Tony Waldmire, 31, a co-operator of the landmark Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield, Illinois, and grandson of its founder, died Saturday, according to a post from the restaurant's Facebook account. The post read: This is the hardest post I have ever had to make. With a heavy heart I am sad to announce the passing of my … Continue reading Tony Waldmire of Cozy Dog Drive-In dies
Category: Restaurants
Fran Eickhoff plaque being moved to Missouri Hick Bar-B-Q
A plaque commemorating longtime Route 66 business owner Fran Eickhoff is being moved from Fanning 66 Outpost to the Missouri Hick Bar-B-Q restaurant in Cuba, Missouri, after the former closed. The plaque will be re-dedicated by the Route 66 Association of Missouri at 11 a.m. Saturday at the restaurant 913 E. Washington St. (aka Route 66; … Continue reading Fran Eickhoff plaque being moved to Missouri Hick Bar-B-Q
Midpoint Cafe put up for sale because of owner’s health problems
The Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, Texas, a Route 66 landmark for many years, has been placed on the market after its owner endured chronic health issues -- including an episode late this summer that required hospitalization. Owner Dennis Purschwitz posted Saturday on Facebook: As many of you all know, this past season has been hard on me, my … Continue reading Midpoint Cafe put up for sale because of owner’s health problems
Hotel plan may endanger original Barney’s Beanery
The original Barney's Beanery restaurant and bar along Route 66 in West Hollywood, California, may be endangered by a proposed five-story hotel in that spot. The Los Angeles Times reported on a few of the details: The proposal — which is in its early stages — would see Barney’s entirely disassembled, stored offsite during construction and later rebuilt … Continue reading Hotel plan may endanger original Barney’s Beanery
More details released on future Big Texan Steak Ranch
While groundbreaking remains weeks away, the owners of the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo revealed many plans for a bigger restaurant and other attractions just down the road. The current Big Texan seats about 500 people, but customer demand has outgrown it with no room to expand. According to the Amarillo Globe-News, the restaurant loses more than … Continue reading More details released on future Big Texan Steak Ranch
Book review: “Portrait of Route 66”
"Portrait of Route 66" provides many colorful or obscure images from the massive Curt Teich Postcard Archive, and it offers a look at the Mother Road from the mid-1920s to the early 1950s. But one of the most enjoyable parts of "Portrait of Route 66" (280 pages, cloth, illustrated, University of Oklahoma Press) turns out to be … Continue reading Book review: “Portrait of Route 66”
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard wins World Ice Cream Index
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard of St. Louis won the second annual World Ice Cream Index in a contest run by an Irish marketing firm. Sool Nua of Dublin reported the Route 66 landmark prevailed over other establishments from 13 countries after more than 30,000 votes. No. 2 was a shop from Slovenia. According to Sool … Continue reading Ted Drewes Frozen Custard wins World Ice Cream Index
Co-creator of Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner dies
Roy Dunton, a longtime Route 66 resident who with his son built Mr. D'z Route 66 Diner and a slew of automotive businesses in Kingman, Arizona, died last week at age 95. According to an obituary in the Kingman Daily Miner, Roy and Scott Dunton built and leased out Mr. D'z Route 66 Diner, a … Continue reading Co-creator of Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner dies
The Mill likely will reopen as a museum by April
The Mill restaurant in Lincoln, Illinois, likely will reopen as an area history museum in April after almost 10 years of restoration work on the Route 66 landmark. The Springfield State Journal-Register published a detailed story about The Mill and the plans for it. A $10,720 cost-share grant recently awarded by the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program … Continue reading The Mill likely will reopen as a museum by April
Day of remembrance held for Summit Inn
The current owners of the Summit Inn held a memorial service Saturday at the charred site of the Route 66 restaurant that was destroyed by a ferocious wildfire in Southern California's Cajon Pass last month. The Victorville Daily Press reported: ... Owner Otto Recinos and his family invited the community to the site to share an opportunity … Continue reading Day of remembrance held for Summit Inn