receives two bidders for Garrett’s Desert Inn in Santa Fe
The state of New Mexico received two bidders for land containing the historic Garrett's Desert Inn in downtown Santa Fe, and both bidders want updates to the property. The Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper reported HRV Hotel Partners and GreenTree Hospitality submitted sealed bids to the State Land Office for the property at 311 Old Santa … Continue reading State receives two bidders for Garrett’s Desert Inn in Santa Fe
New mural to be unveiled Sunday in Elkhart
A new Route 66-themed mural in downtown Elkhart, Illinois, will be unveiled Sunday during a weekend that includes the 11th annual Car Cruise-In at The Mill in nearby Lincoln, Illinois. Here's more information about the mural from a news release: According to the Elkhart Historical Society, “the colorful hand-painted mural measuring 36 feet long by … Continue reading New mural to be unveiled Sunday in Elkhart
Launching Pad Drive-In lands new owners
The Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington, Illinois -- best-known for its Gemini Giant fiberglass giant on a corner of the property -- has new owners who plan to reopen the Route 66 landmark in the late spring. The Free Press Newspapers reported Tully Garrett and Holly Barker will take possession Oct. 16 of the property, … Continue reading Launching Pad Drive-In lands new owners
Elbow Inn’s main building reopens
The main building for the Elbow Inn bar and barbecue restaurant in Devil's Elbow, Missouri, reopened Wednesday about five months after record flooding ravaged it and the tiny Route 66 town. The Elbow Inn's beer-garden area reopened a few weeks after the flood. But seeing the main bar looking all shiny and new was a … Continue reading Elbow Inn’s main building reopens
Book review: Charles Phoenix’s “Addicted to Americana”
If you wondered whether famed pop-culture enthusiast Charles Phoenix included Route 66 attractions in his latest book, "Addicted to Americana" (180 pages, hardcover, illustrated, Prospect Park Books), all you have to do is glance at its cover. It contains an image of the Desert Hills Motel neon sign in Tulsa and a tepee from one … Continue reading Book review: Charles Phoenix’s “Addicted to Americana”