The long-closed Filling Station restaurant along Route 66 in Lexington, Illinois, is being renovated and soon will reopen as Kelly's on 66. According to a Facebook post on Bloomington Normal Restaurant Scene, area restaurateur Kelly Tobin planned to begin renovations on the restaurant at 905 1/2 W. Main St. in Lexington and reopen it in … Continue reading Filling Station in Lexington to reopen as Kelly’s on 66
Category: Restaurants
El Reno’s fried onion burgers exported to Fort Worth
If you're in north Texas and you have a hankering for fried onion burgers served in no fewer than three restaurants in El Reno, Oklahoma, you're in luck. Hookers Grill in the popular Stockyards area of Fort Worth, Texas, recently opened. It features a significant El Reno connection, reported the Fort Worth Star-Telegram With or … Continue reading El Reno’s fried onion burgers exported to Fort Worth
A trip down Oklahoma’s Route 66, circa 2009
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation recently began uploading videos to Vimeo, including this 17-minute trip down Route 66 in the Sooner State. It's not a recent video, as I noted a few things that apparently have changed since it was shot. The big totem pole at Totem Pole Park near Foyil has been repainted in … Continue reading A trip down Oklahoma’s Route 66, circa 2009
Son of tony restaurant owner charged in shooting at Eat-Rite Diner
The son of one of the most acclaimed restaurants in St. Louis -- even the country -- was charged with shooting a man during a dispute in the parking lot of one of the city's most blue-collar restaurants, the Eat-Rite Diner. James Bommarito, 51, is accused of shooting and lightly wounding Anthony Bertoglio, 30, in the … Continue reading Son of tony restaurant owner charged in shooting at Eat-Rite Diner
Westport Lodge in Joplin to hold grand reopening as Enlight Inn on Monday
The Westport Lodge motel, built in 1947 along Route 66 in Joplin, Missouri, will hold its grand reopening Monday as an Enlight Inn wellness center, motel and cafe. Joplin Globe business writer Wally Kennedy reports the motel at the corner of North Main Street and Fountain Road is the last surviving motor court in Joplin. It … Continue reading Westport Lodge in Joplin to hold grand reopening as Enlight Inn on Monday
A look back at the Rock Cafe, Pop Hicks restaurants
Anthony Reichardt recently uploaded a couple of more videos from his videotaped road trips on Route 66 in a 1959 Cadillac during the 1990s. The first is from the Rock Cafe in Stroud, Oklahoma, in 1994 and 1995. https://youtu.be/zhaj-mo_g5M The first segment of the video shows a couple of neon signs along Route 66 that … Continue reading A look back at the Rock Cafe, Pop Hicks restaurants
An interview with Jim Conkle
Those who ever have spent any time with longtime Route 66 aficionado Jim Conkle will recognize many of the things he says about the Mother Road in this interview. The 25-minute interview was done by host Joan Rudder-Ward on the "Silver Sage" program, a weekly 30-minute cable-television show geared towards the age-50-and-older crowd. It's a … Continue reading An interview with Jim Conkle
Founder of Billy Ray’s Catfish & BBQ restaurant dies
Billy Ray Cooper, founder and owner of Billy Ray's Catfish & BBQ along Route 66 in southwest Tulsa, died Monday, reported the Tulsa World. He was 65. The restaurant's Facebook page posted this message Tuesday: It is with heavy hearts we share the news that our founder, friend, and beloved family member Billy Ray Cooper fulfilled … Continue reading Founder of Billy Ray’s Catfish & BBQ restaurant dies
The Mill grand opening set for April 29
The Mill in Lincoln, Illinois, will reopen as a museum during a grand opening April 29 after the former Route 66 restaurant finished renovations to make its restrooms accessible to the handicapped. Thanks to prompting from Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County board secretary Geoff Ladd, the city likely will help organize several events … Continue reading The Mill grand opening set for April 29
Albuquerque relights El Vado Motel sign to mark redevelopment project
The city of Albuquerque earlier this month held a ceremonial relighting of El Vado Motel's neon sign to mark the beginning of a redevelopment project there that will preserve the historic Route 66 motel. Palindrome Communities and FDHC are redeveloping El Vado Motel and the adjacent Casa Grande site for $18 million, including about $3.5 … Continue reading Albuquerque relights El Vado Motel sign to mark redevelopment project